Return to Lone Oak (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Knupp Amy

Author:Knupp, Amy [Knupp, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“I THOUGHT YOU were leaving town,” Noah said when he opened his door the next evening. After a day given over to hardcore regret for kissing her, Katie wasn’t the person Noah most wanted to see. Even if she did look extremely pretty with her hair pulled back and stray tendrils framing her face.

“That’s not the best way to greet someone who’s volunteering to help you paint,” Katie said. “And...I brought provisions.” She held up two tall paper cups.

“You make it hard for a man to say no.” He backed up so that she could come inside and then shut the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be back in St. Louis?”

“Turns out my sister wanted me to stay longer.”

Noah nodded, barely registering what she said. She walked into the kitchen and he followed her, trying to decide if he should ask her to leave. The fact was, he really needed the help she was offering. But after last night, he also knew he needed to keep sufficient distance to avoid touching her, purposely or otherwise.

“You’re sure you wouldn’t rather spend your time with your sister?” he asked.

A frown formed on Katie’s lips. “Yeah, I’m sure. Plus, I thought maybe if I actually helped you transform this place, it’d be easier for me to let go of it. And of course there’s the benefit to you that you won’t be here until after midnight again.”

“Of course. Shakes?” he asked, gesturing toward the cups. She knew his weak points. But so far, she’d kept it pretty impersonal, with no sign of trying to start something more intimate again.

“Of course.” She put down her purse, then peeled off the straw wrappers and stuck one in each cup. “Strawberry marshmallow or chocolate-covered cherry. Which do you want?”

“Do I get to try both?”

She shrugged and held up one cup for him. “You don’t like to just jump, do you?”

He shook his head. “I prefer to know all my options and weigh them carefully before deciding.” She held the drink closer to him and he took a sip. “Strawberry marshmallow?”

She nodded.

“Not bad.”

Then she held the other up and he tried it. He swallowed and thought for a moment, comparing the tastes. “I’ll take B. Chocolate-covered cherry. Both are excellent options, though.”

“Glad you approve.”

She handed him the milkshake and took a long sip of her own. Then she looked at the kitchen walls, which he’d barely started painting. He had, however, taped all the cabinets and molding.

“Green?”

“Not green.” He groped around for the paint sample, then held it up. “Misty sage.”

She squinted at the small patch of wall that already had the new color on it. “Ah, yes. I see it now. Misty sage all the way.”

“I only have one paint tray,” he said. “But I do have an extra roller.” He took another long drink of his shake, then rummaged in a bag from the hardware store and dug out a second roller.

“Lucky for me.” She held out her hand.

“You’re serious about helping?” he asked.

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