“Sadly, you don’t. Want me to give it another shot?”
“No!” She stood, picked up her backpack and shoved her phone inside. “We’ll look suspicious enough as it is, creeping around the corner of the house.”
“I wasn’t planning to creep.” Getting to his feet, he put on his hat.
“You know what I mean. Clearly we were back here doing something.”
His dimples flashed. “I should hope so. If we were wandering around in the bushes for no reason, that would be a cause for concern.”
“Do I have any leaves on me from the hedge?”
“No leaves.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “No damning evidence whatsoever. Except the creeping out of the bushes part.”
She laughed. “Okay, I’m being ridiculous. It’s just that I was going to lead up to telling him about you, but I can’t exactly do that now. Let’s go meet my brother.” She pushed through the branches of the willow.
“So that’s the plan?” He followed her. “You’re going to march up to him and tell him we’re sleeping together?”
“Not like that, but sort of. I mean, there’s no point in beating around the bush.” She sidestepped through the narrow opening again.
“Or the hedge.”
“Ha-ha. Do I have leaves on me now?”
“Just one.” He plucked it off her back.
“So do you.” She brushed it off his chest and they kept walking. He made no move to hold her hand, which was probably just as well.
“Is Cole the protective type?”
“Does a bear poop in the woods?”
“Not in our woods. We have an electric fence.”
“Cole’s not aggressive, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s what I’m asking, since you’re going to straight out tell him we’re doing the mattress mambo. Does he work out?”
“Doesn’t need to. He’s in construction.”
“In other words, he could flatten me.”
“He’s not going to flatten you.” She checked the area around the circular drive. “He said he was standing in front of the house, but that’s not very specific.”
“It’s a big house.”
“I should be able to see him from here.” She walked around the corner of the house. “There he is! Right by the steps!” Joy flooded through her and she walked faster. “Cole! Over here!”
“Hey, Jordie!” His long strides ate up the distance and a huge smile lit up his beloved face.
Made her heart ache. How had she let so much time go by? She ran the last couple of yards and he scooped her up, laughing as he swung her around.
“How the fudge is Fudge?” He set her down.
“Healing. It’s good to see you.”
“Same.” He took a breath. “It’s been too long.”
“It has. Let’s not ever go this long again.”
