Page 17 of Worth the Want
“Sure. That’s very considerate. In the meantime, I’ll take a look at those letters from Ms. June. We were unable to locate any from you to her.” I relay the information. Shepherd sighs. He knows this isn’t going anywhere. “The small window of time for you to present any evidence that Ms. June’s will is inaccurate is closing, so I would be swift in getting all necessary information back to me.”
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Holloway. I’m not sure when you’ll be hearing from us again, but I’ll try to set up a date to meet soon,” Shepherd tells me while pushing his chair back to stand. I stand with him, and he extends his hand again before swiftly making his exit. Kirk follows like a sad puppy. I doubt I’ll hear from them again at all.
Since my day has opened up, I decide to hit the grocery store before getting Hazel. She’s most likely out in the field with my dad anyway, having the time of her life, singing to the cows, and I don’t want to rain on her parade. I leave the office ready to check one thing off my list for the next couple of days, and maybe get my mind back on track and off my new tenant.
“Thank you for all your help this morning,” I tell Winnie from the front steps of my temporary home. She’s walking out to her car to leave after helping me carry my boxes and totes from my car into the house. Now all that’s left is to put things away—which she volunteered to help with—but I know she needs to get to the bakery so Anna can leave for the afternoon.
“Anytime, Indie!” Her use of my nickname takes me by surprise while simultaneously bringing a smile to my face. I watch some dust gather behind her car as she disappears down the dirt road. When it dissipates, it’s just me here—alone.
Turning to look back at the house, I see Sally lying on the porch on her side.So not completely alone.I’ve decided I like having her around. Her coloring reminds me of a Mountain Bernese—black ears and back with some caramel-colored fur mixed in, and a fluffy white chest. She’s not quite as big, though, leading me to believe she must be a mix of some kind. Whatever she is—I think I love her.
Walking into the small house, I take myself on a smalltour of the place. I say small because this place iscozyin the way that only two people could fit in the kitchen at one time. It’s beautiful though. If the hotel room was light and airy, this is the perfect contrast.
It’s like I’m being pulled further into an enchanted forest. Dark and moody with earthy greens and rich wood. The curtains are a sheer material that lets light in but are colored a deep-sage green. The floors look like original wood with tapestry-style rugs decorating them. Rust and burnt orange weaves seamlessly in with the warm beige and greens. It’s bohemian in the middle of the forest. I love it. I grin and spin in a circle. I’m not sure how I’m lucking out, but you shouldn’t gift a horse a…you shouldn’t give a gift in front of a horse? You shouldn’t look…whatever that saying is.
I grab two bags and head into the bedroom to unpack some clothes. It’s small with a queen bed pushed snug against the wall across from a big window. The bedframe is a beautiful wrought iron, bent and shaped in arches. The floorboards creak as I walk toward the closet to hang a few of my things. Most should fit in the dresser on the opposite wall.
Over the dresser hangs a large rectangular mirror with a metal scrolled frame. It’s stunning. The glass looks old, and I wonder if it’s an antique, what its story is. As a kid, we used to go to the flea markets and give items backstories. What would Han tell me about this one?It was used in an old burlesque dressing room. The woman who used it was the star of the show, and everyone was jealous of her.Maybe I should call her again. I know I did a couple of days ago, but I really want to tell her about this place.
I grab my phone out of my back pocket. I have a few missed calls and texts, but I swipe the notifications away andclick on Han’s name. It rings five times before her voicemail picks up, and I hear Princess Leia tell Han Solo she loves him for the first time followed by his reply of “I Know” before it beeps, and I chuckle.
“Hey, sis. It’s been a crazy couple of days. It’s a long story, but the condensed version is that my first residence in Silverthorne turned into a waterpark, so I had to stay at the hotel in town, and now? I am now staying at my boss’s fiancé’s brother's guesthouse. What a mouthful. Whoishe,you might ask?The guy.The hotguy from the bar in New York who never showed up for pizza! Knox Holloway. God, even his name is sexy. I don’t even think he remembers me. He’s still hot—he may even be hotter. Ugh, I couldn’t make this up if I tried. It sounds like a lot, I know, but get this: the guesthouse is by a lake—in the mountains! Ugh, you would love it here. I’ll call again in a couple of days. I love you—so much. I miss you. Bye, Han.”
I tap my phone, setting it down on the dresser, ready to dive into unpacking my clothes and washing my laundry from the last couple of days. The rest of my things are already en route to Winnie’s cottage, so I’ll have to make sure I check for any deliveries. I’ll ask Winnie to keep an eye out for me when I see her tomorrow.
In what feels like no time at all, all my clothes are put away, and a load of laundry is washing in the machine. I’m a little sweaty, so I decide to take a quick shower, but am disappointed when I can’t get the hot water to work.Am I turning it the wrong way?A quick turn of the handle the opposite way brings an arcticblast, eliciting a yelp.Nope. Not turning it the wrong way then.I’ll have to ask about it next time I see Knox, unfortunately. I hate having to bother him with something already, but I will have to take a hot shower at some point.
My stomach grumbles as I put a fresh, oversized T-shirt on, reminding me I have no food here, so a grocery store run is necessary. I’m hoping there’s one in town, so I don’t have to go any further to find one. A quick check of the apps on my phone tells me there are zero delivery services in the area.Sigh, I’ll miss that convenience.
