One Day (A Valentine Short Story) Read Online Free PDF

doubts were founded when an elderly woman opened the door and stared at Liam like he’d just come out of the swamp. She was perhaps in her seventies, and she was wearing walking trousers and a thick cable-knit jumper. Her white hair was thick and full, and twisted up in place by a large barrette. Her skin was weather worn, and there was a no-nonsense air about her.
    As he explained what had happened her eyes shot to me and she tsked, “Never go out on a boat if you can’t even handle a paddle.”
    I winced. “Yeah, I get that now.”
    “I’d be grateful if you’d let me use your shower,” Liam said. “I’ll even pay.”
    The elderly woman studied him carefully. “I’m not in the habit of letting non-paying guests use my facilities. What if this is a scam to steal from me?” her eyes swung to me suspiciously and my lips parted in indignation.
    Why was I the more likely culprit than Liam?
    “I promise,” he grinned but it turned to a chitter, “We’re no thieves.”
    “Och, look at you,” she heaved a heavy, taking in his dripping clothing. She stepped aside, “Come in before you catch a chill. “
    “Thank you. You’re so kind,” he gave her that boyish smile and to my surprise she preened under it.
    “That one is certainly a charmer,” she said to me as she let me inside her home.
    “I’m aware,” I replied dryly. “I’m Hazel, by the way.”
    “Belinda. Everyone around here calls me Belle.”
    “Liam,” he said as we stopped inside her hallway. “I’d offer you my hand, Belle, but it’s currently covered in river grime.”
    Belle chuckled, shaking her head. “Falling in the Spey on a February morning. Were you trying to kill him?” She teased me.
    “Yes, were you trying to kill me?” Liam cocked his head, his eyes bright with mirth and flirt.
    I smirked. “Not today.”
    The old woman laughed, and then gestured toward a room on the right. “Have a seat in there, Hazel, while I show your boyfriend to a shower.”
    I opened my mouth to correct her but Liam spoke first. “You have a beautiful home, Belle,” he said as she began leading him upstairs.
    Rolling my eyes, I wandered into the sitting room and took a seat on a pink velvet chair. “Could charm his way into a convent,” I muttered.
    Not too long later Belle reappeared in the sitting room. “That’s him all settled. Would you like a cup of tea while you wait?”
    “Oh I don’t want to put you out.”
    “Not at all. I only have a few guests staying at this time of year and they’re all out and about wandering. It’s quite nice to have the company.”
    “Well, if you’re sure.”
    She gave me a nod and then paused, looking thoughtful. “Towels. I haven’t gotten around to changing them over for the evening. He has no towels.” Before I could say anything she was gone, and I could hear the stairs creaking as she climbed them.
    It only felt like a few minutes later when she reappeared in the sitting room, this time wearing an amused smile.
    “Is everything alright?”
    The stairs creaked, and footsteps sounded down the hall toward us before she could speak. Suddenly Liam was in the doorway.
    I was momentarily frozen at the sight of him in jeans, one boot, a sock and well… nothing else.
    He was ripped.
    Like… seriously… his abs!
    My fantasy of him had nothing on reality.
    He shoved on his other boot and then strode over to me with his laces undone. Before I could speak he bent toward me, handing me his wet clothes. “We need to go now,” he muttered under his breath. “Ogle me later.”
    Confused, I tore my eyes from his torso to his face.
    He looked supremely uncomfortable and if I wasn’t mistaken there was a flush on the crest of his cheeks. I stood up as he shrugged on his jumper, and my eyes flew to Belle in question.
    She looked like she was on the verge of bursting into laughter. “Some tea then?”
    “Oh, thank you, but no,” Liam said without meeting her gaze. “We’re in a rush. But thank you