A Subtle Tenderness Read Online Free PDF

house.   Although still unfinished she could tell the house was going to look amazing once it was completed.   Ophelia noticed the same attention to detail in this house as she had in Heath’s cabin.  Everything had a purpose. Functionality was the key to this style of living.  The style of the cabin was spacious yet serviceable and there was no clutter yet there was just the right amount of furniture.
    Light streamed in through large windows and ceiling sky lights. The flour plan was also open but the fireplace was on the side of the house rather than in the middle. The large eat-in kitchen was a focal point.  Heath described his ideas for the property touching on the difficulties he was having in trying to preserve most of the original structure.  Ophelia tried to imagine him as young boy growing up here.  She smiled thinking about how much mischief Heath might have been in with such wild open spaces to roam.
    “What will you do with the property once you are done?”  Heath hesitated briefly when asked that question then continued to prepare their food.  
    “Maybe I will live in it one day, or loan it to friends as a vacation home.  I haven’t decided yet.”  She watched as he added sugar and lemon slices to a pitcher of tea.  “My goal right now it to see it completed.”
    They sat on the back porch shaded by the sun and ate ham sandwiches with pear and apple wedges.  They conversed about a variety of topics until he excused himself and began to pick vegetables for their supper.  Offering her assistance, Ophelia enjoyed pulling up fresh herbs and digging up field greens and vegetable all of which were placed in the wicker basket.  Once that task was completed, Ophelia sat on a comfortable bench drinking tea and watching Heath complete some needed repairs. 
    He ath was a curiosity to her, fascinating and in some ways familiar.  She was enjoying his company.  She was relishing in a man cooking for her and seeing after her needs. Ophelia was enjoying her time in his space.  She felt at peace near him. Then it dawned on her; she had not thought about Darnell or Sonja at all today nor did the pair cross her mind last night.
    The realization of that fact lifted her spirit.   This move was already showing promise minus the car accident and killing a deer. She looked up when Heath’s shadow fell over her.  She handed him his tea and smiled as he emptied the glass.
    “What’s the smile for?”
    “The fresh air is good for me.”
    “I’m done for the day . I’ll lock up and we’ll head back to my cabin.”
    The trek back down the mountain was not so cumbersome.  Ophelia could sense Heath’s closeness leading the way through his land.  She was surprised he hadn’t used his bow and arrow on their little sojourn.  There didn’t seem to be one thing this man couldn’t do. 
    “You didn’t get to use you bow today.” 
    “We scared the animals away on the way up.”  He turned and ushered her forward into the clearing that was his yard.
    “You mean I scared them away,” she amended.
    “Let’s just say they heard us coming.”  Heath supplied.
    Dinner was exceptional . Heath prepared seasoned deer steaks, summer squash with a salad of field greens and thick slices of tomato from his garden.  Everything was seasoned with fresh herbs that they picked including a salad dressing which he made from scratch.
    “Heath is there anything you can’t do.  This meal was truly amazing.”
    “I’m glad you liked it.  There’s more if you’re still hungry.”
    “I enjoyed it so much.  I hope I didn’t embarrass you while I was shoveling food down my gullet.  You are an amazing cook,” Ophelia praised. 
    “You have to let me clean up . No way, you’re going to do all the work.  I have to show my appreciation for your culinary skills.”
    “How about we do it together,” Heath suggested.
    They cleared the table and cleaned up the kitchen. Then played a game of checkers in which