Through the window, she could see Kyle’s house still remained dark. She wondered when he’d be home, if he could use a hot meal after working all day at Harry’s House… Get hold of yourself. You’ve known him a day. One. Day.
Yet, the possibility of getting to know Kyle Cavasos tickled her ovaries more than it ever did the entire five years she dated her former fiancé, Derrick, or as Trinity liked to call him, Peter the Cheater.
That man’s act of betrayal angered her beyond measure. All he had to do was call it off. Instead, he gets pregnant with some other woman and still doesn’t have the balls to tell me.
Hearing the news from her mother had to be one of the worst ego punches Gabriella had ever encountered. Worse than losing her first baking contest.
Worse than being told she wasn’t pretty enough to be in the high school’s musical.
And worse than realizing her boss had stolen several of her recipes and passed them off as his own.
Secret-keeping had always been a deal breaker for Gabriella, especially when it involved family and her heart.
Her eyes betrayed her, glancing over to the neighbor’s house again.
Stop it. You’ll make yourself crazy and the last thing you need is to be the crazy lady who lives next to the hot guy.
Shaking off her lustful ideas, she decided making him something quick would take the edge off. She poured it into a smaller container and then inside a small cooler bag before braving the cold and placing it on his front doorstep.
It took a good five minutes of her huddled under a thick blanket for her to stop shivering. By the time the chill broke, exhaustion set in and she decided a short nap would be the best course of action to reset her brain and body.
To keep from sleeping too long, she opened the front curtains to soak up as much sunshine as she could, but the gray skies offered little in the way of natural light. A fine cloud of dust danced around her, making her sneeze. “Ugh, well, guess I’ll add vacuuming to the to-do list.”
Fatigue begged for her to lie down. “I’ll clean house later.”
Instead, she snuggled in on the couch and tried to read her back issues of Cook’s Illustrated, Fine Cooking, and the trashy US Weekly Trinity convinced her to buy in Billings.
Glancing at the cover of Jason Crowe cheating on his latest wife, she shook her head. “Geez, I guess money doesn’t buy happiness or fidelity. What a jerk.”
But something about him caught her attention. She looked closer. The chiseled jaw and profile reminded her of her neighbor. “Trinity was right. Kyle does look a bit like him.”
She tossed the magazine on the coffee table. “Thank goodness he’s no relation because I’d dump any relative of his in a hot second.”
Pulling her favorite blanket to her chest, Gabriella flipped through the cooking magazines again, hoping to find some new ideas, but her thoughts stuck like peanut butter on the guy next door and his more than impressive biceps.
After seeing what the group had already accomplished this morning, Gabriella had full confidence they’d reach their deadline. The ripped-out drywall already made the place look more spacious and welcoming. The double-paned windows would certainly warm the place up. He’d taken her advice about removing the cabinets and stripping them down.
The space heaters they’d brought in only took off the chill in the building, but add in some new insulation and the place should be plenty warm in these Montana winters.
Of course as excited as Gabriella was when she walked into the building, she could have heated the entire place to summertime in Texas temperatures. The mere hope of getting a glimpse of Kyle all sweaty from a hard day’s work had her this side of spontaneous combustion.
Plus, him knowing which end of a hammer to use and how to break a sweat had been other reasons that kept her up most of the night.
Growing up in a family where you were expected to perform simple home repairs, Gabby expected a man to know as much as she did when it came to your basic toolbox.
She had little patience for men who barely knew how to change a lightbulb or those who didn’t understand the difference between a flathead or Phillips head screwdriver.
Like Derrick.
What did I ever see in that guy?
Shaking off her frustration, she tried to focus on an article about kitchen equipment reviews, but after a few minutes, the magazine fell from her fingers as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Kyle couldn’t have been happier with what everyone had accomplished in these past twelve hours. He’d pushed the guys hard, but they’d been able to get all the toilets changed out, the walls ripped out and put up, the kitchen counters ripped out, and the cabinet fronts removed. All the windows were installed and, next week, he’d get the insulation in so they wouldn’t have to use the space heaters.
He’d even checked that all the aluminum wiring had been removed and the copper had been run. He had everything lined up for when he returned to change out the fuse box, getting it connected and up to code.
Even the building inspector came by and remarked how Kyle and the men had done a great job. They would have no trouble passing inspection if this kept up.
Hearing that gave everyone a well-deserved pick-me-up at the end of a long day’s work.
Even Brett looked pleased with his work in the bathrooms. Of course, Kyle went behind him afterward to make sure the seals were in place and the toilets were installed properly.
Driving the short way home—replaying all of that—only made the day better, but the moment Kyle’s mood went from pleased to ecstatic was when he drove straight down 3rd Street and saw the light on in Gabriella’s front room.
She’s home. She’s awake.
Every minute, she’d been in the back of his mind. Her smile. Her sense of humor. The way she looked in that damned red sweater.
What I wouldn’t give to rip that sweater off her curvy body.
His fierce libido made him chuckle. He wouldn’t deny his attraction to her, but he knew a long time ago he’d never be the love ’em and leave ’em type.
Otherwise, you’re just Jason Crowe all over again.
