Page 90 of Lovingly Restored

“You came.” His voice is gravelly, like he hasn’t spoken for a while.

“I think I was hand delivered. I’m guessing Anna is in on this.” I wave my hand behind me. “Whateverthisis.”

He comes closer, affording me a better view. My heart thumps heavily as I look at him. Slightly sunburnt nose, hair longer than usual, maybe a bit slimmer than normal. He blows a falling strand of hair out of his face.

After not seeing him for weeks, the effect he has over me is stronger than ever.

I smooth my hands over my dress.

“Is this the part where I have to listen politely because you’ve been toiling away for me?”

“Something like that.” He shrugs with the shoulder that isn’t weighed down.

“Do you want to put that board down first?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“It looks very heavy.”

“Not for me.”

“You’re shaking.” A muscle in his left bicep twitches, a bead of sweat rolling through the shadow between his pecs.

Show off.

He grunts. “Fine.” He places the board at our feet, dividing us. An angry red line marks his shoulder. “Only because I’m gonna need my hands in a minute.”

I’m already warm, but a fresh flush blooms across my cheeks at the thought of him touching me. Is a well-worded apology and a shirtless man all it takes to win me back?

He clears his throat. “The things I said to you before you left were abhorrent. They were untrue, all of them, and I’m ashamed. Most importantly, I’m sorry I kept you in the dark about things that affected you. It wasn’t fair or right.”

My chin is already wobbling. He said as much in his messages, but to hear him say it in person is a relief. It’s what I needed to hear.

“I’m truly sorry for your loss, Isaac.”

“I’m doing better, but how are you?”

“I’m…” I try to nod enthusiastically, but my chin starts to wobble, and the movement transforms into a shake.

I’m a bad liar, and I’m still grieving.

“Oh, Ash. I contributed to you getting so close to another patient. If I’d have left you alone maybe you wouldn’t have been hurt.”

“I would have fallen in love with her whether you’d ever moved in or not. She was perfect.” My throat swells, “I miss her so much.”

His eyes shine. “Me, too.”

This is more than an apology, it’s penance. The amount of work is mind-blowing.

“I don’t understand all this. Did your dad rent you the house? I mean, this is a crazy amount of work for a temporary living situation. What if he changes his mind?”

At any moment, Mr. Lauri could rip this away from us.

Him, not us.

“This is all mine. The yard, the house. She left it to me.” He spreads his arms wide, and I nearly run into them.

“And your dad?”

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