My brothers have been giving me a hard time for how long it’s been since I’ve had a woman in my life, and they’re not wrong.
But that doesn’t mean I can be with this one who’s practically fallen from the sky.
I’ll be hospitable to Ruby Jones tonight and get her out of here as soon as I can tomorrow.
CHAPTER THREE
PROPER NAMES
RUBY
I can’t get over how beautiful this place is. The ceilings are unbelievably high, arching into a point with a catwalk around the sides, as if it’s a mini lodge. The beams are incredible, but the whitewashed ceiling and touches of whitewashed wood mixed with the dark wood opens it up so much more than the typical mountain lodge or log cabin. The stone fireplace is an art piece in itself, and the oversized furniturein various distressed woods has my little designer-loving heart salivating.
Don’t get me started on the floor-to-ceiling windows that go up into the arch of the wall. I cannot wait to see the view in the daylight.
The floorplan is open and from the fireplace I can see Callum in the kitchen. It’s like something I would’ve picked out, only more masculine, but he has white subway tile like Jolene, and long wood beams for shelves that I totally thought about doing. His white dishes and clear glasses are stacked neatly on the shelves, and there are closed white cabinets underneath the white granite countertop. The island is dark wood on top with a pretty green distressed wood on the bottom, and the barstools have a curved back that are perfect for the space.
I turn to tell Callum again how much I love his house, and he’s got a pan out, stirring the liquid until it’s smooth. It’s hard to even look at him for any length of time, his muscular arms in that flannel shirt and his sexy scruff. But I also can’t keep my eyes off of him for very long.
My cheeks burn with my thoughts.
I didn’t know I liked longer hair on a man—it’s in desperate need of a cut, almost to his shoulders, but it’sgoodhair. Dark and thick and slightly wavy. That, paired with his growls and piercing eyes, gives him a feral look that is undeniablyhot.
For someone other than me.
Obviously.
I fan my face, feeling faint.
This day. Goodness, I can’t think about it too much.
“You’re making hot chocolate from scratch?” My voice comes out breathy and weird. I clear my throat. “I don’t thinkI’ve ever had it like that. I’ve only ever had the little white packet with tiny marshmallows…”
“This tastes better.”
I wait for him to say something else, but he just stirs as his eyes momentarily meet mine. He’s not much of a talker, I’ve noticed.
Since I’ve been sitting for so long, I keep wandering to different areas, finally landing in front of a small nook with a cozy chair, a lamp, and two framed pictures on the bookshelves. There’s a huge group of people in front of a lake, a bride and groom in the center. I find Callum right away. He looks amazing in a suit. The next photo is of a smaller group of some of the same people in front of another pretty house. Everyone looks younger in this one. Callum’s wearing a beanie and his smile is bigger than I’ve seen on him yet. His arm is around a beautiful dark-haired girl, and there are three other guys on either side of him and an older couple in the center.
“Is this your girlfriend? She’s gorgeous.” I pick up the picture and study it closer.
“Sister.”
I smile at the photograph, relieved that I won’t be dealing with a jealous girlfriend when she finds out I’m staying here tonight. “Are these your brothers?”
“Yes.”
I nod. “I can see the similarities between all of you now. Beautiful family. I always wanted a lot of brothers and sisters, but,” I lift a shoulder, “it’s just me. And a bunch of emus.” I laugh, but it quickly fades.
I really need to call my parents and let them know I’m okay…and find out what they’re doing with our emu farm. I’ve been too upset to talk to them yet, frustrated that they’d sell our home to Junior without talking to me about it…and without making sure I was on the deed. Knowing them, they probably assumed I was or that Junior would be sure to handle it.
It’s remarkable they’ve kept that land as long as they did. I sigh and look up to see Callum studying me.
I set the picture down when he lifts the pan and pours the chocolate into two large mugs. When he’s divided it evenly, he sets down the pan and moves toward the refrigerator, pulling out whipped cream, and then he grabs a bag of huge marshmallows from the pantry.
He holds up the two choices and I make a face.
“That’s a really hard decision,” I say.