Two to Tangle by Melissa Brayden

Author:Melissa Brayden [Brayden, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635557480
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2020-09-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

By the time they took the eight-minute drive with the windows down out to Ryan’s lake house, the sun hung much lower in the sky with only an orangish-pink sliver showing. It would be dark within twenty minutes. Gabriella loved the mystery that came with dusk, the anticipation of the evening ahead. Tonight, there was a slight breeze rustling the trees, and the temperatures had dipped from the warmer afternoon, making the night feel like it came with possibilities.

The truck pulled to a stop in front of a wooden two-story home along the most picturesque lake. Gabriella stared, struck by what they’d just come upon, the beauty, the simplicity. She’d not been out this way before, but this stretch of land on the outskirts of town was…beautiful. From a short distance away, she listened to the lake lapping against the small dock extending from the back of the house.

“This is where you live?”

Ryan slid her hands into the back pockets of her faded, sexy jeans and looked around. “For about four years now. Saved everything I had and built this place slowly over time.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you said you built this entire house. Say the thing again, and I’ll listen more carefully.”

“You’re cute.”

“You’re off topic. But thank you. The house. Go.”

“Well, I wasn’t the only one who laid hands on it. My crew came out when I hired them, and my contractors. But I definitely have a lot of my own blood, sweat, and love in this place. Kinda my baby.” She shrugged, sheepish and endearing. Gabriella wanted to kiss her then and there. “At least, that’s how I think of this place.”

“With very good reason. It’s stunning.” Gabriella wrapped her arms around herself. “You should be thrilled with how it turned out.”

“Thanks.” Ryan seemed proud of her work but still humble.

Gabriella studied the two eaves, one above each window. Gorgeous. The large front porch with two rocking chairs, probably built by Ryan, stood in invitation. She grinned, inhaling, as if that would allow her to hold on to this place awhile. Ryan’s home came with a serenity the likes of which Gabriella had only seen on TV. House Hunters or some kind of travel destination show. But she’d never met someone lucky enough to actually live like this.

“Tell me you go out there,” Gabriella said, taking Ryan’s hand and dragging her to the side of the house for a better look at the dock.

“Every day. Sometimes I start and end the day there. Dale, too.”

“That dog is your shadow.”

Ryan’s lips tugged with affection. “My lazy shadow. He sleeps more than any other animal I’ve ever known and eats a ton, too.”

“I think that Dale just happens to appreciate the pleasures life has to offer. I envy him. Sometimes I think I should do more of that.”

“Command pleasure?” Ryan slid her arms around Gabriella’s waist. “I vote yes. In fact, I can, you know, help.” They stood quietly for a few moments, and then Ryan asked, “So you like it?” She shifted her weight, uncharacteristically.

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