Free The Idea of You by Darcy Burke Page B

guess she’s the closest thing to a sibling I have.”
    â€œThere’s the monastery.” He pointed through the windshield to the spire that climbed two hundred feet.”
    She leaned forward. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting something so big.”
    He rounded the corner and pulled into the large gravel lot. To the left was the trailer they used as an office. He parked on the other side of the lot, nearer the restaurant. He jumped out, but she was already climbing from the car before he could get there.
    â€œYou’re not letting me be a gentleman.”
    â€œI won’t deduct any points.” She winked at him as she closed the door. She put her hands on her hips as she looked at the restaurant. “This is going to be so amazing. Was this a church?”
    â€œYep. Over there was the monks’ quarters. That’ll be the hotel. We’ve started that phase, even though the restaurant isn’t quite done.”
    â€œSean said there was a zoning problem delaying things. The restaurant was supposed to be open by now?”
    He nodded. “New Year’s was the original goal, but the zoning issue put a wrench in that. We’re hoping to get everything squared away so we can open this summer, but the zoning appeal is taking forever.”
    â€œSean also said it was because of some guy who’s got some decades-old vendetta against your dad?”
    â€œYeah, something like that. I don’t pay too much attention to that sort of thing.”
    â€œSmart of you to stay away from drama.” A sharp wind blew over them, and she shivered. “Can we go in?”
    He went to the heavy wooden door on the right and unlocked it. Then he held it open for her. “After you.”
    â€œWow.” She walked past him into the restaurant.
    It looked somewhat like a dining area since the tables and chairs had been delivered, plus there were two banks of booths. Nothing had been set up, however, so it was sort of a jumbled mess. Evan suppressed the urge to order everything.
    â€œI love that some of the church elements have remained—the stained glass windows and the dark wood. It has a kind of English country house feel. Very cozy.”
    â€œIt seemed a bit dark, so they installed those wide windows on either side of the door.” Evan gestured behind them.
    â€œA good idea. That lets in a lot of natural light.” She moved toward the far wall. They’d put in a massive fireplace where the altar had been. “This is gorgeous. I love the stonework.” She ran her fingertips over the rock but quickly withdrew her hand. “Brrr, that’s cold!”
    â€œYeah, there’s no heat on in here today, sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I should’ve packed a hat and a scarf and gloves. But I was in too much of a hurry when I left, and I just didn’t think of it.” She smiled, shaking her head. “February in southern California is not the same as February in Ribbon Ridge.”
    â€œNo, it’s not. If you need that stuff, I can pick it up for you in town.” He’d bought Tori’s purple hat at a little boutique called The Knitty Gritty. It was run by two sisters who knitted a lot of the products. They also carried an array of accessories. It was the sort of store that gave a guy a headache if he stayed in there too long, but his mom and sisters loved it.
    â€œYou are the nicest guy. And no drama. Are you for real?” She came closer and touched his chest. “Yep, real.”
    Then she moved away, and he just barely restrained himself from dragging her hand back. Touch was a weird thing for him. Sometimes he wanted nothing to do with it, but others, the craving for human connection was almost painful. And right now, he wanted it. From her.
    Thankfully she strolled over to the bar area. “I just want to sit down and order a Spanish coffee.”
    He joined her but kept his distance. “There isn’t any alcohol