The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5)(30)

But the press of Owen’s lips had left an impression. The safety she felt in the circle of his arms was so promising. Being near that calm, strong confidence was inspiring. He was not like any other man she’d ever known. It was true—she had hardly thought about Wyatt. If she hadn’t gotten that errant phone call, the one she hadn’t even answered, she might not have thought about him at all. Not even in the dark of night. Close call.

There was one thing that left her unsure. It was clear that he adored Noah but how did Owen feel about her? In four weeks of constant companionship Owen had hugged her a couple of times. Very polite and platonic hugs. He’d kissed her brow a few times. He’d kissed her lips only that once, and it hadn’t been a passionate kiss filled with longing. With the exception of his kindness, his generosity and warmth, she didn’t get a strong sense of desire from him. He’d said since his divorce, relationships had been rare and brief.

She dried her hair so it wouldn’t be all wonky in the morning and slid into bed. She thought about keeping Owen in the back of her mind, handy. Waiting. They would get to know each other better on phone calls. She would visit him again. If she didn’t learn what she needed to know after another visit, she might plan to visit him the following summer. After all, she’d reconciled herself to the fact that she was going to be a single parent. She’d called off two weddings, proof she wasn’t a great judge of men.

Morning came too soon and she was tired. She’d slept but not well. She was relieved to see the clock read nearly six; she wouldn’t have to fight it any longer. She got up, dressed, put on the coffee, stowed away her pajamas and yesterday’s clothes and her toiletries. She put her suitcase by the door.

She roused Noah and he groaned miserably. “Get up and put on your happy face. I’m going to want you to take pictures of our road trip that you can send to Owen. He’ll be coming over for breakfast so let’s get moving.”

“Do I have to?”

“Well, I can carry you to the car in your pajamas and you can get dressed later, but don’t you want to see Owen and Romeo before we leave?”

“Uh-huh,” he muttered.

She helped him get dressed and get his braces on. While he brushed his teeth, she stripped both beds and put the sheets in the washer, but she didn’t start it. She made a neat pile of blankets, comforters and pillows, and her nose told her the coffee was ready. She gave Noah a bowl of Cheerios, poured two cups of coffee and opened the door—that was their signal.

Romeo came bounding inside. “Here, boy, here,” Noah called and the Great Dane ran to him and licked his face.

She carried the coffee to the porch and there he sat in his favorite chair. “How long have you been waiting?” she asked, handing him a coffee.

“Just a little while,” he said.

“Aw, you’re looking a little bit tired,” she said. “It’s going to be all right, you’ll see. I have it all worked out in my head. We’ll talk on the phone. We’ll FaceTime and text and get to know each other even better. We’ll have another visit before the end of summer. Maybe you’ll come to Minneapolis even though, for a man like you, that can’t seem very interesting. But this has been wonderful, Owen. You’re wonderful. Thank you. I think it was the best month of my life.”

“Mine, too.”

“Can Noah borrow that camera you showed him how to use? He can take pictures from the car and we can email them to you. I’ll send the camera back—”

“You don’t have to send it back. He can have it. Tell him to take pictures of you, too. And I’ll take pictures of Romeo.”

“Why do you call him Romeo anyway?”

He smiled. “He was just a pup when I found him but that didn’t keep him from flirting with every animal in sight. I even caught him trying to have his way with a fawn. Thank God that didn’t work out for him. Can you imagine the ugly beast we’d have gotten?”

“You’re making that up.”

“I wish I were. Do you need help gathering things together?”

“Nope. We’re ready. The snack pack, little cooler and Noah’s backpack with his tablet and toys go in the back seat. My little overnight bag can go in the front seat with my purse.”

“Have you eaten?”

She made a face. “I don’t think I can, Owen. I might have a little travel tummy. But let me mess you up some eggs if you want.”

“Nah,” he said. “I’ll do that later.”

A small voice came from inside the cabin. “Take care of Owen and Beau and don’t be a bad influence. Be very good. Owen can show you my face on the phone when I call. I love you more than anything.”

Hannah put her hand over mouth. Her eyes watered and she fought tears. “We need to go. We need to not drag this out. Please understand.”

“I understand,” he said.

“Let me rinse the cereal bowl...”

“Hannah, I’ll get that. Just come here.” He wrapped his long arms around her and said, “Let’s be grateful for how this worked out and not make it negative. It was incredible. I can’t wait for the next time.”

A hiccup of emotion escaped her and she got on her toes to kiss his cheek. “How does it feel to be the second best man in my entire life?”