Page 213 of One More Kiss

“Heart’s Lumber is mine.”

I jumped from the couch. “What? I thought you owned the cabins?”

He sat calmly, looking up at me. “I do. And Heart’s Lumber.”

I paced. Hearts Lumber was all over commercials and billboards everywhere in the Pacific Northwest. It was the largest lumber producer for three states if not more.

“So, you’re not a lumberjack?” I asked with my palms up.

He laughed, grabbing his stomach. “I never said I was.” Once he stopped laughing, he continued. “And so you know, we have machinery now, so we don’t really go in the woods with an axe. Unless you’re trapped.”

“But you…never mind. That’s still insane. You can’t just move me here and pay my bills.”

He stood and took my face in his hands. “I can and I will, if you let me, CJ.”

He was about to kiss me when there was a loud bang at the door.

“Dad!” came from the other side of the door.

He kissed me quickly then ran to the door. “Danny, oh my God!”

Johnny lifted the young dark-haired man.

“Dad, are you okay? What about CJ?”

“CJ is right here. You must be Danny.” I went to the door and stuck my hand out, but the young man squeezed me instead.

“Sorry, ma’am. I’m just excited you’re both alright.”

“Come in. How did you get here?”

“They did a repair to the road, and we got the trees cleared. A bunch fell but once the road was fixed the crews got out there and moved the trees in no time. That’ll be a hefty check.”

I looked at Johnny for an explanation.

“The state contracts companies to clear trees if they fall and we have a big and fast crew.”

“I see.”

“You guys must be starving! CJ, we have plenty up at the house.”

“I probably need to get home.”

Johnny pulled me to the kitchen then spoke softly. “CJ, you can’t drive home now. It’s already late. At least come stay the night. We can talk in the morning.”

“We already ate dinner.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“True. But my bed is better than the one upstairs and I have more breakfast food. We’re running low on that.”

I bit my lip as a million thoughts swirled my brain.

“CJ, I’m not asking for forever right now. I’m asking for tonight.” He stroked my arm. “Please.”

His plea hit me in the gut. “Okay. I just need to get my things.”

“Danny, we’ll be right out. I’m gonna help her grab her things. I need a change of clothes.”

I was in a fog as I gathered my things from the bathroom. He had grabbed my bag and started helping me pack.

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