Page 24 of Courageous Yearnings

Blythe bought kitchen items… with mice.

“Problem?” she chuckled from behind him, and he braced himself.

“This isn’t funny.”

“Funny? What do you mean?” she said innocently, smiling and reaching past him and grabbing the carafe as he stepped back, allowing her to do so. “Do you like the coffee mugs I picked up? Aren’t they adorable?”

“Obviously, you went shopping,” he began carefully, eyeing the mug warily. “Why on earth are there mice on them? I mean, we could have done little cheese blocks only, and that would have been cute.”

“They are cute,” she protested, and her lips twitched.

“Are they ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ mugs?”

“Certainly not.”

“Well, why not?” he blurted out, eyeing the mug again as he filled it from the carafe. Honestly, even though he hated the mice, it was cute that she’d picked out something obviously to goad him. “I thought we were going shopping together?”

“Well, um, I suppose we still can, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

“I wanted to take you shopping so you could get some stuff for your place.”

“I did,” she chuckled, holding up her mug. “I bought a set of matching coffee mugs…”

“Get your shoes on – oh wait – uh, do you have any shoes?”

“Yes, Maya had me get some things, shoes, and a few necessities.”

“All right, then, let’s head out,” he said distractedly, glancing at his watch again and downing the coffee in large, scalding gulps. “We’re losing time and…”

“Aren’t you tired or hungry?”

Lance hesitated and looked at her. Just that simple question caught him a little off guard because it was almost like she was trying to watch out for him, and it was nice. No matter how much she might have fought him, there was something within her that was looking out for his well-being.

“You’re right,” he admitted. “Let me get a quick shower and a change of clothes, then we can head out and grab something for dinner. Let’s talk about plans, make a list of what you need, and…”

“Everything,” she interrupted flatly, causing him to smile. “I made a pizza. Remember? I’m looking for the cutter and potholders.”

“That drawer,” he began distractedly, getting it out and reaching into the oven without hesitation. “I know, but you are starting over. This is a chance to pick what you want instead of just buying the first thing that actually works – like me.”

“Like you? I suppose it looks like I bought you because I paid for that photograph, but I assure you it was…”

“I got what I needed when I moved in,” he said gently, sweeping his hand toward the living room behind her. “I never picked any of this because I loved the pattern or shape – it was ‘Hey, I need a chair, and you’ve got one. Here’s ten bucks’ at some random yard sale. When you have nothing, and you need something, you settle for whatever functions. This is your chance to get what you want and what makes you happy.”

She stared up at him with this strange look on her face, silent and solemn. Her large dark eyes seemed so huge.

“I never thought of it like that,” she whispered hoarsely. “That’s actually a very optimistic view of starting over… and it’s sweet.”

“That’s me. Completely sweet, optimistic, and utterly filthy,” he smiled. “Let me get a quick shower, and we’ll head out. Surely, we can find a coffee cup without a mouse on it.”

“I like the mice. They are cute and on the new towels.”

Lance chuckled as they shared a smile.

“You bought towels with mice on them?”

“And a soap dish,” she admitted sheepishly. “Plates, a waste basket, and sheets… and don’t look in the bathtub. I need to go get Mickey Mouse.”

He laughed heartily, realizing that she had taken it upon herself to play jokes on him, but at the same time, she was practically decorating things around his apartment – and he liked it.

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