Page 15 of What We Keep
“Whatever works for you. It’s available.”
“Is tonight too soon?”
“It’s not.”
I nearly bounced on my feet, resisting the urge to fling my arms around him in gratitude.
I just wanted a place to be. Coming back to Willow Brook had been a scramble. I had job options, but there was the whole matter of finding an actual job. I still didn’t fully understand why I felt the need to build something where the old house was, but I did. Maybe because I didn’t want it to feel marred by what we lost. If I built something new there, maybe that would change things.
I was drifting away in my thoughts again when Haven dragged me back.
“Elsa?”
“I’m here,” I said quickly, as if marking myself in attendance.
A smile teased the corners of his lips, and my belly shimmied in response.
“You are. We don’t lock up, so here’s the deal,” Haven said. “I have to get back to work, and I don’t know how much stuff you have. You can move in anytime. The bathroom is across the hall. You’re welcome to use the fridge, and you’re always welcome to eat with us over at the main resort.”
“Oh, that’s too much,” I said quickly.
“My mom will be offended if you don’t,” Haven countered. “Feeding people makes her heart happy, and she’ll want to mother-hen you.”
“Mother-hen me?”
“Fuss over you. Make sure you feel settled. Make sure you feel welcome. All that.” He circled his hand in the air, affection flickering in his eyes. I loved that it was so clear he loved his mom.
He turned, heading for the door, and I trailed him. After the fire, this would’ve been a cramped space for their whole family. But for me? It felt nice. Cozy. Almost like home. Which didn’t make a lick of sense. I’d never lived here. Yet somehow, it felt like it was calling me back. This little pocket of Alaska called me back.
As we approached my car, someone stepped out of the main entrance of the resort.
“There you are,” the man said.
I knew he had to be one of the brothers because he looked an awful lot like Haven. When he saw me, his brows hitched up, curiosity swirling in his gaze. He stopped in front of us, assessing me for a moment before Haven spoke. “You remember Elsa?”
The man studied me for a second longer before nodding.
“I used to live next door,” I offered, trying to remember which of the brothers this was. They looked a lot alike, all dark hair and silver-blue eyes.
Haven tipped his head toward him. “Jude.”
Jude arched a brow, then rocked back on his heels. “One of the younger brothers,” he said dryly. His light tone was teasing. “And you lived next door.” Jude nodded as if to himself. “Tommy told us the goats greeted you.”
A laugh rumbled in my throat. “They did.”
Haven glanced at me. “She’s going to stay in the staff area. In the barn.”
“Good plan.” Jude crossed his arms, eyeing me. “Are you going to work? Because we could use all the help we can get.”
I burst out laughing. “I told Haven I wanted to do something. I don’t know what I can do, but I’m happy to help.”
“Do you paint?” Jude asked.
“I do. Do you need some painting done?”
“Yes,” Jude said instantly. “We have four rooms that need to be painted. In the next four days.”
“Tell me where, and I’ll take care of it,” I said, relieved to have something useful to offer.
