Page 41 of Safe With You

“It is. Did you have any trouble finding it?”

“No, my phone led me right to it.”

“Good.”

They walked toward the porch.

“How many acres do you have?”

“Just about three. Most of it goes off in that direction.” She gestured toward the woods opposite the Harts’. “And then about a hundred feet on the other side of the cottage.” Opening the porch door, she led the way inside.

She held her breath as they entered the kitchen, and Drew looked around. She didn’t know why what he thought of it mattered so much to her. Silence filled the room as he took it in. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“What do you think?”

He nodded slowly, still taking it in. “It’s cute. Quaint.”

“Well, most lake cottages around here are. It’s my childhood. The happy part. It’s the only place that has ever felt like home besides the Harts’.” She watched his face, which said he wasn’t sure what else to say, and her heart sank just a little. “You don’t like it.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. It’s just not my style, is all.”

Of course, she already knew that. He was more modern minimalist—the exact opposite of the cottage. Truthfully, he probably hated the rustic, vintage decor and clutter but was too nice to say so.

“I know it’s not what you like, but it is very special to me.”

“It was your home.”

His past tense use of the word ‘was’ snagged uncomfortably in Katie’s mind. She fought to brush it off, knowing he didn’t mean anything by it.

He turned slowly and scanned the room again. “Even if it’s not my style, it’s in good shape for an old lake cottage and a nice location.”

At least he could see some good qualities about it. “Yeah, Grandma always took good care of it.” Despite being a bit of a collector.

O’Malley caught her attention as he waltzed in from where he’d been curled up in the sewing room and wound around her ankles. She smiled, about to introduce him, but caught the way Drew’s brows had dipped.

“Did you get a cat?”

She hesitated at his incredulous tone. “Sort of. He was a stray Ethan said was hanging around. No one claimed him, so…I gave him a home.”

Drew’s frown deepened. “I wish you would have said something first.”

“Why? Don’t you like cats?”

“Not particularly. I’m allergic.”

“Oh, well, sorry. I guess we’ve never talked about pets.” She hurried to grab O’Malley, who’d made a beeline for Drew’s legs. “It didn’t seem like a big deal.”

Drew sighed, a semi-disgusted wrinkle to his nose as he peered at the cat. “I guess it’s a good thing I brought allergy meds. Are you sure getting a cat right now is a good idea? What will you do with him when you return to Elling?”

“I don’t know. Find an apartment that allows cats, I guess.” She hadn’t thought that far yet. “I’ve always wanted a cat. I’m less lonely with him around, and it’s calming. Honestly, I wish I had done it sooner. Would you rather I had gotten a dog instead?”

That nose wrinkle was back. “I’m not really into pets.”

That didn’t come as a surprise. As far as she knew, his family’s only pets growing up had been their exotic fish—nothing with four legs and fur. Hopefully, he wouldn’t mind Rosie when they had supper with the Harts.

Trying to ignore his dislike for O’Malley, Katie forced an upbeat tone to her voice. “Well, it’s too nice to sit inside with the cat anyway. We can sit on the porch or down by the lake.”

Chapter Eighteen

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