Page 55 of Lovingly Restored

Always.

I nod.

“I think you don’t hear about the hard parts. Of course your grandmother and grandfather faced challenges. It’s impossible not to.”

“It almost feels unattainable.”

I catch her grazing her fingertips over her fresh blisters, so I reach over to take her left hand, gently pressing her palm to my lips. She blushes at the gesture, but doesn’t pull away, so I settle our clasped hands into my lap.

From the backseat comes the gentle hum of the song “K-I-S-S-I-N-G”.

“I think the jig is up,” I say.

“You two don’t fool me.”

A few minutes later, she’s softly snoring again, and I’m reevaluating this arrangement. Only having Ashlyn casually? That doesn’t seem like enough anymore. Not by half. But how do I tellherthat? Because it isn’t part of our agreement, and I’m so scared she’s going to leave.

Chapter eighteen

Ashlyn

“I’mback!”Iholleras I lug in the groceries, every handle digging into the flesh of my forearms.

No way in hell am I taking two trips.

“Helloooo. What’s the point of having a strapping man around if he doesn’t help with the heavy work?” I plod through the living room towards the kitchen, using my hip to push open the kitchen door. I spot Isaac outside at the far end of the backyard.

“Help a girl out!” I call.

He whips around at the sound of my voice, blond hair flying, and starts running toward the house with total golden retriever energy. He’s shirtless, so I enjoy a Baywatch moment, thanking my brain for turning the speed to slow motion so I have a few more seconds to ogle the way his obliques taper before disappearing into his jeans.

“Hi,” he says, stepping into my space. He smells like fresh cut grass and spring air.

“Hi, yourself.” I stretch up to kiss him.

The greeting grows until my cheeks are burning from the friction of his beard. How does this man take me from zero to a hundred so fast?

“Is Mummo still out with my dad for a while?”

His tone is pure trouble.

I glance at the clock. “We’re good for a bit. Why…what do you have in mind?”

Some women might want jewellery or fancy nights out, but Isaac Lauri took me to the garden centre of my dreams yesterday and that wasmyidea of a good time. If he wants to get busy right here on the kitchen floor? I’m down. I lean in and resume our kiss, losing myself in the cinnamon and cedar taste of his lips. He holds me back, breaking our kiss, groaning as he does it.

“Hold that thought,” he says.

“What?” I nearly snap.

He laughs, “Oh, is someone not getting what they want?”

I scowl at him and cross my arms over my hard nipples.

“Let me show you something.”

He motions for me to follow then leads that way out the back door.

“Um, okay? What do you have up your sleeve now? Is there another fireplace somewhere? Iwilljump up and down if that’s the case.”

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