Chapter 11
861 Words
CHAPTER 11
Shannon paused outside the coffee shop. He’d covered the windows. She grinned. Now they could grab each other whenever the urge struck without being busted by lookie-loos.
The glow of light coming through the paper-covered windows told her Lucas was in there working. She knew he’d gladly let her in if she knocked. In fact, the door was probably open.
The smart thing would be to go up and change out of her work clothes, but the urge to claim a welcome-home kiss first was too strong to resist.
She tried the door. Finding it unlocked, she pushed through and into the cozy warmth of Higher Ground. She flicked the lock behind her.
He was on the phone, his back to the door.
“Look, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it or not. I’m pretty busy with work right now.” He kept rolling paint on the wall with his free hand. “Yeah, I know it’s been a while, but I’m kind of tied up here.”
He dropped the roller in the tray and ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll try to make it. That’s all I can commit to right now. I’m not sure I’ll be able to get away from my responsibilities here.”
Lucas spun around and jolted when he caught sight of Shannon. “Look, now’s not a really great time to talk. I’ve got paint that’s going to streak if I don’t get the rest of it on before it dries… Yeah, look—I’ll talk to you later, okay? Yeah. Me too. Bye.”
He hung up the phone and tucked it back into the pocket of his plaid work shirt.
From the tone of his voice and the conversation, she’d guessed he was talking to a woman. And one that he knew well. But no way was she going to ask him.
She leaned into the kiss he gave her. It was over sooner than she would have liked, but he was covered in paint.
“Who was that?” Dammit. Blame it on low impulse control.
“No one important. Did you get a good class today?”
He was so changing the subject. But she’d go along with it. For now. “Yes, Mrs. Kennedy’s third-grade class. They were a little on the wild side—it was cupcake day—but mostly we had fun.” The kids had fun, at least. She hadn’t appreciated the relentless pranks, but it wasn’t her first year teaching. The whoopee cushion on the chair trick wasn’t a blow to her ego. She understood they were honour-bound to try. Didn’t mean she wanted to talk about it. Shannon did a little subject changing of her own.
“Wow. You’ve been busy.” He’d been making steady progress on the painting all week, and by the looks of it, the space was almost ready for furniture. Mentally cataloguing the changes, she nodded her approval.
“I like the red.” The back wall was now a dark, rich red that warmed up the room and toned down the lights a bit.
“I wanted it to be cozy in here. I’m hoping the electric fireplace and cushy chairs in the corner will make it feel like hanging out in someone’s living room. There are shelves coming too. I’m hoping people will bring and trade books. I’ve got a couple of boxes upstairs to get things started off.”
Shannon made her way across the room towards him, stepping over paint cans and brushes. “It already feels welcoming. You’ve made a lot of progress.” She had to admit, she was impressed. And a bit surprised. The old Lucas had been big on partying it up with Eric and Carson and not so big on responsibilities or commitment. But the new Lucas clearly had a vision of what he wanted, and he was bringing it to life. She’d heard a few of his ideas over the past week and recognized how much thought and care he’d put into every detail. She was starting to believe that all his talk about sticking around might just be the truth.
“I’ve been hustling. The tables and chairs arrive next Friday, and I want to have the machines and display cases installed before they get here. And those can’t go in until the walls have had a few days to cure.” He leaned over to give her another kiss, careful to keep his paint-splattered body from touching hers. “I’ve got to finish this wall before the edges dry. Do you want to head to the pub when I’m done and grab some dinner?”
Shannon hesitated. She wanted to spend time with him, but she didn’t think she was ready to go public yet. What if this was just a temporary thing that burned itself out quickly? Things between him and her family were complicated enough already. Maybe it would be better if they kept things between them for the moment. “Dinner sounds great. But why don’t I cook something while you finish up here? Just come on up to my place when you’re done.”
For a moment he looked like he was going to argue with her, but she wiped a spot of paint off his forehead and grinned. “I’ll help you shower off the rest of these.”
It was an offer he didn’t refuse.
- Writer
