Page 44 of Shelter from the Storm

She tried to tell herself she needed to proceed with caution, because she’d thought Briggs was going to be the hero of her story and that she was in love with him. Looking back now, she wasn’t so sure. She’d been eighteen years old, for pity’s sake. She’d never been kissed, and she had been terribly, terribly lonely and scared.

What she felt for Briggs had been less about love and more about gratitude. Because she was grateful to be seen and wanted. Two things that hadn’t happened before he came along.

So, in reality, she knew nothing about love. Except that she wanted it. Desperately. But she couldn’t be an idiot about it—and she couldn’t let herself fall in love with Theo.

Period.

End of sentence.

He was her boss, and she needed this job. On top of that, she needed time to sort her shit out. Given the fact she was standing here, still comparing Briggs and Theo, proved her ex had done one hell of a number on her. And that was after her abandonment issues, thanks to Dad and all the horrors inflicted by her mom and Ivan. Talking to Edith was helping, but she was by no means healed, so it was time to put this unwise attraction to Theo in the rearview mirror.

Unfortunately—or fortunately—Theo was determined to spend as much time as possible with her, and while he wasn’t overtly coming on to her, there was definitely some flirting.

“There you are.”

Speak of the devil.

Gretchen’s stupid heart flickered the second she heard Theo’s voice. Turning, she smiled as he walked into the barn.

“Inventory all good?”

“Yep. Just finished. We got what we ordered, and I think it looks nice. I was taking a quick look around to make sure everything was okay for tomorrow’s meeting.”

Theo scanned the interior of the barn. “Tomorrow?”

“Jenny Wilson is coming to check out the space,” she said.

“That’s right. I forgot about that.”

Now that the barn was ready for business, they had posted an inquiry form on the website. They’d already started getting some interest from people about renting. Jenny Wilson was one of the first to bite. She was hoping to use the barn three mornings a week for a yoga class she planned to offer, certain that the incredible view from the mountain would create a peaceful environment. If things worked out, and Jenny rented the space, Gretchen was considering signing up for the early morning class herself. She could use a little mindfulness in her life.

So far, they’d already booked two other events, including a family reunion and a spring wedding. Gretchen, with Everett’s marketing help, had begun advertising the barn rental, and each day was bringing them more and more inquiries. It was her personal goal to book an event for every single weekend by the end of next year. She had no idea if it was feasible, but she was determined to give it all she had.

“It looks terrific in here,” Theo said, stepping over to plug in the web of twinkle lights. While it was midafternoon, the sky was overcast and dark. It was the perfect day to curl up on a couch under a blanket to read.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s dark in here. Besides, I like the look of them. Reminds me of my junior prom.” Theo walked to the middle of the floor to stand under them.

“Oh yeah?”

“Did you go to prom?” he asked.

She shook her head. There had been funds to buy her a dress if she wanted to go, but no one asked, and Briggs had told her it was too dangerous for her to be out that night, as too many teens got drunk and then behind the wheel of a car.

Fuck, she mentally chastised herself. Enough with Briggs already.

Theo gave her one of his charming grins, and the butterflies he set loose in her stomach took flight. “I went with Renee Cameron.”

“Let me guess. Cheerleader?” Gretchen teased.

Theo shook his head. “Nope. Renee was captain of the debate team and valedictorian of our class. Super-smart and sweet. I sat next to her in anatomy class, and she let me copy her homework whenever I forgot to do it.”

Gretchen laughed. “And how often was that?”

Theo wiggled his eyebrows. “I was sixteen years old with a strong aversion to being inside. Me and my brand-new driver’s license spent a lot of time cruising around town in my dad’s pickup truck with a bunch of my buddies, looking for girls or trouble. We weren’t picky about which.”

“What constituted trouble for you?”

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