Page 31 of Falling for the Grumpy Stranger

“I think that’s the general conclusion now. I suppose that would have made the ending more comical than dramatic. The two of them scooting around trying to take up the best spot on the door, like two people in bed fighting over a blanket.”

I sat back with laughter and then smiled at Ella. “It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed like this. Thank you.”

She smiled shyly. “Glad I could help.” She looked toward the glass door that led out back. “Seems the storm has left, and it took the heavy mist with it. Want to see our view of the cove?”

“Absolutely.”

“We can just step out for a second,” she said. “That way we don’t have to put on our coats.” She unlocked the back door. “I want you to see the beautiful place where I grew up.”

The storm had blown through like a herd of buffalo, stomping and snorting and causing general havoc, but it had left behind a crystal clear night sky. The earthy smell of rain still clung to the chilly air. The stars looked close enough to touch, and the half-moon provided just the right glow to illuminate the ivory stretch of sand below.

“Wow.”

Ella beamed with pride. “Isn’t it dreamy? The cottage was small and crowded, sometimes too crowded when the five ofus weren’t getting along, but we always had this wide stretch of beach to play on when things got tight inside.” She lifted her hand to point. “See that rock that looks a little like a marshmallow?”

“Uh, I think I’m looking at the right one.”

“You turn down when you pass that rock, and there’s a path that goes straight to the sand. Our own private paradise. We could be anything we wanted down there—mermaids, salty sea captains, treasure-hunting pirates. We never ran out of ideas.”

“Something tells me the family storyteller had a lot to do with that.”

“It’s true. I did come up with most of the scenarios.” Ella shivered.

I instinctively put my arm around her shoulders. She didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I allowed myself to believe that she even leaned in some.

“I guess it’s colder than I expected out here,” she said. It wasn’t my imagination. She was pressing closer. Even if it was just to steal my body heat, I was all for it.

“Ella, thanks for the cookies.”

She laughed as she turned to face me, still wrapped in my arm. Her brown eyes sparkled in the light coming from the cottage. “I don’t remember the cookies. Which tells me I eat far too many sweets if I consumed cookies and already forgot.”

“I was talking about the first plate of cookies. The ones that brought us together.” I couldn’t stop myself from encircling her with my other arm. I tugged a little, and she moved even closer. The smell of her perfume filled my senses, along with everything else about her. Warmth emanated between us, and suddenly, it wasn’t quite as cold outside.

“Ella,” I said quietly. I was seriously contemplating a kiss. She leaned in, giving me the signal I needed. I leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. I could still taste the wine.

I gazed down at her.

“I must warn you I have a short attention span when it comes to men,” she said.

“Hmm, is that your way of letting me down easy? Was it the kiss? ‘Cuz trust me, I was holding back … a lot.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just …” She hopped on tiptoes and kissed me, before dropping back to her heels. “It’s just, I don’t have a great track record when it comes to relationships.”

I pulled her closer. “That works.” I kissed her. “My track record isn’t great either, so we can mess this up together.” I kissed her again. “If you’re interested in giving it a whirl.”

She laughed softly. “Oh, I’ll take a whirl with you any day, Rhett Lockwood.” We kissed yet again until a noise at the corner of the house made us part. It was dark, and the shadow of the cottage made it even darker. “What was that?”

“An animal? A raccoon?” I asked.

“I suppose.” She took my hand. “Bringing along my big brave—” She smiled up at me. “Came this close to calling you the b-word.”

I lifted a brow at her. “The b-word?”

She rolled her eyes. “Boyfriend. Almost called you my big, brave boyfriend, but I think, for now, we should categorize this as friends who kiss.”

I laughed. “Specific, but I like it.” We reached the corner of the cottage. There were boxwood shrubs growing wildly on the side of the house. I crouched down to investigate the shrub. “Don’t see anything.” I stood up. “Your official big, brave, occasional kiss friend would like to say that the coast is clear.”

Ella smiled as she looked around.

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