Page 44 of This Moment

“This looks like old clapboard,” Cadie said as she ran her hand along the wall.

“You’re right. It came from an old cabin that was on the property that my great-grandfather also built. My mother remodeled this bathroom a few years ago and upgraded the sink, floor, and tub.”

“Just beautiful. I’m going to feel like I’m on vacation.”

“Good! I’m glad you like it.”

We headed upstairs, and I showed Cadie the large entertainment room and two more bedrooms. One of the rooms was Sally’s room, and I showed Cadie which one it was in case she needed Sally.

“There are two more bedrooms down in the basement. I’ll let you explore that area on your own.”

“Sounds good,” Cadie said as we made our way back to the kitchen, where Sally had prepared a basket of food for lunch.

“I thought you might like to take this to the guest house and sit on the deck. It’s a beautiful day today, and you can light one of the heaters.”

Facing Cadie, I asked, “How does that sound to you?”

She nodded. “Sounds lovely. Thank you, Sally, for making us lunch.”

“It was my pleasure. It is normally me here by myself, so it will be nice to have someone else to cook for.”

“Oh,” Cadie said, holding up her hands. “I do not expect you to cook for me.”

“I know you don’t,” Sally replied. “I want to do it.”

“Well, only if I can make you some banana nut bread in return. I hear you like it.”

“You have a deal,” Sally said as she smiled at each of us.

I picked up the basket. “Let’s grab our coats, and I’ll show you my digs, and we can eat.”

Cadie nodded but chewed on her lower lip. “I don’t want to keep you, Kian, if you’ve got something to do.”

Seeing Sally out of the corner of my eye, I tried to ignore how she was still grinning like a crazy fool. I cleared my throat. “I don’t have any plans.”

“Great!” Cadie said as she smiled at Sally and then at me. The way that smile made my heart feel like it was on a rollercoaster made me instantly want to erect a wall around myself. Instead, I said, “Let’s go.”

Cadie

What have I gotten myself into?

When I packed up my small suitcase earlier that morning, I knew I was making a mistake. I was getting too close to Kian and couldn’t have that. It was bad enough that I had let myself start to get attached to Opal; now, I was falling for her nephew, who was a lawyer. Maybe that was a good thing…I might need one if I was ever found.

“You okay?”

Turning to look at Kian, I laughed. “Yes, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

“It’s a bit cold out today, not like yesterday when the sun was out, and it warmed up a bit. We don’t have to eat outside on the deck if you don’t want to.”

“The heater?” I asked.

He laughed. “We can try it.”

The guest house wasn’t far from the main house, just a short walk. “Is the guest house just as impressive?” I asked as we made our way up the walk. “And why do you need a guest house when your main house has nine bedrooms?”

Kian laughed. “My grandparents built the guest house before the main house. Originally, there was a small househere, the one where they took the clapboard off for the bathroom. They didn’t want to stay there, so they built this while the main house was being built.”

“Wow.”

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