And he’d be damned if he’d be anything like that man.
As he drove into his driveway, he noticed something on his front porch.
He quickly unloaded his truck, packing everything back into the garage. Entering from the back door, he placed his father’s precious toolbox in the kitchen cabinet right as his phone beeped.
Angrily, he jerked it out of his belt holder, but his frustrations calmed when Charlie’s name popped up. She needed his top three choices for the calendar photos.
He spread the pictures on the far kitchen counter and made his selections. His favorite had his face partially covered, but his famous jawline and smile exposed.
As much as he hated to admit it, the photo shoot hadn’t been terrible. In fact, looking at these, Kyle patted himself on the back for his early morning workouts and his commitment to staying in shape.
After a quick text back to Charlie, he shifted gears and tossed the lemon chicken into the oven along with a couple of baked potatoes. He ran by the front door to clean up and get presentable, and then he remembered the bag.
He snatched it from the cold and inside was a note and a container. He read the note out loud. “T told me you hadn’t had this in awhile. I hope it’s as good as you remember. Enjoy. From your new neighbors.”
Popping the top, the flavors of onions, tomatoes, cilantro, citrus, garlic, and peppers flowed out and attacked his nostrils.
“Pico de Gallo.” Kyle moaned and inhaled again. “Damn, this is good. I’m gonna have to tell her thank you.”
Placing the food in the refrigerator, he showered and dressed in record time.
It’s good manners to give an in-person thank-you, right?
He laughed at himself. If he were honest, he’d simply admit he wanted to see her again. And again. And again.
That alone made him uneasy.
Relationships had always been challenging when you were from Hollywood royalty. Never knowing if a woman wanted to be with you or with the idea of you and your family.
But here in Marietta. Here, he could simply be Kyle Cavasos, first responder and handyman and now calendar model.
Checking his breath a third time, he donned his jacket and headed over.
The temperatures dropped rapidly as the clouds moved in. They’d probably get several inches of snow tonight, slowing down the morning commute for a few outside of town and anyone trying to leave. The wind whipped around him as he sprinted across Gabriella’s lawn.
Running up the steps, he slipped, but caught himself before he fell. “She needs some salt.”
Looking up, he saw Gabriella, sleeping on the couch. Her dark hair falling around her face, one shapely leg uncovered and on top of a large pink blanket.
Wicked ideas bombarded his brain as his eyes ran up and down her naked leg. He licked his lips at the thought of kissing the insides of her knee, her thighs, her… Be a gentleman.
Shaking the ideas out of his head for the moment, he gently knocked on the door and gave her a few moments to answer as the brutal winds kicked it up a notch.
Glancing through the window, he saw she still slept. Disappointment set in. As much as he wanted to spend time with her, he figured she had to be exhausted. The drive alone would wear most out and she’d been going ninety-to-nothing since she arrived.
As he turned to leave, Andy Grammer’s Honey I’m Good blasted from inside. Apparently, it was her phone, which jerked her awake.
With her hair in her face, she felt around for her phone before sitting up. When she did, she noticed him and smiled as she answered the phone. She held up an index finger as she made her way to the door and motioned him to come in.
“Yes, Mama. No me voy a congelar, it’s fine. Yes, it’s snowing. I’m pretty sure I can handle…si ya se…I don’t have a shovel…Que sí! Sí traigo guantes, gorro, y bufanda…”
Guess, her mother is watching the weather channel. Kyle bit his lip, listening to Gabriella lie about having gloves and a good hat. At least she had a warm coat.
“Que si puedo, Ma! Damn un segundo, porfa!” She covered the phone. “Sorry, give me a second. I’m wrapping this up.”
“No problem.” Keep talking Spanish.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
The front room looked pretty much the same as it had yesterday. A few more boxes were unpacked, several framed photos were placed throughout the room, but other than that, little progress had been made.
A slow tap-tap approached. Kyle watched the old dog’s lumbersome gait as she entered, tail wagging.
“Hello, Belle.” He scratched the dog behind her ears and she groaned, leaning against his leg. “That feel good?”
“Por favor cálmate mamá. Calm down. Mom. Please. I won’t get trapped in the snow. Yes, I have plenty of food. Papel de baño.”
Kyle bit back his laughter at the comment about toilet paper.
A couple of photographs within arm’s reach caught his attention. What looked like Gabriella and several other people smiling and throwing their hands out like they’d ended a musical number. He noticed her immediately. A few others appeared to have similar facial features to hers. “Must be her family.”
As he began to put down the frame, something grabbed his interest.
The sign behind them. It took him about two seconds to realize exactly what sign it was. He mumbled, “Jewel of the Hill Country, Winston Resort and Spa.”
He cringed at the idea of having to leave Marietta, but giving up that kind of money would be foolish. The freedom alone it would offer was beyond what most could even hope for.
The beep of the phone turning off caught his attention. He tried to put the picture frame back before she entered, but she arched her back as she yawned. The red sweater clung to her body more than it had a right to.
The concern about being stealthy evaporated. “No, no problem. Just looking.”
