Page 48 of Hot Rucking Canadian

"So you have a month to find a new house back in Canada."

I nearly tripped over the sand—which would’ve been, like, really pathetic. Except I’d never been in sand. Or if I had, it’d been a million years ago. I was a child of the city. The concrete jungle. All my playgrounds had been asphalt. God help you if you fell. Skinned knees, anyone? "What the fu…dge are you talkin’ about? Isaiah has a nice condo. Houses are expensive in Vancouver."

Nana halted.

I did as well. And faced her.

"No. You make Isaiah sell his condo and buy a big house. My cousin's daughter, Alicia, is coming to Canada soon. I expect her to stay with you, and you look after her while she's there at university."

I blinked. “Uh. No way. I mean, what the fu.. dge?"

"Nope—you must do as I say."

I just stared.

"Yes. And Libby’s boy, Patrick, will be needing somewhere to stay in a couple of months. He can stay with you."

“With us?” I sort of felt like a broken record. Because even though the words changed, the disbelief didn’t.

She tapped her chin. "Yes. Matthew is getting into trouble at school—maybe we’ll send him to you for six months and get him away from the bad influence." She grinned. “And there you go. You’re going to make all our problems go away.”

“Me and Mallow?”

She cocked her head.

“Sorry, me and Isaiah? Isaiah and I?” Man, grammar should’ve been the last thing on my mind.

“Yes. It is decided. You go home and buy a house.”

I started doing the calculations in my mind. Maybe if we bought something in the suburbs. We could pool his money from the condo and the money I’d saved for my retirement. I could work another few years. Or maybe forever.

Whatever.IfMallow wanted this, then we’d find a way to make it work.

“You’re a smart man.” She pressed a hand against my heart. “You’ll figure it out.”

“Uh…sure…” I was in no way convinced, but I’d damn well do my best.

Later that night, as we sat around the bonfire, Mallow tugged me close. We hadn’t spoken all day. Nana had me doing various tasks, chores, and—of all things—helping out in the kitchen.

Libby had been kind, considerate, and—above all else—patient.

I was a slow learner, but I didn’t fuck up anything too badly, so dinner had been served on time.

“What did Nana say?” Mallow whispered the words into my ear as the children danced around in an attempt to replicate their parents’ performance from a couple of nights previous.

To varying degrees of success.

“I’m not sure you want to know.”

He nuzzled behind my ear.

My favorite spot. Which meant I was putty in his hands.

“She says I need to convince you to sell your condo and buy a house so all your family can come and stay. Hell, she wants some to move in.”

“Mmm.” He nipped my earlobe. “What did you say?”

“What the fuck?” I swallowed. “Okay, maybewhat the fudge?”

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