Page 74 of Then Came You
“We’re about to rectify that.”
Before long, he’d pulled into the driveway of a modest brick ranch. It was plain yet neat and flanked by similar homes on either side.
“It’s not fancy, but it’s home.”
She smiled, thinking it sounded like something he’d say. He seemed to be a man of simple tastes, and that was fine with her. He parked in front of the garage, and as soon as they hopped out of the truck, Cocoa started exploring the yard, nose to the ground. Rocky started barking from inside, and she looked up to see his nose pressed against the front window.
After Cocoa left his scent on a nearby bush, they all went inside. Rocky greeted them enthusiastically, especially Cocoa. Then Cocoa trotted off to take a self-guided tour of the house while Rocky trailed behind.
“Would you like a tour too?”
“After breakfast. I’m starved!”
Sam chuckled and then led her into the kitchen at the back of the house. The first thing she noticed was the view of the lake out the back windows. The water shimmered in the morning sun, creating a beautiful, tranquil scene. The backyard sloped down to the water’s edge, where she saw a wooden dock and a rowboat tied up to it. A pair of ducks were gliding along, seemingly enjoying the peaceful morning like she was.
“I can see why you like it here,” she said.
Sam had already gotten out the ingredients to make pancakes, and he was busy mixing them in a bowl.
“I used to love coming here as a kid, and when my grandparents passed away, I decided to move in. It’s small, but it has everything I need, the lake most of all.”
Having finished the tour, Cocoa and Rocky reappeared in the kitchen.
“Mind letting Rocky out?” Sam asked as he plopped some butter onto a griddle.
“Sure. Do you have an invisible fence?”
“Nah. He’ll stay in the backyard.”
Gillian hesitated about letting Cocoa out too. While he was good about staying on her property, he might start exploring and wander away.
Sam must have anticipated her concern. “Don’t worry about Cocoa. Rocky will keep him in line.”
After she’d let the dogs out, she went and stood beside Sam. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Somehow he’d already managed to get the coffee brewing while making pancake batter, and she was impressed. Owen hadn’t been much of a cook. If she hadn’t been there to cook for him, he would have eaten cereal, canned soup, or a peanut butter sandwich. Dammit. I’m comparing them again.
“You can set the table for us.”
Glad to have something to do, she familiarized herself with his kitchen, locating plates, silverware, and coffee mugs. She found a bottle of syrup in the pantry and placed it on the table too. Even though this was her first time being at his house, she felt surprisingly comfortable. That’s how it was with him, though, comfortable, and she embraced the feeling.
“Sorry, I don’t have any breakfast meat to go with the pancakes.”
“That’s okay. The pancakes will be enough.”
Soon he served them each a stack of golden-brown pancakes and mugs of steaming, hot coffee. He’d fished around in the refrigerator and found her an individual creamer, and he set it next to her mug as he sat across from her.
“Mmm,” she said after taking her first bite of pancake.
“Good?”
“Delicious.”
“Oh, come on. You’re just saying that because I gave you three orgasms last night.”
She paused with a forkful of pancake in midair. “You’re going to keep reminding me of that, aren’t you?”
He just smirked and went back to eating.
