Page 27 of Daniel
“I like your color style. But I don’t know anything about construction,” I said, hearing the hitch in my voice.
“That’s okay. That will be my department. You just need to make sure that the rooms are laid out the way you want them.”
He flipped through, showing me site plans, a gorgeous dining room table set, and a kitchen that would be a dream for anyone.
“I know it’s a weird Christmas gift.” His grin was adorable. “But I also think it will be fun. The next big holiday is Valentine’s Day, right?”
I laughed, the sketchpad shaking in my hands. “I guess I’m going to have a lot of work to do, between this, and designing Easter florals for your mom.”
“That’s why part two of the present is the tab I’ve set you up with at Holly Valley Crafts,” he said. “I figured you might need new sketchbooks and things, so just talk to Janice next week. Anything you want is taken care of.”
“This is incredible.” I hesitated, not sure what to say. “Daniel, I’m truly touched.”
He flipped to a few pages of sample houses in the area that he’d paperclipped into the book. “Take a look at these too for ideas, if it helps.”
I couldn’t help noticing that most of those buildings were definitely what someone would call a “fixer-upper”. Even though I hated that my thoughts kept going to dark places, I couldn’t help wondering if, like the limited opportunities for real estate in a small town, there were also a limited amount of women to date. No wonder he was so eager to latch onto someone new the second she got here.
He set the book aside, then slid in closer on the couch. “It will give us something to do together while we’re apart for a few months,” he said. “I was up late last night organizing a bunch of things, and I think I can get the showroom team trained on everything in under four months. Now that Uncle Ricky is investing and the company has more money, I might be able to hire someone who’s already an expert in what we do, and cut that in half.”
“You can’t just redesign your life around me,” I said.
“Yes, I can, and more to the point I want to. Get used to it, gorgeous.” His arm felt so good around my shoulders. Then he shifted, pulling my sweater down to kiss along my collarbone. I hadn’t even known I was so sensitive there, and it lit me up with the memory of last night.
We could hear my parents coming up the stairs, and I knew our alone time was about to be cut short.
Daniel’s lips brushed mine in a seductive kiss that took my breath away. It also removed most of my doubts and fears, at least for the time being.
17
DANIEL
Although I was excited to be escorting Prairie to the afternoon skating party the day after Christmas, it felt that something was off with us. Now that all the roads had been plowed, she agreed to come to the casual event as long as I promised that she didn’t have to skate.
Holding her hand tightly in mine as we circulated, I introduced her to people while trying not to use the word girlfriend. I could see that it still made her nervous, but couldn’t figure out why. Maybe it was my fault. Perhaps my overanalyzing her every reaction was in itself making her jumpy.
When her parents arrived just half an hour after we did, they apologized profusely for not inviting me in for dessert the day before, even though I was the one who should be apologizing for having just dropped in.
I had to wonder if Prairie was receiving pressure from them to behave a certain way. Strict parents and weird family members could really do a number on people.
As we walked around the rink watching the skaters for a moment, I asked, “Is now a good time to steal you away for a kiss?”
I loved the way she blushed faintly. It was so innocent. Demure. Just like her.
“Maybe just for a minute.” Her eyes darted around the room. “I don’t want people getting ideas about us.”
We went out the back door to a small alcove that was sheltered from the breeze. Snuggling Prairie against my chest, I simply held her for a moment.
“For the record, I like that people might be getting ideas about us,” I said. “Does it make me a possessive jerk to want the entire world to know that you’re my girl?”
“Not a jerk, no. It’s just…” She hesitated, and I couldn’t stand the tension I saw in her eyes.
Leaning down, I kissed her gently. “Prairie, baby, you can tell me anything. Absolutely anything. I’m so sorry if we’re going to fast for you. We can slow down.”
“It’s not that,” she said, shaking her head. “Maybe I’m just nervous because somebody said the photos from the Christmas Eve Eve Ball are being posted online soon.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? You looked amazing and you know it.”
Thinking back, we had only posed for a few photos as a couple, and one group shot with my family. But there were likely a lot of candid shots of us dancing. Nothing inappropriate or unflattering that I could possibly think of. I didn’t understand the problem.
