Page 33 of Tacos & Toboggans
“Nope, I’m not lost,” he said, turning right into a driveway halfway down the block.
“This is Dr. Holstein’s old house,” I said, finally realizing where we were. “He was a good friend of my yaya.”
“ThiswasDr. Holstein’s house,” he said, parking the car in the driveway. “Now it’s mine.”
“Oh, did you need to grab something? I’ll wait here.”
He climbed out of the car and walked around the front to open my door. “I want to show you something.” I wanted to argue, being as tired as I was, but he had been so lovely that I didn’t want to be rude. I took his outstretched hand and let him help me out of the car.
“At least the kids won’t need winter parkas when trick or treating tonight,” I said as he helped me down the brick path to the back of the house.
“I agree, but ugh, it needs to cool off. It's almost November. I want snow.”
“Me too!” I exclaimed, tipping into him as I laughed. “Oops, I think I’m a little punch drunk.”
“I’ve got you,” he promised.
And he did. One hand was curled around my waist, with his other hand at my right elbow. He was warm, and I wanted to snuggle into him and allow myself to feel safe when I needed it most. Unfortunately, I was too distracted by the tingle of heat that filled me from his touch. Okay, tingle might be an understatement. It was more like a raging inferno throughout my body. Then again, that could be a side effect of the medication.
“Almost there,” he said to break me out of my drug-induced infatuation.
When I glanced up, I stood in front of a small cottage. “Well, isn’t this cute? I never knew this was here.”
“He had it built a few years ago,” he explained, and I chuckled.
“That explains why I didn’t know about it. I haven’t been here in several years.”
Major unlocked the door and pushed it open, allowing me to walk in. “From what he told me when I bought the place, he wanted space for when his kids came to stay.”
I glanced around the room, which had an open-concept design. In one corner, there was a queen bed, and in the other, a small sitting area. To the left of the door was an efficiency kitchen. “It’s cute,” I said as he closed the door behind us.
“There’s a three-quarter bath through that door,” he said, motioning to the right.
“It’s a perfect home away from home.” Was I slightly jealous that he had an entire house and this extra space to boot? Yes, and more than slightly. Then again, he’s worked hard for what he has, so I had no right to be jealous.
“I was hoping you’d feel that way,” he said, walking me toward the bed. “Ivy brought your things over and put them there.” He motioned to the foot of the bed, where I noticed my suitcase for the first time. The medication was doing a number on me.
“Why would Ivy bring my things here?” I asked, sitting on the soft bed, to keep from falling over. “I’m going to need them there.”
“Jaelyn, this is your cottage now. You can stay here for as long as you need to. It’s heated, so don’t worry, once it does turn cold, you won’t freeze.”
I waved my hand for a moment before I brought it to my forehead. “What now? This is my cottage?”
Did Ivy tell him I had no place to stay? If she had, not only was I mortified, but I’d have a few words for her!
“Yes. Well, it’s mine, obviously, but you’re welcome to use it for as long as you need. I’ve heard through the grapevine that rentals are hard to come by here.”
“Me. I’m the grapevine,” I said, tipping my head up to gaze at him. “I told you that the other day, right?”
“You did,” he said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, it’s the medication causing your confusion. That’s why I want you toclimb into bed and get some rest. I’ll go get your medication from the car and some ice for your arm.”
I stood up, albeit slowly. “I can’t stay here, Major.”
“Because?”
“You own the place and might need it.” The answer was logical to me, and I wasn’t sure how he didn’t see it.
“I assure you that I will not,” he said, having me sit again and removing my shoes. “I live alone, and the house has three bedrooms, which is certainly more than enough space for one guy who spends as much time at the hospital as he does here.”
