Page 74 of The Guest Cottage

For him.

They’d finished watching the sunrise a couple of hours ago. Breakfast was delayed while they shared a shower.

And then shared the bed.

It was a great way to start his day. Something he wouldn’t mind repeating. Often.

Like maybe for the rest of his life.

For now, he needed to get back on schedule. He carried his plate to the sink after a meal of pancakes and bacon. Marlow was still nibbling on hers while perusing the internet on her laptop.

He rinsed his plate. “What are you looking for?”

“Property.”

That halted him in the process of putting his plate in the dishwasher. Cautiously, he asked, “Decided not to stay after all?”

“What?” Startled, she glanced up and said, “I’m staying. I keep telling you that.”

“For the summer?” he clarified, wishing it could be different but knowing the rules of the town.

Her smile teased. “For as long as I’m allowed, actually, but that’s a conversation for another time.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d said something similar. Others had noticed that she was extending her stay—and so far, no one had complained . . . at least not to him.

The idea of having her close indefinitely was more appealing than he wanted to admit.

His feelings wouldn’t change the town rules, though. The people of Bramble didn’t want to add to the population, and thankfully, no one was ready to pass away. That meant adding one more inhabitant was out of the question.

“For now,” she continued, “I’m looking at buildings right outside Bramble. I want to open my own little shop, but I can’t find a space I like.”

Cort dried his hands and joined her, one palm flattened on the tabletop as he peered over her shoulder at the laptop screen. “What’s wrong with this one?”

“The exterior is too plain. I want a building with character. Something like the unique homes around here.”

Yes, knowing Marlow as he did, he could easily imagine what would appeal to her. Sliding back into a seat, he asked, “Mind if I do a quick search?”

She repositioned the laptop in front of him. “Pixie and I have exhausted all options. Feel free.”

The properties she’d already pulled up ranged from low-five figures to high-six. “Your price point leaves a lot of room, and there’s a small town in the opposite direction from where you’re looking that might better suit you.” The location would add just a few miles to the distance she’d input on the search.

“I hope you’re not trying to push me farther away.”

For a heartbeat, he went still as he absorbed the worry in her words. Push her away? Hardly. He’d rather have her closer. When he lifted his gaze to meet hers, he was careful not to show his surprise. “Have I said or done anything to give you that impression?”

Having the accusation turned back on her left her with a slight frown. “Well, no.”

The unspoken words hung between them. He hadn’t asked her to get closer, either. At least, not explicitly. He’d shown her, though, and for an astute woman like Marlow, that should have been enough—for now.

With his search complete, he turned the laptop back to her. “Are these buildings more to your liking?”

It took her far too long to drag her gaze from his to the laptop screen. Immediately her frown cleared. “Oh, these are nice.”

Cort had a lot to think about, so he pushed back his chair and stood. Marlow, now absorbed in the search results, didn’t look up.

There were moments when she totally confounded him, yet at all times she fascinated him, too.

Unwilling to be ignored, he caught her chin and lifted her face for a kiss. Not a quick “see you later” kiss, either. No, he made sure it was one she’d remember even after he’d gone. By the time he lifted away, she was limp in her chair, the laptop forgotten, her eyes half closed and her breath labored.

---