Page 20 of Hold the Line

“It is.” I tapped my fingertips on the lid. “Is your allergy really severe?”

Nostrils flaring, he jerked a nod. “Surprised it hasn’t killed me yet.”

Flat, emotionless, like it didn’t mean anything. But it did. Trusting food was safe wasn’t easy when one wrong ingredient could be the difference between life and death. Deacon didn’t know how careful I was. Couldn’t understand the love I had for my nephew was my driving force.

“Okay.” I pulled the box into my body. “I completely get it. Eating something from a kitchen you’re not familiar with is too big of a gamble. I’ll stop trying to feed you, I promise. Just…thanks again for the planters. They’re amazing.”

I turned to go, determined to really leave him alone this time, getting one step before his fingers ghosted over my shoulder.

“Wait…Phoebe. I’ll try it.”

I swiveled around, locking eyes with him, hoping he could read the sincerity in mine. “You don’t know this about me, but I love my nephew Jesse most in the world. I am meticulous about my ingredients because if anything I made sent him into anaphylaxis, I’d never be able to live with myself. Do you understand?”

His eyes darted back and forth between mine, solemn and serious. Then he nodded, seemingly finding what he was looking for, stepped back, and swept his arm out.

“You wanna come in?”

“Yes.” I smiled at him. “I’d love to.”

I’d been in this apartment countless times, but when Hannah lived here, it had been warm and cozy. Our mom had helped her decorate since she didn’t really care about that kind of thing, so she’d had pretty curtains and lots of plush throw pillows on her comfortable sofa.

By any standard, Deacon’s place was barren. Nothing on the walls, and all he had for sitting were camp chairs. He’d lived here for a few weeks, but it looked like he’d just moved in.

Stopping in the middle of the living room area, he glanced around like he was just seeing it for the first time. “It’s not much.”

“No, it’s not,” I agreed.

He twisted his head around, forehead crinkled with surprise. “Didn’t expect that. Thought you’d drop some niceties.”

I went to his kitchen, placing the bakery box on the counter. “What’s the point of blowing smoke when we can both see you’re living like you’ve got one foot out the door? Do you need furniture? I’m sure I could ask around—”

“You’re right. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.”

A sliver of disappointment cut through my gut at the thought of him moving away. “Oh. Well, even if you’re only in Sugar Brush for a short time, you should at least have a couch.”

“I’m not leavin’ town anytime soon.” He rubbed his nape, his expression somewhat sheepish. “I want a house with another bedroom and a workshop.”

“A house? So you’re staying?”

“That’s the plan.” He moved to join me at the kitchen counter, frowning at the bakery box. “We’ll see how it pans out.”

“Then you should definitely buy a couch. You can take it with you when you find your house. No sense in being uncomfortable in the meantime.”

He shrugged. “I don’t need much. I’m used to living without.”

“That might be, but the point is, you don’t have to.” I tapped my chin. “Actually, my sister put her furniture in storage when she moved in with her boyfriend. I’m sure she—”

“I can afford to pay for my own things,” he said softly but with a firmness that brooked no argument.

Rightfully put in my place, I pressed my hand to my chest. “Sorry. I can’t help myself sometimes. When I see a problem, I like to fix it. I’ll butt out, though. That camping chair looks pretty comfortable.”

That got his eyes on me, something like curiosity tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re being sarcastic.”

I held my thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “A little. But I really won’t bring it up again. Your furniture is your business. Even if it sucks.”

The laugh that shot out of him froze me solid. A powerful blast of surprise and mirth that broke free without warning, there and gone so fast, I could have convinced myself I’d imagined it if not for the goose bumps crawling up and down my arms.

“Don’t spare my feelings.”

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