A beautiful young girl was staying with him. Nope … that didn’t bother me at all.
“Well, thanks. Have a good one.” I grabbed my bag and pushed through the door. “Oh … excuse me.” I ran right into someone.
“Hi.”
When I glanced up, squinting against the sun, I realized it wasn’t just someone. It was Kael with a thicker beard and even longer hair. Tanned nose and cheeks. White smile. And that familiar sparkle in his eyes.
“Hi.” I finally returned his greeting after staring at him in disbelief for several moments.
He nodded to the bag in my hand. “Looks like you bought one of everything.”
I glanced down at the bag and shrugged. “Just supporting local businesses.”
As a couple squeezed by us to get into the store, Kael took a step back so I could get out the door and out of their way. We met going into winter, so it was strange seeing him in cargo shorts, a well-fitted tee, and sneakers instead of boots.
“You look good. I like your shorter hair.”
I reached for my chin-length hair and smiled. He still managed to make me blush just from his proximity … from the grin on his face and mischief in his eyes. “Thanks. I needed a change.”
“Change is good.” His hands went straight for his back pockets, his usual stance. It pulled back his shoulders, made him appear a little taller, and definitely fit the Captain America persona.
“Your employee … friend … roommate … uh …” My nose scrunched as I fumbled my words. “She said you were in Utah.”
“I was. Just got back this morning. We drove through the night. I’m in need of a nap.” He yawned. “But I wanted to check on things here first.”
It took me a few seconds to realize he’d stopped talking. I found myself enamored with the simplicity of his presence before me. I knew I’d missed him, but I wasn’t aware of just how much until he stood a few feet from me. “Well, I won’t keep you. I just ventured out beyond the grocery store and the bank for the first time in months. So …”
“Finish your quilts?” He grinned.
Gah! I loved that grin.
“Three of them.”
“Painting?”
I chuckled and nodded. “Every room. I’ve tidied up the landscaping and potted lots of plants. I didn’t start my usual garden because I’d hoped the house would sell, but clearly nobody wants to move to Epperly. And who can blame them?”
“Bella leave for school?”
“Not yet. She’s in Arizona for the summer with my parents. She’ll move to Texas the first of August. I already have my airfare booked to help her get settled.”
“And you?”
“And me …” I grinned and sighed. “I’m just living in the moment.” My smile intensified in response to his.
“What are you going to do when the house sells?”
“If it sells? I don’t know. After Bella starts school this fall, I’m thinking of traveling. Maybe I’ll learn to make olive oil in Italy or captain a boat on the Mediterranean.”
Kael nodded. “All good plans.”
“Actually, I’m leaning toward Peru.”
“Peru?” He lifted his eyebrows.
“Yes. Machu Picchu. The Amazon.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“Over the years, our family vacations involved anywhere we could drive to. Four kids. Owning a retail store. It wasn’t conducive to international travel.”
“Well, now’s your time. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
Why did it hurt to see him? Oh … right. My heart never let go. “So … you have a roommate. That’s so not you.”
He glanced through the window behind me. “Yeah. Claire’s doing her own searching for a new direction. I needed some help at the shop, and she needed a place to live for a while. It’s just good bartering.”
I nodded slowly. “Well, I’ll let you get inside to see her. I’m sure you missed her.” My gaze didn’t quite reach his face. “Maybe I’ll see you around now that I’m venturing out. Get some sleep.”
“I’ll walk you to your vehicle.” He reached for the bag in my hand.
“What? No. Don’t be silly.” I tried to pull away from his hand wrapped around the handles of the bag next to mine.
“I’m not being silly.” He pulled the bag out of my grip and headed toward the parking lot like it was a forgone conclusion that I was parked there.
I was.
“You are being silly.” I huffed, catching up to him.
“I’m not. I’m being greedy.”
“Greedy?”
“Yeah.” He shot me a quick sidelong glance. “Looking for any excuse to spend a few extra minutes with you.”
There he went … reaching for that jar on the highest shelf with my heart inside it.
“What about Claire?”
“Claire already spent time with you. It’s my turn.”
Smart ass …
I couldn’t hide my grin. “Kael …”
He found my Tahoe with ease … probably because he’d parked right next to me. As soon as he reached the driver’s door, he turned. “Elsie.”
In a silent standoff, we held our ground as if waiting for the other one to blink.