Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 26164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
She swore that her heart skipped a beat and her mouth went dry. What would it be like to be surrounded by those thick arms, to be pressed into his chest?
Like heaven, she guessed. As though nothing could touch you. Like you were protected from everything.
Lucie barely held back a sigh at the thought. How nice would that be?
“Um, because the gutters won’t clean themselves?” she said with a smile. “If someone could invent self-cleaning gutters, they’d be billionaires. Like self-cleaning ovens, right? I’ve never owned one of those, but I bet they’re worth every penny. I nearly hate cleaning the oven as much as I hate cleaning the gutters. Don’t worry, I do this twice a year. I’m just really slow because I have about four panic attacks while I’m up on the ladder, imagining that I’m going to fall. And I know it’s not so far that I’d likely die. I mean, unless I landed on my head or broke my neck or something. . .” she trailed off.
He stared down at her. “Think someone already has.”
“Has what?”
“Invented self-cleaning gutters.”
“Oh. So much for that idea, then. Are you sure I can’t get you a cloth for your face?” she finally asked.
“No.”
Okay, then.
“What about a cupcake? Would a cupcake make you feel better?”
“No.”
Really? What kind of mood could he be in where a cupcake wouldn’t make things better?
“What about—”
“Go inside.”
“Excuse me?” she asked, certain she had to have misheard him. Because that was rude, even for him.
And this was her property, for goodness sake.
“Go inside. Get warm. You’re shivering.”
Oh. She was suddenly aware that she was a bit cold.
“Where’s your jacket?” he asked.
“It’s not that cold today so I didn’t put it on.”
“You’re shivering.”
“Yes, but I think it’s more to do with a drop in adrenaline. I’m not actually cold,” she explained.
“You’re cold.”
“I’m really not.”
He just stared down at her. “Go inside.”
“But I don’t want to go inside.” She gave him a bewildered look. Why was he telling her to go inside? She had gutters to clear.
“You want to go inside,” he insisted.
“I’m sure I don’t.”
“If you’re going to be outside, you need a jacket, gloves, and a hat,” he stipulated. “Go inside.”
“Look, it’s nice that you’re worried about how cold I am,” she told him. Strange, but nice. “But I really need to get these gutters cleared.” She stared up at the ladder. “I just have to get over this silly fear. Right?”
He didn’t say anything, which she took to be an agreement. She moved towards the ladder.
Conquer your fear. Don’t let it conquer you.
Wow. Gran truly did have a saying for everything.
She had barely touched it when he grabbed her wrist in his hand. “You’re not getting back on the ladder.”
“Um, kind of have to. No self-cleaning gutters, remember?” She grinned at him to let him know she was joking. Although she was getting a bit worried about his memory.
“You’re not going back up the ladder or cleaning the gutters.”
“Then who will?”
“Me.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she gaped at him. “You are?”
“Yes. Now get your butt inside.”
“I can’t let you clear out my gutters.”
He just stared at her.
“Well, the least I can do is keep you company while you do this awesome thing for me.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t.”
Right. Well. Ouch again.
It didn’t take him long to clean the gutters. She’d barely gotten a batch of cinnamon and apple muffins in the oven by the time he knocked on her door. Of course, she wasn’t rushing around at full speed like she usually did. Darn it. She was getting sick.
She opened the door. “Hi, come in.”
He just stood there and eyed her for a moment. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Why would anything be wrong?”
He grunted. “Gutters are done.”
“Thanks so much. I just put some muffins in the oven for you. They’ll only be fifteen minutes. Would you like to have some coffee and wait?”
“No.”
She deflated. Right. Of course he didn’t.
“Got stuff to do.”
“Oh, right. Me too. I’ll bring them over later then.” She smiled at him.
Another grunt. She took that as a yes.
“Well, thanks for cleaning my gutters. I really appreciate it.”
“You should stay off ladders.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Meow!
She glanced down as Princess Pickles appeared and started weaving around Atticus’ legs. He sighed and shook his head. Then he gave her a nod and, carefully stepping over the cat, he left.
“Bye! Thanks again!” she called out.
There was no wave back, but she didn’t take it to heart. He’d cleaned her gutters and saved her from near death.
And he’d let her hug him.
Things were looking up for their friendship.
3
Where were the muffins?
Like an idiot, he kept opening the front door to see if she’d put them on the porch.
Nothing.
Now, it was the next morning, and the weather outside was even gloomier than yesterday. Winter was getting close.
Still no muffins.
He stared down at his burnt toast. A muffin would have gone perfectly with his coffee this morning.