Page 109 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Oh.” John actually blushes. “Every holiday season, we do a tour of homes in Charbrook Falls. Lottie has come through many times, and we’ve talked about my designs a lot. The framework of this one is similar to one I designed last year, but she and my wife got to talking last Christmas at the library fundraiser. My donation was to make a mini-scale dream home, and Lottie won it. So her design is already mostly done.”
Boone smirks at me.
“Why did you do this?” I ask. The creature in my lap leans back, curling her head into my ribs as though I’m a pillow made specifically for her.
I don’t understand it, but one small gesture by a slippery ball of baby eases the tension stabbing around my eye sockets.
“In all the years I’ve lived in Sweetbriar, I’ve never known Lottie to accept help from anyone, yet here you are, chasing down demons and giving her a shoulder to lean on.”
Great. Does he have a thing for my woman too?
“She went out of her way to help me when I first arrived, Thane,” Boone explains. “My parents had recently passed away, and I was pretty messed up. If it weren’t for her, my construction company never would have taken off here the way it has. If I can do something to repay that kindness, I’m going to. Even if that means making friends with Sherlock.”
I glance at John. He doesn’t meet the criteria to be Sherlock.
“In this scenario, you’re Sherlock.” Boone studies me closely while chewing his burger in the side of his mouth. It’s disgusting.
Great. Sherlock Holmes. The character known for being socially awkward.
I tuck the baby higher onto my chest because somehow, she’s fallen asleep in the middle of this chaos. “It’s not that I disregard social norms, Boone. I just don’t always see them until it’s too late.”
“Then I suppose I’ll be your Watson. Everyone needs a little help from their friends. Even you. Now say cheese.”
He holds up his phone while I’m figuring out when we became friends, and the flash nearly blinds me.
“What’s that for?” My words are too loud, and the little girl startles in my arms but doesn’t so much as bat an eye. Weird. I wish I could sleep like that.
“She’s the baby,” John says with a tenderness all fathers should wear like a badge of honor. “The blessing of having three older siblings is you learn to sleep anywhere.”
“I sent it to Lottie.” Boone puffs out his chest.
The muscles in my neck and shoulders tense. “Why would you do that?”
Both men shift in their seats as I study their features. It’s as though they know something I don’t, and it irritates the hell out of me.
“Trust me. You’ll thank me for this later.” Boone’s cryptic message is interrupted when I catch sight of Kara behind his head.
She’s talking with her new friend, Emma, and another boy I don’t recognize.
“She’s not old enough to date.” My teeth grind together as another set of boys join them.
Boone follows my line of sight. “They’re just hanging out, Thane. It’s good for her.”
“And you’d know, how?”
He shrugs and focuses on his burger. “My little sister isn’t that much older than Kara.”
“Do you miss her?”
His head snaps up. That might be the first personal question I’ve ever asked him.
“Every day, but as much as I hate to admit it, my brother Cal could offer them a stability I couldn’t at the time. It’s better this way.”
Perhaps that’s why he’s taken such an interest in Kara. I’ve read that guilt can be a powerful motivator.
The baby in my arms sighs, and her little chin quivers, matching the sensations in my gut.
“Maybe you’ll actually join us at one of our poker nights now.” Boone’s been watching me as I study the ball of goo in my arms.
