“Thank you, Logan. I absolutely will.” She grinned as Bubbles licked his hand.
“I’ll be by the day after tomorrow to take out the trash for you, restock the wood if you need, the usual.” He zipped up his jacket all the way. “So, uh . . . staying by yourself for two or so months, huh? Charles and Dane, not coming at all?”
“I needed some time to myself,” she said, lowering Bubbles to the floor again. When she straightened, she looked him in the eye as she said, “I’ve got some things I need to do. On my own. But . . . I’ll admit, I feel better knowing you’re around. Someone to call if I need to.”
“Of course you can,” he said. “For anything, anytime. Promise me.”
She nodded and said, “I promise.”
He glanced around the living room, a distracted sweep of his eyes. “I don’t mean to sound like this’ll sound,” he said with a bit of hesitation. “But knowing you’re up here by yourself... I’ll be checking on you sometimes. Just to make sure you’re all right.” His eyes glittered with a hint of protectiveness. “If that’s okay with you, of course. I don’t mean to insinuate you’re not a grown woman who can take care of herself. I’m just . . .” He ran a hand through his golden hair, tousling it. It was long enough that the ends settled past his square jawline. “You’re up here by yourself... I’m kind of old-fashioned that way.”
Her stomach did a slow flip, surprising her. “Your mother raised you right,” Tess said softly. “There aren’t many gentlemen left in the world these days. It’s okay with me to be checked on occasionally.” She smiled and added, “Thank you in advance.”
His chin bobbed in something like a tiny bow, and the chivalrous gesture made her stomach wobble again. “All right then. Good. Well, I’d better get going.” He looked at her for a moment longer, then headed for the door. “Your SUV’s in the garage. I took it out yesterday for a quick spin to gas it up; it’s running fine.”
“Oh. I hadn’t even thought of it. Thank you for doing that.”
“Of course.” He turned to look at her as he opened the heavy front door. “Hope you enjoy your stay.”
“I will.” She followed him, holding the doorknob as she looked up into his handsome face. “Thanks again, for everything. Have a great rest of your day.”
“Thanks. You too.” He flashed her one last grin, then stepped outside.
She watched his long, strong legs carry him as he strode to his truck, a silver Ford F-150 with a long flatbed. The truck, like its owner, was big and powerfully built. She closed the door and turned back to look at the wide, high-ceilinged rooms, the burnished wood and glass, the rusts, tans, browns, and olive of the décor . . . and let out a long exhale of contentment. She’d done it. She was far from home, on her own, free to do what she wanted.
And what she wanted was to make herself a temple to peace and serenity. So her body would get ready to become pregnant, and then hopefully conceive without too many attempts once she picked a sperm donor. She’d already started her research on the plane, and narrowed the clinics down to a top-notch facility, just outside Aspen city limits. She intended to interview the staff there right after the new year.
This trip would be her personal retreat. Without being watched over by her family or friends, free to have wobbly days if they happened, free to do whatever she liked before committing herself one hundred percent to life as a single mother.
A feeling of calm washed over her as she sank down onto one of the plush rust-colored sofas. She stared out at the magnificent view of the mountains and the spread of forest before them. She’d done the right thing, coming here. Something told her it was going to be exactly what she needed to venture into this new part of her life.
* * *
By the end of her second day, Tess felt more settled. She’d gone grocery shopping; stopped into the yoga center to sign up for classes twice a week and a one-on-one session every Wednesday; stocked up on paints, brushes, and two new canvasses; and taken a morning hike along the winding path up the mountain. While in town, she’d run into a few acquaintances who were also in Aspen for the holidays, which was a pleasant surprise. She’d even made a lunch date with Allie Connors, an old friend from grad school who’d married well, had three kids, and had a house on Red Mountain not far from hers. Allie had always been able to get Tess to open up and enjoy herself; she’d be good company for the few weeks she’d be around.