“That’s when I started working there.” She picked up the picture and pointed. “That’s my brother, Edwardo, the one I mentioned who’s good with fixing anything. My sisters, Maria and Helena, my cousins Raul and Reina, my mom, Angelica, she runs the hair salon in the spa.”
“You all have the same smile.”
“I guess so.” Tapping the far right of the picture, she finished, “Another brother, Joaquin. He’s a miracle worker with plants. Got botany and landscape architecture degrees from Texas A&M. My other brother, Sergio, runs a gym and my sister, Helena, is still in school.”
“A lot of you worked there.”
“They all still do. It’s close to the house. For my cousin, Reina, it works well with her kids’ schedules. The schools are good.” A hint of sadness in her voice. She put the picture down without setting it upright. “What’s up? Did you get a lot done for restoration day?”
“Yes, yes we did and thank you for bringing all that food by. The guys ate it right up.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I’m so glad. And you got your Pico?”
“Yes, thank you.” They stood in awkward silence, until Kyle remembered why he came by. “Sorry, I wondered if you’d like to come over and have dinner…with me.”
“That would be nice. Let me see if Trinity’s up for it. She might be sleeping.”
“If this is a bad time.”
She waved her hands in front of her face. “No, absolutely not. She’s kind of out of whack. Teenage angst.”
“I remember giving my parents plenty of grief at that age.” Stop talking about your family! Still, something about her made him want to lay his fears on the table and hope she still liked him for it.
“It’s been interesting today. Productive, but interesting.”
“If she’s not up to joining us, I’ve got enough for you to take a plate home to her if you want.”
“That’s really sweet of you. Thank you.” She ran her fingers through her hair and patted her makeup-free cheeks. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Great. I’ll go get the rest of it ready.”
“Give me about twenty minutes to clean up? I’ll be over.”
“Perfect, but bring Trinity if she’s up to it.” Although, if Kyle were honest, he hoped the teen would stay home. It was a lot harder to talk to someone when their child was there.
“Sounds good.”
He headed back with the help of a strong gust of wind at his back. The clouds had already made it over Copper Mountain and the snow should be falling any minute.
By the time Gabriella arrived, the first flakes began to stick. A few had ended up in her hair.
She removed her gloves and jacket to reveal the red sweater he’d given her. “Brrrrr, it’s cold out there.”
“About to get colder.” But it just got hot in here. Damn, woman, red is your color. “I guess you like the sweater.”
“I do and I should probably go get some more clothes. I know my wardrobe is woefully inadequate for this climate.” Handing him a small box, she smiled. “I saved a few for you.”
Without pause, he ripped the box open to find half a dozen neatly arranged Brownies Picantes. His mouth watered and he popped one in his mouth. The gentle layers of chocolate and cinnamon melted on his tongue as the pinch of ancho pepper finished it off.
“Trinity told me you liked them.”
Without thinking, with the bite of the spicy chocolate still on his tongue, he kissed her. A slow, lingering kiss.
When he pulled away, a healthy blush of red covered her cheeks. “Guess you like the food.”
“Yeah, I do.” Kyle couldn’t get over how every time he saw her, she was even more beautiful than before.
Almost no makeup, her hair slightly windblown, her deep brown eyes looking straight into his soul.
They stood in awkward silence until she pointed toward the kitchen. “Smells good. Can I help with anything?”
&nb
sp; “Damn, I’m sorry. The brownies—”
“Right, the brownies. They do space people out sometimes.” She ran her fingers along her lips as though she still felt his kiss.
“And thank you for bringing that to my crew today. They ate everything you brought.” Popping another sweet back, he chewed, savoring the perfect flavors as they each blended on his tongue.
“I’m so glad. That’s a lot of hard work you’re doing up there. Much easier when you’re not hungry.”
“True.” He pointed to his limited wine selection. “You want to open a bottle?”
“Wine would be great.” Her eyes went wide. “I’m impressed that you have two refrigerators.”
“Gotta store the reds and whites differently.”
“I’m surprised you know this.”
“My mom’s a wine snob. She taught us all this early.”
“Sounds like your mom and I would get along.”
He shook his head as he mumbled to himself, “No, you wouldn’t.”
“What?”
“Nothing. You like lemon chicken?”
“Yep.” She joined him in the kitchen with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. “You have a lovely selection.”
“Thanks.” Dishing the chicken out on three plates, he tried to arrange it the way he’d seen it in restaurants.
Resting her hand on his shoulder, she asked sweetly, “Wine opener?”
He pointed to his right. “It’s in the middle drawer.”
“Thanks. This should compliment…oh my.” She stood at the far counter.
“What are you—”
“This is you?” She held up one of the calendar pictures.
Great. Just great. Nothing like having cover model pictures of yourself lying around. That doesn’t scream I love myself at all. Swallowing hard, he nodded. “Yes.”
An appealing wash of red colored her cheeks as she looked at the photo again. “You’ll sell a million copies.”
A relieved laugh escaped him. “We don’t need to sell that many, but thank you.”
Placing the photo back with the others, she pulled out the wine opener. “Why is your face hidden?”
I wish I could explain it. “Going for an international man of mystery theme.”
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