Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Nothing to see,” he snorted.
I shook my head and headed back to the sofa. “Nothing I can’t handle, anyway.”
“And you’re sure you didn’t hit your head?”
I didn’t understand his fascination with my head, but I assured him I had not hit it hard. “It sort of glanced off the snow, but my shoulder took the hit. I’ll rub some Voltaren cream in before I go to bed, and I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
“I’d do that and kiss it better if I were there,” he said, sounding frustrated. “And I wouldn’t stop at your shoulder.”
“When are you coming home?” I asked, ignoring the rush of desire I felt at his words.
“I’m leaving at lunch on New Year’s Day. They’re staying another week, but I’m done. Suzy and James enjoy the whole resort and the social aspect. Bonnie has friends she can play with. I’ve had a good visit, but I have something I need to get back to.”
“Your business?” I teased.
“Yes. You and AJ are my business, and I miss you like crazy.” He shook his head with a grin. “How, I don’t understand, but I do.”
“We miss you too.”
“Soon, you won’t have to.”
“Okay.”
“May I take you out when I get home?”
“Out, like a date?”
“Yes. A proper date. Dinner. Maybe dancing. Or my place. Just the two of us. Do you have someone who can watch AJ?”
“Yes.”
“Arrange it.”
I lifted an eyebrow, and he chuckled.
“Sorry. Please arrange it. Whatever night suits you best.”
“I’ll do that.”
We talked a bit longer, about nothing important, just sharing bits of our time apart. He was reluctant to hang up. “This bed is empty and cold.”
“So is mine.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Call me in the morning and let me know how you are.”
“Okay.”
He disconnected the call after staring at me for a moment and touching his lips in a silent kiss.
I stared at the ceiling, wondering how this was going to work. We’d lived in a bubble for a few magical, wonderful days. But real life was about to happen. I’d go back to work and the daily grind of getting AJ out of the house and to day care, then coming home and making dinner, doing housework, dishes, and chores. Getting him to bed. Working some extra hours, catching sleep when I could. I wouldn’t have long days of walks, snowball fights, stolen kisses, and afternoon naps. I had no doubt whatever he did kept Asher very busy. He’d mentioned dinners and events, lots of meetings and long hours.
Would we find time for us, or would we drift apart? I couldn’t help but wonder if he had been reacting to the loneliness of the season and, now that it had passed and he went back to his real life, if what we shared would fade away. The idea of that happening made my chest ache with a sadness I couldn’t comprehend.
I stood and got ready for bed, slipping on Asher’s T-shirt. It still smelled like him, and I buried my nose in the neckline of it and drifted into an uneasy sleep, one thought on repeat.
That soon, his scent would only be a memory.
Like him.
Like us.
CHAPTER NINE
ROSIE
I was a little stiff in the morning and slow to get going. I’d fallen asleep after talking to Asher and my cell phone had died overnight, so I plugged it in. AJ and I went to breakfast as a treat. It was nice to have the meal out, and I could relax and enjoy my coffee as AJ colored the menu they’d given him. He loved the pancakes at the small diner, and he dug in as soon as they were in front of him, dousing them with syrup. I laughed and took away the bottle, enjoying my western sandwich. Food always tasted better when you didn’t have to make it.
After, we walked to the store to pick up a few things for New Year’s. I let him pick his favorite chips and one bag of candy. I bought the makings for homemade pizza. AJ was excited, and we headed home, walking slowly. I shifted the bags from arm to arm, my shoulder aching constantly. When we arrived at the apartment building, I was surprised to discover a man waiting for me by my door. He was middle-aged, with kind brown eyes, and he carried a black bag.
“Ms. Duncan?”
“Yes,” I replied with a frown. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Dr. Sherman Hayes.” He offered me a card.
I shifted the bags, taking the card. “Um, hello?”
“I was sent by Mr. Hart.”
At my blank look, he smiled. “Asher. Asher sent me.”
I was confused. “Why?”
“He was worried. He said you hit your head, and he hadn’t heard from you as promised. He thought you might be in medical distress.”
I gaped at him. “What? So he called you to come check on me?”