Page 75 of Forty and Fighting Dirty
As I unpacked the boys’ things upstairs, Rhett disappeared for half an hour. When I heard his car rumbling to a stop outside, I peeked through the boys’ window to see him grab abrand-new shovel to clear the path and the driveway. He made quick work of it, stopping only once to wipe sweat from his temple. I finished what I was doing, shutting the drawer of the new dresser Rhett had chosen, and made my way downstairs.
My fingers slid over the warm wood of the staircase banister, and I couldn’t help the flush that grew in the pit of my stomach. I found Rhett in the living room, kneeling in front of the fireplace with a long barbecue lighter in his hands, the end of it pointed at kindling and crumpled newspaper.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Thought you might like a fire. Make the place feel cozy for the boys.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, throat tight.
He turned back to the fire, waiting to see the scrunched-up newspaper ignite and the flames start licking at the logs he’d stacked on the grate, then stood and grabbed the fire screen. He placed it in front of the fireplace, then stood with his hands on his hips, scowling.
“Not happy with your work?” I asked, putting a hand on his back as I reached his side.
“We should have switched this to gas. I don’t like the thought of the boys running around with an open fire like this.”
If I hadn’t been in love with him already, that one comment would have done it. I leaned my head against his shoulder and let out a sigh. “I’ll make sure they don’t do anything silly.”
“Nate will want to poke at it,” he said, turning his scowl to the fireplace poker and shovel hanging on a cast iron rack beside the fireplace.
I beamed at the side of his head, surprised and delighted by the fact that he already knew my kids’ temperaments so well.Because he was right; it was Nate we had to worry about. Alec would listen if I told him not to go near the fire, unless Nate somehow roped his brother into one of his schemes.
Our safety concerns were interrupted by the honking of a horn. I crossed over to the big bay window at the front of the house and waved at my sister, a smile breaking over my face. Now I could return my rental car and cut that line item out of my budget as well. Things were looking bright.
By the time I got my boots on and made it to the front porch, Georgia, Sebastian, and my boys were out of the car and jumping excitedly at the sight of the house.
“It’sadorable!” Georgia said.
“Mom won it in a raffle,” Alec informed her.
“Yeah, she made a big stink about it when they tried to say Mr. Baldwin won,” Nate said.
“I know,” Georgia replied, eyes glimmering as her gaze shifted over my shoulder. Rhett stepped onto the porch behind me, and my cheeks flushed. “Your mom told me on the phone. But I have a feeling she didn’t tell me everything.”
“I told you enough,” I answered. “Boys, come inside. Mr. Baldwin has a surprise for you. Boots off. Nate, you’re still not supposed to get that cast wet, so put that snowball down.”
Nate dropped the half-formed snowball and shot me an impish smile, then hurried up the porch stairs behind Alec and went inside. I waited for Georgia and Sebastian to join us, giving my sister a tight hug.
“Thanks for watching them last night.”
“We had a pizza and watched movies, and the boys stayed up way past their bedtime. It was great.”
“You’re not supposed to tell me the bedtime part,” I answered, laughing.
Georgia beamed at me, then turned to Rhett. “We haven’t officially met yet,” she said, “but I hear you’re not the easiest man to work for. Or with.”
“Is that right?” Rhett said, shaking her hand. “I thought I might have won Piper over by now.”
“I’m warming to you,” I said, then introduced the men.
Sebastian inclined his head. “Pleasure. Nice place you got here.”
“We’ve been working hard to get it up to scratch,” Rhett said, and started a tour of our home.
Our home.
The thought rattled through me, and I found myself having to take a deep, calming breath as I closed the door and took off my boots. Georgia and Sebastian were busy inspecting the house and the boys were already halfway up the stairs, but my eyes were drawn to Rhett.
He filled the hallway with his height and width, explaining what we’d had to do with the electrical work in the house. His arms gestured along the ceiling as Sebastian grunted in commiseration, and I couldn’t look away.
It felt right to have him here, to have worked on this house together, to wake up next to him and to ask him for help. It felt right to put my hand in his and tilt my head up for a kiss.
