Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan Read Free Book Online

made him want to stay.

 
    Chapter Seven
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    T HE FRONT DOOR shut and the locks clicked into place. Claire tracked Owen’s movements through the small house by his heavy footfalls on the wood floors. He kicked the box next to the sofa on his way to the dining room. She’d done the same thing a hundred times, always with a silent promise she’d get around to moving it. Owen took care of it for her. The box landed on another with a scrape of cardboard. It made her smile. Such a small thing, but it meant a lot to her.
    Funny, she’d lived alone for a while now and thought she’d gotten used to it. Not so much. Having him moving around her house, her things, made her realize how lonely she’d been for company. How nice it was to share a space and find comfort in another’s presence.
    She hadn’t moved since he’d set her on the counter and gone out to help his brother board up the sliding door. Their deep, muffled voices carried into the house, though she couldn’t make out the words. The familiar, easy way they talked spoke of their close bond. She didn’t have any siblings and wished many times for a sister or brother to lean on and confide in when times were tough. As close as she was to her parents, they sometimes didn’t understand her need for independence. They too often wanted to fix her problems for her, instead of letting her do things her way.
    The lights went out in the dining room and Owen entered the kitchen, stopping several feet away. She leaned on her hands, her head bent nearly to her chest. She could only see his feet and legs.
    “Claire, you’re exhausted. Why didn’t you just go up to bed?”
    “The meds kicked in. Too tired to move.”
    Unexpected and exciting, he plucked her right off the counter and settled her in his arms and against his broad, hard chest. Too tired to make a fuss and exert her independence, she gave in to something else entirely and snuggled closer, nestling her face in his neck and settling her head on his strong shoulder.
    His chest rumbled with a laugh. “You’re like a contented cat, snuggling in for the night.”
    “Deep down, I’m fine on my own. The meds have made me mushy and weak.”
    “Not weak. After the night you’ve had, you just need a hug.”
    He squeezed her to his chest. She tried to hide the wince of pain, but he felt her stiffen in his arms.
    “Sorry, overstepped.”
    They reached the top of the stairs, and he stopped.
    “No, you didn’t. I didn’t realize how banged up I got. I feel like I got hit by a car,” she joked. “The meds are helping out considerably.
    “My room’s on the right.”
    Owen walked down the hall and entered her room, stopping just inside and looking around.
    “Wow. It’s like another house in here.”
    “I moved in over a year ago, but I spent all my time opening the shop and running it. A couple of months ago, I started on the house. I spend so much time at the shop, the most time I spend here is sleeping, so I redid the master bedroom first. I’ve upgraded the bathroom, but I still need to add the finishing touches.”
    “You added the flower pots on the back patio with the lounge and table set.”
    “I like to drink my coffee out there in the morning when the weather is nice.”
    “You spend a lot of time working, so spending the morning outside is relaxing.”
    “Yes. Sounds like the same is true for you, too.”
    He nodded. “I spend most evenings outside reading over briefs and preparing for court. I take care of the horses and barn cats. It gets me out of my head.”
    “You can put me down now.”
    “I knew you’d say that.”
    She laughed, and he set her on her bed.
    “Can I get you anything?” he asked.
    “I’ll be fine. Thanks for helping clean up and taking care of the door. If you’ll just lock up on your way out, I’d appreciate it.”
    “I’m not leaving. I’ll crash on your couch for a couple of hours. I’ll drive you to work. What time do you need to be there?”
    “You