Page 18 of Sheltered By the Surly Forester

"I was thinking we could really lean into that. Not just naming the suites after different birds but also hiding them throughout the lodge. A robin light switch cover here, a crow wall sconce there. The artwork, the soap dishes. Not so overdone that it's cheesy or like a theme restaurant, just little occasional discoveries scattered throughout the space. A sense of whimsy, you know?"

"Perfect."

"Also…" I point to some blueprints on how to create a hunter's blind. "This simplest version is just a wooden bench with a camo netting tent around it. I was thinking we could add a table with a waterproof box holding a notebook, so that everyone could log the date and species of bird they see at that spot. We could have a digital version too, but some people like to leave their phones off for a more immersive experience. If we had a series of viewing stations, we could gather data on what birds areseen most often at which spot at various times of year. So they'd be helping us do research."

I grin at the way Josh stares at me, wide-eyed. "If people feel they have worked on the project with you, it gives them a sense of ownership," I continue. "They're more likely to tell their friends and promote it as if it's their own." I shrug. "Sorry. Last year I wasreallyinto reading about the psychology of spaces and buildings."

I guess Josh likes my ideas, since he grabs me, pulling me against him for a deep, soul-stirring kiss.

Then he steps away, running a hand through his hair. "Wow. You're obviously on a roll here." His smile sends tingles racing through every part of me. "But I need to check on something today. Someone has reported a couple of trees that are either rotting or infested, and I need to help them deal with it before it spreads."

My hands fly up. "I never want to interrupt your work. Go. Do your thing."

"Want to come with me? I could drop you at the library with my laptop. You could print a bunch of this stuff on larger paper. Better yet, card stock. Put together a presentation board, and we can have it approved for an architect to start work whenever you like."

I can't tell if he's joking. Surely he can't just be handing the project over to me. "Really?"

"It's okay, baby." He snuggles me close. "I’ve worked on projects with the town council before. They're all friendly, chill people. They'll love your ideas, maybe make a few suggestions, then we pick an architect and contractor and away we go."

"Just like that." I snap my fingers. "Boom – let's create a tourist destination." I can't find the words to explain how awesome this is, but I'm pretty sure he can tell from my enormous grin.

"Pretty much."

Geez, if only it was that easy the times I was between homes, wondering if I'd find shelter at all.

Josh seems blissfully ignorant of how charmed his life is. I've noticed a few different university coffee mugs and a hoodie, so I know he's well-educated. Did he even have to apply for his job, or just decide that's what he was good at, and the town agreed?

This is a very strange place. Everyone's lives are intertwined. Maybe it was naive to think that Josh and I could stay in a little bubble. I'm already being revealed as Josh's…well, the wordgirlfriendis way too official…but…something.

Meanwhile, I'm literally just a girl he found on the side of the road.

There's no way he can explain that to the entire town.

Which means our relationship, unfortunately, has a definite time limit.

11

JOSH

Emie seems to like the library, even though Mrs. Honeywell gives us a strange look on our way in. I occasionally use the small conference room as an office, since it's right in the center of town. Also, they have way better printers.

Emie sits down in the small, beige meeting room, and I set up the laptop in front of her. "The Wi-Fi password here is 'books', with no capitals."

She makes one of her adorable little laugh-snorts. "Of course it is."

"Mrs. Honeywell will be glad to help you with the printer, if there's anything you want to print on oversized paper or whatever. And if you want to walk around and check out the town, you could always drop this with her behind the counter."

As I start to lean down to kiss her, something punches me in the gut. She probably doesn't have any money to grab a snack or even a coffee.

"She'll put anything you print on my account," I say, reaching for my wallet as casually as possible. "And here – I want to make sure our tourist lodge idea gal has plenty of coffee and snacks tokeep the brain fueled. Corina's Coffee is fantastic, and it's just down the street."

I can't read her expression as I reach over to her purse sitting on the table and slip two folded twenties into the outside pocket.

We've already exchanged numbers, and I've double checked that both of our phones are charged, so I can't think of anything else that's preventing me from leaving. Except that I don’t want to.

Leaning down, I give her a swift kiss. I pause, then kiss her again, letting the heat between us begin to flow. This sexy woman feels so perfect – soft and delicate, yet with a sassiness that I can taste on her lips as she parts them for me while we breathe each other in.

Then her small hand lands in the center of my chest. "You have work to do," she murmurs. "Plus this is a public space, for goodness’ sake."

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