Page 104 of A Cowboy's Trust
Smile firmly in place, her lips quivered a little as emotion struck.
She flipped to a page that held a few sketches and paused. She laid the book open on the table. “What’s this?”
“Possible renovations to the main house,” Jake explained.
Tansy met his gaze. “More renos?”
“We made some good plans when we dreamed about High Water,” Aiden said. “The living quarters for each of us Skye brothers out under the art studio, for example. But we forgot that life changes, and our needs would change as well. We’re not three bachelors setting up rooms anymore.”
Tansy eyed the drawings closer, her jaw hanging open as she mentally rearranged the rooms and figured out what it meant. “Is this an addition past my bedroom?”
Jake adjusted Jeffrey slightly. The kid’s eyes were half-lidded. He’d probably had a terrible sleep after the hell of the past few weeks.
Oh.Oh.
“A room for Jeffrey,” Tansy guessed.
“Yes, and a small living space so you have privacy even when there are female ranch hands around.” Jake cleared his throat, looking slightly sheepish. “Sowehave privacy.”
Tansy laughed quietly, so as not to startle Jeffrey. “For a quiet, private guy, you really are doing this thing between us right out there in the open.”
“When you’re in love, you do stupid shit,” Jake drawled.
“Or so I hear,” Tansy teased.
They grinned at each other.
She was so damn tempted to do the final thing. The part she’d tried to spit out last night before getting loopy on drugs, but consent mattered. While getting a family living space tossed at her in front of all of High Water might seem a big tell, she wanted one thing to be only them.
“You good with the idea?” Declan asked.
“It’s a great idea,” Tansy returned firmly, peering closer at the pages. “Don’t bother to put a kitchen in there, though.”
“Just a space for a kettle and a snack fridge,” Jake suggested.
“Perfect.” Tansy glanced around at the family gathered at the table. Because that’s what they were. Just as much family by choice as the Fields were. “Becausethisis my kitchen.” She gestured to the counters and ovens behind her. “My domain. Myprecious….” She offered the last in a nasally, teasing tone.
The instant smiles in reaction were perfect.
The next hour was spent with actual planning, not only for the renovations to the house. Kevin and Logan good naturedly argued over which of them should move into Jake’s former space, i.e., both insisting the other should take it. Logan won the battle, which meant Kevin rolled his eyes a lot but headed out willingly with Declan and Logan to move his things into the apartment.
Tansy fought exhaustion then snickered as Petra leaned in close and glared at her. “That’s a pretty face.”
“That’s myyou will do as you’re toldface. Naptime. As you’ve heard, you’re off official cooking duty for at least a week.”
“Iwantto cook, though.” Although not at this exact moment.
“Trust me.” Aiden slid in beside Petra. “You will be called upon a lot to help. But you’re sous chef, not executive chef.”
Now was not the time to explain that meant more work, not less. “Fine. I’ll cut and chop as ordered.”
“Right now, you’ll count zzzzs in your bed,” Petra ordered.
“Yes, Mom.” Tansy wiggled her way upright, accepting the crutches Jake handed her. “You plan to tuck me in?”
“Absolutely.” Jake hesitated. “There’s something we need to do first.”
“Sure.” Tansy eyed her leg cast. “As long as it doesn’t involve dancing.”
