Page 25 of Heartfelt Goals

“Let her explore,” he said quietly. “She can’t harm anything here, and I want her to feel like she fits in. I know it’s a lot for both of you to move so quickly – and I’m really appreciative of how gracious you’ve been regarding all of these changes.”

“Is that why you bought the cars?”

“No. That’s a gift from me to you since I didn’t get you a ring.”

“So you got me a car instead of a ring – a car I didn’t ask for.”

“A vehicle you needed,” he stressed, looking a little bewildered and frustrated. “I told you the rustbucket wouldn’t have made the trip.”

“Oh, I know,” she retorted quickly. “I donated it to a school.”

“Probably should have been scrapped…”

“It ran.”

“Barely.”

“You didn’t have to buy me a car or a ring since we both know this is fake,” she said quickly, avoiding his exasperated look.

“Look, I don’t want to fight.”

“Then quit picking one…”

“OH MY GOSH,” Kendall exclaimed from above. “Is this my room? Please tell me this is my room. Wait. That’s my bed… cool… and my stuff. If this is my room, then is this my computer and game system?”

“You bought her a game system?” Laurel asked, turning to look at him.

“There’s going to be times that she is bored, and we want to talk or be alone,” he shrugged and looked away. “I mean, it’s her home now, and I didn’t see a game system when I unpacked her stuff.”

“Did you unpack my stuff?” she gaped, her face flushing brightly. “Tell me you didn’t…”

“No,” he admitted, sounding like he was strangling. “I was going to, but I think I got the wrong box or…”

“Oh gosh…”

“Yeah.”

Both of them stood there, not looking at each other, and Laurel wasn’t sure what to say. She’d had fans of her books send her some gifts over the years, and she couldn’t bring herself to throw away any of them – but nor could she display them. It was one thing to write about dragons and fantasy intimacy, but it wasa whole ‘nother one to receive a crocheted version ofthings… or a bracelet… or a keychain. Instead, she kept everything in a treasured box, reminding herself that she had at least one fan out there.

“Um,” he began, clearing his throat, and coughed for a moment, his blue eyes huge. “I guess you want to see your library – and we need to talk.”

“About what?” she asked nervously, seeing his expression.

“Sleeping arrangements.”

“You made it clear before we married and…”

“There’s been a change.”

“What?” she whispered, stunned and looked at him.

“Look, I wanted the top floor so we had some peace and quiet – but it was a two-bedroom. I can have a Murphy bed put in the library or the nook and…”

“We’re sharing a room?” she asked in disbelief, feeling her heart turn over in her chest.

“Sort of?” he hedged.

“I don’t understand.”

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