The Unexpected Wedding(16)

“Josh can think of ways to make anything and everything a competition, even with a dog.”

“He sure had a good time with Scotty.”

“He did. I think the sitting arrangement will work out well. Give Josh someone to play with and help out Cal.”

“Cal was kind of quiet during the barbecue wasn’t he?”

Steve set the tray of dishes on the counter. “A lot of changes at once for him, I guess. Moving to town, new job.” He didn’t want to keep secrets from Holly, but he’d respect Cal’s request to be known as Cal Gray.

Steve stood behind Holly and wound his arms around her. “You don’t need to be doing all that. I can clean up later.” He nuzzled her neck then kissed the back of her ear.

“I don’t mind. I love being out here at your house with you and Josh.”

He reached up and brushed her hair away and planted a kiss on the nape of her neck.

She turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Those kind of kisses are going to get you in trouble, mister.”

“Um, I hope so.” He bent down to kiss her lips, ignoring the soapy dishwater dripping from her hands onto his shirt.

Her lips eagerly met his and she tightened her hold on him. His world tilted in the crazy off-course way it did when she kissed him. Or maybe it tilted on course. He just knew his world spun dizzyingly whenever she was around him.

She pulled away and laughed softly. “That’s not getting the dishes done.”

“Don’t care about the dishes.” He brushed another kiss against her lips.

He heard the racket that always accompanied Josh and Louie’s approach and stepped back away from Holly just as the boy and the dog came bounding in the house.

“Hey, are we gonna play croquet again or what? You said we could play one more game after Scotty left.”

Holly looked at him and smiled. “I guess we will leave these dishes for later. Duty calls.”

He took her hand and they followed Josh outside onto the lawn.





CHAPTER EIGHT





After two days, Steve knew he’d made an excellent decision with hiring Cal. The man was a hard worker and could do the job of two men at once. He was an excellent framer and had done a stellar job tiling the bathroom floor of one of the homes they were building.

Steve walked up to Cal at the end of the second long day of work. “Let’s call it quits for today.”

Cal looked up and wiped a handkerchief across his brow. “Is it that time already?”

“It is.”

“I could do with a cold shower and dinner. I’ll pick up Scotty and head back to the Sweet Tea. I need to find a Laundromat in town, too. Scotty and I are sure working our way through changes of clothes in this hot, humid weather.”

Steve looked at the man for a minute and decided to go with his instincts again. “You still looking for a place to rent for a while?”

“I haven’t even had a chance to look. I’m going to look this weekend. Can’t keep living in the B&B forever, eating all our meals out.”

“Well, tell you what. My sister, Lucy, owns the cottage next door to ours. She’s rarely home and we rent it out sometimes when she’s gone. She won’t be back until Thanksgiving this year. Would you like to rent it? I’ll give you a break on the rent if you’d be willing to do some painting on it. She’s been after me to paint the kitchen, front room, and bedroom. I just haven’t found the time. The kitchen is well equipped. Washer and dryer in the laundry room. How about it?”

“That sounds great.”

“I’m sure the boys will like having each other next door, too. They seem to have become fast friends. How about you guys move in tomorrow after work?”

“Steve, I can’t thank you enough for all your help. The job, the sitter, now a place to rent.” Cal reached out a hand.

Steve shook the offered hand. “No problem. Glad I can help out. I know I sure needed help with Josh after his mother left us. I was overwhelmed. Had my momma to help some, but she passed away. Anyway, I know what it’s like to need help with raising a boy. Glad to be able to offer some.”

“Much obliged.” Cal leaned down and picked up his toolbox. “I’m sure Scotty will be thrilled when I tell him. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you.” Steve watched the man walk away and climb into his car. He was glad to help out Cal and Scotty. It wasn’t too long ago that he’d been in a similar situation, trying to juggle a job and raise Josh, always worrying he was making the wrong decisions. He reached up and rubbed his shoulder. It had been a long day. He turned to do his quick once over of the job site before heading out to pick up his son.