Free Splintered Oak (Winsor Series Book 3) by T.L. Gray Page B

about him that would resonate with me, but still I couldn’t help but feel as if I’d met him before.
    “Do I know you?” I blurted out, unable to get the thought out of my head. “You look so familiar to me.”
    David didn’t have any recollection, but then again I had seen Jake daily for a year and he didn’t recognize me either. After they showed me around the condo, which was in desperate need of some color, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew him. Finally it hit me.
    “Where do you go to church?” I asked, interrupting them as they discussed some business venture they wanted to invest in.
    “What?” They asked in unison.
    “That’s where I’ve seen you, I think. I go to Harvest Fellowship near campus.”
    “You go to church?” Jake asked incredulously to both David and me.
    David shot him an irritated look. “Yes, I go to church. But, I go to a little church down the road from here. I did teach some financial seminars at Harvest a couple years ago, though.”
    I shot off the couch. “That’s it. I went to that seminar. You were great! In fact, the things I learned kept me from spending way too much money when I went to Portugal, so thank you.” I sat back down, finally satisfied that I’d solved the mystery.
    That conversation seemed to be the final barrier as David visibly relaxed about my staying there. Jake was right. He definitely was already giving off that big brother vibe. I chuckled to myself. Alex would be proud. Okay, that was a stretch, but maybe he wouldn’t kill me if he found out.
    After an enjoyable hour of random conversation about ourselves, I looked at my watch and noted that I needed to finally unload my car. The boys stood to help me, but I stopped them again before we all walked outside.
    “Wait. I think we need to first establish some ground rules. Here are mine, and I’ll be happy to follow any of yours. First, every one must be fully clothed when using the common areas. Jake, I know that will be hard for you, but honestly, I’ve seen your bare chest enough to last me a lifetime.” I watched as Jake snickered and David shot him a warning stare, validating my rule. “Second, no one is to enter my room, for any reason. I don’t care if you think I’m dying, it’s off limits. And finally--and this is just because I grew up with men and I know how things are--I would prefer if you keep all gas excretions to your personal space. I have no interest in hearing the alphabet burped in harmony.”
    Laughter ricocheted off the walls as they both doubled over after my announcement. I stood with my hands on my hips, failing to find the humor. When the roar finally died down, they both agreed, but still had a hard time talking through their laughter.
    It took only a few minutes to unload my car and get my stuff settled into the new room. I liked it. The walls were a soft mushroom color that would look great against my posters and green bedding. The bathroom was also twice as large as the one on campus and included a tub, which felt like a luxury. Jake set down the last suitcase and began to leave the room when David stopped him.
    “I have a rule too,” David announced, getting that fatherly look again. “There will be no sleepovers.” He looked at me. “If you want to do that on your own time, fine, but not here. Jake, that goes for you too. Naomi doesn’t need to be exposed to crazy, love-struck women every morning.”
    Now I laughed and Jake scowled, but remembering Betsy’s tears made me grateful for David’s rule. “No problem here,” I agreed easily.
    David nodded and then excused himself, telling me again that I could stay as long as I needed to. Jake seemed to linger longer, wanting to say something and then stopping himself.
    “Don’t forget rule number two,” I reminded him as I made a shooing motion with my hand.
    Jakes easy grin returned. “I never realized how demanding yo u are, Naomi. It’s kind of sexy.”
    I crossed my arms against my chest