Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
I blinked at the clean-shaved man with crisp-blue eyes and incredible bone structure. He had thick black lashes and slightly arched black brows. “Beau?”
“Does the beard really make me look that different?” He rubbed his smooth, square jaw.
“Errr…yeah.” Who knew the man had a face underneath all that hair? He even had lips. Nice plump ones.
Not that I was interested. I liked a man who lived indoors. Then again, I had dated a few men with nice homes but lived like disgusting farm animals.
“I really didn’t recognize you. I mean, obviously.” I’d just screamed bloody murder.
“I didn’t want to scare the little ones,” Beau said. “The bushy caveman beard can be intimidating.”
Not to me, but I supposed to a tiny child, the wild facial hair might make Beau look a little grizzly bearish. “That was thoughtful.”
“And I made sure to clean up the bathroom and sanitize anything I touched, in case you were worried.”
Actually, I’d already used the bathroom and had completely forgotten he’d been in there. Not a hair. Not a nasty anything left behind. “Thanks.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll get some sleep.” He peeled off his parka and removed his hat.
Wow. He looked like a normal, hot, functional man. No one would guess where I’d met him.
“I left you a pillow and blankets on the couch.”
“You still working?” he asked.
“Yeah, just a few more hours. It’s just a lot of t-crossing and i-dotting for some big housing development in Texas. Five hundred homes, sewers, gas lines, you know.”
“That’s interesting.”
Nope. It was as boring as hell. I took the job because it paid well, but it didn’t feed my soul. Maybe that was why I got into the holidays so much. “Yeah, the builder carries a lot of risk until the project’s done and the homes are all sold. Even then, there can be issues if something wasn’t built right. It’s big business, but big risk, too.”
“I don’t miss it at all,” he muttered.
“Miss what?”
“The stress of work. The late nights. The missing out on life.”
Ooh… So he’d once had a busy, stressful life. Lawyer? Doctor? Veterinarian? Please let it be that last one. Vets are sexy. “I thought you said you didn’t do anything in your pre-hobo life.”
“I said I did nothing worth noting. Good night.”
What a party pooper. He’d sprinkled breadcrumbs that left me even hungrier for more info and then slammed the door in my face. “Night. Oh, and I’ll pick you up a new tent tomorrow after work. The store is just down the street from my office.”
“No need. I can handle it on my own.”
“You sure? It’s no big deal.” Also, good winter-proof tents were expensive.
“I do not need your help.” He disappeared into the living room. “But thank you.”
At least this time, he hadn’t added the fuck-you tone to his refusal.
I finished my work and then got everything ready for the morning. Coffee, sugar, cereal, bowls, mugs, and silverware. I then realized I had to leave early. What if he wasn’t up yet? I’d have to kick him out. Awkward.
I’d just deal with it in the morning.
I tiptoed through the living room, catching the silhouette of my guest’s handsome sleeping face. I stared for a moment, thinking about everything my friends had been saying over the last few weeks—the stuff about me being a people pleaser or too self-conscious.
I certainly didn’t feel that way around Beau. I was okay if he wasn’t pleased or unhappy. I didn’t feel the need to impress him or gush about my Christmas addiction. He wasn’t even grateful for my hospitality, and I was okay with it.
Honestly, I kind of just enjoyed helping the man. Even if it was only a warm couch for one night. He seemed like the type who was up against something difficult.
The next morning, when I got up for work, Beau was already gone. The blankets were folded neatly, he’d hand-washed a glass he’d used, and he’d left a note:
Meri,
Left you breakfast in the refrigerator. Payment for the night’s stay. I also fixed your motor.
– Beau
I looked up at the ceiling and noticed he’d attached the Santa and sleigh to the cable, too. I then went to the kitchen. Inside the fridge was a stack of chocolate chip pancakes, a bowl of fresh strawberries, and some orange juice.
The weird part was, these weren’t my groceries. He’d gone out and bought food. And then prepared everything while I slept. The dishes were done and put away too.
What kind of hobo is this?
CHAPTER EIGHT
I didn’t have time to thank Beau before I left for work, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him the entire day.
Had he stolen the groceries? Did he panhandle and buy them? Did he get some government check he cashed and used those funds?
That last theory would explain things in terms of him waiting for a package. Maybe he had an acquaintance who cashed his money and gave it to him each month. After all, he looked healthy enough. And apparently, he had a membership to the YMCA. The mystery of my unofficial neighbor was becoming unbearable.