Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

The next few hours flew by too quick with Rhett. He drove to the address the owner had given her. It was an exquisite two-story brick home with the river and jogging trail beyond their landscaped gardens in the back.

They loaded everything into the open apartment above the four-car garage. The studio was bigger than her apartment in Vegas, everything open and spacious. Only the bathroom was closed off. The view and surrounding area was as beautiful as her father’s landscaped and exclusive home and neighborhood in Scottsdale. This location felt much more genuine and welcoming, and she relished the green. The red of her childhood and teenage years was a different kind of beautiful, but she’d seen enough red dirt to last her a lifetime.

They went to Smith’s for groceries. He filled his own cart alongside hers, talking her into coming over to his house for dinner that evening. She was anxious to see where he lived and what his house was like—a bachelor pad or a testament to his quality as a home builder? She’d see tonight.

He helped her carry all her groceries in but then excused himself to head back to the job site, promising to come pick her up at seven tonight.

Sloan got everything put away, relishing the ability to finally unload her suitcases. She dealt with emails, thrilled to see two prospective buyers had reached out about her development. Showering and getting ready for dinner, she wondered what to wear. She settled on a long maxi dress, fitted jacket, and heels. Rhett might tease her about the heels, but he was tall and she liked being closer to his height.

Waiting impatiently for Rhett to knock on her door, she heard voices out front. She edged to the front windows and could see Rhett talking to a thirty-something lady in the driveway. She watched, admiring the way he filled out his button-down shirt, black jeans, and cowboy boots. Of course he had the cowboy hat on his head. She loved the way it looked on him.

His gaze flicked up to the window. She was certain she was outlined by the light behind her. Lifting a hand, her fears were founded as he grinned and raised a hand as well.

She hurried to the bathroom to check her lipstick and spritz with her favorite gardenia splash one more time. Putting a hand to her abdomen, she realized she was nervous. She wanted to connect with Rhett but this was unfamiliar ground for her. She said a prayer for guidance and clarity. She wanted to stand on her own, but she wanted to stand with Rhett too. Was that possible?

A rap on her door made her want to squeal with delight like a young teenager. Her father had been so controlling she hadn’t dated as a teenager. She needed to make sure she didn’t let her heart and emotions carry her away right now. She was like a newborn in relationship knowledge. What was Rhett? Did he have women chasing him? She could imagine he did.

She hurried to the door and pulled it open.

Rhett took off his hat, gave her a slight bow, and extended his hand. “Good evening, Miss Jensen. I’m here to escort you to dinner.”

She laughed at his formality and placed her hand in his, marveling at how right it felt. His wood shavings, pine, and vanilla scent washed over her. The yearning in his glorious blue eyes made her quiver.

“I’d be honored, Mr. Coleville.”

He grinned, replaced his hat, and escorted her out of the door and onto the landing. She typed in the code and the door beeped locked.

They walked hand in hand down the stairs where the lady she’d seen him talking to was waiting on the driveway. For the first time since Sloan had driven into the valley, it wasn’t raining. The sky was still gray, but the road was dry. Thank heavens, as she’d tried to tame her curls tonight.

“Hello.” The woman beamed.

“Sloan Jensen,” Rhett started. “Meet Carmel Hammer, your landlord.”

“Oh.” Sloan had to release Rhett’s hand to shake the lady’s hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Your house and property are outstanding. I love it here.”

“I’m glad to hear it. With this handsome guy around, you should love it even more.”

Sloan smiled even as Rhett’s cheeks darkened. “Carmel,” he said in a half-teasing, half-embarrassed voice.

“Oh, don’t give me that humble look and pretend you don’t know how handsome you are. All the girls at church die over this one and fight for his attention,” Carmel confided to Sloan with a conspiratorial wink.

“I don’t doubt it,” Sloan replied even as her stomach filled with an unfamiliar sting of jealousy. She’d never dated anyone long enough to feel jealous. She shouldn’t think she had any right to feel it with Rhett, but she did.

“Okay, Carmel, good to see you. I’ll see you Sunday,” Rhett said firmly.

“I don’t know,” Carmel teased, looking between them and at their joined hands. “I think I might see you sooner than that.”

“We’ll see.” Rhett looked to Sloan as if the answer to that was in her power.

It was only Thursday. She wouldn’t mind him coming for her Friday and Saturday as well. Could she go to church with them on Sunday? That would be moving at lightning speed for her.

“Nice to meet you,” Sloan said.

“You also. I’m thrilled you’re here. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Rhett directed her away from Carmel and down the wide driveway.

“Where’s your truck?” she asked, looking around and then realizing just as quick that her Sonata was parked on the curb. “You got my car here. Are we driving it?”

He chuckled. “No, sorry. The tow company came through, but the locksmith won’t be able to make it until the morning. He’ll knock on your door with new keys at nine a.m. Does that work all right?”

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” She squeezed his hand. “So how are we getting to your house?”

He smirked at her and directed her down the sidewalk lined with maple trees. “I seem to remember you walk pretty well in those heels. If there isn’t mud.” He looked down at her heels and back up to her face. “You look awe-inspiring.” His voice got low and husky. “I didn’t want to admit that in front of Carmel.”

“Thank you. You look incredible too. Is it odd that we both dressed up more for dinner at your house than going out to the steakhouse or sushi?”

He chuckled. “My house is a lot nicer than either of them, so it’s appropriate.”

