Page 22 of Fake It True

She shrugged. “We are.”

I loved that she thought it was funny. She seemed entirely unbothered.

“What now?” she prompted.

“Do you want to go to my place? I have a woodstove and we have that pie. It’s spring, but it’s chilly out with the rain. No expectations,” I added.

She bit her lip before nodding. “Let’s. I think dessert in front of a fire sounds perfect.”

On the drive to my house, the rain came down harder. Casey peered through the windows as my headlights angled toward my house.

“I live on my parents’ property. This is where I grew up. You know Beck Steele, right?”

Casey snorted. “It’s pretty impossible not to know Beck.”

“So true,” I returned. “Anyway, his parents live next door.”

“Next door in Alaska is a little different than in a lot of places,” Casey teased.

“Also true,” I said dryly. “Anyway, there are two homes on the property. My parents moved back from Juneau after my grandparents passed away. Since they help out a lot with Dora, it’s convenient. I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.”

“I imagine your life changed dramatically when Dora came into it,” Casey said.

I parked and glanced over at her. “Most definitely. I can’t imagine my life without her now.”

“I think that’s a good thing,” Casey said softly.

I was relieved my outside lights were on a timer. With the pouring rain, a little visibility was a blessing.

“Do you want to use my jacket, or just go for it?”

“I’m going for it. Race you!” Casey flung the passenger door open and dashed into the rain.

I was laughing as I followed behind her. She made it to the top step first. She stopped in front of the door and waited for me.

“It’s not locked.” I reached around her and opened it.

I flicked on the lights and closed the door behind us. She stood in the entryway, curling her arms around her waist. Water dripped down around us onto the tiled floor.

She looked at my hands. “I think you won. You remembered to get the dessert.”

I held the takeout box in my hands. “So what do I get for winning?” I teased.

When I saw her shiver, I hung up my wet jacket. “Just leave your shoes in here.” I kicked mine off.

“I’m soaked,” Casey pointed out. “I’m not sure this was such a good plan.”

“You can shower,” I offered.

“Are you sure?”

At my nod, she followed me out of the entryway into the living room.

The house was small, but perfect for me and Dora. There was a living room with a sunroom off to the side that offered a gorgeous view of the mountains and a field. We even had a small pond in the corner of the field. I’d turned the sunroom into a playroom for Dora. Beyond the living room was the kitchen and dining area with a table beside the windows, along with a small kitchen island. There was a bathroom with laundry off the kitchen.

To the opposite side of the living room was a hallway that led to three bedrooms. The main suite had a large bedroom and its own bathroom. There was also another bathroom with a shower in between the two smaller bedrooms. For a second, I contemplated showing Casey the shower by Dora’s bedroom. I didn’t, and I didn’t really want to think about why.

I told myself now wasn’t the time to take things further. I was a little unsettled inside with the sense of protectiveness Casey elicited. I wanted to bundle her up and hold her close until she was warm.

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