Page 113 of This Broken Heart

I hesitate, thinking about the boy who cried wolf.

If it was Skyler who yelled, or Josh, I would have come running. But you never know with Bo and Dusty. Half the time they’re up to no good.

I set the paintbrush back in my pan and wipe my fingers off on some rags. I will come when summoned, but in my own damn time.

I’m just passing through the dining room when all four of the guys shout my name.

“What?” I shout back, feeling grumpy.

They all laugh.

Even Josh.

He’s happy. And it’s good to see him lighten up for someone other than me and the kids. He nods over his shoulder like a kid showing off his art project. “Look.”

I suck in a breath. “Oh.” I sigh, coming closer. “The fireplace! It’s so pretty.”

The boxy drywall has been cleared away and the original fireplace sits untouched below.

“See?” Dusty says, glaring at the guys. He gives me a long-suffering look. “I said it was pretty, and they all mocked me.”

I step up to the fireplace, admiring the floor to ceiling brickwork, the subtle arch over the hearth. “It is pretty.”

“And look.” Josh takes my hand and pulls me around to the kitchen. “It has two sides.”

“That is so unbelievably cool.”

He tugs me up against his side. “Right?”

The guys head outside to trim lumber and Josh takes the opportunity to pull me up against his hips. His hand skirts along my jaw and cups the back of my head. His kiss is soft and sweet with a hint of a promise. Lisa is keeping the kids all night, so we don’t have to worry about little ones barging in.

Flicking his tongue across the seam of my lips, he pulls back and runs his thumb up and down my jaw. “Skyler’s dad made us matching mantels, one for each side. And I went to the hardware store and got a bunch of hooks.”

I’m distracted by the way his hard body feels pinned against mine. “Hooks for what?”

“Christmas stockings.”

I groan. “You’re thinking about Christmas already? We have eleven months to go.”

“I’m thinking about future Christmases. And Easters. And birthdays. I’m thinking about kids running around upstairs and you and me drinking coffee together in this kitchen morning after morning.”

I press my cheek against his chest. “That sounds pretty damn good.”

“Mom had something made for us when she heard Skyler’s dad was making the fireplace mantel.”

I laugh. “Your mama does not like being shown up.”

Josh chuckles. “No, she does not.”

I follow his gaze towards the box on the table. Flipping the lid open, I pull out the first stocking.Mavenis embroidered in shining gold thread. There’s a darling ballerina on the sock itself. Trace got a fire truck on his. I pull out Josh’sDadstocking and smile at the cow stitched across its fabric.

My fingers falter over the last stocking and I almost don’t pull it out.

Mom.

It’s got a big green four-leaf clover on it.

My heart starts racing. “Why a shamrock?”

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