What was happening to her?
She poured the batter onto the hot pan and studied the bubbles popping up. Things had shifted between them. It wasn’t just the sex. It was almost as if by admitting she’d been afraid of him pulling back, she strengthened the bond between them. Emotion was now involved, and she was caught up in the intricate web of pure want and need for Caleb Pierce. Her heart had galloped ahead and caught up with her body. She was falling hard, and she had to make a decision.
To tell him the truth.
Time was ticking, and they had only three months to complete and deliver the Rosenthals’ house.
He deserved to know she couldn’t have children. He needed to know how important her job was, and the demands of constant travel. He was owed the right to choose the life he wanted, and it might not include her.
The word love had not passed between them, but it was there. It seethed beneath the surface, waiting for the time to spill from their lips.
She shook off her thoughts at the smell of burning batter and slid the last stack of pancakes onto a plate along with the bacon. They were talking business. “Paint is scheduled to be here tomorrow,” Tristan noted, cutting his pancakes into perfect bite-size pieces. “Sod is ordered for the landscaping, and I’ve got Brian coming in with the trees and bushes. The rock wall should be done by then, too, and then we just need to finish the covered deck.”
Cal shoved a few pieces in his mouth at once. “Thank God we don’t have to deal with the pool problem. The sauna and hot tub will keep them happy, and if they’re still here in the spring, we can do a quick install.”
“Smart,” Dalton commented. He ate with more casualness, stopping often to nibble on bacon or take a swig of coffee. “Did you put that in the contract, Morgan?”
“Damn right I did. Pierce owes us a pool if we decide on it. No reason to take that on now, and the Rosenthals agreed.”
“Appliances should be installed by end of the week. When are the movie screen and chairs coming?” Tristan asked.
“I’m putting in the call to check today,” Morgan noted, finally sliding her own pancake onto a plate. “But I need those red velvet cushions and tapestries here. Tell me they’re not back-ordered. Please.”
Tristan waved his hand in the air. “I took care of it.”
“I love you.”
“Hey!” Cal swung his gaze and gave a mock glare at his brother. “Don’t mess with my woman.”
Morgan couldn’t help the silly grin that curved her lips. “Neanderthal,” she whispered teasingly.
He winked.
She finished eating and scooped up her cell phone. “I have to make some calls, y’all. Oh, Dalton, I need you to look at that grandfather clock I bought from your shed. I want to restore it and carve in the Rosenthals’ initials for the numbers.”
“Nice. Cal made you pay for that stuff?” He turned and shot his brother a look. “You couldn’t even give it to her for free, dude?”
Cal shrugged. “It’s business.”
Morgan laughed and walked out of the kitchen. “Wouldn’t want it any other way,” she called out.
She strolled out with a light heart and a promise to come clean with Cal.
Soon.
Cal took his coffee out to the front porch and sat down in his favorite wicker rocker. The dogs dropped by his feet, their heads resting on each ankle, and he gazed out over the sprawling acres of lawn spreading as far as he could see.
He was in love with her.
Should’ve probably told her. He’d been a bit caught up in the sex and the need to mark her. Then she collapsed into sleep so fast, he didn’t feel like it was the right time. He’d tell her, though. She needed to know. Cal wasn’t sure if she was ready to say the words back to him. The woman kept her emotions tight, but the way she had looked at him last night and confessed she didn’t want him to hurt gave him a clue.
He had three months left. To build a house. To make her stay. To get her to fall in love with him.
“She’s cool.” Tristan dropped in the chair next to him with a matching mug. Some of the tension had eased between them since last night.
Cal nodded. “Yep.”
“Did you tell her why we were at the bar last night?”
“Yep.”
“Things good between you both?”
“Yep.”
“Thanks for the heart-to-heart, bro.”
Tristan started to get up, but Cal shot his arm out and grabbed his brother’s. He let out an aggravated breath. He wasn’t used to sharing, but it was time he got used to having his brothers back in his world. “I’m in love with her.”
Tristan jerked back. “Didn’t expect that. She feel the same?”