Page 42 of Shelter for Shay
“You too.” Shay ended the call and crushed the cell to her chest. She’d had a few boyfriends over the years, but none that she could say she’d ever been in love with. None that she wanted to change her world for, or move for, or even entertain a long-distance relationship with.
No. When she decided it was time to pack up and move on, she left those men right where she’d found them.
Moose was different and that should freak her out, but all it did was ground her.
Shay stepped from her bedroom, only to find Becca leaning against the wall in the hallway with her glass of wine and a smirk.
“So?” Becca lowered her chin. “How’s Moose?”
“He’s good.” Shay smiled while her heart slammed into her throat. “He’s coming to visit in a couple of days and he might have some information on my dad on why my birth certificate says father unknown.” She blew out of a puff of air. “What the hell am I doing?”
“From the looks of it, I’d say you’re falling in love.”
“Yeah, I think I am.” Shay nodded. “But, every once in a while I worry that his feelings for me are born out of the bond he had for my mom.”
“Is that what you really think?” Becca took her by the hand and tugged her back into the family room. She shoved a wineglass in her hand. “In your conversations, or the letter he wrote, what does he talk about? Him? You? Random things? Or your mom?”
“My mom comes up sometimes, but she’s not the center of our conversations anymore.”
“Then there you have it.” Becca waved at her dismissively. “You, my friend, have been struck by Cupid. Now sit back and enjoy the damn ride. I know I’m highly amused watching it.”
11
MOOSE – LAKE GEORGE, NEW YORK
TWO DAYS LATER…
The sky was painted in dusky lavender when Moose turned onto the quiet street.
The last time he’d driven into town, his lungs were tight, his chest was heavy, and he wanted to turn around and run. This time, he couldn’t get to her neighborhood fast enough. His rental truck crunched over gravel as he pulled into Shay’s driveway, his pulse thudding in his ears louder than the engine.
Shay stood on the top step, arms wrapped around herself, the soft golden light of the porch haloing her in warmth. Her hair was pulled into a loose braid, strands escaping in every direction, and she wore jeans and a faded hoodie that still somehow managed to steal his breath. One foot was tucked behind the other, like she wasn’t sure if she should run toward him—or wait and let him come the rest of the way.
He stepped out of the truck slowly, closing the door with a gentle click.
Neither of them said anything at first.
The last time he saw her, he’d talked himself into a long-distance relationship. He hadn’t been sure of where it would go or how long it would last. He only knew that he cared.
Now, standing on her porch, bathed in the last stretches of sunlight and evening, she looked like home.
“I can’t believe you’re finally here,” she said softly.
“You had doubts I’d come?” he asked, voice thick.
“No.” She descended the steps and met him halfway in the gravel, her arms sliding around his waist as he caught her against his chest.
He held her. Harder than he meant to, but she felt so damn good in his arms.
She smelled like clean laundry and lavender, and her body fit against him like they’d never been apart, like time had bent in their favor. He pressed his face to her hair and let the moment anchor him.
“I missed you,” she whispered.
“I thought about you every day,” he replied.
She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her hands still fisted in the back of his jacket. “Are you okay?”
“Physically? Yeah. Mentally? Close enough.”
