Page 11 of Home Between Homes

“Oh, that’s okay. I like to keep my word.”

“I won’t tell the McCormacs. For all I care, you can come back before they get back, and we’ll just tell them you cleaned twice.”

He stared at me with a frozen smile. “As tempting as that sounds, it wouldn’t be right. The McCormacs have been nothing but generous to me.”

I felt a sting in my neck. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to talk you into anything?—”

“I know you meant well.”

He let go of Maggie, who stomped off to the kitchen. I pulled off the second boot and leaned in to place it directly on the boot tray. The difference in temperature as I closed the door behind me was crazy. It was like going from a freezer to a sauna. I slipped out of my jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

“So why the rush? Is there someone you need to be with tonight?” I asked. It was Christmas Eve. I knew my question sounded like small talk, but I needed to know if he had a family, a girlfriend, or maybe even a boyfriend. Either way, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything inappropriate if he was in a relationship.

“No. It’s not that. I’m pretty worried about the blizzard. A lot of the people I help are very old.”

“How thoughtful of you.” Just knowing how much he cared about his community made me like him ten times more. Still, I couldn’t ignore the fact that he didn’t tell me what I wanted to know. “So does that still mean no plans for tonight?” I had wished for the chance to see him again, to ask him to meet me. I couldn’t just let it go.

Jack shrugged. “Falling into my bed when I’m done.”

“You live alone?”

“Yeah.”

That was as good as it got. “How about we meet for that drink you offered yesterday?” It was probably a bad idea. As far as I knew, he was just being cordial, and his offers to meet were purely friendly. “I could also whip up some food for us. I’m a little out of practice, but that would be a good enough reason to get back into it.”

He twisted the cloth in his hands a little too much for my taste, but after a moment, he smiled. “I would love to. If the weather still permits. But I only live a mile away. It should be fine.”

I couldn’t believe how easy it was. Sure, it didn’t mean that anything I had imagined would happen, but at least I had the chance to find out if it was possible.

“Just let me know when you can be here. Oh, that reminds me. Let me give you my number.”

“Is it still the same one you had in college?”

“I haven’t changed it since then, no.”

“Then I still have it.” Jack blushed.

Damn, that was cute.But now I felt even worse because I didn’t have his number or his card.

His eyes darted to the fireplace, eager to get back to his work.

“I’ll wait for your text. And nowI’llstop distracting you.” I motioned to the kitchen. “A certain lady is waiting for her breakfast. And I need to get something besides coffee into my system as well.”

I shovedsome scrambled eggs into my mouth and watched more snow fall through the safety of the kitchen windows. The snowflakes were coming in droves now, making it impossible for me to see any further than the trees behind the house.

Maggie had made herself comfortable on her bed and was taking her time chewing on the dog biscuit. The bribe worked wonders because she was looking at me again.

“I’m leaving now,” Jack said, poking his head into the kitchen. His yellow jacket rustled as he waved to me. “Thanks again for the coffee.”

It was only a little after ten.How did he clean the entire house all by himself so quickly?It would have taken me at least until late afternoon.

“Let me walk you to the door.” I jumped up, and with me, Maggie. We both followed him to the living room and watched him slip into his worn-out sneakers, which seemed like a terrible choice for weather like this.

He put his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll text you later. Hopefully, I’ll be done by seven.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Without zipping up his jacket, he unlocked the door and stepped out onto the porch. The snow, now driven by the wind, blew sharply toward us.

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