“Thanks, Kins. It sounds wonderful” Melody reached over and squeezed her arm.
“How are you going to sell the sanctuary if part of it is owned by someone else?” Kate Lewis asked.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. My aunt always had a good reason for everything she did. I’m just not sure what her reason for leaving a house and three acres to Dylan Reese was.”
“Maybe she thought it would keep you from selling,” Julie Harrison, a brilliant software developer said.
Rachel smirked. “Or maybe it was her way of playing matchmaker.”
Kinsley’s face felt like it was on fire and she quickly gulped down some water.
“What’s he like? Is he cute?” Rachel went on to ask.
“Even if he’s a hottie, he could be a roughneck,” Melody added. “Besides, we’re not looking to hook up with a guy. Isn’t that right, ladies?” But she only looked over at Kinsley.
She swallowed hard before responding. “I’m going to answer all your questions as best I can. I don’t know why my aunt left some property to Dylan. Maybe she simply was grateful for all that he’d done for her and that was her way of showing her gratitude.” Kinsley looked at Melody and added, “He’s not a roughneck, but he’s definitely a hottie. However, I’m not interested in him. We’re complete opposites. He loves the country, and you’ll never take the city out of this girl. Besides, breaking my vow to you all is never going to happen.” She shot the group a huge smile. “Does that about sum it all up?”
Before they could answer, the waitress came by to take their order, shifting the conversation off of Kinsley and onto food. The rest of the evening was spent chatting about work until the bartender came over to inform them that a gentleman wanted to buy them a round. The man he was referring to was one of her clients. When she looked over at him, he lifted his glass and mouthed the words, thank you. She’d recently found him his dream home, so he was simply being nice, not trying to hit on them.
Once they each had a drink, they toasted to friendship and success. It was the perfect way to end an enjoyable night. However, later while lying in bed, Kinsley’s mood darkened. Tomorrow she’d be on her way back to the sanctuary, and that meant spending a lot of time with Dylan. She squeezed her eyes shut trying to block out the image of his gorgeous face. Of course, it didn’t work. Nor did it eliminate her fear that she might not be able to resist him if he poured on the charm again. He was the kind of guy women swoon over. Women who don’t mind living out in the middle-of-nowhere. That sure wasn’t her. On the drive to Camille, she’d play her motivational CDs and practice staying strong.
* * *
Twilight cast a hazy light over the old Victorian. Kinsley had left the city in the middle of the night so she could arrive at the sanctuary in plenty of time to shower and dress. The last thing she wanted was to be late for her aunt’s funeral.
When she opened the front door, a cloyingly sweet smell accosted her nose. She quickly flipped on the foyer light and was surprised to see the hall full of flower arrangements. There were baskets and vases everywhere. Didn’t Robert Sykes say Cora wanted wildlife donations, not flowers?
As she headed upstairs, she realized the staircase looked different. The railing no longer was dull and scratched, and the steps had a sheen that hadn’t been there before. Dylan must’ve had it restained. The gorgeous cherry finish showed off the wood well.
Anxious to see what other work had been done, she hurried into the bedroom. The wallpaper was gone. The room had been painted a delicious coffee color—a shade very close to the latte she’d had in mind—and the trim was white. She couldn’t have chosen better herself. However, she was in for an even bigger surprise when she entered the bathroom. The old vanity had been replaced with a lovely pedestal sink, in perfect keeping with the style of the house, and the old cast-iron tub was gone. In its place was a new claw-foot soaker that she couldn’t wait to enjoy. There was a new shower too, and instead of the nasty vinyl floor, there were shiny porcelain tiles. Somehow Dylan had managed to nail her taste exactly.
She wandered through each of the bedrooms, and there wasn’t a thing she was unhappy with. Quite a feat, as she was extremely picky. Apparently, Dylan wasn’t just good with animals. He had a talent for design too.
Wondering if there’d been time to do any of the first floor rooms, she raced down there. The floors had been redone in the same cherry color as the staircase. The only thing left to do was paint. However, the kitchen was another story. It had been gutted, but nothing else. That wasn’t a bad thing, though. It would give her the opportunity to pick out the finishes and supervise the progress. The kitchen was one of the most important rooms in a house. Especially, when it came to selling. It could make or break a deal, and Kinsley wanted to be sure any prospective buyers fell in love with it.
Chapter 8
Dylan had just finished knotting his tie when the doorbell rang. He quickly slipped on his suit jacket before letting in the caterer. Delicious Delites had offered to provide the food for those who came over after the funeral. That was a huge weight off his shoulders. Dylan enjoyed cooking, but with all the work that had been going on over at Cora’s old house, he wouldn’t have had time.
Some servers came in with folding tables and chairs, as well as some large warming trays. He needed to get going if he was going to make it to the church on time. Plus he wanted to stop by the Victorian to see if Kinsley wanted to ride with him. It could be uncomfortable for her to walk into the funeral alone.
