The Holiday Hideaway by J.L. Jarvis

Author:J.L. Jarvis [Jarvis, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942767206
Publisher: Bookbinder Press

Chloe pulled into her driveway. Luke’s driveway was still empty. No one could say he was a homebody. Was disappearing without notice a habit of his? She rolled her eyes. Notice? He’s your neighbor. He doesn’t have to check in with you.

Spurred on by her first sale, she spent the afternoon painting and designing a business card. Then she researched how to sell her work online. She wasn’t sure whether to simply sell prints or to venture into merchandising. Finally, she decided to begin with the prints and expand from there.

Painting was the only thing that could get her mind off her new feelings for Luke, and she immersed herself in it. For two days, she barely came up for air, and the painting went well. So did the business aspect of it. By the end of the third day, she had formed a clear idea of the direction her art business was going and the logistics of setting it up.

Outside, dusk was falling. Having arrived at a stopping point, Chloe suddenly realized she was hungry. She’d worked straight through the day, barely stopping, and she had forgotten to eat. She closed the door to her studio, feeling very accomplished, and went into the kitchen to scrounge up some dinner. As she searched the cabinets and fridge, the phone rang. Thinking it might be a sales call, she was tempted to ignore it, but she reached out, barely looking, and picked up the phone.

“Have you eaten?”

She knew the voice instantly and glanced out the window. Luke’s light was on, and his car was in the driveway. Her heart soared. “No. I was just looking through my cabinets for something.” She chuckled. “You’re not stalking me, are you?”

“Sort of. I saw the light on in your studio, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Oh. That was thoughtful of you.”

“Let’s go into town. I’m buying.”

“Okay. Give me twenty minutes.” Chloe hung up the phone. Calm down. He’s just hungry and doesn’t want to eat alone. That was exactly what she did not want to believe, but she was falling too hard, and she needed to protect herself.

She glanced at her phone for the time. How long had it been since she’d hung up? She had nineteen minutes, tops, to get ready. She kicked into gear, showered, and towel dried her hair. She realized as she pulled on her top and put in her earrings that she was happily humming Christmas carols. After a quick final look, she headed for the door but then stopped abruptly.

She didn’t know if he was coming to her house or if she was going to his. If she waited for him to come over, it would seem like she was assuming it was a date. If Luke lingered at his house and she remained too long at hers, it would be awkward. Chloe, don’t overthink it!

She pulled on her boots and coat, grabbed her purse, and checked for her keys. She would not forget those. She pulled open the door and came face-to-face with Luke, who was reaching for the doorbell.

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