“Thank you,” he breathed. “Name the time and place.”
But then she recalled her conversation with Memphis. He’d wanted to celebrate tonight. Ty surveyed the man before her. How long could their conversation really take? It’s not like Eric could say anything to sway Ty from where she was in life. She was in love with Memphis. He loved her back and he loved Lucas too. If all went well, the three of them could live a happy, fulfilled life together. That’s what Ty had her heart set on.
But perhaps that wasn’t fair to Lucas. What if Memphis would always have less of an attachment than his real father could, if he really invested? Today Memphis had expressed his preference that he and Ty have a night alone. Which was fine, as long as it was few and far between.
“Meet me at Greenway Park. There’s a boardwalk there.”
“Perfect,” he blurted. “I’ll google it. What time?”
Ty hated the idea of canceling her plans with Memphis. She also hated the idea of keeping anything from him. A thought came to mind then. A solution to both issues. If she had Memphis pick up Lucas, they could grab dinner afterward. Margo was working tonight, but Holly could watch Lucas.
Ty nodded as the idea took root. “I can meet you at 5:00. We need to keep it brief because I have plans tonight.”
“No problem,” Eric said.
She gave him one last nod and headed for the door.
“Thank you, Ty,” he said behind her. “You won’t be sorry.”
She’d see about that. In a very big way, she already was.
Memphis pressed the trigger of his power drill, satisfaction pushing through him at a job well done. With his brothers’ help, that is.
“Can’t believe they still make car beds,” Maverick said, appreciation thick in his tone. “I was always so jealous of yours.”
Memphis shot him a look. “Then why didn’tyouget one? No one ever told you no.”
“No one ever toldanyof us no,” Emmitt said as he balanced a screwdriver on the tip of his finger the way a basketball player balanced a ball.
“I didn’t ask because it would have looked like I was copying you,” Maverick explained. “You had the idea first, which meant it was off limits.”
Memphis shook his head. “How did you ever stand living in that head of yours? So many stupid rules.”
“Yeah, well, they’ve served me pretty well over the years. Won me a lot of friends. A lot ofchickstoo.”
“Well, you’re not winning the chicks anymore,” Emmitt said, still balancing the screwdriver as he darted from one side to the next with each wobble.
“Thanks for the kick to the crotch, bro. I haven’t taken enough hits yet, have I?”
The screwdriver tumbled to the floor, and Emmitt leaned down to pick it up. “I’m just saying,” he said, flopping to the floor to sit beside the car bed. “Playboys don’t really win in the end. Look at us. We’re a dying breed. Richard and Memphis scored women before we did.Hotwomen! Women that…that could have taken an interest in us just as easily, but they didn’t want us.”
“Speak for yourself,” Maverick said, puffing his chest. “I think they both wanted me a little.”
Memphis gave into an eye roll. “Yeah, yeah. And you think Betty’s in love with you, too.”
“Shemightbe a cougar,” Maverick said, his tone serious.
“If she was,” Emmitt said, “she’d go forme, not you. Trust that.”
The two went back and forth as Memphis cleaned up the box scraps and packaging material for Lucas’s new bed. He was glad Ty had agreed to let him get it for him. Now Lucas would have two surprises coming to him—the car bed at his new place, and a soon-to-come racetrack right there at The Homestead. Better yet, Richard had agreed to put in a pool by the time summer came back around.
The place Richard had helped design was incredible. Like an inn within the inn for its loyal, full-time employees. Lucas and Ty’s suite was a lot like a two-bedroom apartment, complete with its own kitchen and private bath. There were a few other units with multiple bedrooms, but the place mainly consisted of one-bedroom suites.
Emmitt, Maverick, and Memphis were building their own place along the river property they secured while buying the land from Betty. But for now, they’d move into Betty’s old house which was, at present, the main housing area for the singles. It had a shared kitchen and living space where the staff could hang out, share a meal, kick back and relax together between shifts. It was a major upgrade from the summer lodge, since they’d each at least have their own bedroom.
And it was just in time, since the summer lodge was scheduled to get an overhaul next. What they were offering their full-time staff was generous, there was no doubt, but the Durans weren’t just adding employees to the payroll; they were gaining members of The Homestead’s loyal family. Plus, including the added benefits would serve them in return. The longer their employees stayed, the less turnaround they’d see. Minimal turnaround meant minimal risk of being recognized by some old acquaintance from their past.
“At least we’retryingto be better,” Maverick was saying as Memphis tuned back in. “We had the girls we met at the Pub & Grill come to the party the other night.”