“Oh. Pretty confident about your abode, are you?” She could imagine his house would be incredible. He had the means and the skills to make it so. He was probably the most eligible and sought-after bachelor in Kalispell, if there were such a title. She wanted to strut into church with her hand in his, make those girls stop hitting on him.

“I am.”

They ambled along the sidewalk, past another massive mansion, this one even bigger than the one Sloan was staying at.

“I’m not trying to knock your house, but if you have any kind of decorations besides a golden gong you’ll best the sushi restaurant, and if you don’t have dead animal heads on the wall you’ll beat the steak house.”

“Good point. I guess we’ll have to let the high-dollar, big-city developer decide if she likes my house. Decide if I win again.”

He gifted her with an alluring smile, his blue eyes full of promise. Did winning mean a long, drawn-out kiss? What they’d started outside the sushi restaurant?

She smiled. “We’ll see.”

They reached a third driveway. This one sloped gracefully up to a five-car garage. The house attached to it was the most beautiful home she’d ever seen in her life. The rain had stopped earlier, but now the sun peeked out of its heavy curtain of the past four days and beams of light burst over the two-story brick home. Large windows gleamed in the late-evening sunlight and the graceful archways testified to an expert architect and builder.

“This house is my dream house,” she declared as they walked past the driveway.

“Is it now?” Rhett gave her an enchanting smirk. “Why’s that?”

“I love the arches, all the windows, the classic red brick, the setting, the landscaping. It’s a perfect mix of country feel, modern design, and upscale living. I love it all.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Would you like to see the inside?”

She darted a glance at him. Was he serious?

He shrugged and looked impossibly irresistible. “I know a guy.”

“Oh, I bet you do.” She laughed and bumped his shoulder with hers.

He directed her up the sidewalk. Her anticipation ramped up. He knew these people, or …

It suddenly made sense why they were walking from her rental, and that smirk on his face …

“This is your house,” she all but yelled at him.

He chuckled. “So I know the guy really well.”

Sloan laughed with him and then looked around in awe and a bit of chagrin. Had she really told him his house was her dream house? She hoped he didn’t read anything into that. She hardly knew him, but she somehow felt closer to him than anybody else in her life, besides Kathy who she’d known and had been loyal to her since freshmen year of college. After him protecting her from her cousins twice, she trusted him, and that had never happened with a man.

They walked up the steps to the wide front porch, complete with two sets of rocking chairs with small tables decorated with lamps and greenery between each set.

He pushed down the handle on the nine-foot tall, etched glass door and swung it inward, gesturing for her to precede him.

Sloan eased in, staring up at the two-story entry, glass above and on the sides of the door bringing in natural light. From the knotty Brazilian cherry wood flooring to the smooth finished walls to the perfect bronzed light fixtures to the large windows and classy decorations, she was falling more in love by the moment.

There was a classy and manly office through an archway to her right. A graceful staircase of iron and wood to the left and a massive two-sided glass fireplace in front of them separated the front entryway from the main living area. Through the entry into the living area, she glimpsed floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the trees, river, and yard behind the house.

Above her, a wide loft extended from the staircase. She peered up and could see several doors off of the loft, probably rooms above that massive garage.

Rhett set his cowboy hat on the entry table and shut the door behind him. His unique wood shavings, pine, and vanilla scent brushed close to her, adding to the unreal sensation. She was alone, in this spectacular house that he’d built, with the mesmerizing cowboy contractor.

“What do you think?” he asked, his clean breath touching her cheek. If she looked to the right and arched up, she could probably kiss him.

“It’s ideal,” she exclaimed. “Out of this world.”

She started describing the different things she loved—the layout, the hand-scraped wood flooring, the light fixtures, the moldings, and more. Slowly wandering into the main living area, she gasped in delight and kept oohing over the view, especially with the sun making the wetness on the trees and the river beyond sparkle, the spacious and well-decorated living room with leather furnishings and wood and rubbed bronze accents, the smooth off-white walls, the massive two-sided glass fireplace, the kitchen with concrete counter tops and walnut cabinets, and the classic decorations. He had to admit he’d hired someone to decorate.

She walked slowly around the main area, taking in every detail. She could smell warm bread. As she approached the kitchen, she saw a salad and dressings, bread on a wooden cutting board with oil and vinegar, and raw steaks in a glass container.

“Did you bake the bread?” she asked, remembering him picking up a loaf of sourdough from the bakery at the store.

“No.” He shook his head. “A little trick from my mama. Sprinkle a little water and rub some melted butter mixed with sea salt on the top and put it in the oven for a bit. It tastes fresh baked and makes the house smell good.” He ducked his head slightly. “My version of cooking.”

“I like it.”

“Are you ready to eat?”

“Sure.”

She walked with him out onto his patio to grill the steak. She admired the view again and the comfortable, wide back patio with outdoor couches and a table and chairs. She would’ve loved to eat outside if it were thirty degrees warmer.

The sun’s appearance made her optimistic. As if heaven above was endorsing her and Rhett spending time together and growing closer. Everything was going their way, the weather would warm and the ground would dry.

Despite the nightmare of Jaxon and Preston coming after her, Rhett protecting her and the strides she’d made with the contractors made her optimistic she could stay here in Montana. Being with Rhett made her optimistic that she could date an incredible man.

Time would tell, but so far Rhett Coleville had proven himself to be the best man she’d ever met.