Page 16 of Law

“They said hi back. They also want to know how much longer until we get to your house.”

“Not too much longer. I like having space and room to breathe. I have a cabin on about fifteen acres of land.”

“Fifteen acres? Do you farm or something?”

He smiled. “Or something. It’s peaceful. A good retreat from the noise and chaos of the world.”

That sounded nice. After the past four years, she could use some tranquility in her life.

Before she could ask any more questions, he turned onto a tiny dirt road she wouldn’t have even noticed. It wasn’t even a real road. More like two parallel ruts fighting their way through a forest.

He stopped at a gate that could likely be used to keep peopleout of Fort Knox. When he claimed he valued his privacy, he wasn’t kidding.

Once he pressed the proper buttons on his phone, the gate opened, and they drove through. Law drove straight into the woods. Trees loomed on both sides. She had no idea how the branches didn’t scratch up the sides of his shiny black truck.

The forest closed behind them, yet at the same time, the path ahead opened up. A wide lane stretched before them, lined with oak trees whose branches canopied the way. It felt like struggling through the wardrobe to reach Narnia or discovering Wonderland on Earth. It was the most glorious place she had ever seen.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“I like it, too,” he whispered back.

Then she saw his cabin. They had vastly different definitions of what a cabin meant. In the middle of the woods, Law lived in a house unlike any she’d ever seen. She continued to take everything in as he parked in front of a large, free-standing shed. “Wait for me to open your door.”

She could only nod, still mesmerized by the structure before her. When he opened the door, her gaze automatically went to him. Her Viking looked almost boyish as he read her shock. Oh, that grin of his was doing dangerous things to her heart.

He nudged her chin up with his knuckle. “Better close that before you catch flies.”

Who knew Vikings had a teasing sense of humor? Slinging her backpack over his shoulder, he took Buzzy and Owlbert and cradled them in one arm as he helped her down from his monster truck. Holding her hand, he led her toward his unique home.

Although it was only one level, it was very spacious. One enormous room took up the same space as her home in California. How did she know it was one long room? Well, his cabin was constructed entirely of glass

Seriously. The living room was situated in the center of thehouse, with rooms of various purposes extending out to the left and right. The trees nearly touched all sides of the house except the front.

It's no wonder he made his house so hard to find. He lived in a freakin’ glass house! “I guess you don’t throw many stones, huh?”

He grinned. “Just wait.”

He led her inside, and the view from the interior nearly took her breath away. Even the ceiling was glass. The only context of being inside was the room's temperature. It felt as if they were still outside. The limited earth-toned furniture was arranged well and looked comfortable. His house wasn’t just in the forest; it was a part of it.

Columns rather than walls separated the space, so it was really like one large room until they reached his bedroom. Walls with a thick, sturdy door separated that room from the rest of the house.

“Are these the only walls in the house?”

He shook his head. “There are four other bedrooms, each with an attached bathroom and walls. Zane’s in one. You can choose any of the other three you like. Pick one now, then I have something fun planned for us that will help you stop propping your ears up with your shoulders.”

The grin again. And the dimples. Argh!

At least her room would have walls. Thank the Lord for small favors. He led her back through the house to the bedrooms at the other end.

Law paused at the open doorway of the first bedroom. “This is Zane’s room.”

Her heart clutched. “Can I look inside? I won’t touch anything.”

A frown erased his dimples. Had her words upset him? “Let me show you, kitten. Then you tell me if you think Zane will care whether you go into his room.”

He pulled her into her brother’s room while she struggled againstthe fear of intruding that threatened to swallow her whole. It was a wonderful room once you got used to the transparent walls. Neat and suited to a teenager’s comfort, with a desk, computer, and gaming system, she had no doubt Zane loved it. Law nodded toward the electronics. “He likes playing RPGs with Sawyer and his online friends. Now look at the table by his bed, fairy cat. What do you see?”

There was no blinking the tears away this time.

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