Unlovable

Chapter 11: Past, Present and Future

Darcie was still lying across the couch, finishing up the third chapter of her book, when she heard the gravel flying in front of the cabin. She folded down the page and set the book on the coffee table, wondering if anything else was scheduled to be delivered that afternoon.

She put a hand on her growling belly as she peaked through the curtains. Her heart stopped when she saw Roger jump down from his truck and head toward the door.

She looked down at her paint stained shirt and took a dash toward the bedroom. Quickly, she changed into a soft blue sweater and unstained jeans. Darcie grabbed a brush off of her dresser and ran it through her hair as she rushed down the hall to greet him.

Roger knocked once as she set the brush down. She reached for the handle, pausing briefly to take a deep breath.

Roger didn't think she could possibly get any prettier. Yet there she was, standing there in that sweater and those faded jeans. He was completely lost for words.

The bruises were gone, and she looked genuinely happy to see him. She wore a large and welcoming smile on her face, although on the inside she was probably more nervous than he was.

Roger let his gaze wander from the tip of her head to her bare and strangely appealing toes.

"Hi?" she said after an awkward moment of silence.

Roger chuckled slightly and shook his head, trying to get his brain to think straight.

"Hey," He pulled a bag of food from around his back and held it out to her. "I know it's not flowers or anything, but I thought maybe you'd be hungry?"

He hoped he didn't sound as if his nerves were having a party inside of him. Darcie smiled and took the bag before stepping back for him to enter.

"Actually, right now this is way better then flowers. I'm so hungry I'd eat just about anything. I've been so busy with the house that I haven't eaten anything all day. Not that I had much to make. I haven't made it out to the store in a few days..."

Roger stepped into the house and looked around before he whistled through his teeth.

"Wow. You aren't kidding. This place looks fantastic."

Roger let his fingers trail along the curtains as he walked toward Gramps old radio. A soft song played from the machine, with only minimal static interference. He looked up at her, genuinely surprised.

"Did you fix this thing?"

Darcie grinned at him proudly and nodded her head.

"Gramps tried to get this old radio to work for years. All he ever got from it was plain static."

"It wasn't easy," she said as she walked up beside him. "It took a lot of reading and work. But it's good enough now."

He turned to her and smiled, watching as a piece of hair fell in front of her eyes. Cautiously, he reached out and tucked the strand behind her ear, in such an affectionate manner it left her startled.

"You did good," he said after a second. "With all of it."

Roger let his hand fall way and cleared his throat, surprised that he was bold enough to reach out to her, even if it was only to brush hair from her face.

"Thank you," she whispered as her eyes nervously drifted down to the floor.

"Would it be okay if I ate with you?" he asked shyly.

She looked up at him and told herself to relax. She took a quick breath before smiling at him in acceptance. He nodded toward the kitchen and led her inside, his hand barely feathering her lower back. He pulled out her chair and she sat.