Chapter 45

My skin feels like it’s crawling after seeing that thing. Rats give me the heebs. Only a few hours earlier I was sleeping on the mattress while it was tiptoeing around my apartment. It was an easy decision.

“I don’t even know where you live.” The man owns my heart, and I have no idea what his home is like. I shake off the feeling. It’s not like our situation is conventional. Not by a long shot. There’s already a chasm of loss forming in my chest, but for now, I’ll pretend and enjoy what few weeks I have left with Callahan. There’s no use in moping through them.

“It’s not far. But you should know the living room is currently under construction.”

“Rats?” I ask.

“Happy to say my place is rat free.”

“Marvelous.”

He turns onto Spencer Avenue, and I squirm in my seat. This is the street my house is on. My lips part slightly as we approach the modest Victorian. I hope we drive far enough down so I can point it out to him. When it comes into view, a smile spreads across my face.

“There’s a house I wanna show you,” I tell him, straightening my spine and leaning forward.

“Okay.” He chuckles. “Where?”

Just as I’m about to point it out, he flips on his blinker and slows, turning into the driveway that runs parallel to the house. My house. My jaw drops.

He cranes his neck to look around, then his eyes find mine again. “What house is it?”

“You live here?” I point out the window, like an idiot. “Th-th-this house?”

His head cocks to the side. “Yesss?”

I clap a hand over my mouth. “I run by this house! Like all the time!” Leaning forward, I peer through the windshield to get a better view. I can’t take my eyes off it.

He matches my excitement. “No way! So do I!”

Shaking my head, I cup his bicep. “No, you don’t understand. This is my house. I mean, it’s your house, but… but it’s also my house.”

He slides the back of his hand over my forehead. “Are you sure Matt gave you the all-clear this morning?”

I’m still staring out the window, dumbstruck. It’s dark, but I can make out enough of it thanks to a couple streetlights and the ones brightly glowing on the exterior of the house.

“No, I’m fine. I just, I love this house. That’s why I was always running here. I would go by it on purpose because I love it so much. It’s my dream house.”

He laughs. “Seriously?”

“Yes!” I say with a huge smile. “I’ve always wondered what the inside looks like, who lived here, and what their life was like. I thought it was a family of four. One time I came by, there was a couple and they had two ki—Oh! I bet that was your sister's family!”

“They drop in every now and then, check on the house if I’m away for an especially long assignment. ”

My eyes get misty. “I just—I just can’t believe you live here . I—Can I see the inside?”

His house has been a tangible goal that I’ve been working toward since arriving to Sky Ridge and I never knew it.

Cal winces. “Oooh, I had plans for us to camp out tonight. I hear fresh air is really good for you,” he replies with a smirk, then opens the driver’s door. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

Bounding out of the truck, I hurry behind him toward the front door. It’s even more charming up close. Following him up the steps, my eyes trace every ornamental bracket and floorboard on the wraparound porch. Unbelievable.

He unlocks the door and holds it open for me to enter. I want to pinch myself.

The first room has been stripped down, plastic sheeting covers the doorways, so I’m unable to see through, but these are the original floorboards, and they lead to the most elegant wooden staircase I’ve ever seen. “Like I said, the living room and parlor, and this whole area is still under construction.”

“Wow.”

He leads me through a large slice in the heavy-duty plastic. “This is the dining room that I never use unless Teddy, Logan, and the kids come over.”

The walls have been painted a dusty blue, and the white crown molding along the perimeter is carved with delicate details.

We continue to the kitchen, also finished. It has a modern twist to the original design with updated appliances and a kitchen island, and butcher block countertops throughout. “You have remarkable talent.”

“Thanks.” He takes the compliment easily. His skill and craftsmanship are evident by the work he’s done. He knows it looks good but downplays the pride. It leaves me smiling; he’s kind of adorable when he’s not being a cocky bastard .

“What?”

“Nothing. You’ve done a marvelous job. I’m thoroughly impressed by your handiwork.”

We make our way around the rest of the first floor, which includes the laundry room, den, and an unfinished “gathering room” with a stunning fireplace. He briefly tells me his plans for these rooms over the winter, and I hang on his every word. For now, those spaces are stuffed with furniture that’s been relocated due to construction in other areas of the house.

“The second floor was finally completed last year.” I follow him up the curved stairs, biting my lip in anticipation as my fingers trail smoothly along the rich wood banister. We reach the upstairs hallway. He points to an open doorway immediately to our left. “Guest bedroom without a bed.” Then the door across from it. “Bathroom.” I sneak a glance into the spacious open bedroom. It’s painted a soft green.

I follow him down the hall. “Guest bedroom with a bed ,” he says, pointing into another bedroom with a queen-size bed and a dresser. At the end of the hall are two doors. He opens the one to the left. The turret. I grin ear to ear and step through the doorway. I’ve always wanted to see inside one of these. The octagonal-shaped room is surrounded by tall windows, making the slight vault in the ceiling appear domed. A set of bunk beds stick out from one of the walls.

“My niece and nephew stay in this room. They like to pretend it’s a castle.”

Oh, my heart. The corners of my mouth turn downward, and my eyes grow big at the kindness of his soul. He chuckles at my pout. I’m completely charmed by him. This room is a piece of that soft side he hides, and it’s another facet of him to love.

“I can see why.”

“Come on, sap.” He takes my hand, leading me out of the turret and to the last room. “This one is mine.” Callahan stands back, gesturing for me to enter before him .

Crossing the threshold, I would know it’s Cal’s room without him saying anything. The smoky, cedar aroma is strongest here. Deep jade-colored walls foster a moody, intimate vibe. It’s a juxtaposition from the other bright and airy bedrooms. It’s by far the largest, with a king-size bed in the center. Between the scent, wood accents, and moose antler sheds, his bedroom reminds me of the thick Pacific Northwest rainforests. Cal belongs in nature; the outdoors are his home as much as this house is. He strides through one of the doorways and flicks on a light.

“The closet and bathroom are through here.”

I take another minute to appreciate the subtle masculine details and view the street in front of the house. The sidewalk, where I ran how many times? On one of the walls are a few pictures in various sizes, framed and matted. Photos from wildfires. “Did you take these?”

“Huh?” Callahan peeks his head back into the bedroom. “Oh. Yeah.”

“I like them.” I turn to see him shirtless. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting on you,” he says, disappearing again through the doorway.

I take the bait and walk through the closet and into the en-suite bathroom just as he turns on the water in the massive clawfoot tub.

My hand slaps over my mouth. “Is that original?”

He nods. “I can’t get rid of it.”

“God, no. It’s far too beautiful!”

“No, I mean I physically can’t get rid of it. It’s like four hundred pounds.”

I laugh, and he strips out of his boxers, pushing them down and stepping out. Damn, he’s fine. He climbs into the tub and braces his arms on the sides, lowering into it and reclining back. He lifts his chin toward me. “Take off your clothes, and get in here. Come on, it’ll feel good.”