Page 15 of Anything for You
But Dorian had been in the middle of it with me, emotionally. He easily could’ve seen me crying and gone inside. Instead, he’d chosen to sit down and be there.
In my experience, this was very much not what men did. Growing up, I didn’t see any man in my life over the age of about twelve cry. I was never consoled by my father, nor was my mother. In retrospect, it was cultural. Vulnerability and especially crying were deeply taboo for the men in the camp. I’d chalked it up toemotionsbeing off-limits to them at one point, but in truth, it wasn’t all emotions. Men could display happiness, joy, and especially anger. That was the manly one where they funneled all their discomfort or sadness or angst.
Why cry or hold someone who’s grieving when you could fight someone or go boss someone around?Or worse.
None of the men I’d met here in Silverton were like that, thankfully, but Dorian’s behavior was so foreign to me, it’d made understanding him actively challenging.
“Friends sounds nice,” Elise mused aloud.
“It does. Especially since he’s my only neighbor.” We chuckled at the truth. “Question is, how? How do you repay someone for letting you literally cry on their shoulder?”
She tsked. “You don’t repay, for one. But two… maybe you come up with something to give him—a little token like the pie.”
I hummed in response, liking the idea. I could leave him something on his doorstep and that way, he wouldn’t have to see me if he didn’t want to. The last thing I wanted was to invade his space.
“I think you’re onto something there. Know where a gal can get a decent donut?”
CHAPTER NINE
Stone
Monday morning, I came back from making rounds on the farm to find a small, bright pink box containing two donuts inside a paper shopping bag. Next to it sat another box, this one white, holding a collection of dog biscuits I recognized as the ones Ethan Carter sold at Joe.
Unfamiliar but not unwelcome, a little laugh of wonder jumped out before I could stop it. I glanced around like I might catch her spying on me as I retrieved the items, but no sign of honey-blonde hair or glacier-blue eyes.
Pity.
Bear’s collar tags clinked behind the door.
“I’m coming, buddy. Be right there,” I said, pushing it open and edging past him. He must’ve smelled the treats or maybe he’d even caught a whiff of evidence Dove had been here, because he pranced around in a swirl like an untrained puppy.
“Simmer down, man. She brought you something, too.” Granted, he might’ve even recognized the small white box since I’d brought them home often enough after forays into town. “Let’s see what flavors Ethan has for you.”
I opened the box and held it out for Bear. “Just one, okay?”
Mournful eyes ticked up to mine, then back down to the box. Up again, then back down. Ever so carefully, he dipped his muzzle into the box and edged out a single treat between his teeth. He watched me, waiting, old enough not to shake with energy but anticipation clearly buzzing around him.
I dipped my chin, and in half a heartbeat, he’d swallowed the treat.
“Good work. Now how about breakfast?”
After a few minutes, I dipped out a cup of food and slid a fried egg on top. He settled into his breakfast with his bushy tail arching high with pleasure while I washed my hands and retrieved a plate. My chest fluttered as I lifted the lid, choosing a plain glazed donut and setting it on the plate. After a prayer of thanks, I took a big bite, and while I chewed, I did what I’d wanted to do since I saw the envelope under the boxes.
The back flap hadn’t been secured with adhesive, so I lifted it and slipped the small card out. A charming swirl of feminine letters spelled out thank you in bright yellow with a little blue bird perched atop the k. And inside…
Dear Mr. Forrester,
Well, that got off to a weird start, didn’t it? Would I call you Mr. Forrester when I suspect, despite your substantial beard’s best efforts to conceal your face, we are peers? I think I’ll call you Dorian, if you don’t mind. Though if you do, it’dprobably be awkward to tell me so, in which case, maybe I’ll just say “hey, you!” next time I see you and we’ll go from there.
Anyway, this is a small note of appreciation. Thank you for your kind support the other day and for being an excellent landlord thus far. And thank you for the adorable peach pie. It was orgasmic.
And, well, I regret the word choice there, but here we are, this far into a letter and I’ve got to get to work, so I can’t start over. Let’s just call it delicious and leave it at that.
But mostly, I wanted to say if you ever need anything, I’m right next door. You know where to find me. (And I wish you would.)
Sincerely,
Dove L. Jensen, Esquire
