Page 278 of When a Soul Cries

Warm wood stretched across the high ceiling. Cream walls and furniture softened the darker finishes. A massive stone fireplace anchored the living room, while almost the entire back wall was glass, revealing layers of mountains disappearing into the distance.

The kitchen opened directly into the living space with dark cabinetry, stone countertops, black fixtures and a long island.

Sol slowly walked farther inside, turning in a circle as she took it all in.

“Rome…”

I dropped our bags near the couch. “You like it?”

She looked at me like that was the stupidest question I could’ve asked. “This is beautiful.”

There was something about watching her take it in that hit differently.

Not because I could afford it.

Because for once, she was standing somewhere beautiful without there being a crisis attached to it.

No eviction.

No motel.

No fear.

No somebody needing something.

Just her.

Me.

And two days.

She walked toward the glass doors. Outside, the deck held a private hot tub, lounge chairs and a firepit positioned to face the mountains.

Her fingertips rested against the glass for a moment before she turned toward me. “You really did all this?”

I shrugged. “Wanted you to relax.”

Her expression softened, but she didn’t say anything.

Then she found the bathroom.

The oversized glass shower got her attention first, followed by the deep soaking tub beside the window.

“Oh my God.”

I leaned against the doorway, watching her look from the tub to the mountains outside. “You said that already.”

“Shut up.”

I laughed under my breath.

Then she found the bedroom.

One king-sized bed sat in the center of the room, facing another wall of windows with the mountains stretching beyond them. Sol slowed in the doorway, taking everything in before her attention eventually landed on the bed.

She glanced over at me, one eyebrow lifting.

“One bed, Roman?”