Page 31 of Almost Ours
“Boring would’ve been preferable,” she shot back, still smiling. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
As the laughter faded, I knelt by the sink, assessing the damage. The pipe was an easy enough fix–nothing I couldn’t handle.
Connor crouched beside me, his small face serious with concentration as he watched my every move like I was performing surgery. He was perched on his knees, elbows braced on the edge of the cabinet, his eyes wide with fascination.
“Hand me that wrench,” I said, nodding toward the tool sitting just out of reach.
Connor scrambled to grab it, his movements quick and eager. He placed it in my hand with a kind of solemn pride you’d expect from someone handing over a sword before battle. “Here you go, Coach.”
“Thanks, bud,” I replied, fighting back a grin at how seriously he was taking this.
Meanwhile, Harper was bustling around the kitchen, wrangling the chaos the burst pipe had left behind. She’d already gathered the soaking wet towels into a pile, tossing them into thelaundry basket before grabbing another to wipe down the last puddles clinging to the floor.
The image of her on YouTube earlier, desperately trying to save the day with a DIY fix, popped into my head again, and I couldn’t help but grin. “Still think you missed your calling as a plumber?”
“Oh, absolutely. I’ve already ordered a toolbelt and overalls,” she said with a mock seriousness, tossing the towel into the laundry basket.
Connor snickered at that, his face lighting up with amusement. His attention didn’t waver long from the task at hand. “What’s next, Coach? Do we need another tool?”
I chuckled, tightening the last bolt. “Nah, I think we’re just about done here. You’ve been a big help, though.”
Connor’s chest puffed up with pride, his shoulders straightening. “I told Mom I’d help you. Teamwork, right?”
“Exactly,” I said, giving him a playful nudge. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
His face broke into a wide grin, and for a second, I wondered if anyone had ever looked at me like that before–with so much admiration that it made my chest ache a little.
I ran a final check, turning the water on briefly to see if the fix held. No leaks. Relief settled in, and I climbed to my feet, wiping my hands on a rag.
When I glanced up, I caught Harper leaning against the counter, her arms crossed loosely as she watched us. Her face was soft, her expression warm, and something about the way her gaze lingered made my heart thud just a little harder.
Her eyes met mine and for a moment, the world shrank down to just this kitchen, just this little moment. Her and Connor. The scent of vanilla and the sound of laughter still echoing in the air.
“Well, the kitchen isn’t going to flood again–at least not today,” I said, trying to keep my voice light.
Harper’s mouth curved into that smile that always got me, soft and genuine. “Thank you. Seriously, Ryan. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.”
“You would’ve figured it out eventually,” I said, flashing her a grin. “Though I’m not sure Mrs. Knox’s tool stash could’ve handled another round of trial and error.”
Harper laughed again, her head tilting back as the sound filled the kitchen.
“Coach Ryan,” Connor said. “Can I show you my wrist shot? I’ve been working on it every day on the pond!”
I smiled, amused by his enthusiasm. “You’ve got a pond?”
He nodded eagerly. “Right in our backyard! It’s totally frozen now. You’ve gotta see it!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harper stiffen. Her smile faltered and she crossed her arms over her chest.
“I don’t think–” she started. “Ryan’s already helped us out enough today. We shouldn’t keep him.”
Connor’s shoulders drooped. “But Mom–”
“It’s okay,” I said gently, glancing at her. “I don’t mind.”
Harper’s eyes met mine, guarded but not cold. Searching. Measuring.
“I’m sure you don’t,” she said after a beat, her tone soft yet hesitant. She didn’t uncross her arms. “I just… we’ve already taken up so much of your time.”
