Read a Romance!
Abby loved her new house . . . and her handsome neighbor made it feel like home!
Abby glanced out her kitchen window at the gray clouds and knew what to do. She started making her favorite cookies, anticipating the cinnamon aroma that’d soon fi ll the house. After placing the cookies in the oven, she carried a timer outside to survey her Saturday morning project: recycling the mountain of moving boxes on her porch.
As she was flattening boxes, a truck pulled into the driveway. A handsome man with saltand-pepper hair got out along with an enthusiastic Labrador retriever. She recognized the man as one of her neighbors— one of her single neighbors.
The man stepped onto the porch and extended his hand. “I’m Troy Willis, from the blue house at the end of the lane.” The dog stuck out its paw. “And this is Brody. Sorry it’s taken so long to introduce myself.”
He flashed his cute smile, making her heart flutter
“Abby Evanston,” she said. They’d only exchanged a few waves from across the street. But Troy’s cute smile and playfulness with his dog had made an impression.
“When we took our walk this morning, I noticed the moving boxes on your porch. If you’re getting rid of them, I’d love to take them.”
“Sure, take as many as you need.”
Abby and Troy continued their easy conversation while they tossed boxes into the bed of his truck.
“You’ve lived here about six months now?” Troy asked.
Abby nodded. “I’ve been so busy at my new job, it’s taken me forever to get everything out of storage. After I unpacked these boxes, I realized I hadn’t missed most of this stuff. So I’m having a garage sale next weekend.”
Troy smiled. “Some- times clearing out the old makes way for new things to come into our lives.”
“That’s so true—” Abby was interrupted by the ding of the kitchen timer. “I made snickerdoodles. Care to take a few of those off my hands, too?”
Troy laughed. “I’d love to.” He followed her inside, where she packed a tin for him. “Boy, I wish my house smelled this good.” He bit into a warm cookie. “These are delicious.” “Thanks. I can make tea.” Troy sighed. “Unfortunately, the movers come tomorrow, and I’ve got to fi nish packing. But thanks for the boxes and the cookies, Abby. I’m glad we fi nally met.”
“Me, too,” Abby said, sorry it hadn’t happened sooner. They’d just met, and now he was moving away.
The next weekend, Abby opened her garage to a group of eager treasure hunters. Midmorning, Troy jogged up the driveway with Brody.
“How’s business?” He flashed his cute smile, making her heart flutter.
“Great!” she said. “I’m surprised to see you. Was your move postponed?”
“Oh, the boxes were for my daughter.” His smile faded. “I helped her move into her fi rst apartment this week. It’s just me and Brody now.”
Abby lightly touched his shoulder. “My husband died a few years ago, and I remember what it was like when my son left home. I’m sure she misses you as much as you miss her.”
“Well, she won’t miss my cooking. But she loved your cookies, as did I.” He looked into her eyes. “They were great therapy during the move.”
“‘A-B- C’ is my remedy for gloomy weather and tough situations.” “A-B- C?” “Always Bake Cookies.” Troy laughed, and she added, “I love to cook, but I still haven’t adjusted to meal prep for one, so you’re welcome to share dinner with me any time.” Realizing how forward that sounded, she quickly turned to straighten a stack of books.
“I’d like that. What if I help with the garage sale, then treat you to dinner as a thank-you for the boxes and cookies?”
Abby’s heart skipped a beat. “That is so sweet of you.”
At five o’clock, Abby closed the garage door and settled onto the porch swing next to Troy. “I’m exhausted.”
“And probably starving,” Troy added. “Want to try the pasta place on Third Avenue?”
“Sounds perfect.” Abby looked at the charming man sitting next to her. Today, she’d let go of bits of her past. And Troy was right. Wonderful new things were coming into her life.