Chapter Nine

By Saturday morning Shane had all his necessary stuff loaded into the back of his truck, and his furniture and the plastic buckets stuffed with nonessentials were in storage. He was ready.

He’d tried connecting with Dana twice, and both times she wasn’t around. The time difference was a problem, sure, but something niggled at his brain. Over the last few weeks their conversations had become hurried, superficial, or wound up with a terse ending.

Maybe he was just thinking too much, but he couldn’t help it. Their lives were on opposite ends of the world in more ways than geography. He looked over at his laptop that sat on the passenger seat next to him like a companion. Tonight in his new digs, he would try to reach her again.

He drove down the gravel driveway to the salt-box-style house with the nut-brown, weathered siding that would be his home for the next three months. Grateful for the opportunity, he had to admit the circumstances of living here were more than unusual. But he didn’t have a problem acting like they were boyfriend and girlfriend. If he were honest, Kit Baxter was one of those girls he’d have gone for in a big way if they’d met in another time and place. Although Dana was a blonde, and he liked blondes, he really had a thing for brunettes. Kit’s hair was long and sleek. She could rock one of those shampoo commercials. The shiny, deep brown strands swished around her shoulders when she moved her head. His fingers itched to just reach out and touch it.

That made matters tricky. He wasn’t a two-timer, never had been, and he wasn’t about to cross any lines now. But, man, she was appealing. Hey, he was human. He was glad his captain, Hop, was her friend and neighbor and he’d invited him to come by some nights to watch a ballgame. Between that and hanging at the firehouse, he’d put space between himself and his new landlord with the eyes like Bambi and the swingy, dark hair.

But so what if she was good looking and that in front of her ridiculous cousin, they’d have to play pretend. He smiled, remembering her adamancy of no more lips to the side of her head or any other place on her body. Her vibe was as clear as if she had secured herself behind an electronic fence. Keeping that in mind, he relaxed. He wasn’t about to get himself zapped.

As Kit directed, he went over to Hop’s house to pick up his key. He knocked on the front door, and Hop immediately opened it, big smile on his face.

“There he is,” Hop said as he swung the door wide. “My new neighbor. Welcome to the river.”

“Thank you. It’s going to spoil me living here on the waterfront knowing I’m headed for the high-rise apartment building on the Green.”

“I bet.” Hop pulled the house key from his shirt pocket. “And whatever you do, don’t lose this thing.” He placed the key in Shane’s palm. “She’ll have your head.” He chuckled, and his eyes were filled with affection for Kit. “Want to sit a minute?”

“Can’t now, Hop. I’ve got to unload my stuff.”

“Want a hand?”

He didn’t want to impose on the guy, but somehow Shane thought he’d insult him if he didn’t accept his offer. “Sure thing.”

Together the two men unpacked Shane’s vehicle. They carried the boxes, shirts on hangers, shopping bags of his shoes, towels, and other things. Together they maneuvered his mattress and box spring up to the loft.

When they were finally done, Shane saw that it was already five o’clock. Kit would be home soon. Home. Home with Kit Baxter. Trepidation trickled down his spine, like a bead of sweat.

“Want to go get a beer, Hop? I’m buying.”

“Ah, next time, Irish. I’m doing the late shift tonight, and I’ve got to get ready.” He gave Shane a light punch in the shoulder. “Keep your nose clean for these next three months so she doesn’t kick you to the curb. That girl’s no nonsense.”

Shane laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He was tempted to tell Hop about their other arrangement, but he figured if Kit wanted Hop to know, she could tell him herself. He was pretty sure acting like a couple in front of her family wasn’t something she’d be broadcasting around.

“You got everything?” Hop asked as he went through the front door.

“Just have to get my laptop from my truck.”

Shane followed Hop across the driveway. He opened the passenger door, pulled his laptop into his grasp, and tucked it under his arm. He checked his watch. “I think I’ll give Dana a try.” He tapped the laptop with his other hand. “She’s been hard to reach these last few days.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What do you mean uh-huh?”

Hop lifted one shoulder, then let it fall. He shook his head. “You ever get tired of that computer being your girlfriend?”

“It’s only temporary.”

Hop walked toward his own house before he turned back to Shane. “You young kids today crack me up. I like my women where I can touch them.”

A silver car pulled into the driveway, and Kit got out of the passenger side. She bid the woman driver goodbye, and slowly the car backed out. Hop had made it as far as his front stoop but didn’t go into the house. Shane focused his gaze on Kit as she strode across the gravel. She looked pretty today in a navy-and-white, pinstriped, summery dress and sandals that tied at her ankles. Her hair shone with a million facets in the late afternoon sunlight. What was she thinking with her mouth pressed into that straight seam? Her chest rose and fell in a deep inhale.

“Hi.” Her voice was low. She uttered a nervous-sounding laugh.

“Hi.”

“So this is it.”

“Moving day.” He punctuated the words with a nod.

Without moving her head, she shifted her eyes in the direction of Hop’s house. “He’s watching, isn’t he?”

He couldn’t help it. He laughed. The quirky relationship between his captain and his new landlord was interesting, and they weren’t fooling him with their snarky banter.

She rolled her eyes and looked in Hop’s direction. “Are you just going to stand there?”

“Hello to you too,” he said. He angled a thumb in Shane’s direction. “He’s all moved in. Between the two of us, it took no time.”

****

She pinned on a smile, but it felt tight on her face. Right now she wanted to turn around, dash to her room, and lock the door. But she managed a nod, offered a lackluster “great.”

“Well, I’ve got to run.”

When Hop started to turn toward his door, her heart fell. Suddenly being alone with this virtual stranger was impossible to deal with.

“Want to come over for dinner later, Hop?”

“Can’t. I’m working tonight.”

“Oh, okay.” She made sure her face did not show the disappointment. After Hop waved and went in through his screen door, she turned back to Shane, and her insides clenched.

What was she doing? How had this become her new normal? She stole a glance of her tenant, then quickly looked away. What was going on behind his compelling eyes? Oh God. Those eyes and the cute fireman they belonged to would be living in her house. She hadn’t thought this through by any means. How would they do the day-to-day? The nighttime hours?

“Well.” A sheepish smile only made his face more appealing.

She repeated the word. “Well.”

But neither of them moved an iota. They stood there in the driveway. With Hop gone into his house, they were alone to let their new status sink in like water to soil. They were instant roommates, a couple playing pretend, and two pieces to someone else’s puzzle.