Page 15 of What it Takes
“I agree.” She grinned as she picked up the socket wrench. “Luckily, he’s also in my rearview mirror.”
“So you guys didn’t have any children?”
She looked down at her lap, fiddling with the socket. “No, which I guess is a blessing.”
He tilted his head sideways so he could see her face. “I hope you’ll forgive me for being personal, but you don’t look like you think it’s a blessing.”
“Itisdefinitely a blessing,” she said, lifting her chin. “Having that connection to my ex and his family for the rest of my life would have been miserable. It’s just a painful topic because I spent ten years being criticized for not giving him children.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone there.”
“No, it’s okay.” She smiled and he was relieved it didn’t look forced. “I saw all the doctors. Had all the tests. Nothing medical turned up.”
“And his tests?”
“He didn’t have any because there’s no wayhehad a problem.”
“Ah. One of those guys.” Ben shook his head, fighting back an irrational anger on her behalf. “That must have sucked for you.”
“It did, for a long time. But looking back, I’m glad we didn’t have children because I might never have left.” After lining up another slat so he could hold it, she put a bolt through and started the nut by hand. “So how comeyoudon’t have any kids? Assuming you don’t. I guess I should have asked that first.”
“I don’t have any and it’s my own fault, I guess. I focused on working hard and playing harder because there would be plenty of time later to have kids. Women moved on to guys who were ready to settle down, but that was okay. There would be plenty of time, right?” He shrugged, a wry smile twisting his mouth. “Now I’m thirty-eight years old, alone and wondering where the hell the time went.”
“And I’m thirty-five and starting all over so I’d like to think you’re right and there’s still plenty of time.”
“At least you have great chairs,” he said as she tightened the last bolt.
“We’re finally done?” She pushed herself to her feet, wiping grass off the back of her shorts.
He nodded, even though he wanted to take the wrenches from her and give each of the nuts an extra twist to make sure they were tight. “They definitely brighten up the place. I like them.”
She grinned, her hands on her hips as she looked at them. “Thank you. I’ll be able to sit and read and still keep an eye on the pool area.”
His cell phone vibrated and he pulled it out of its holster to read the text. “Josh is wondering if I got lost between the driveway and the house.”
“I totally forgot you were supposed to be looking at maps with him.”
“So did I.” And he didn’t care in the least.
“I...do you think, before you go, you could just tighten the bolts a little more for me?”
Nothing would make him happier. “Sure.”
He took the tools and made quick work of tightening the bolts. She’d done great, but it would make him feel better knowing they were snug. When he was done, he handed the tools back. “All set. Barely took any, really.”
“Thank you for your help. It was nice to have company.”
“Anytime. I’ll see you around, I’m sure.”
Ben practically had to force himself to walk back to the lodge. He’d lost interest in looking at aerial maps tonight. What he really wanted to do was sit in the pink chairs with Laney and continue their conversation while enjoying the night air.
* * *
On Wednesday evening, Laney tossed the empty plastic bowl from her microwaved dinner and got ready to walk to the lodge. It wasn’t the most satisfying meal she’d ever had, but she’d been too tired to cook something and, despite invitations from Rosie, Andy, Josh and Katie, she wasn’t comfortable joining them for their family dinners in the house.
She’d already learned that family was everything at the Northern Star and she respected that, but she was here to work. They were her employers, not her family, and it was best for her if she didn’t blur that line. And she’d had her fill of families in the last few years. Her family, other than Nola. Her in-laws.
She’d been surprised when Josh invited her to the monthly meeting of the Northern Star ATV Club tonight, which was her reason for going to the house. She’d never even ridden one, but he’d explained it was a good idea for her to know what was going on since she would spend a lot of time interacting with campers whodidride. And some of what they would cover tonight would be relevant to her.
