Page 44 of Mountain Dreams

She watched the deer and debated how to answer. She couldn’t tell him her main concern, because that would just be awkward and embarrassing.

“Maddie?”

“Sorry,” she said, turning away from the deer to look at her handsome benefactor.

“If you’re afraid of being a charity case, I’ll let you buy some groceries. How’s that?”

She laughed. If only it were that simple. “If I move in with you, I won’t just help pay for groceries. I’ll pay rent.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“It’s the only way I’ll agree,” she said adamantly.

“Fine. We can come up with an amount. What else?”

“If you were to bring someone home…a woman…”

He tilted his head and grinned. “My walls aren’t as thin as the ones at the apartment building, but don’t worry. It’s rare that I bring someone to my place.”

Her eyes went wide. “Really?”

“My home is my sanctuary. I have to really like someone to invite them there.”

The revelation knocked her sideways. “You invited me there.”

“Um-hmm,” he said, his eyes locked on hers.

“I guess I should feel honored.”

“I’m not a duke!”

“Suppose you do want to bring someone home with you. Maybe you could give me a heads up, and I’ll get out of your way.”

“Despite what you might think, I don’t have a revolving door of women, Mads.”

She found that hard to believe. “I went to high school with you, remember?”

“Things were different back then. I’m a little more discerning now.”

“I’m not judging you. You’re young and single and free to do whatever you want.”

“So are you,” he pointed out.

“I guess I am, aren’t I?” She’d been part of a couple for so long it was hard to consider herself single.

“You’re probably not ready to get back out there yet, but you will be eventually.”

“I wish I was as confident as you are.”

He reached over and squeezed her knee, but instead of pulling his hand away, he kept it there. She desperately tried not to look down, but she felt the heat of his hand through her jeans, and she liked it—a lot. There it was—the main concern she had about moving in with him. She was starting to get used to his touch, and she enjoyed it way more than a friend should.

Plus, she was still recovering from her broken engagement. She should be knee-deep in mourning for at least another six months, maybe even a year. Wait a minute. Who came up with that rule? Oh. Maybe it was me.

He pulled his hand away. “So, we’ve covered rent and houseguests. What else is there?”

“You’re making it hard for me to say no. You know that, right?”

“We’ve known each other a long time, and we like each other. It’s not like you’re moving in with a stranger.”