Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
“Sounds good. Check in with us, though, okay? Don’t forget, the landline still works up there.”
“We’ll be fine, Dad. Don’t worry. Let Kaylee know I’ll keep Timberlynn safe.” Tanner shot me a smirk and then winked.
“Will do. Stay warm and pray we don’t lose power.”
“Talk soon, Dad.”
Tanner set the walkie-talkie down on the table and stared at me, the corner of his mouth tilted up ever so slightly. His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
My chest bubbled with excitement at the look in his eyes, and it nearly had me reaching for him and begging him to kiss me. Anticipation raced through my body as he stared at me. I’d never wanted anyone to touch me, to hold me, to make love to me like I wanted Tanner to in this very moment. “What is this feeling?” I whispered.
He smiled and pushed a piece of hair behind my eyes. “I’m not sure, darlin’.”
I closed my eyes and leaned into the hand he placed on the side of my face. “When I’m with you, I feel like I’m floating away from everything. I’m in a bubble of pure happiness. I have to keep asking myself if this is all real.”
“It’s real, Timber.” Tanner leaned in and gently kissed me. The kiss was tender, almost shy at first. His tongue ran along my lips, causing me to open to him. The moment his tongue touched mine, a zap of energy raced between us. Tanner let out a soft moan, and I nearly melted. Then, the sweet heat was gone as fast as it came. Before the kiss could get out of control, Tanner pulled back.
He leaned his forehead against mine and attempted to control his breathing. Then, he smiled and said, “It’s like a freefall.”
I smiled as I let out a soft chuckle. “It does feel like that.”
“Let me get a fire going and look at our food. If I don’t, I’m going to peel your clothes off right here on the sofa, and we’ll never have the energy for the things I plan on doing to you.”
“Oh,” I said, thinking that sounded like a rather good idea.
Tanner got up and walked over to the fireplace. He placed a few logs on it and then opened up a fire starter and slid it under the wood before he lit it. Soon the soft glow from the roaring fire sent shadows cascading across the logs. It gave off a romantic feel as I glanced around and really took everything in. I was on a simple tan leather sofa with two matching chairs that sat on each side. In the middle was a large wooden coffee table. Across the room was a dining room with a farmhouse table that sat four. One large picture window took up a good portion of the entire exterior wall.
I stood and turned around the best I could on one foot. The interior walls were all logs, with windows sprinkled throughout to take advantage of the lake and what I imagined were stunning mountain views. I looked up and saw wood plank ceilings with wooden beams going across. An antler chandelier hung from the ceiling and I smiled. That was certainly the touch of Ty Senior. Gently, I put a bit of weight on my foot as I walked.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Tanner said, coming to take hold of me.
“I wanted to see the rest of the house.”
He bent to pick me up, and I stopped him. “No, let me walk on it some.”
“It might be more than a sprain, Timber.”
“I’ll let you know if it becomes too painful.”
Tanner drew in a deep breath, then sighed. “You are stubborn, aren’t you?”
I flashed him my sweetest smile. He shook his head and let me put my weight on him as we walked into the kitchen.
“Wow! This kitchen is beautiful!” Dark walnut cabinets with a light gray tumbled tile backsplash gave the kitchen a simple yet elegant look. The stone counters, light in color as well, made the room feel bigger and airy. A vintage stove in cream and black served as the centerpiece for the entire kitchen. Another large window sat over the sink. “This is my dream kitchen!”
Tanner laughed. “Really? My father and I actually made all the cabinets in here.”
“Shut up! Seriously?” I asked as I looked back at him.
“Yep. I’ll be sure to tell him how impressed you were with them.”
I chuckled and walked through the kitchen. “I may have to hire you both for my place.”
“No hiring necessary, babe, I’ll gladly do anything you need me to.”
Wanting to continue the tour, I asked, “How many bedrooms are in the house?”
“Three bedrooms and two baths. My uncle Rob first built the log cabin, but it started out much smaller, and after he died, Granddad and my father added onto it and made it bigger. Family and friends can stay here when they visit if they don’t want to stay at the main house. Most of the time, though, it sits empty. I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that I would live here someday.”