While getting ready to go into town, the scenery outside the window catches my attention, my eyes snagging on a dock. The lake is so pretty here, surrounded by nature, nestled in the mountains. I grab my borrowed camera and slip the carrying strap over my head. Maybe I’ll explore a little before making the trip. Taking in the terrain as I go, I notice you can’t see another house around—well, except Knox’s.
Knox.I cringe. He didn’t really say much before when I said it was nice to see him. Most likely because he has no idea who I am.What do you mean thirty minutes of undeniable attraction in a bar isn’t enough to go on?I, on the other hand, don’t know how I could forget him. He’s the most ruggedly handsome man I’ve ever encountered in my life. It may have been years ago, but that doesn’t change the imprint he left on my brain…and then I fell off his porch.
My hand massages at my forehead. I’m actually not a clumsy person. I even played a couple of sports in high school; volleyball, a little tennis, and I love to dance. Unfortunately, Knox Holloway may never know how coordinated I am. If standing me up wasn’t him writing me off, he might’ve when he had to help me out of the bushes in front of his house.
Looking down the road, I study the big, green house for a moment. The yard is meticulously kept, not a leaf on the lawn or a stray blade of grass on the path that leads into the beautiful wildflower field between our houses. It reminds me of the photos you see in a home and gardening magazine.
While admiring the property, I spot a parting in the tall grass on the lake side of the road and make my way toward it from the main road. The trail down to the water is marked and easy to stay on. There are wildflowers growing all around me. Reaching out, I run my hand over them as I pass by. Stepping onto the dock, I leisurely walk the length of the wooden slats, taking photos as I go. There’s a metal canoe, a paddleboard, and a kayak tied to dock cleats, and one lone Adirondack sitting at the end. It’s all so solitary, a setup just for one.
Considering the boats, I realize I’ve never been in or on any of them. I stop next to the paddleboard and picture myself out on the lake. My balance is relatively good, and I’ve seen people stand on them before, so I’m sure I could figure it out. Bending to set my camera in the middle of the dock, ensuring that in no way it could be knocked into the water. Then I glance around to double-check that I’m still alone. Although there are only two houses on Knox’s property, I’m not sure if anyone else lives on the lake. I slip my tennis shoes off and set them next to the camera.
Sitting next to the floating paddleboard, I slowly lower my feet onto it. Looking over my shoulder to check the area again for anyone and finding I’m still alone, I try to stand. First attempt—unsuccessful. My ass hits the dock when the board slides out from under me. Maybe this is a commit-to-it thing. I can do that. I’m a very commit-to-the-bit person. It could be that I’m just going too slow. I stand quickly, and—I’m up!Nowwhat?There wasn’t a paddle out here, and I’m still tethered to the dock. But at least I know I can balance on it, and maybe I’ll be able to convince its stony—but incredibly handsome—owner to let me try it out. Motion to the right of me gets my attention. I flinch, only to see it’s Sally coming down the dock.
I catch myself and huff a laugh at my jumpiness, sitting back down as she nuzzles into me while I stroke her soft fur. Reaching behind me to slip my camera back on, I watch Sally trot to the end of the dock to lie in the sun next to the chair. My camera makes a quick shutter sound when I snap a picture before walking out to sit with her.
Choosing to forgo the chair and sit on the dock, I dangle my feet off the edge. Once I’m settled, Sally lays her head in my lap. The birds fly over the lake and back to the trees while wildlife makes various sounds in the thick forest surrounding me. Chipmunks and squirrels are scurrying. This is the most submerged in nature I’ve ever been.
Lying back against the sun-warmed boards, I bend my knees, bringing my feet to rest on the edge of the dock. I close my eyes and let the sun's rays warm my face as well. It’s so peaceful out here. I’ve never seen any place like it that wasn’t on a postcard or in a movie. Listening to the sounds around me and feeling Sally next to me, I relax into the moment. Not sleeping well at night is starting to catch up to me. Trying to focus only on the things that surround me, I start to drift off. While I feel consciousness slip away, a question runs through my mind on repeat—had Knox Holloway completely forgotten me?
I don’t know how long I lie there asleep. All I know is that I’m woken up by my sense of awareness returning, the sun disappearing, and in its place is a very large man. Groggy anddisoriented, I don’t think—I just react. My leg shoots out on instinct, kicking sideways at the figure. I hear my foot make contact with a very solid stomach, or rather the other person's painful grunt, and then they’re gone.
A splash echoes off the water as Sally starts barking, and I remember where I am. Out over the lake, on the dock.Knox’s dock. Shit. The large man.Scrambling to the edge of the dock, I let out a gasp when a head breaks the surface, my eyes locking with a pair of sapphire blues. A whimper escapes me.
“Oh, fuck.”
She’s been here less than a day, and she’s already trying to claim my dog and my place out on the end ofmydock.
I examine her—face untroubled in sleep. One of her slender arms is up over her head, the other over her lower stomach, covering part of the design on her shirt. A bat? It reads: Even Batties Get Saddies. Good lord. I scrub a hand down my face. I know Winnie said she was twenty-seven, but she looks young—a lot younger than me. Her lips slightly parted; a light flush on her skin. I briefly let myself wonder what all her skin would look like in the sun. That only makes this situation more frustrating for me.
