Setting the tray down, she smiled at him. "You are right, McKinnon. I'm very much a fireplace person. In fact, I may set up my office down here, so I can work by the fire."
"Well, there's lots of wood piled by the fence out back. Help yourself."
"Oh, my God, McKinnon!" Clapping her hand over her mouth, Charly dropped on to the sofa.
"What's the matter?" He came over and sat beside her, alarmed at her pallor.
"I just realized I never asked you what the rent was going to be. How much, McKinnon? I've got find out before I get any more comfortable. I can't believe I did this!"
"Don't scare me like that, Charly. I thought something was really wrong!" Relaxing, he stretched out his legs and put his arm along the back of the sofa behind her head.
"How much, McKinnon?" Of all the things she had done in her life, this was definitely the craziest.
The amount he named was so ridiculously low, she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.
"But I paid almost twice that much for a two-bedroom apartment in the city."
"Forget it, Charly - end of discussion. Where's that coffee?"
Passing him his cup, she settled down beside him, only to feel the letter her Dad had given her crinkling in her pocket. She pulled it out and tore it open. After scanning it quickly, she turned in great excitement to McKinnon.
"Do you believe this, McKinnon? He's paid off all of my student loans and written off the loan he gave for my SUV. He says if I had been a spoiled brat he wouldn't have done it. He also says he doesn't need the money, so I might as well have the use of some of it now, rather than waiting until he dies. What a guy!"
Sipping her coffee, she put the cup down and started talking again. "Do you know what this means, McKinnon? I can buy this place as soon as you sever..."
"Shut up, Charly. You talk too much." And suddenly she was in his arms, his coffee-scented lips firm and warm on hers.