Page 16 of Until You Found Me

Her eyes widen. “I don’t care what the catch is, I’ll do anything.”

“You’ll have to work. Not right away. He knows you’ve been through it. Once you’re healed up, he’ll expect you to help put the rest of ‘em together. I tried to trade for more hours with just me, but he wasn’t going for that, says we both need to pitch in to work off rent.”

And just like that, her elation at the possibility of getting out of the shelter is shattered. She could cry right here at this picnic table for how useless she feels. “I don’t know how to build anything, Logan. I don’t have any skills.”

“I’ll show you. I help him out already. Not expecting you to put together a whole house yourself, and you can say no. It’s just an offer. I know it’s not the best option.”

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I want to move into a dome. I’m not exactly sure what that is yet, but yes. When can we go?”

“Today.”

“You’re serious? This isn’t a joke? I don’t think I could handle it if you’re teasing me right now.” She’s holding in a fresh batch of tears that well in her eyes at the prospect of salvation. Peace and quiet. Solace.

His face softens, his tone serious. “I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”

An elated exhale flutters out coated in relief, but then she remembers what he said a moment ago. “Wait, you’re working extra for me? That isn’t fair. You already have a job and other responsibilities. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Already told him it’s fine. It’s not a big deal. Not like there’s a commute. I’m right over the fence. Spend a lotta time there already.”

“You’re sure it won’t keep from anything important?”

“Wouldn’t have agreed otherwise.”

“I really wanna hug you right now, but there’s a table between us.”

He hisses between his teeth. “I’m not a hugger.”

She smirks, curbing the urge to wrap her arms around him. “Noted.”

This morning she feared she might never see him again and now he’s shown up with an answer to one of her most pressing problems. She’s going to live in a dome, whatever that is. It feels like the first step toward getting some semblance of her life back on track.

* * *

Tessa doesn’t have anything to pick up from the shelter, so they drive to Arthur’s property after breakfast. The long, tree-lined driveway leads to an old farmhouse with a circle drive. She doesn’t see any domes yet, but she could bounce in her seat with anticipation.

An older man looking like Santa Claus greets them, carrying a cardboard box and brandishing a warm smile.

“I appreciate you letting me stay here,” she says, after Loganintroduces them.

“I’m the one who appreciates the extra help. I don’t do handouts, so I hope you’re ready to work when you’re feeling up to it. This project has been a thorn in my side for months, but with three of us, there might be a chance at getting it done.”

“Point me in the right direction and I’m happy to work off my room and board.”

“Good, good, come on then. I got the one that’s almost finished all set up for you.”

They follow him behind the house and down a gravel path. A cloak of trees hangs heavy enough to obscure the view until the leaves part to reveal one complete dome and four more scattered about in various states of construction.

An ocean breeze tickles her face and draws her attention to a waterfront view lapping against rocky shores.

“It’s so beautiful,” she whispers as if speaking too loud might shatter the illusion.

“This land has been in my family for generations. Finally gonna make some good use of it beyond the farm. My knees ain’t what they used to be, can’t chase the animals around much anymore. I’m hoping these domes might pick up the slack when they’re all finished. Cheap to build, frustrating as they are. Rentals in the nicer parts of town fetch a pretty penny, so may as well try here too.”

“I can’t imagine that you won’t be booked up the minute you open. With that view? It’s a slice of paradise.”

He smiles, opening the door to her new home. “Come on in, this one still needs some tweaking, but if there’s anything you’re not fond of, do speak up. Can use all the feedback I can get before customers see it.”

There could be nothing but a blanket on the floor and she’d be thrilled to call it her own. What she finds instead is so much better. There’s a wood-burning fireplace in the middle and a bed with fluffy pillows in the corner. The space is open but small, with curved floor to ceiling views pointing at the ocean beyond. The kitchen is missing its cabinet doors, but there’s a coffee maker stocked with grounds and a bathroom full of the essentials she’d be too afraid to ask for.

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