“Georgia said we overestimated …” Gabriella started, repeating the message.
“Yeah, I heard,” I replied.
Gabriella took a breath and waited. But so did I. If they wanted something, they could come out and ask. Eventually, she broke the silence. “So will you come and give us a hand? Please, Grace.”
I knew I was going. I was already tossing the sheet off and scrambling to the side of the bed. If I was going anywhere, I needed a shower first. The last thing I wanted to do was show up smelling like sex.
“What do you need?”
“Oh my god! You’ll do it?”
I could picture Gabriella flapping from here.
“What do you need?”
“Can you be here in about an hour? We’re just figuring things out now, and by the time you get here we’ll have a game plan. Right now, all we know is we need an extra set of hands.” Gabriella’s fluster took over and she was talking a million miles an hour.
“An hour?” I glanced over at Cole whose eyes seemed to be fixed on my boobs. When he nodded, I agreed. “Yeah. I can be there in an hour or so.”
“Great! Thanks! See you then.”
“Yeah, see you soon,” I replied.
“Oh and, Grace?” Gabriella caught me just before I hung up.
“Yeah?”
“Can you ask Cole if he’d mind coming and giving us a hand for ten minutes? We just need some muscle to move a couple of things.”
“I’ll ask him.”
“Thanks.”
“Gabriella!” Georgia’s shriek sounded serious.
“Gotta run. See you soon,” Gabriella rushed before ending the call.
I glanced down at my phone before throwing it on the bed and putting my hands on my hips.
“You’ll ask him what?” Cole asked as he prowled toward me, the look on his face like a hungry lion.
“They asked if you’d come and give them a hand. Something about needing a big, tough, strong man to carry heavy things.” I laid it on thick as Cole reached for me.
“Do you want me to come?” he asked, cupping my face in his hand.
“They sounded pretty stressed,” I told him honestly.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Grace. Do you want me to come and help?” Cole clarified, and I knew without a doubt or judgment that he was on my side.
“Do you have time?”
“I have time.”
“Then yes, Cole. If you could come and help out, I’d appreciate it. As much as they bug the crap out of me, they’re my sisters. If they need help, it’s kinda what I came back here for. Wattle Creek wasn’t supposed to be my forever home, but I wanted to help while I can,” I explained.
Cole looked like there was something he wanted to say, but he swallowed his words. “Well, why don’t you jump in the shower, and I’ll make us some sandwiches. If I’m going to be any good to anyone, then I need to eat something other than your pussy.”
“Cole!” His dirty words never failed to shock me. Or turn me into putty in his talented hands.
