Page 85 of Ember Meadow
I laugh. “If you’re asking if she knows that you exist in this world, that would be a yes since you met her and talked to her a few times.” He cocks his head to the side, giving me a pointed look. “If you’re asking if she knows how I feel about you, well, she knows that too. She kind of… brought it to my attention. I hope you’re okay with that, because it’s a little too late to take it back.” I walk towards him, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands absentmindedly come to my waist, giving me a little squeeze as he pulls me closer. The invisible string between us pulling tight.
Miles smiles down at me, nothing but soft warmth in his expression. “Of course I am. It sounds like I should thank her. I like people knowing that you’re mine.”
“Yours, huh?” I tease, swinging my hips side to side. “We’re going to get so much shit for this from Parker and Codie.”
“Good.” He leans down, pressing a kiss onto my forehead. “I’ve spent four years wishing I could call you mine, I’m not wasting another minute pretending this pull between us is nothing.”
“Wow, Miles, who knew you were such a big softie. It only took me four years and a few months to finally get you to admit you like me.”
“Love,” he grumbles.
“That too,” I giggle as his lips land on mine again. Another spark traveling up my spine.
A knock sounds at the front door, pulling us apart. We stare at each other wide-eyed for a few moments before jumping into action. I’m smoothing my hair down, thanking past Katie for putting on all of my clothes before coming downstairs. Miles is straightening his plain white t-shirt, walking towards the hallway.
Miles opens the front door before I can get to it and grumbles something to whoever is on the other side. The wooden door swings open further as I finally reach the front room, revealing none other than Walter Autry on the other side. His blue plaid flannel shirt drooping off his shoulders, cowboy hat crooked on his head.
Chapter 33
Sort Of Magical
“Well, isn’t this anice surprise,” Walter drawls, walking into the cabin. Miles steps to the side out of his way. I shoot a questioning look at him, but all he does is shrug. “I was on my way into town this morning and noticed thatbothof your cars were in the driveway so I thought I’d come check it out. Say howdy and all that.” His eyes land on Miles, who has become the poster for neutrality, as if he’s perfectly justified in being here. Like he does it every day. It’s all I can do not to laugh at how obvious this is.
I don’t really care what anyone thinks of us together, but it’s still so soon. So fresh. I didn’t think our comfortable little bubble would be popped less than a day after we created it.
“Isn’t it a little early for you to be down here, Miles?” Walter asks, a hint of amusement in his voice. “You must have been gone before the sun was up, I didn’t even hear you leave. Or come home yesterday. Didn’t get much sleep last night?”
“Can’t say that I did,” Miles replies.
I choke back my reaction. “Miles was just fixing an electrical issue we found yesterday after the opening party.”
Walter’s eyes twinkle as he gives me a knowing smile. “I’m sure he was.”
“Was there any other reason you came down here, Walt?” Miles saunters over to my side, but not quite touching me. His warmth radiates through the air. Why is he always so warm? I lean into him slightly, not realizing what I’m doing until Miles’s hand comes to my lower back, steadying me. I practically melt into his touch, wondering how I spent these last few months not touching him.
Walter looks between us, practically beaming at what he sees. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to come and take a look at all of your hard work, Katie. I loved this place, after all. When I saw the two of you were around I figured it’s my opportunity to have a look-see before guests arrive.”
“Of course, come on in,” I gesture to the living room. Walter takes off his dusty boots and wanders around the room, looking at all of the decor. Not a whole lot has changed since he was here last, but it’s become more homey. I’m glad he gets to see this place thriving again.
We make our way around the first floor before heading into the great room. I breathe a sigh of relief when he doesn’t look interested in going upstairs. It’d be pretty obvious exactly what’s going on between Miles and I with one look at the primary bedroom.
Miles stays by my side the whole time, constantly touching me in some way. His hand on my back, his shoulder brushing up against me as we walk, his hand reaching for mine in the hallway. As if he can’t hold himself back anymore.
Every time I glance at him, he’s looking back at me with a smile. I can feel pride radiating from him every time Walter compliments another part of the cabin. Miles looks at me like I’m a wonder, like I’m a powerful force he can’t take his eyes off of. I think he always has, in some way. I just couldn’t see past the broken pieces of myself long enough to appreciate it.
The smell of the fire wafts up as we enter the kitchen.Shit. I totally forgot about that.
“Wow, look at this,” Walter exclaims. “That’s a damn nice fire.”
“Do you know anything about this, Walt?” Miles asks, a lighter edge to his deep voice. “Seems to have been burning for quite a while, but neither of us started it or kept it going. The flowers out back are looking a lot different than yesterday, too,” he nods to the window bursting with color.
“No, I don’t know anything about— you said it just appeared today?” Walter’s gaze snaps back to the fireplace, looking at it again. As if it could disappear at any second.
“Yes, it was already going when we–” I pause, searching for the words. “When we walked into the room. I didn’t see anyone come in on the security cameras, and the only person I know who might possibly know I was still here is two states away.”
Walter shakes his head in disbelief, turning back towards us. “This cabin always was sort of a mystery to me.”
My brow furrows, “What do you mean?”
