Chapter 1
I never thought I’d find comfort in the feel of someone’s breath at my neck. No one had been taller than me, in a long time.
It had never occurred to me, that this is something I’d miss, something I craved to feel, something I wanted to know. When our eyes met it was like glass shattering around us, casting colorful mirages of the future, and shadows of the past.
“Hattie,”
I turn at the sound of my name pulling me from the dream world of colors and back into the reality of black and white. I step up to the counter and take the offered cup of coffee. The heat sinks past the fabric of my gloves and deep into my hands.
“Thank you,” I say looking down at the man across from me.
He smiles tightly, his eyes strain to look at me without taking a step back.
I quickly shuffle to the side so the person behind me can step up to the counter. He does, carrying the scent of cinnamon, and firewood on his pea coat.
I take a seat at the table with stools and stare out into the leaf littered park surrounding the coffee shop. The pumpkin spice coffee tastes exceptionally good today. I almost don’t notice the little smile tugging at my lips.
“Lennox,” calls the server.
I glance over my shoulder to see the dark haired, pea coat man taking his cup.
Lennox. I repeat in my head.
He turns towards the door, and our eyes lock again. Like the moon, they shimmer a white-gray. For a moment the shop goes quite and still, he smiles. Then steps out the door.
The door closing snaps me back to reality.
“What a handsome man.” I mumble to myself and go back to enjoying the soft sway of leaves on trees, and grass on the ground.
After my coffee I return home through the dark, tree lined path next to the river. The autumn air clings to my hair when I step inside the house. The hardwood floor creaks under the weight of my boots until I pull them off and set them on the shoe rack. I spend the rest of the afternoon unpacking. Each box has been organized down to the clutter, and miscellaneous items.
Once the living room has been set up, I finish setting up my bedroom shower and lay in the deeply soft mattress.
As I try to sleep I am awakened by the image of slender gray eyes, and a blinding smile.
I shift and turn until sleep pulls me away and I forget. For now.
The morning is spent unpacking my art studio. Setting up the paints, canvases, and sculptures. I break for lunch in the seat by the window finally taking notice of the house next door. I have clear view of the room in the next house over.
Gray eyes lock on mine, and a sweet smile follows. Long arms reach out and he swings the double windows open and leans forward. Out of curiosity, I crack open my window. The soft sound of birds chirping flows through along with a sweet scent.
“Good morning neighbor.” He says. His voice is deep and accented.
I incline my head in greeting.
“I’m Lennox, it’s nice to meet you.” He says. He leans languidly on the window pane, the morning sun paints his bare chest a golden color. His deep skin gleams with finely drawn tattoos. I can barley tear my eyes from his broad shoulders, and lean muscles.
“Cat got your tongue?” He asks with a wink.
I close my mouth quickly and shake my head no. “I’m Hattie, I’ve just moved in two days ago.” I say. I feel as if I’ve over shared.
Lennox nods. “I saw the truck. What brings you to Cherry River?”
I can’t find my voice. We stare at each other for a minute.
“You don’t have to tell me. I was asking. Why don’t you come over tomorrow, I’m having a block barbecue. You can meet the rest of your neighbors.” As if adding it in after thought, “it’s optional,” he says. Then he winks again closes the windows and goes too deep into the room, for me to see him.
I turn away from the window and fan my face. Do not think about his beautiful back tattoo. Do not.
But the wispy winged butterfly has already been deeply ingrained into my mind. It is the first thing I paint, and my first regret in this quiet town.
