“Stop apologizing. I was exactly where I wanted to be.”
With the smoke cleared, he closes the windows, then opens a can of tuna to go with the rice and vegetables. We sit on the stools to eat it side by side. I’m aware of my bare pussy under his sweater and the soft throbbing emanating from it.
I know what his stubble feels like on my thighs; I know how his palms feel on my breasts, but I don’t know much about the man whose face I was just riding.
“Are you from here?”
Aiden shakes his head. “I grew up in Kentucky and joined the army at seventeen. I’ve been out for a few years, and when I heard about this place for veterans, Jake’s Retreat, I came for a three-week stint. Now, I work there doing security.”
It figures he’s a military man. His protective instincts make sense. Maybe that’s why I feel safe with him.
“How about you?” he asks. “Why show up in Hope now?”
I chew my mouthful before answering. I didn’t even tell my mom about the inheritance. She never had a good word to say about my father. He was a fling, and she left town before she realized she was pregnant. That’s all I know. She said she never spoke to him again. But that can’t be right if he left me his property. He must’ve known about me.
I didn’t ask Mom about it, because if she got a sniff of money coming in, she’d hound me for her cut. And I’m done fueling my mother’s alcohol habit. I’ll pay off her current debts, and then the only thing I’m paying for is rehab. She’s bled me dry for too long, and it’s left me behind in my rent, trying to work through my studies while supporting a parent who can’t hold down a job. But Aiden doesn’t need to know all my problems.
“I got a letter three weeks ago.” I grab my backpack and pull out the crumpled letter. The address of the lawyer’s office is at the top, which was scary and official-looking when it arrived. The letter is concise, explaining that I’ve been left property.
“I never met my father. I never even knew his name. I have no idea why he’d leave this to me.”
Aiden takes the letter and smooths it out on the table. “Hope Legal.” He reads the name of the law firm. “I know one of the guys who works there. Have you been to see them?”
“Only to pick up the key. I have an appointment tomorrow at two.”
Aiden slides the letter back to me. “I’ll come with you.”
“Why?”
He frowns. “Your father’s place has been abandoned since he passed away, but there’s interest in it. I’ve seen cars parked there. I thought it was kids, but the cars are too nice. We’ll take a walk around the property tomorrow morning. It says six acres. I want to make sure you’re aware of what’s on your land before you speak to anyone.”
“I can’t take up more of your time. Don’t you have to work?”
Aiden shakes his head. “You don’t get it yet, do you, firefly?”
He’s smiling at me like I’m missing out on something big and exciting. I don’t know what it could be.
That said, it’s nice to have someone looking out for me. To feel like I’m not alone in this. I have no idea what my land will be like, but I like the idea of walking around it with Aiden.
“Thanks. It’ll be easier to set up the sale if I know what’s on the land.”
Aiden looks confused, and panic flutters across his face.
“What do you mean set up the sale?”
“I’m selling the property. That’s why I’m in town. To sign the paperwork and appoint an agent to sell for me. Then I’m heading back to Jersey.”
7
AIDEN
Lexi’s words still ring in my ears the next morning when we reach the Reilly place. She’s planning to sell the property and move back to Jersey. In my love-struck brain, I imagined the property would tie her to Hope. She told me when I first met her she was only in town for three days, but I thought that meant to view the property and come back to live here. I’ve been so caught up in these new feelings that are tying my body and heart in knots that my brain was too slow to catch up.
After she told me last night, she let out the biggest yawn I’ve ever seen, and I scooped her up and carried her upstairs to bed. She was almost asleep by the time I laid her down. I climbed into bed beside her, and she snuggled her body into mine. I spent all night with my arms around her, thinking about how to make her want to stay.
While she slept, curled into my body, the most amazing sense of peace settled over me.
It was like the last time I boarded the plane to leave Afghanistan after my final deployment. As we flew over the desert, the place where I’d witnessed death and endless missions with sand and dust everywhere, a calmness settled over me. Onelike I’d never known during my deployment, followed by a sense that I shouldn’t feel such relief to be leaving it behind. I didn’t know if we made a difference over there, and better men than me weren’t coming home, so how could I feel so hopeful?