Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,63
walkway. It’s longer now, and the slight curve really does make a nice difference when you approach the restaurant.”
“I saw. I love it. What are your plans for tonight?”
“I thought I’d grab a slice of pizza and make some progress on a bench I’m working on.”
“A bench, you say?” Gabriella looked thoughtful, sitting up again. A sparkle hit behind her eyes, and she grinned. “Want company?”
Ryan pulled her face back, intrigued. “You’d be into bench making?”
“I’m a pretty good cheerleader is all I’m saying.”
Well, that certainly took her places. She banged on her truck, not one to miss her chance. “Hop in.”
Chapter Twelve
By the time they took the eight-minute drive with the windows down out to Ryan’s lake house, the sun hung much lower in the sky with only an orangish-pink sliver showing. It would be dark within twenty minutes. Gabriella loved the mystery that came with dusk, the anticipation of the evening ahead. Tonight, there was a slight breeze rustling the trees, and the temperatures had dipped from the warmer afternoon, making the night feel like it came with possibilities.
The truck pulled to a stop in front of a wooden two-story home along the most picturesque lake. Gabriella stared, struck by what they’d just come upon, the beauty, the simplicity. She’d not been out this way before, but this stretch of land on the outskirts of town was…beautiful. From a short distance away, she listened to the lake lapping against the small dock extending from the back of the house.
“This is where you live?”
Ryan slid her hands into the back pockets of her faded, sexy jeans and looked around. “For about four years now. Saved everything I had and built this place slowly over time.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you said you built this entire house. Say the thing again, and I’ll listen more carefully.”
“You’re cute.”
“You’re off topic. But thank you. The house. Go.”
“Well, I wasn’t the only one who laid hands on it. My crew came out when I hired them, and my contractors. But I definitely have a lot of my own blood, sweat, and love in this place. Kinda my baby.” She shrugged, sheepish and endearing. Gabriella wanted to kiss her then and there. “At least, that’s how I think of this place.”
“With very good reason. It’s stunning.” Gabriella wrapped her arms around herself. “You should be thrilled with how it turned out.”
“Thanks.” Ryan seemed proud of her work but still humble.
Gabriella studied the two eaves, one above each window. Gorgeous. The large front porch with two rocking chairs, probably built by Ryan, stood in invitation. She grinned, inhaling, as if that would allow her to hold on to this place awhile. Ryan’s home came with a serenity the likes of which Gabriella had only seen on TV. House Hunters or some kind of travel destination show. But she’d never met someone lucky enough to actually live like this.
“Tell me you go out there,” Gabriella said, taking Ryan’s hand and dragging her to the side of the house for a better look at the dock.
“Every day. Sometimes I start and end the day there. Dale, too.”
“That dog is your shadow.”
Ryan’s lips tugged with affection. “My lazy shadow. He sleeps more than any other animal I’ve ever known and eats a ton, too.”
“I think that Dale just happens to appreciate the pleasures life has to offer. I envy him. Sometimes I think I should do more of that.”
“Command pleasure?” Ryan slid her arms around Gabriella’s waist. “I vote yes. In fact, I can, you know, help.” They stood quietly for a few moments, and then Ryan asked, “So you like it?” She shifted her weight, uncharacteristically. That’s when Gabriella understood how big a deal this was for Ryan. She was nervous and cared about Gabriella’s opinion of her home. A lot, it seemed.
“I’m in love with this place. I might steal it from you, if you’re not careful. Have my own little parties on that dock with Dale, the big lazy lover boy.”
“Don’t you dare tell him about these plans of yours. He’d kill me dead in my sleep for that kind of chance with you.” Ryan moved behind Gabriella so they could face the water together and wrapped her arms around her from behind. God, the fit on them was perfect, the most natural thing in the world. She leaned back against Ryan as a grin spread across her face.
“Maybe you can come, too. Maybe.”
Ryan offered a squeeze. “Oh, my night just got better.”