“I’ve got to head out,” he said to a young man carrying a large plastic container full of meatballs and peppers. “Do whatever is needed to have everything ready in about an hour and a half. Just don’t go into the barn behind the house. My dogs are in there. If they get loose, the first place they’ll head is for the food, and they’ll have it devoured in no time.”
The server chuckled. “Understood. Don’t you worry, Mr. Reese. We’ll have everything set for when you return.”
When Dylan arrived at the Victorian, he was glad to see Kinsley’s Jag in the driveway. He’d been worried that she might’ve already left for the church. She opened the door after only one knock and had her car keys in her hand. He’d made it there just in time.
“I thought you might like to ride with me,” he said while taking in her appearance. She looked lovely as ever, even if much more sedate. Her hair was up in a twist and the black dress she wore fit her like a glove.
She offered him a small smile. “I’d like that.” When they were on the way to town, she said, “You did a wonderful job with the house. I can’t believe how your taste is so similar to mine.”
He glanced over at her. “Glad you like it. I was worried there might be a few things you’d want to change. However, I’m pretty good at guessing what people like, so it really wasn’t all that difficult to figure out your taste.”
“Well, I’m impressed. And there’s nothing I want to change, by the way. In fact, I may have to hire you to stage some of my listings.”
He laughed. “I’ll have to check my calendar, but I need to warn you I’m usually booked up.”
“I’m willing to wait.”
He was happy her mood had lightened some. This was going to be a difficult day, and it helped that they’d be going through it together.
The church parking lot was full, so Dylan found a spot on the street. Inside, there was a long line of people waiting to say their goodbyes to Cora. He introduced her to a number of her aunt’s close friends who were standing by a table full of photographs and other memorabilia. He felt better leaving her there, than alone, while he went over his eulogy one last time.
A little while later when he stood in front of the guests, he was at ease giving a brief history of Cora’s accomplishments and how she’d touched so many lives, including those of the animals she’d saved.
He and Kinsley were quiet on the ride to his house, both lost in their memories of a very unique lady.
As promis
ed, the food was ready when they arrived, and it smelled delicious. When it was announced that guests were invited to his house after the service, Dylan wasn’t sure how many would show, thinking his dogs might wind up with some of the food, after all. But he need not have worried. People were elbow to elbow in his little house. No one seemed to mind, though, as everyone had a special Cora story to share.
Hours later, after the last guest had gone home, he found Kinsley out in the backyard, standing beside an old oak tree. “This guy’s been here well over a hundred years.” He ran his hand over the thick trunk.
“Lucky to have lived so long,” she remarked glumly. Her face was pale, except for the faint purple shadows beneath her eyes.
“Let’s take a walk.” He wrapped his fingers around hers, half expecting her to pull away, but pleased when she didn’t.
Chapter 9
Kinsley found holding Dylan’s big, strong hand comforting, and she appreciated his suggesting they take a walk. The day had been exhausting. Much more so than she’d expected. The only other funeral she’d ever been to had been her mother’s, and she’d tried hard to block out any memory of that.
They strolled to the end of his lot where the woods began. A large portion of the sanctuary had been left untouched, and that was one of the things Aunt Cora had loved most about this land. “It’s so beautiful here.”
“It would be a shame if some developer cut down all the trees,” he said dryly.
Kinsley let that remark slide. She’d opened herself up to it by telling Dylan last week that she was considering selling.
“It was nice of you to have everyone over to your house and for Delicious Delites to provide the food. The people here in Camille are so friendly.”
“Didn’t I tell you that?” His gaze traveled over her face, stopping when he reached her eyes. “It’s a wonderful place to live, Kinsley.”
Before she could respond, a huge clap of thunder exploded overhead, followed by a flash of lightning. Next, the clouds let loose an onslaught of rain.
“Come on,” he yelled, pulling her toward an old shack. He yanked the door open seconds before a cloud to ground bolt struck not all that far away. Inside bunches of herbs and flowers hung from the ceiling, and the room smelled like a mix of sage and lilac. “One of the animal care techs uses this place for drying plants. It’s her hobby. We’ll stay here until the storm passes.”
Dylan pulled out two stools from under a wooden counter and then dusted them off so that they could sit. “Are you cold?” he asked.
She tried not to shiver, but the rain had soaked through her dress. “A little.”
A second later, he draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.
“Thank you.” A slender, delicate thread began to form between them, and she was extremely conscious of his virile appeal.
On the wall across from them were four photographs of Aunt Cora. Kinsley went over there to take a closer look. In the first one, Cora was nose to nose with a wolf. “Is that Nadia?”
His boldly handsome face smiled warmly. “It is. I love that picture. It captured their bond so well.”
“I couldn’t imagine having that kind of trust in an animal.”
“They have to trust you as well. It builds up over time. Nadia was a sickly pup, and Cora wasn’t sure she’d make it, so she brought her home. She kept Nadia there until the pup was strong enough to rejoin her littermates. Their connection formed at birth. Sometimes when I hear her howling, I know it’s because she misses Cora.” His brows drew together in a doleful expression.
