Page 14 of Fire Harbor

Linus held up his hands. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that Farley doesn’t like me closing him off from the bedroom at night, so what usually happens is I let him flop on the bed when there’s thunder.”

More at ease, she finished off her wine. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I find curling up with them helps me sleep. Ready for dessert?”

He cracked a sly smile. “I’ll settle for the ice cream. See what I did there?”

She couldn’t help it, a giggle escaped. She scooted her chair out and stood up. “You’re very clever. But for now, spicy chocolate is all you’re getting. Although maybe I can jazz it up a little.”

As she walked past him, he reached out and took her hand. “Dinner was great. Thank you.”

She surprised him by leaning down and placing a kiss on his cheek. “It’s not over yet.”

Lake went over to the freezer drawer and took out the ice cream. She dished up two bowls of the spicy chocolate and topped it with her own fruit spread made with sweet cherries.

When she brought it to the table, Linus couldn’t help but marvel at the sight. The creamy chocolate and vibrant cherries looked like a work of art in a bowl. “It reminds me of a chocolate version of cherries jubilee.”

“If only. I promise there’s no brandy in my fruit spread. But maybe next time.”

As they indulged in the decadent dessert, silence hung in the air. Linus savored each bite. The two sat in her cozy breakfast area, the soft flush of candlelight dancing across their faces created a tranquil ambiance as though they’d eaten together a thousand times.

With the relaxed atmosphere came a connectivity she hadn’t felt with anyone else. For her, the evening had taken an unexpected turn, transforming a simple dinner with a neighbor into something more meaningful. She looked across the table and noticed his expression—a fusion of delight and contentment—and tried to guess what he was thinking at that moment. She watched him with a fondness she hadn’t anticipated, finding herself drawn to his cool-headed demeanor and gentle nature. They had even shared a few stories from their pasts, peeled away layers of their lives, and discovered a kinship rooted in their commonalities—a first step in getting to know each other better.

When Linus finished his last bite, he leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Your homemade topping didn’t need a thing, not even alcohol. It paired up well with the spicy chocolate, bringing out the flavors to perfection. You have a real talent for throwing together a meal and making it special.”

Lake felt her face go warm at the compliment; her cheeks blushed with a pinkish hue. “I’ve always enjoyed cooking, especially when I keep it simple, and I have someone who appreciates a good meal.”

Linus smiled, his eyes twinkling with sincerity. “Well, I consider myself lucky to be that someone,” he replied, reaching across the table to gently brush his fingers against hers.

The touch sent a shiver through Lake, stirring a flutter of expectation. Their hands lingered as a comforting silence settled between them, allowing their unspoken affection to deepen. It was as if time stood still in that moment, suspended in the air like a delicate thread. They exchanged glances, their eyes dancing with undeclared words.

“I have to admit,” Linus began softly, breaking the silence, “this evening has surpassed all my expectations. You’re not just an incredible cook; you have this ability to make me feel...seen.”

Lake’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. “You had expectations about tonight?”

“I’ve wanted to ask you out for at least a year and a half.”

Her mouth fell open. “I don’t understand. You never seemed that interested in me when you were checking out books.”

“I might’ve been intimidated by your smarts. You have a Ph.D. I didn’t even go to college.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’ve been a nerd all my life, a socially awkward nerd. Everybody knows it. That’s why they say mean things behind my back. Besides, you have your own talent. You’ve gone through life-saving training. You’re equipped to use CPR, a defibrillator, and administer IVs. You save lives every day by helping people in all kinds of situations. I can’t do any of that. I don’t even like to look at blood.”

Linus met her eyes and grinned. “You get used to it.”

“I wouldn’t,” she confessed. “I can’t believe I’ve been waiting for you to ask me out, and you didn’t because I’ve been to college.”

“On my salary, I’d never be able to afford this kind of house.”

“What difference does that make? I didn’t build it. Neither did my dad. It’s been in my family for more than a hundred years and passed down to us. A drafty old house with dust in the attic and cobwebs in the basement. Marigold House is a big hit around Halloween.”

“Wait. You’ve been waiting for me to ask you out?”

“Long before Keegan called me that day about two labradoodles available for adoption,” she revealed. “I picked Scout. But when I reached the clinic and walked into the reception area, there you were, signing the papers for Farley. I thought it might be a reason to finally connect.”

Linus chuckled. In a voice brimming with genuine affection, in a tone laced with surprise and delight, he stated, “Why would you remember that day unless fate had a plan for us after all?”

“In spite of ourselves,” Lake replied, her eyes glistening with warmth. “I noticed right away how wonderful you were with Farley. You were giving him a belly rub. It was like a glimpse into your soul.” She paused, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Yikes, that sounds incredibly corny, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t think so. I noticed the same thing about you when Jessica brought out Scout. That was like a peek into your heart. A love for animals is never a bad thing.” His gaze never left hers. “Well, it seems we’ve both been silently waiting for something that was right in front of us all along.”

---