Page 38 of Backdraft
"Sounds good."
He led the way, and they got the litter pan ready.
“Okay buddy, welcome to your new home,” Taylor told Cinder and opened the door to the carrier.
He bolted out and slid to a stop with his tail puffed out ears up and twitching as he looked around with his wide eyes.
They laughed.
"Hey, boy, it's okay. Get used to your new home." Drea picked him up and carried him to the laundry room, showing him his private facilities.
Taylor watched her with the cat, and he already felt optimistic. Life was in the house and it seemed full. Just as he’d hoped. He was positive they'd make it work, the living-together part anyway. The sexual side might be a bit more challenging.
"Let's get your bags up to your room. I'm going to have to leave soon, and I want to show you around."
"Please, don't worry about me. I'll figure everything out if you have to go. Thanks again for this offer. It's really great of you."
The look in her eye actually made his heart beat double time. It wasn’t the same fiery expression from their weekend, it was different. A softness, gratitude and something else that lingered for only a moment.
"It's my pleasure. I'm glad to be able to help out." He glanced over his shoulder as he mounted the stairs. Her hand slid up the wooden banister, fingers gently curved as she watched her footing on the steps. Cinder barreled past them, roared down the hall, and skidded to a stop.
"He's going to be a character." Taylor turned and waited for her at the top of the stairs.
"He is cute, and I’m sure he'll settle down soon. At least I hope so."
She glanced up at him, and he sucked in a quiet breath when their gazes met.
Yep, the connection was still there, and like spontaneous combustion, it had sparked to life with no help. They both froze, she on the top step and him on the landing. The quiet of the house wrapped around them, and he just looked into her gray eyes. They were clear and soft, and he was reminded of the stormy, sultry depths that had filled them on their weekend.
She cleared her throat and took the final step to the landing, stopping in front of him. Very close.
This is a lovely old house." She pulled her gaze from him and looked down the upstairs hall. "It's so bright and cheery."
"Thanks. I like it. I was lucky when it came on the market and snatched it up. It is a bit big, but you never know what you will grow into, right?" He glanced at her and smiled.
She looked up and nodded. "So true. Maybe one day kids will be racing up and down the stairs instead of a cat."
"That would be nice." He heard a tone in her voice, almost wistful. Was she also hoping for that in her future?
Taylor couldn't imagine going through life without children, a wife, a family to love and care for, but caring is the reason he skirted any relationship entanglements.
He was a doctor. And he'd been unable to save the sick and had to remember, he wasn’t the only medical professional that faced the pandemic and all the tragedy. Taylor walked through a door and over to the window.
"This is it. The room overlooks the back garden. It's quiet, and the tree fills with birds. Which can be annoying if you want to sleep in." He pushed back the curtain a little more so she could see out.
"Oh my gosh. It's beautiful and huge." She put her bag on the bed and gazed around then turned to him.
Her smile was wide, and the delight on her face chased away any second thoughts he may have of her moving in. It was going to work.
"This should be your room. It's your house, and it's far too grand for me."
"It's perfect for you. I'm pleased you're happy." He smiled, glad she liked the room.
She nodded. "Yes, thank you. I'm worried I'll like it too much and not want to leave.”
Taylor realized in that instant he didn't want her to leave either. He wanted the company, to have her stay with him. And just maybe?—
He stopped himself. That kind of thinking would ruin him. He did his best to keep the smile on his face, even if it had brought reality back like a punch in the gut.
