“Unless you hate the dishes I bought for the B&B, you’re welcome to use them, since I have place settings for twenty. Same for the silverware, cups and glasses.”
“I don’t much care about dishes and stuff, so that’ll work.”
“Good. When it comes to my baking pans, mixers, knives, pots and pans…those will be off limits. Since there are two dishwashers, we’ll each have one.” She leaned forward. “Our policy should be clean as you go because there’s nothing I hate worse than coming into a kitchen piled with dirty dishes.”
“I’ll pass that along to my little mess maker,” he murmured. “Which goes to say we’re responsible for cleaning our respective areas in the rest of the house too?”
“Yep. The kitchen appliances are typical, no huge explanation is needed on how to run them—even for a teenager and a longtime bachelor.”
“Funny.”
“The washer and dryer are in the basement utility room and I don’t have a specific wash day, so I’ll work around your schedule since there are two of you and one of me.” She paused. “Sierra does her own laundry?”
He nodded.
“I eat supper very early or very late so I’ll be gone by the time you’re ready to fix the evening meal.” He must’ve frowned because she said, “What?”
“I don’t know. We’ll be in the same area around the same time. I just wondered if you’d be interested in sharing a meal with us sometimes.”
Her lips curled up in a sneaky smile. “I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.”
Gavin was so charmed by this woman. Part prickly, part funny—totally sexy. “You do that.” Her toes spread out like a cat’s claws and she made a soft purr when his fingers brushed her instep. “How’s tomorrow night look?”
“Like leftovers.” She propped her chin on her knee. “What’s on your menu?”
“Pasta. I say that with vagueness until we’ve checked out what the local grocery store carries.”
“I love any type of pasta. I’ll contribute a salad and bread.”
“See how easy that was? This living together stuff will be a breeze for us.”
Rielle laughed. “You say that now. How about if we revisit this conversation in a week and see what’s changed?”
“Does that mean you’re putting cocktails on the terrace with me on your schedule for next Saturday night?” he asked lightly.
“Sure. It’s not like I’ll have a date or anything.”
“I find it hard to believe that men aren’t lined up to take you out.” His gaze roved over her face. “Especially if they saw you like this.”
“Like what?” she asked softly.
“With the firelight from the lamp glowing on your face.”
“How often do those smooth words slide off your tongue?”
“Never.” He blinked. What the hell was going on with him?
“Oh. Well, thanks then.” She pushed upright and scrambled back.
Gavin drained his whiskey and followed her into the kitchen. “I’m glad we got this somewhat resolved, Rielle. But the booze and the drive have made me a little…” Loopy? Foolish? Melancholy? Hopeful?
“Has made you what, Gavin?”
“Ramble more than usual.” He smiled at her. “Good night.”
Chapter Five
Sierra could not believe her dad was making her ride the bus home from school.
The school bus.
Who gets stuck riding the bus? Especially in high school?
Losers, probably.
Great way to start her school year.
Hoisting her backpack higher, she walked to the semi-circle where the buses were belching diesel. She started with the last one, searching for number one eleven. Some kid hung out the window of one thirteen and yelled out, “I love you, Sierra!”
She ignored the jerk, who was no doubt being sarcastic since she was the new girl, and kept her head down.
At least she hadn’t been a total pariah, but being fresh meat in the small high school had made her a novelty. She’d met so many people she couldn’t keep them all straight. But she knew the novelty would wear off, probably within a week.
A shadow fell in step with her and she glanced over at the freckled redheaded cowgirl.
Marin Godfrey had taken it upon herself to befriend Sierra first thing in homeroom yesterday. They had two classes together and lunch, so Sierra hadn’t had to sit by herself.
“Hey, Arizona. You took off fast after the last bell rang.”
“I didn’t want to miss my bus since I didn’t ride it yesterday.”
“Your bus is always in the middle. I’m jealous. All the good people ride on your bus. That’s the one everyone wants to be on.”
Sierra wondered what good people meant.
Marin smiled. “You’ll see. Perverts ride on my bus. Always trying to cop a feel. And the grade school boys are the worst.”
“So the school secretary wasn’t bullshitting my dad? Everyone in high school really rides the bus home every day?”
“Not everyone, not every day. Like the jocks have practice after school. But everyone else? Pretty much.”
Bizarre. Didn’t any of these people have cars? In Arizona everyone she knew had a car and no one rode the bus. She didn’t think her school district even had buses. “What if there’s a drama club meeting or something?”
“If there’s an activity or a club meeting, it’s held after supper, not after school, if it can be helped.”
“Why?”
“The school is big on parental involvement and that means scheduling stuff when adults are done with work. Most the kids who ride the bus have chores to do after school anyway.”
Chores. Such a foreign concept to her. After school let out in Arizona, she’d flopped on her bed and napped or watched TV until her dad got home from work.
“That’s why there’s no morning bus service,” Marin continued. “Gotta get them early chores done. So what’re you doing when you get home?”
“I’m sure my dad will grill me on how my second day of school went. If I made new friends. What I had for lunch. If I have homework.”
“That’s better than cleaning the chicken coop.” Marin pointed to the open door. “This one is yours. You’ve got my number. Call me later if you want.” She raced off.
Sierra reached the top step on the bus and the driver stopped her. “You’re Sierra?”