Page 46 of Gideon's Gratitude

Not literally, but close.

Damn close.

He held up his glove-covered hands. “I have work to do, but it’s hard to do with these on, and the site office is too cold to remove them.”

“Sounds uncomfortable.”

“Yes, well no one spends a significant amount of time in the space, so heating it makes little sense.”

“Why are you not back at your hotel?” That seemed to be the most logical idea.

“Well, there is that.” His cheeks were pink.

Whether from the morning’s fresh air or some other reason, I couldn’t be certain.

“I wanted to be close to the site today. Riley said some materials were arriving, and she wanted to ensure they met my specifications.”

Somehow, I had my doubts. The guy hadn’t been around for one day this entire time and, suddenly, his presence was required? Smelled fishy. But who was I to judge?

“Uh, sure, come on in.” I floundered. “Well, you’re already in. Come in farther. Take your boots off. Or not. And—”

Archer held up his hand. “I’m the one imposing on you. Of course, I’ll take my boots off. I’m just looking for a little corner where I can sit while I warm up.”

He carried a messenger bag I hadn’t noticed before. “Did you bring a laptop?”

“A netbook, yes.”

“Well, might as well set up at the kitchen table. My desk in the basement is covered with computer equipment. All from the 1990s.”

“Really?” A raised eyebrow.

“Well, maybe the mid 2000s. Really old, is what I’m trying to say.”

“That can be remedied easily, you know. I have a guy—”

“Seriously?” Heat raced to my cheeks in anger. “I thought we went through this last night. You have money. That’s fine. That’s your money. I do not have money. That’s fine. The lack of money is on me. The computer works, and that’s all that really matters. I have WiFi because when the modem broke, they insisted I had to get it. Iadmit, it’s nice to access the internet without having to use data or go downstairs.” Really nice. Had made my life simpler.

Archer held up his hands in surrender. “I just meant I overhauled all my office computers last year, and I think some of the old ones are still in storage. Would be simple for me to fix you up with something from the last decade.”

Yes, we were well into the third decade of the new millennia. Part of me was stuck in the nineties. My early teenage years. The really horrible time.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than worry about me.”

“Frankly, I don’t.”

My gaze snapped to him as he shrugged.

“I’m hiding out from the world until next week.”

“Your family?”

“And work and… Lots of people want my attention right now, and I’m not willing to give it up, if you know what I mean.”

I didn’t. Not really. The man’s expression was guarded. He did that sometimes. Completely closed himself off. Other times—like last night when we’d been shopping—he’d be open and honest.

“Well, I have a few things to take care of. Hang out wherever you like.” I started to move away, but he grasped my elbow, much as he had the night before.

“Thank you, Gideon. For your hospitality. And your kindness.”

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