Page 28 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
And just that more painful.
“I’m going to let you go,” I told Steffie, choking out the words past my tightening throat.
I hung up the phone, then squeezed my eyes shut, clutching a hand to my heart. Using every bit of mental power I had, I pushed out those wistful images until all I saw was black.
There were some things I couldn’t endure.
The chime of my doorbell woke me from a dead sleep.
Shooting out of bed, I glanced at the clock. It was only six in the morning. Considering I knew very few people in Prescott and even fewer knew where I lived, my early morning visitor was likely Nick.
After shrugging on my black floral-print silk robe, I stomped down the stairs and threw open the door. “It’s six in the morning. You said you’d see me tomorrow. It’s not tomorrow yet. Go away.”
He chuckled, then pushed his way inside.
“You could have at least brought coffee,” I said, following him to the kitchen.
Heading straight to the counter, he wordlessly grabbed a scotcheroo and took a huge bite.
Last night after he had left, I’d gone crazy and eaten three. The butterscotch chocolate layer on top of the peanut-butter-coated crispy cereal was delicious and addicting.
But consuming that much sugar at six o’clock in the morning could not be good for you. Though, Nick didn’t seem like the type of guy who really cared about health foods and fad diets. With all those muscles to burn off the calories, he could probably eat as many sweets as he wanted.
“Breakfast of champions?” I asked.
His mouth formed a crooked grin while he chewed.
“I’m making coffee,” I said.
Perusing my extensive mug collection, I picked one of my favorites. It read:
DO NOT READ THE NEXT SENTENCE.
You little rebel. I like you.
Grinning, I moved to my Keurig. I was so focused on the filling coffee mug that I almost missed Nick’s footsteps as he invaded the space at my back. My muscles locked in place, not needing to turn around to know he was close.
Too close.
The space around me warmed and his amazing scent filled my nostrils. He must have just showered because the spicy, fresh scent of his soap lingered all around him. It was the perfect mixture of nutmeg and orange peel.
Nick’s smell, combined with the fragrant coffee, was relaxing. So relaxing that I almost leaned back into his chest. Almost. I snapped out of my trance. What was wrong with me? Why had I just stood there and let Nick invade my space?
Because it was six in the morning. That and I was bat-shit crazy. That’s why.
Ducking around him, I went back to my cabinet to get him a coffee mug.
“Coffee?” I asked.
He nodded and I felt his hazel eyes on my back as I made him his coffee. After I handed him his full mug, I walked around the island, using it as a barrier between us.
His mug was black with nothing on the outside. The only decoration was inside at the bottom, where it read You’ve been poisoned in small white letters. I was looking forward to seeing his reaction when he reached the bottom.
I had used that mug on my father many times, always enjoying the nervous look he’d give me when his cup had been finished.
After taking a few sips, Nick finally spoke. “We’re going on a hike.”
“A hike? I’ve never hiked before,” I said.
