Page 50 of One Kind Soul

He knocked his shoulder against hers. “Someone.”

Tibbs let out a demanding yowl at their feet.

“Have some manners, familiars. Jesus.” Christian stood and pulled Nicole to her feet. “Let me run to the barn and I’ll get you some sweatpants and breakfast”—he motioned to the cats—“for everyone.”

“Okay.” She picked up the checkers box, shaking it so the pieces clattered against each other inside it. “Be sure to bring some tissues to mop your tears after your embarrassing defeat.”

He stepped closer to kiss her. “You’re sexy when you’re trash-talking to me.”

He jetted back to the bedroom and grabbed his suit pants. After putting them on, he left Nicole playing with the cats and sprinted to the barn. He fed the horses, careful not to ruin his pants, then let them out to the pasture adjacent to the barn. Taking the steps two at a time, he buzzed through the loft, making coffee, changing into jeans and a T-shirt, snagging some muffins, and grabbing cat food along with a pair of sweatpants for Nicole.

By the time he returned to the farmhouse, she was standing in the middle of what would be the living room. Her dress from the wedding was neatly folded and waiting atop the checkers box by the front door along with her heels.

“Do you have the furniture and decor all planned for this room?” she asked when she noticed him.

He did, but instead he asked, “What do you picture in here?”

Slowly, she turned in a circle, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Pointing to the blank wall on the far side of the space, she said, “A TV stand over there. Something rustic with doors on it so you can hide the TV and preserve the simplicity of the farmhouse.” She faced him then shuffled to a spot across from where she’d said the TV should go. Stretching out her arms, she said, “Big, comfy sectional couch here. Brown leather. A fluffy rug in front of it under a uniquely designed coffee table. Something that would be a conversation piece.” She wandered then gestured to the blank walls. “These should have more paintings from your friend with outdoorsy knick-knacks here and there.”

Christian pulled out his phone. “Come here.” He tapped on the screen then showed her a photo of a brown leather sectional couch. “I put this on hold when I bought the bed.”

Nicole’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. That’s it. That’s exactly what I pictured.”

“As soon as I finish the floor in here, that couch is moving in.”

“It looks so comfy.”

Like the perfect place to snuggle with an incredible woman.

“It is. It took three salespeople to convince me to get off it and come home.” He handed her the sweatpants though he’d rather have quick access to her ass under his T-shirt she wore.

“Thanks.” She pulled them on and bent to roll up the bottoms a few times. Yanking on the drawstrings at the waist, she tightened them and somehow managed to look feminine.

“My sweats never looked so good,” he said.

“I probably look ridiculous.” She hugged her arms around herself, no doubt wishing for one of her sweaters to escape into. She didn’t need to hide from him.

“Nonsense. I’m thoroughly enjoying the view.”

She hooked her hair behind her ear and tried to skirt past him, but he snagged her around the waist.

“Nixen, I’m not sure what your sister said to you to make you doubt how fantastic you are, but trust me, she doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “It might be hard for you to believe, but you are extraordinary.”

She looked up at him, her eyes a little glossy. “Thank you for saying that. You . . . you make me feel extraordinary.”

“Of course. That’s because I’m extraordinary too.” He grinned when she laughed then took her hand. “C’mon. Muffins and coffee this way.” He looked down at the cats circling their feet. “You too, pack cats. Let’s get you fed.”

They walked out of the farmhouse together, side by side, hand in hand. The morning was a gorgeous slice of spring with bright sunshine and the scent of things blooming in the air. Things were greening up on the farm. After the dull browns and grays of winter, it was like witnessing magic sprout around him.

“I hope you don’t take this place for granted.” Nicole set the checkers box on the table then squinted in the sun as she looked around. “It’s breathtaking. Like in a good-for-the-soul way.”

“I thank the universe every damn day for letting me have this place.” He motioned for Nicole to sit on one of the log seats while he fed the cats. “The best part is I’d expected to buy it from Old Man Shepherd, but he ended up leaving it to me in his will. He had no kids and he knew I wanted the farm and orchard.”

“So you didn’t have to pay a dime for it?”

He shook his head. “Nope.” He waved at the farmhouse. “Which means I can sink all the money I saved into fixing up that place.”

“Sweet deal.”