Page 24 of Carly's Heart

♥ Chapter Twelve ♥

Carly stared at the house as they slowed to a stop. It was large, but not ostentatious. Bright yard lights revealed a white bungalow with forest green shutters and a wrap-around deck with a matching railing. The deck was encased in round river rocks. The paved drive had split into two before the yard. The right hand lane curved past the steps in a large circle. The left lane disappeared in the dark.

Portions of the yard were a mud pit after the day’s rain. The rest was lush grass. Was he putting gardens in the muddy spots? The setting sun reflected on the house’s windows making them shine. The heavy wicker deck furniture beckoned her to sit and relax.

“Hang tight, I’ll help you inside.”

“I don’t need help, I’m good.”

He bolted out of the truck and was at her side before she even unbuckled. “Don’t bother putting your shoes on, they’ll be ruined by the rain. I’ll carry you. The pavement’s rough and everything’s soaking wet.” No way was he going to risk letting her hurt her feet or ruin those fantasy-inducing shoes.

The second her seatbelt was undone, he scooped her into his arms and jogged through the downpour to the deck. He hopped up the three steps and the porch light flicked on. He set her on her feet on the main deck. She was expecting wood, but her feet met vinyl planking instead. Cool and smooth, it felt lovely on her sore feet.

“I love this deck.” She looked around. “Your house is huge.” The deck was eight feet wide with small groupings of furniture tucked here and there. It practically begged her to get cozy and enjoy the weather. It would be perfect for watching thunderstorms roll across the night sky.

“How many bedrooms?”

“Five,” he bragged. “I intend to raise a family here and from what my friends tell me of their childhoods, sharing a bedroom sucks.”

Her heart stuttered. He wanted a family? Did he have a girlfriend? Where was this woman? Why hadn’t she heard he was dating?

“I detested sharing a bedroom.” She’d spent her entire childhood sharing one with her much older and very bossy sister.

She wandered the length of the deck and peered around the corner. Strategically placed motion sensor lights illuminated her exploration.

“How far does this thing go?” she asked. She kept walking, past the back door and a set of French doors. She peered into the darkness inside each window. Only one room had any light. A small nightlight shone in what appeared to be the master bedroom. She walked on, around the end of the house, and back to the front. Birch followed along behind her without commenting. The glorious deck made a full circle and had four sets of steps leading down to the yard.

“Ready to go inside?” he asked when they reached the front door again.

“Yes.” He unlocked the inside door, pushed it open, and held open the old-fashioned wooden screen door so she could enter. She stepped inside and a soft light immediately illuminated the foyer. “Oh, instant light, I love that. It beats coming home to a dark house or having to leave a light on.”

He put his hat on a shelf and tossed his Tux jacket over the chair. “Tanya’s idea, actually. I adopted it at both main doors. I’m with you, I don’t like wasting power on light nobody needs. Come inside, I’ll start a fire.” He padded, sock footed, past her.

“Where are your boots?”

“Outside. I slipped them off before we took the tour. I didn’t want that mess on the deck. I hate getting my socks dirty when I drink my morning coffee outside.”

She followed him through the foyer into a large living room with barely any furnishings. There was a recliner, a battered floral sofa, a pole lamp, and a cardboard box end table. “You don’t entertain much, do you?” She didn’t know where the teasing words came from, probably the wine.

“I only moved in this week. Furniture comes later. I have a chair, a place to eat and a bed. That’s all I need, for now.”

“It’s so empty, I’ll bet it echoes,” she said as he knelt before the pre-laid fire and lit a match. “Hello!” she shouted and laughed when the sound bounced back to her. Birch laughed with her.

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