Page 42 of Building What's Meant to Be

“Where are you going to sleep?” I notice, not for the first time, that she has a slight gap between her two front teeth.

My lips part slightly as I try to think about my answer and not her lips. “Where am I going to sleep?”

She nods slowly, having transformed the pout she wore when she saw that “My place” is a trailer affectionately named Toby. I can thank Bess for that and the welcome mat. Now, Tinsley wears a look of curious caution like a cat who discovers a paper bag on the floor and is really tempted to see what’s inside.

I have to admit that it’s kind of cute.

I get us each a can of sparkling water from the fridge. I crack mine and take a much-needed sip. Is it possible for a woman to make you thirsty while at the same time somehow quench a thirst you didn’t know you had?

I visibly reacted when I saw Tinsley for the first time, partly because I recognized her from the case, but also because she’s undeniably attractive. As the day has worn on, loose pieces of her hair fall out of the messy bun she wears. I found a sequin stuck to my arm and tucked it in my pocket. Evidence. As she gets more and more comfortable, even though this isn’t the kind of luxurious comfort she’s used to, she’s somehow gotten more attractive.

She looks at me, still waiting for my response. I give my head a little shake. “Right. Where am I going to stay? I have a place through there.” I gesture vaguely through the woods.

“In your car? On a hammock in the forest? A cave?”

I chuckle. “No, I’m building a house. It’s a work in progress, but the bathroom is doable, so I’ll be fine. Though I think I may have to shower down here.”

“Is it safe?”

“The shower? Yes. Clean water. I had it tested. This used to be a hunting camp, so they had an RV hookup.”

“No, I mean, what if a bear comes or a Sasquatch?”

Like when I choked on the bug on the ride over, I cough on my sip of water. “You don’t have to worry about a Sasquatch.”

“Do you have them around here?”

“I think the more important question to ask is are Sasquatch real.”

Tinsley has flashbulb eyes as she looks over my shoulder. Concerned I’m about to see the answer to my question staring through Toby’s window, I twist in that direction. My arm brushes hers, sending tingles through me.

Instead of a hairy beast, a flame from the grill lights up the night. “The steaks!” I hurry outside and am happy to say that’s the last of the excitement for the night.

We eat the steak and a salad I got at Mulberry Market when I picked up some cat food. I go over the plan for the next dayfor me to drive Tinsley to town for her first day at Sweethearts Bakery and Café before she and I head over to Bubba’s.

“Don’t forget your change of clothes. We can go into Savannah on the weekend so you can get some more stuff,” I offer. I also wouldn’t mind taking her to River Rocks, a waterfront restaurant with great seafood.

“You don’t have to chauffeur me around.”

“Do you have another driver willing to do the job?” As soon as I ask this, given the tidbits she’s fed me about her childhood, I wouldn’t doubt that were the case.

She bites her nail and then shoves her hands into her lap. “I’m guessing Mother and Father won’t send anyone.”

“You’re not kidding.”

“Sadly, no. They’re yachting at the moment, but as soon as they find out about my, uh, scandal—” She shakes her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“What about your parents?” she asks.

“They live in Virginia so my dad could be closer to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He loves planes. He went into insurance but missed his calling in the aircraft field. However, Mom is getting tired of their weekly visits and misses home. I’m aiming to move them here.”

“To the trailer?”

I laugh. “No, but I want to build them a house on this spot. I have a feeling once they meet Taylor and Mae’s baby, Dad will decide to stay. That way the whole family will be in one area.”

“Bess lives here too?”

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