Read Where the Heart Is for Free Online

“It’s perfect. What do they usually use it for?”
    Derek shrugged. “Family who come to visit or whoever else needs it. Rob Archer has a lot of business interests, so he sometimes invites people to stay. As you can probably tell, they have plenty of rooms in the house.”
    â€œYes, I can see that.”
    Derek turned from the doorway and strolled back into the living room. “Notice anything?”
    Chloe looked around and then her gaze was arrested by the painting over the gas fireplace. “That’s my canvas!” She rushed over to it and smoothed her fingertips along the unframed edge of the landscape she’d painted a few months ago. “Where did you get this?”
    â€œYour garage. And three more over there.” He gestured to a box in the corner with three smaller canvases. “They were a bit water-logged, but they seem to have dried out pretty well. Unfortunately one of them is a bit bowed, but maybe we can restretch it over a new frame.”
    We? Chloe’s eyes burned with tears at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you,” she said softly, unable to give her words more volume.
    She heard Derek moving behind her, but kept looking at her painting until she’d gotten her emotions back under control. When she turned around, Derek was in the kitchen opening a large box of pastries. Chloe joined him at the bar.
    He handed her an insulated cup with the Beaker’s logo on the side. “Here’s your chai.”
    She smiled gratefully. “Perfect, thanks.” She turned and took in the wall of windows opposite the fireplace. They offered a ton of natural light. She could see herself painting here—as soon as she replaced her art supplies. But she wouldn’t be here that long, probably. She had to find a new place in less than ten days.
    She shoved the thought away, wanting to focus on how awesome this morning was and how wonderful it felt to be taken care of after the fire. With everyone’s kindness and generosity, she actually felt as though she was finally home. Then her stomach growled and she realized she needed to get some groceries to truly make it one.
    Derek chuckled. “Hungry? Me too.” He moved behind the bar into the kitchen. “Lucky for you, Emily stocked the place.”
    â€œShe did?”
    â€œI told you she was a great mother.” He glanced at the door. “I imagine she’ll be over in a bit. She’s anxious to deliver your cat, whose vision is already improving, by the way.”
    â€œReally?” Chloe grinned. “That’s great!” Her stomach growled again.
    Derek chuckled. “Let’s get you something to eat.” He inclined his head toward the large open box in front of him on the counter. A half dozen baked goods—Danish, croissants, and doughnuts—taunted her. “Pick a pastry, any pastry.”
    After an agonizingly indecisive moment, she pointed at the cheese Danish drizzled with dark chocolate. “That one.”
    â€œGood choice. Have a seat and I’ll bring it over.”
    She picked up his chai in her other hand. “I’ve got your tea.”
    As she set the cups on the table, she heard him moving about the kitchen, getting plates out of the cupboard.
    â€œSo tell me about your art. Why aren’t you doing that for a living?” he asked.
    Chloe sat in one of the ladder-backed chairs. “I sort-of am. I’ll be teaching art at the Cascade Children’s Academy starting after the winter break.”
    â€œReally?” He came around the bar carrying two plates, which he set on the table. “Waiting tables is just something extra you do?”
    â€œYes, a part-time teaching job makes things pretty tight.” She noted that he’d chosen the raspberry-filled croissant. “I almost picked that.”
    He froze with the croissant halfway to his mouth. “You want me to save it for you?”
    â€œNo, please, you have