Simon rolled his yes. “Yeah, right.” Then he cleared his throat and tacked on a respectful, “Coach.”
Mitch laughed and drew Simon into a headlock, then walked them into the house with Deacon at his side.
She and Nora followed, and Becca pulled back to whisper, “Nice going. You’re gong to get us kicked out before we get to swim.” She’d been looking forward to the heated pool ever since Mitch had mentioned it.
“Oh, relax. This way we get to see the house for sure.” Nora looked more animated than she’d been in a long time. “Can you believe he lives here?”
They walked through a massive living area, decorated with a sophisticated cabin-meets-modern style. The open floor plan connected the living space with a kitchen that filled Becca with a bad case of envy.My God.It had upscale appliances, an eight-burner Viking stove, double ovens, a prep sink in the giant island seating eight, as well as a large ceramic farmer’s sink by the window overlooking the mountains. Bowls and plates of delicious smelling food sat on an expansive black granite counter. The amount of prep work and cooking she could get done in a kitchen this size boggled the mind.
She couldn’t look away from so much culinary goodness, so when Simon took her by the arm, she jumped.
“Easy, Mom. We’ll come back to heaven in a minute,” he teased.
She turned to see the group laughing at her. “Sorry. I have a weakness for kitchens.”
Mitch’s smile lightened his whole face, and she found herself unable to look away.
“Good to know. So the next time I annoy you, I’ll flash a few pictures of my counters and you’ll forgive me, right?”
“Good luck with that,” Simon said. “Now take out the trash without being asked, and you might have a shot at a date.”
“Simon.” She blushed.
“I’ll remember that.” Mitch laughed and took them on a leisurely tour.
The house seemed much too large for one man. The main area seemed all on one level. Several bedrooms, each with its own bath, a study, a reading room, and of course, the indoor pool.
They paused at the sight of the swimming pool and adjoining hot tub, all done in a natural setting. It felt as if the pool was actually outside since the entire room had been encased in thick glass.
“And off there is the weight room. It’s not big. But there are some free weights, machines, and some stationary bikes.”
Simon’s eyes were huge. “Holy shit.”
“Simon.” She glared at her son.
Mitch and Deacon laughed.
“I had the same reaction when I first saw it,” Deacon admitted.
“Your house isn’t as big?” Nora teased.
Deacon turned to her with an odd expression. “Nope. I got cleaned out after my divorce. I live much more modestly.”
To Becca’s surprise, Mitch seemed uncomfortable. “I know. This house is too much. But it’s a good investment, at least.”
“I think it’s great.” Becca didn’t like him feeling awkward about his house. Why should he feel ashamed he could afford something so grand? “I wish I lived in something this nice. But then I think of how much there would be to clean…”
Mitch relaxed. “Yeah. That I have no problem with. Just don’t look too closely at the dust balls gathering. Deacon keeps telling me I need to hire someone.”
“You do.” Nora nodded. “I know a few people you could talk to. Ones who won’t rob you blind or blab to everyone about you being a slob. If you are one.”
“Oh, he is.” Deacon sounded smug.
“Shut up.” Mitch flushed, and she found this source of embarrassment amusing.
“Just like Simon.” She looked for her son. “Simon?”
“In here, Mom,” he called from the weight room.
