Within Reach by Barbara Delinsky Read Free Book Online Page A

more for having seen it as it is now.”
    Michael agreed. “Looks to me like the furniture is the only thing left to come.”
    “That and a few area rugs. I thought I’d buy artwork and pottery, ashtrays and things, up here. The walls look wonderful. When we decided to strip the paper off, I was worried about what we’d find underneath. But we did okay.” The walls were painted a soft cream color to blend not only with the woodwork accenting doors and windows but also with the refinished planks on the floor. Excited now, she returned to the kitchen. “I love it.” When she heard Michael behind her, she tossed him a quick grin. “I agonized over these cabinets, but I’m thrilled with the way they look.” She studied in turn the ceramic tile underfoot, the Formica countertops—all in off-white shades—and the newly recessed ceiling fixtures that gave a more contemporary look to the room. “Perfect.” She was beaming. “I love it!”
    Daring to hope, she opened the refrigerator. The light went on; cool air wafted out. Leaving the door to swing shut on its own, she turned to test a burner on the stove. It worked.
    In triumph she turned back to Michael. “I think I’m in business!” Rubbing her hands together, she backtracked to the hall to adjust the thermostat and bring up some heat.
    He followed. “Whoa! What are you in business for?”
    “Now that I have a livable home, I think I’ll live in it for a while.”
    “For a while. How long are you up for?”
    “The day.” When he chuckled, she grew thoughtful. “Come to think of it, there’s no reason for me to rush back to Boston tonight. Blake’s away. Mrs. Hannah can cancel—”
    “You’re not planning to spend the night here .”
    “Why not?”
    “My God, Danica, the place is little more than a shell!”
    She shrugged, liking the idea more and more. “I can buy what I need for the night. There are stores up here, aren’t there?”
    “Sure, but—”
    “I was going to have to buy pots and pans sooner or later. I can pick up soup and tea, maybe butter and eggs at the supermarket. I don’t need much.”
    Michael remained silent, watching her as she walked to the window, ran her hand along the newly painted sill, knelt to touch the sanded and polished floor. Her pleasure was contagious—or was it simply the pleasure he felt in seeing her again? Her excitement was pure, refreshing, innocent in its way. “Uh, Danica?”
    She turned to him with the brightest of smiles. “Uh-huh?”
    “Where are you going to sleep?”
    For an instant she frowned, but only for an instant. “Mmmm. I hadn’t thought about that.”
    “You can’t curl up on the bare floor.”
    Somehow curling up on the floor did seem to be above and beyond the call of duty. On the other hand, with a little ingenuity…“How about an air mattress and some blankets, maybe even a down sleeping bag…, that’s a nice idea.” She looked up to find Michael slowly shaking his head. “You think I’m crazy.”
    “No, no. I’m just…amazed. I wouldn’t have imagined you’d want to camp out.”
    “You mean you wouldn’t have imagined I’d be the type to camp out,” she quipped, but there was no censure in her voice, because Michael’s gentle manner precluded it. Besides, he was right. “There’s always a first time for everything,” she said, her voice soft, her gaze suddenly bound to his. He had such remarkable brown eyes, she thought. They were clear, warm, genuine, and made her feel very special. She needed that right now, when she felt incidental to so much of the rest of her life. She needed to be valued, and Michael did that. Basking in his approval, she glowed.
    “Danica?” he whispered, then swallowed hard. When she looked at him that way, it was all he could do not to take her in his arms.
    Her voice was scarcely louder than his whisper. “You shaved today.” His jaw was square, strong, smooth now where she recalled it had been rough. “Last time you