Page 24 of Pick Yourself Up
Boomer didn’t mention any preference, but she figured he had to prefer plants and trees to concrete.
Would this be a permanent move for them? Would this be a place she could finally call home?
She could hear Fox’s voice chiding her next. Amber, my gemstone, you must take care of yourself, too. Home is wherever your heart is.
She blinked away the tears at the memory of her grandfather. He’d been the glue from the moment of the crash that had killed her parents. It hadn’t taken long before his house felt like home because they’d all been together, taking care of each other.
She hadn’t had a home since she’d branched out on her own. The hotel rooms were just that. And she’d been alone in them all. No one to share the off-shift hours with. No one to talk with about everything and nothing at all. No one to share the chores or the little joys that made up a day.
Her mind flashed to cooking the previous morning with Gray. The man was more than competent in the kitchen. Her face heated as she imagined how skilled he might be in the bedroom.
With those steady eyes, his self-confidence, and the smile that seemed to lurk close to the surface, she’d bet he was a wonderful lover.
Something flashed in her peripheral vision, and fear shot through her. Boomer nuzzled her hand and woofed softly. Knowing that meant there was no threat, Amber followed his gaze to see a rabbit hop out of the bushes between them and the farmhouse.
She stopped walking, and Boomer immediately sat at her side, right where she could touch his head and ground herself.
“Thanks, Boomer. I just had the life scared out of me by a bunny. I’m such a mess.”
Dr. Kate jumped into her head again. You’ve been through trauma, Amber. Physically and emotionally. Your physical injuries might have healed, but that’s the easy part. Building your comfort with strangers and new situations takes time. Build safety around you and remind yourself you’re moving forward every day.
The bunny bounded across the farm road without even so much a glance in their direction. If the rabbit could feel safe here, she could too.
“Okay, I’m good. Let’s keep going.”
They moved slowly along the road, and she paused by the bushes that Gray said he wanted to remove. Not only would that improve the look of the farmhouse, but it would make it safer. No one could hide there and surprise her. Was that what Gray had been thinking, too? Were her fears that transparent?
Probably, especially as he knew exactly what caused them.
Amber stopped where she’d stood yesterday in front of the house. It still appealed to her. The list of things to fix and replace would be huge, but that didn’t scare her. She liked hard work. She enjoyed making a plans and seeing them through.
This would require a big plan. Maybe dozens of big plans. One overarching list for the entire project. Slightly smaller lists for the exterior and interior plans. Individual ones for each room inside.
She couldn’t deny the excitement she felt at the thought. “It’ll take forever, Boomer. I have money in the bank, but is it enough to support me for the time this renovation would take? Plus, I’ll have so many things to purchase. It’s going to be incredibly expensive.”
At least she could do a lot of it herself. The design and the plans. Demo and some renovations. That would make it truly hers.
Could she find a way to make it more than just the next project on the list?
Only one way to find out.
“Okay, Boomer. We’re doing this. We’re going to figure out how to make ourselves a home.”
Gray spotted Amber further up the driveway and his steps automatically quickened. The woman attracted him like no one ever had.
Boomer spotted him immediately, and the German Shepherd nudged Amber’s hand to let her know she had company.
Amber turned with concern but no fear. Boomer would have let her know if he’d been a threat. Gray was thrilled Amber had adopted such a highly-trained dog, and that he helped her explore the farm on her own.
He rubbed Boomer’s head. “Good morning. You two are up early.”
Her smile widened. “We’re not the only ones.”
He chuckled. “Guilty. My mamma was a firm believer in early mornings. She always had bread dough rising before the sun appeared, no matter the season.”
“That sounds like a wonderful way to wake up.”
He nodded. “We may have lived in Florida, but our home was Italy at its finest.”
