Page 34 of No Going Back

Branna filled the sink with water to help clean up. He hoped she was gathering her thoughts and not avoiding the topic. Or not trying to figure out how to spare his feelings.

When she spoke, he heard the smile in her voice, and his shoulders relaxed. “It’s been a whirlwind few days. Or week. Or weeks. Honestly, I don’t even know what day it is.”

Huh. Neither did he.

She took the dirty dishes from his hands. “I have a lot of feelings rumbling around inside. Some good, some bad. I’m shattered about my dad’s death. Knowing he was targeted and killed is awful. I feel like those feelings might swallow me whole sometimes.”

He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while she washed.

“I’m more angry than I’ve ever been. My dad should be alive and building you a Guinness. I’m grateful that you dropped everything to help me.”

He kissed the top of her head.

“I think part of me is numb with all that’s happened. But I’m also happy. Happier than I have a right to be.”

She finished the last dish and rinsed her hands. He passed her a tea towel to dry them. She did and then leaned on the sink, looking out the window. “I’m happy I’m with you. I’m happy we’re together like I always dreamed we might be. I haven’t seen much of Vermont yet, but this house is amazing, your friends are incredible, and it feels good to be here with you.” She blew out a breath. “And I’m also feeling guilty about being so happy.”

He hadn’t expected such a long and complex answer. He should have known better. Branna was nothing if not honest.

He turned her slowly to face him. “I’m happy too, Branna. With you and about being here with you. I’m devastated about your dad and what the asshole did to you both.”

She smiled softly at him with shining eyes.

He kissed her forehead and pulled her in for a hug. “I think your dad would be glad you’re finding pockets of happy. He wouldn’t want you afraid and devastated all the time. Your dad was all about accepting reality and celebrating when you could.”

She laughed. “That’s such a good way to describe him. He’d be happy for us, too.”

Sean nodded. “He would. They all would.”

The timer beeped, and he pulled back. “How about we eat and then find some more ways to be happy?”

* * *

It surprised Branna to discover she had strong opinions about how to renovate the farmhouse. Sean had brought in a giant toolbox from the back of his SUV. Then he’d pulled out a tablet with a floor plan program and had quickly drawn out the building.

His skill with the program had been surprisingly sexy. She couldn’t wait to see him strap on his tool belt.

Sexiest of all was the way he understood the building. He could see beyond the obvious and explain how he could improve the home without removing all the charm of the original space.

When she suggested opening a wall, he grinned but didn’t laugh at her. Then he showed her how it was a supporting wall and easily came up with several options for opening up the space. “You’d be an excellent teacher.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “You know a lot about it, but you don’t make me feel stupid. And the way you explain things makes it easy to understand.”

“Hmm. Can’t say I ever thought about it, but that might be fun in a one day kind of thing.”

“Are you going to do the renovations you’re imagining here?”

“As long as you want to stay here. If you need to go elsewhere once the asshole is in jail, we can do that, too. I can pick up work anywhere.”

Branna’s heart thumped hard, almost hard enough to hear. She wasn’t the only one imagining a future. Was he thinking of a long-term future as well? It was way too early in the relationship to say that kind of thing out loud, so she grinned and reached up to kiss him lightly. “Thanks, but for now, Phail is a good place to stay.”

She wrinkled her nose, and he laughed. “I can’t figure out why Epic won’t push to change the name. It’s ridiculous.”

“Maybe because it’s ridiculous?”

“Probably. They do have fun with it.”

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