Grady (The McCade Dragon #3)(4)
It took them four hours to get the truck bed empty. It had been scary there for a bit when he realized he really didn't have room for it all. But Kenton made a few calls and the building next to his, one that Lewis owned, was opened up and the rest stored there. Grady was trying his best not to freak out when the truck pulled away. He didn't even have his first shelf put up yet.
"We'll help you." He looked at Kenton when he spoke. "We all will. And I'll see if I can get some pack to come and help as well. I'm betting with enough screwdrivers and men that know how to use them, we can have it done by tomorrow."
Ralph Donavan had taken over the pack when Douglas Parker had stepped down to become a full time attorney for the family. He left the pack in good hands, and when Ralph had come to Kenton about finding more work for his family and the pack, they'd gladly used who they could, even having them do a lot of the renovations to the other buildings around the district. And from it, several businesses had sprung up, like the new construction company, Pack Construction, as well as a firm that came in and painted entire houses in a single day. It was great seeing the town cleaned up.
Emma and Lewis brought them food at around seven that night. It had been a slow start, getting things going to where he knew they could do it, but Grady was looking around the front showroom with pride by the time they were calling it quits. In no time they had not only the shelves up the way he wanted, but there was someone sanding his hardwood floors and his office was nearly set up. He was, he figured, about a week ahead of schedule now. And with the inventory that he was still a little afraid of being in trouble over, he thought that he'd be well on his way to making his dream work for him.
It was well after nine when he made his way home. His house was coming along as well. The house had been sitting empty for a little while and things had gotten a little mussed. Having it nearly empty, he'd decided to get things spruced up. Not a great deal, but it had needed an overhaul. Painting. New carpets, and the kitchen updated. It had cost him a good amount, but since he'd only paid thirty-seven cents for the place, he knew he was still ahead of the game. He'd even hired a cook and housekeeper.
"Sir. We've held dinner for you should you like some. It's only soup and sandwiches, as we heard that you were working." He told Rachel, his housekeeper, that he would take a little. "Very good. Also, Walker said that your room has been finished, and we've put the items in the guest bathroom as you have requested. Any more word about the young lady that is coming here?"
"Not yet." The bowl of hot soup and a thick chicken sandwich were set before him. He was eating the last bites when Walker joined him. "I heard that the guest room is ready now, as well as mine? You've done a great job, you and your wife. I don't know what I'd do without the two of you here."
Walker grinned. "Thank you, sir. It has been a pleasure working with you so far. And yes, it looks very much like a woman already resides there. Miss Emma, she said to tell you that you did well."
He'd told his family what Caelin had told him … that she was coming. They still had no idea what she had nor who she was, but they knew from updates that she was on her way. Caelin was getting more and more frustrated with her daily, it seemed. When he felt the touch of someone at his mind, Grady smiled when he realized immediately who it was. Grady made his way to his room to shower and hit the bed as the dragon told him about his future mate.
There is not a stronger willed woman in the world than this one. I think she is doing things this way to thwart my efforts in helping her. Just today she told me to go away, that she was fine. I do not think she's fine at all. I have told her over and over that I can help her, but she keeps telling me that she has no need for me. Grady asked him if she was still coming here. Yes. And I'd not be the least bit surprised if she-
Grady felt his body tense and turned off the water he'd just switched on. Whatever had startled the dragon, he knew that it couldn't be good. "What is it? Is she hurt? Do you need me to go find her?"
There is a child. He asked him what he meant. Within her. She is with child. I know not the sex of the babe, but she is most assuredly with child. I can feel her concern for it, her fear that someone might hurt her. She still has not taken the jewel that she has to her body, but it is close enough that I can feel her emotions now.
"How is she...? Never mind. Just tell me if she's all right. I can deal with that if she's not harmed." Caelin said nothing for several minutes, and Grady waited. He'd learned that to rush the dragon only made things harder for someone to understand. He'd get frustrated with you and his sentences would become less coherent. Finally, he'd had enough waiting. "Caelin?"