To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,79

a spark light up inside of him. They’d spent each night together, either in her camper or his apartment, but he’d admitted he preferred her camper. When she’d asked why, his answer was simple. “Your camper feels more like a home.” She agreed on principle with him, her camper having more personality. But Joseph wasn’t a small man, and with him, Frodo, and now the kittens, the camper certainly felt more crowded. Although, thinking about the way he curved his body around hers at night when they slept, she smiled.

Earlier in the week, she’d visited him at work. She had been drawn to the sound of barking in the main area of the shelter. Her heart had warmed when she spied Joseph sitting at the edge of a kennel, a thin dog slowly creeping from a blanket in the corner over to where Joseph held out his hand. Not moving for fear of interrupting their interaction, she’d held her breath as the frightened dog made his way to Joseph, who barely moved as the dog first sniffed, then allowed his head to be rubbed.

A memory struck her, one she hadn’t thought of in years. Her grandfather had taken her out on one of his farm rounds. The animal being treated was terrified, shying away from them. Her grandfather had her sit quietly with her arm outstretched and her palm up until the frightened animal came over. She was thrilled, and her grandfather had said, “Some animals, like some people, warm slowly to others. But once the trust is gained, the loyalty is forever.”

Now, standing in their new home, she let the cares of the day float away. It was not large by any standards and yet felt huge compared to what she’d been living in. Glancing to the other side of the room which held the dining room table, she smiled. A full-size table with four chairs called for her to invite someone over, just knowing she now had room for them.

Two of the bedrooms were small but perfect for the pets, an office, guest room, storage, or whatever they wanted. The master was bigger, and the en suite bathroom was to die for. As soon as her gaze had landed on the soaker tub and separate shower, she’d squealed, eliciting laughter from Betty as well as a wide grin from Joseph.

After moving in, that had been the first luxury she’d engaged in… a long soak followed by Joseph climbing in with her and both discovering bathtub sex for the first time.

Hearing a noise in the kitchen, she looked behind her. She imagined the older house had had a wall that divided the space, but when it was renovated, the area was opened and a granite-topped island now delineated the rooms. Joseph had opened the oven door and was lifting out a pan of lasagna. He laid it on the stovetop before placing another pan of buttery garlic bread inside to toast. The scents wafted past, and her mouth watered.

“I thought I’d miss my camper.”

He turned and looked toward her, lifting a brow.

“I thought it would be hard to give up… to give up my own space.”

He leaned his ass against the counter, placing his hands on the edge behind him. “And what do you think now?”

Her smile widened and she inclined her head toward the oven. “Considering the meal that you’re cooking right now could never be accomplished in my camper, I think this house can feel very much like a home!”

He chuckled, nodding. “The square footage is not a lot more than what I had in Jason’s apartment, but there, I was alone. Well, I was when you weren’t with me.”

She walked forward and leaned over the pan with bubbling tomato sauce and cheese melted on top, sniffing in appreciation. “It was nice when I stayed over with you, but it was farther from work, and I had to hurry back to Frodo.”

He leaned around her and kissed the top of her head as he snagged the plates. They bypassed the counter and sat at the table. A gentle breeze blew through the open windows but made little noise. She heaved a sigh. “I admit that I miss the sound of the Bay nearby.”

“You’ll still build your house by the water. It’s just that now you have something more than a camper to live in.”

“My camper was tiny, wasn’t it?”

He halted mid-bite and held her gaze, then chewed and swallowed before replying. “Babe, I’ve lived in a lot