Page 84 of Searching for Bristol
Bristol rolled her eyes. “It’s not. I get sweaty and dirty, and probably smell a little funky.”
“As I said—hot.”
Bristol laughed. They finished eating and when he helped her stand, she couldn’t help but notice the small wet spot on his sweats. He saw it too, and grinned at her, but didn’t say anything. “Leave the dishes, I’m gonna go start your bath,” he told her.
Bristol waited in the living room, feeling just a little off-kilter. She loved that their relationship had shifted, but couldn’t help but worry a bit, wondering if it would continue to be this good between them.
Then Rocky was there, taking her hand and leading her back into the bathroom. He kissed her forehead and said firmly, “This is gonna work.”
Bristol pushed her misgivings to the side. “Yes. It is.”
“Relax, take your time, Punky. I’ll be in our bed waiting to eat my dessert when you’re done.”
“Jeez, Rocky. If you wanted me to take my time, that wasn’t the way to do it,” she complained.
He grinned, clearly unrepentant. “Can’t wait to taste you, sweetheart. Don’t get that cast wet.” Then he kissed her once more on the lips and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him as he went.
Blowing out a breath and shaking her head, Bristol turned and caught her reflection in the mirror. She had a huge smile on her face and her cheeks were flushed. She looked happy.
Rocky was good for her, and she hoped he felt the same way about her.
She was looking forward to her future for the first time in a long while. It wasn’t that she was unhappy before coming to Fallport, and her art was fulfilling. But with no one to share her life, she was just…existing.
That had definitely changed. She felt as if she was experiencing a brand-new life.
Quickly stripping off her shirt, Bristol sat on the edge of the tub. She eased herself into the water, keeping her leg propped up on the side. She sighed. The water felt heavenly and Rocky had even put something flowery in the water, so it smelled amazing.
Yes, she had a good man. And Bristol was determined to treat him as wonderful as he treated her.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Bristol couldn’t stop smiling. When she lived in Kingsport, there had been days where she’d laid in bed in the morning wondering where her life was going. Her routine had been the same day in and day out. Most days she didn’t talk to anyone, just got up, ate breakfast, and immediately started to work. She loved her art and her home, was financially secure…but her existence was pretty lonely.
Now, her days were filled with texts, phone calls, and visits with friends. She’d been over to Ethan and Lilly’s house several times, had visited Zeke and Elsie, been to a soccer game of Tony’s, and even gone with Rocky on more of his jobs.
She was still making jewelry now and then, but honestly, she found she loved being with other people more than she liked being inside by herself, making her art. The urge to create would never go away, but she’d built up a large enough nest egg that she didn’t have to push herself as hard as she had in the past. Thanks to Rocky and her new friends, Bristol wanted to experience life, not be tied to a website or a worktable.
That said, she was still looking forward to creating stained glass again. She’d had lots of ideas for new projects she wanted to make since being in Fallport, and couldn’t wait to find a place she could purchase to get started.
Smiling as ideas swam in her brain for a huge stained-glass piece featuring a forest—with Bigfoot sticking his head out from behind a tree—she jerked in surprise when Rocky touched her hand.
“Sorry, what?” she asked.
“I just asked what you were thinking about,” he said softly. They were sitting at his table, finishing breakfast. For once, Bristol didn’t have a full day planned. She’d gotten in touch with a realtor and she was meeting her today to go over her wants and desires, so the woman could start on the hunt for a piece of property and house. Afterward, she was going to come back to the apartment and relax. She was also going to make a cake for Rocky. For no specific reason; just because she wanted to spoil him.
He was starting work on a new project today. Something about the foundation of a house. Bristol didn’t know the details, but since Rocky was happy about the job, and the money it would bring in, she was too.
“I was just thinking about getting back in the workshop with my stained glass,” Bristol told Rocky.
“Do you miss it?” he asked, frowning. “I’m sure we could figure something out so you could get back to it before you buy a place.”
“I’m okay,” she told him. “I mean, yeah, I miss it, but I’m not going to die if I can’t make something immediately.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Besides, this break gives me a chance to plan what I want to do.”
“Yeah?” Rocky asked with a lift of an eyebrow.
