Page 77 of Quintessentially

Once we’re back in the car, I wipe the rain from my face. “I feel like I’m seventeen and hiding from your parents. Now it’s him.”

The rain has made her auburn hair darker, making her blue eyes glisten. “I’m an adult, Dax. I don’t need to hide from anyone. Besides, you said sleep…only sleep.”

“Yeah, that’s what I said.”

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Kandace

Dax parks his car in the garage and leads me through the breezeway and up the steps to the door leading into the house. It’s the same door I came through the other night. This time, I look around. The countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are new. All the cabinets have been painted white, making the kitchen seem larger than it did before.

“Wow, your parents have done a lot.”

“According to Mom, one thing led to another. The entire electrical panel had to be redone.”

“Yeah, Quintessential Treasures needs the same thing.” I grin. “So there might be advantages to new construction.”

Dax shakes the rain from his light-colored hair. With the longer style, it hangs in front of his eyes. I can’t stop myself from reaching up and pushing it away. When I do, his golden stare is on me, bringing heat to my skin that only moments ago was chilled by the rain. Each breath grows shallower as time seems to stand still.

He takes a deep breath. “If this is going to stay just sleeping, I think I need a cold shower.”

A grin comes to my lips. “I need a warm one. I’m freezing.”

The overnight bag with Mom’s things is on the floor near the back door.

“Did you bring anything for yourself?”

“I grabbed some fresh clothes.”

“Come upstairs, I’ll show you to the shower.”

“I’ve been here before, Dax.”

He reaches for my hand. “Yeah, but the house didn’t belong to me then.”

Grabbing my clothes from the bag, I follow him up the stairs. Where the staircase bends there is a large clock. “Your parents didn’t have that taken down.” I grin. “I’m glad.”

“It chimes every hour. They probably didn’t want it.” At the door to the bathroom, he asks, “Do you want something to eat?”

“Do you have toast?”

“I even have pancakes.”

“Why?” I smile.

“In case you’ll bring Molly for breakfast one day.”

Lifting up on my tiptoes, I brush my lips over his. “I am sorry I didn’t tell you.”

His expression sobers. “Me too, but a wise man told me that it is all water under the bridge. The most important thing is going forward.”

“That sounds like something my dad would say.”

“It was him.”

That reminds me. “What did you two talk about while I was putting Molly to bed, what you said I’m not ready to hear?”

“I promise I’ll tell you. Now that Randy is doing better, let’s not rush it.”

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