What His Heart Wants

Chapter 6: Small Spaces

Cash~

"So this is home," Shayley murmurs, pulling up to a small cottage. It's small rustic block structure suits Shay. A small gray painted picket fence runs the length of the yard, a cobble stone walkway leads us to the front door. I watch Shay's hands shake slightly as she inserts the key, and I can't hide the smirk that comes to my lips.

Upon opening the door she leads me through a small hallway that opens up to a rather large airy living room. I take in her small tan sofa, the glass coffee table houses a few papers no doubt she had been up late grading papers, and a small flat screen T.V. sits in the corner. "Here's the living room, feel free to make yourself at home.''

I give her a warm smile, "Thanks for opening up your home like this to me, but I can try to find something for rent if my being here bothers you.'' I offer silently hoping she will decline, this is my chance to get her back and in order to do that I need a good excuse to see her everyday.

"Don't be silly, besides it's the Christian thing to do." If it were anyone else saying that I would have cringed, but I knew that even with as much as Shay had changed that her faith was one thing that had remained the same. It was admirable to see how much she loved her God, but it just wasn't something I was into.

Too many times I'd witnessed people in this small town that were suppose to be 'Good Christian People' turn out to be nothing more than mere hypocrites. "Well thanks, I'll be sure to reimburse you for putting you out.'' She froze, and gave me a glassy look.

"I don't need your money Cash, so if that's your intentions then please feel free to look into staying somewhere else.'' She huffed, grabbing my bag, she didn't motion for me to follow, but I did knowing she was taking my bag to the guestroom.

She opened the door, and led the way into a room big enough for the small dresser, nightstand, and double bed that it held. The walls were painted a rich honeysuckle yellow, and the bed spread and curtains a deep red. One would have thought the colors would clash but it really suited the small room.

"This door is to the closet, and this one leads into the bathroom.'' She nibbled her lower lip nervously. "The bathroom connects our rooms, so please if your in it don't forget to lock the door on my side.'' A small blush creeps up her neck, but she clears her throat and heads for the door. "I'll leave you to get settled in, why don't you take a nap while I cook some dinner.''

I wanted to tell her that the only thing I was hungry for was her, but that was way to forward and Shay wasn't that way anyway. She was pure and good, which only proved how big of a fool I was for thinking I could have her back after hurting her. So instead of telling her what's really on my mind, I nod.

"That sounds nice.'' She smiles warmly at me but I don't miss the jaded look in her blue eyes, she turns to walk out the door. "Shay?'' She looks back at me and her sweet innocent face makes it hard to breath. "I'm sorry for implying anything other than my absolute gratitude for you letting me stay here, I hope I didn't offend you earlier about the whole compensation thing.''

I don't know why I feel the need to apologize, maybe it's the fact that deep down I know she's only offered this small haven to me because she knows I need a break from all the superficial bull crap or maybe it really is just as she said it was the right thing for her to do. Either way I was grateful.

"No problem Cash,'' She waves it off as if it's nothing, and walks out of the small room taking her lavender scent with her and leaving me feeling more alive than I have in years.

****

"This smells and looks delicious,'' She's prepared my favorite. Lasagna and a tossed salad along with garlic bread. The blush that creeps into her cheeks makes grin, she looks a wonderful as the food tonight. Her long brown hair is pulled into a low bun and small wisps have escaped framing her heart shaped face.