Page 53 of Their Reluctant Catch

I balance them, and I love them. Both of them.

Today’s one of Savannah’s garage days, which means Colton and I have time to ourselves. We are not planning to waste that time and head into the grocery store. We have plans to surprise her with a home-cooked meal. Over the past few days, we’ve learned that Savannah’s idea of cooking is heating up something in the microwave.

I don’t mind. I like cooking. And with everything she’s done—fixing the washing machine, tightening the faucets, and handling other repairs we hadn’t even realized needed doing, she’s a valued and productive member of our household. By fixing Colton’s broken heart, she has earned ten years of cooking from me.

We’re debating what cut of meat to get when Henry Lawson’s familiar voice rasps from behind the counter.

“She’s a helluva mechanic, I’ll tell you that much,” he says. “Generator’s been flickering for days. Sam says she took one look at it and figured out the problem.”

Colton and I exchange grins before stepping around the isle.

Elliot is packing a grocery bag and nodding along.

“That’s our woman,” I say, unable to hide the pride in my voice.

Elliot grins and stops what he’s doing to push his glasses up his noise.

Henry turns, raising a bushy eyebrow. “Yours? She’s with one of you?”

Colton nods, casual as anything. “She’s with both of us.”

Henry whistles low, shaking his head. “I’ll be damned. Guess you two are followin’ the example set by Jack, Mason, and Elliot, huh?”

He nods at Elliot, who now looks like a Cheshire Cat.

“Diana figured you would.” Elliot resumes packing.

“You’re really doing this?” Henry leans forward and braces his elbows on the till.

“Yes, we are.”

There’s a beat of silence, then Henry mutters, “Damn it.”

I frown. “What?”

“No, nothing. Sam thought—” He shakes his head. “Well, whatever. Ain’t my business. Least it’s good to have another mechanic in town.”

Henry isn’t one for gossip, so I let the comment slide. Instead, we tell him about everything Savannah’s done—the small, meticulous repairs around the house, the way she fixed theSea Spirit.

By the time we leave the store, arms loaded with bags, I bump Colton’s shoulder. “You realize we just made it real clear we’re… serious about her?”

“We did.” His grin is wide, satisfied—until it suddenly isn’t. His expression shifts, turning pensive, like a delayed realization is settling in. Then he slaps his forehead. “Fuck. We messed up.”

I frown. “How?”

“We should’ve talked to her first.”

Shit.

We were so sure, so damn settled in what we wanted, we didn’t even stop to think.

Colton mutters a curse under his breath, already striding toward the van. “Let’s go home and fix that oversight—as soon as possible!”

Chapter21

Colton

We’re almost at the van when it hits me.

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