Page 38 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

That’s what he told himself. But in reality he wanted to hold her forever. Every moment and every kiss tonight had solidified that conviction, until he was now more certain than he had been of anything else in his life.

“Thank you for coming over,” Hannah told him. “You were a pretty good stand-in for my boys.”

Louis cast her a glance from the corner of his eyes as he zipped up his jacket.

She opened the door and flicked on the porch light. The timers had turned off her Christmas decorations hours ago, leaving Frosty deflated in the dark and making the night look like any other. Cold, slightly dreary and definitely lonely.

She was putting distance between them with her goodbye, possibly even discounting the connection they’d had between kisses. It made him wonder if she was going to pretend tonight had never happened.

“Feel free to invite yourself over anytime,” she added, still holding the door.

Behind her, Obi rolled over on his living room bed and let out a sigh so loud it could be heard from the doorway.

“I have to work tomorrow, but I’m sure you can think of a reason to get me to come over and help you cope tomorrow evening, too. I’ll be home for a bit between five and sevenish.” Louis gave her a sly smile, hoping she’d find it slightly intoxicating. Or at least make her want to roll up onto her toes, grab his face and kiss him.

“I have no fun plans tomorrow night,” she said, arms wrapped around herself. “Just work.”

“At the day care?”

She shook her head. “A surprise for Wade. I’m going to paint his room while he’s away. So unless you want to help me, I suggest you pretend the team has a very late practice, and then go catch a beer with the guys at the Watering Hole.”

“Do you have everything you need? Paint? Brushes? Drop sheets?”

“You don’t need to help. I’m sure you don’t get many evenings off during the hockey season.”

He gave a casual shrug. It was true, and tomorrow night he had the fundraiser gala the team’s charity was hosting. But he’d skip that for her. Or make one of those late appearances, bid on a few things and head back home again.

“Good night, Louis.”

As she closed the door behind him he wished for the day he wouldn’t ever have to leave.

5

Hannah yawned as she walked home from the library. She’d spent most of the morning prepping Wade’s room for the first coat of paint. Then she’d gone down to the library and met with the concert committee to set the song order, finalize the decorations and organize more volunteers to bake goodies and put together treat bags.

She zipped her collar against the wind, planning what she’d make for an early supper. She’d eat, then set to work painting.

As she came within sight of Louis’s empty driveway, she felt a jab of disappointment. Which was silly. She knew he wouldn’t be home until around five, and it was only four.

Loneliness hit her hard. Empty house. No friendly smile next door. She sighed and continued up the walk, letting herself in and Obi out. She hung up her jacket with determined care before letting the dog back in again.

Calvin and the boys had video-chatted with her earlier, Thomas scowling and jet-lagged. But Calvin was optimistic about all that France could hold for the four of them, and so she’d simply nodded and smiled.

Maybe she wouldn’t get accepted into the education program.

Maybe she would move to France and love it.

But if they were seriously considering Paris, then why did she have a stash of painting materials currently sitting in Wade’s bedroom? The paint was custom tinted, making it non-returnable. Why put money into a house she might soon be selling? Why apply for a program she might not be able to enter?

Entering Wade’s room, Hannah knelt down, pried open a can and considered the color. Better than the room’s current beige, but was this the right shade of blue? It looked so...permanent and decisive. There would be nothing subtle about this change. But she’d already filled boxes with stuffed animals, LEGO and an impressive amount of drawings, in preparation for painting. There was nothing left to do but put the new color on the walls.

Obi clacked down the hallway, his nails falling silent as he came onto the drop-sheet-covered carpet beside Hannah. He nudged her with his nose, then slid his wide, furry head under her arm.

“Hey, buddy.” Their morning walk had been a bit shorter than usual due to the way she’d intentionally filled her day to keep busy, and the guilt hit her. It would be dark soon, too dark for her to truly enjoy walking him, but she could paint all night.

“Come on, let’s go.” She closed the can and leashed him up.

When she returned home just before five, having stopped several times to chat with neighbors, Louis’s truck was back in his driveway. Home early? She felt a goofy smile brighten her face when she saw a note tacked to her door with duct tape.

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