“Animals were her children. I’m sure that’s why she never married. She used to say, ‘What man would put up with what I do?’”
“The life she chose wasn’t easy. I know that only too well. It takes a particular type of person to want to live in a sanctuary.” A muscle clenched along his jaw, and his eyes were hooded like those of a hawk, giving her the impression he was thinking of something or someone who had made him unhappy.
“Is this Ella?” Kinsley asked, pointing to a picture of Cora holding a cougar cub.”
“It sure is. Unfortunately, we lost her mother last year.”
“That must’ve been hard.”
“Very. It was like losing a member of the family. And of course, that’s Hewey,” he said, pointing to the picture of a black bear playing with a ball. “And this is Spirit. He’s the eagle I had on my arm the day I gave you the tour.”
“He’s gorgeous. These pictures are amazing. Do you know who took them?”
“I did.” His face darkened with embarrassment.
“You’re very talented.”
“Thank you. It’s a hobby I developed in college.”
“Have you ever sold any?”
“Nah, then it would become like work and the enjoyment would be lost. I don’t want that to happen, but if you’d like one of these, it’s yours.” He got off the stool to come to stand beside her. “Which one would you like?”
“Are you sure?”
The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “Of course. Besides, I have albums full. I think I can let one go.”
Kinsley studied the photos. “I can’t decide between the one with Nadia or the one with Hewey. Which one do you think I should choose?”
He looked at them closely. “It’s a tough call. They’re two of my favorites.”
Since that was the case, it wouldn’t be right to take either of those photos. “I should pick a different one then.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Dylan took them both off the wall and then handed them to her.
“I can’t take both.” Her voice was a little shaky.
“Why not? I have the negatives, you know.” There was a touch of humor around his mouth and near his eyes.
She relaxed and laughed. “I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you. I have the perfect spot in my loft to hang them.”
He walked back over to the stool and sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “I thought you might hang them in the Victorian.”
It was obvious he wasn’t happy with her wanting to put them in the loft, so she said, “That’s a good idea. I don’t mind hanging them there.”
His shoulders drooped a little. “I shouldn’t have made that suggestion. They’re your pictures now. Please, do with them as you like.” An awkward silence fell between them. A few minutes later, Dylan broke it by saying, “Now that you know what my hobby is, let’s hear yours.”
She set the pictures on the counter behind the stool before sitting down beside him. “I don’t have a hobby, other than collecting designer shoes and handbags. Pretty pathetic isn’t it?”
His blue eyes delved into hers. “Do you enjoy it?”
That was an interesting question. “I’m not sure if I’d call it enjoyment or therapy. Maybe it’s a little of both.”
He sent her a bemused smile. “How many do you have?”
For a moment she considered fibbing, but then thought what the heck, he might as well get to know the real Kinsley. “I lost count with the shoes after the first hundred.”
“What?” Intense astonishment touched his face.
“I know it’s insane. But if you were a woman you’d understand.”
“I don’t know about that. Sounds pretty excessive.”
“I have even more handbags.”
His brows shot up. “Where do you put them all?”
“I have a really, really big closet.” She beamed.
“And I thought my hobby could get expensive. I’d hate to think what yours costs you.”
“Way too much. An actual therapist would be less. Maybe that’s something I should consider.”
“Maybe.”
They both erupted into laughter.
“My friends are just as bad,” she said.
“You might want to consider a group session.”
“I may just suggest that to them. We’re all a little obsessive compulsive.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome,” she cracked.
A huge clap of thunder exploded overhead, quickly followed by another heavy downpour of rain. The wind howled so badly it rattled the panes.
“These May storms can be brutal.” His profile was rugged and suddenly somber.
“Apparently. Do you think it’ll last long?” she asked, glancing out the window.
“It’s hard to say. Some do. Some don’t.”
She groaned in exasperation.
“Is it so bad being stuck in here with me?” His mouth thinned and had a cynical twist to it.
She touched his arm. “I’m sorry that wasn’t meant toward you. It’s been a long, emotional day, and I’m so ready to go home and relax.”
His expression softened. When he spoke, his voice was almost tender. “I hear you. Me too. My favorite thing to do when I’m tired is to sprawl out on the couch with my dogs.”
“That sounds nice. If I had a dog, I’d do the same thing.”
“Have you ever thought of getting one?” he asked.
“Not with my schedule. I’m not home enough. Maybe someday.”
“They’ll make a difference in your life. Promise.”
She made direct eye contact with him and held it. “You’re so like Cora. She was lucky to find you.”
“I guess this means I won’t have to worry about looking for another job. At least not right now.” He didn’t wait for an answer before adding, “I’m the lucky one. I learned so much from her. There’s a hole in my heart now that she’s gone that’ll never heal.”
The raw emotion in his voice made Kinsley choke up, and she looked away so he wouldn’t see how much his words had affected her.
She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat before answering. “As long as I own the sanctuary, your position is safe.”
No Time for Love: No Brides Club, Book 1 Page 5