She straightened her shoulders. “No, it’s fine. Mom is taking Sammy after day care, and they’re having a sleepover, so my day is free. If we put it off, there could be an issue since my mom is going to Florida to see her sister next week, and I would have to make other arrangements for Sammy.”
“Well then, I guess it’s just us.”
“Right.”
She shifted on her feet, obviously feeling as uncomfortable as I was at the moment. I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize the subtle changes in our relationship.
I opened the door, offering her my hand. “Let’s go, Liv. I need coffee and a breakfast sandwich for the road.”
She began to scramble up into the cab when I noticed the bandage around her ankle. I stilled her actions. “What happened?”
She grimaced self-consciously. “I slipped off the bottom rung of the ladder yesterday. It’s nothing.”
Without asking, I slid my arm around her waist and lifted her into the truck. I didn’t want her to hurt herself trying to climb in with a bad ankle. I grabbed the seat belt and buckled her in. I didn’t fail to notice the way her hands gripped my biceps, or the way they lingered on my body.
“Okay?” I asked, my voice gruff even to my own ears.
Her hands dropped to her lap. “Oh, um, yes. Thanks.”
I stepped back, even though everything in me wanted to lift her face and kiss her. Even though all I wanted to do was to pull her into my arms and hold her until she told me she was wrong and didn’t need any time. That we could move on together.
But I didn’t know if she was ready, and I didn’t want to push. She was still on guard and might always be. I had probably blown my chance with her because of my temper. It didn’t come out very often, but when it did, it wasn’t pretty.
I crossed the front of the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat, holding in my sigh.
It was going to be a long day.
We finally found the overgrown road leading to the secluded cabin. I carefully maneuvered the truck up the steep, beaten track that once passed as a driveway. The ruts and broken limbs made the hill bumpy and treacherous. It was badly planned, filled with twists and turns, making it difficult to navigate. Even in low gear, the truck slid on the overgrowth, and the low-hanging branches slapped against the sides of the cab. Liv held on to the handle with a death grip. She was already pale, and I could see this part of the drive was making her nervous. Without taking my hands off the wheel, I spoke.
“It’s okay, Liv. It’s solid, just neglected. Nothing is going to happen to you when you’re with me. I’ve got you.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw her deep exhale.
“I know,” she whispered.
I wished she believed those words.
We hit the top of the hill, and each of us was grateful. I pulled close to the cabin and slammed the truck into park. Liv turned slightly in her seat.
“How bad is it going to be going down?”
“It’s going to be fine. The truck is more than capable of getting us down safely.”
She peeked out of the window. “Even if it’s raining?”
I opened the door and crossed to her side of the truck. I lifted her down and carefully set her on the uneven ground. “Even if it’s raining.” I paused and held out my hand. “It’s slippery. I think you should hold on to me.”
I kept my face impassive as she threaded her fingers through mine. Simply the feel of her small hand tucked into mine made my heart beat faster. She stepped closer, and her foot caught on the wet undergrowth, causing her to stumble. She lurched forward, barreling into my chest, and instantly, I wrapped my arm around her waist, steadying her. For a moment, I felt her in the safety of my embrace. Warm. Small. Perfect.
Then she stepped back, her eyes downcast as she mumbled an apology.
“Not a problem, Liv,” I assured her, shutting the door, disappointment making my voice low. “Watch your step, though. It’s hazardous underfoot.” I shortened my stride to stay beside her. The ground was treacherous beneath our feet, and though she had accepted my hand, I wasn’t sure she would allow me to carry her. We rounded the corner, and both of us stopped and stared.
“Oh, wow,” Liv breathed as we walked toward the front of the property.
Below us, the Niagara River wound its way through a maze of curves and angles. Huge expanses of trees lined the banks. Sunlight peeked through the clouds, the muted light glinting off the water, a vast span of blue and green swirling with the waves that rolled and broke on the surface. Boats made their way down the channel. A few cottages dotted the landscape, but they were so far away, it was as if you were set high above the world, looking down. The scenery was spectacular.
“A million-dollar view,” I mused.
“It’s breathtaking.”
I glanced down at her. The diffused light caught her hair, casting a glow around her face. Her golden eyes were wide and awed.
“Yes,” I agreed. “It’s breathtaking.”
She glanced up, her eyes meeting mine. They widened, the emotions she fought to hide from me blatant. The want she denied. The need. The fear. I saw it all. I wanted to fix it all. Calm her fears, take away the want and fulfill every need she had. I pivoted on my heel, turning toward her. I opened my mouth to speak, but she backed away, breaking our gaze. She turned and limped away.
“We should check out the cabin.”
I followed her, tapping down my impatience. She was running again.
This time, however, she could only go so far.
I noticed the way her hand shook as she fumbled with the keys. The heavy door creaked in protest as it swung inward. Without thinking, I went ahead of her, unsure as to what condition the cabin would be inside. I didn’t want her falling in a hole or coming face-to-face with a raccoon who had made a nest inside the abandoned cabin.
“Wait here,” I stated firmly. I held my flashlight high, pleased to see everything intact. I crossed the room and pushed back the heavy material covering the windows, allowing the light to fill the room. I turned around, my gaze sweeping the space. Liv shut the door, moving forward, her eyes scanning, taking in the same things I was seeing.
“Great bones,” I murmured.
“Yes.”
“Want to explore?”
Her excitement was evident. “Yes!”
For the next while, we were simply coworkers. We went through the cabin, each of us looking from a different angle yet on the same page. It was a simple layout. A large main room with a kitchen/eat-in area to one side. Two good-sized bedrooms and a shared bath. I was pleased to see the structure was solid, well-built, and sturdy. It was in desperate need of repairs and refurbishing, but I had every confidence Liv would make it spectacular. I already had ideas on improvements. Leaving Liv to think, I scoped the outside, noting the large space around the cabin. I had a feeling Liv would want to do some expansion, and there was plenty of room. I drew in long, calming lungfuls of the fresh air, studying the rapidly darkening sky, all evidence of sunlight now gone. In the distance, I could hear the rumble of thunder, and I knew the rain Liv worried about was going to happen soon.
Returning to the interior, I noticed there was some furniture in the cabin, and I lifted one of the heavy dustcovers, surprised to see a chaise lounge in deep blue leather hidden underneath. I tossed the cover on the floor and sat, watching Liv. She had her sketch pad out, her hand flying over the page as she walked around. Even given the frustration I was feeling, I enjoyed watching her work—creating something new from the old.