“I know how to use a damn nail gun.”
“You shot a hole through the tailgate.”
“That was one time.”
“It was ten seconds ago.”
I bit my lip, trying my best not to laugh. Jenna threw up her hands and giggled, “And there it is.”
“Right on schedule.”
Laken shook her head, then turned her attention back to the girls. “Rinse off your feet before you get back in.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Baylor dipped her feet into the bucket before jumping back into the water, splashing Luna. I glanced back at the guys just long enough to hear Luke grumble, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
“What?” Skid complained. “I’m helping here.”
“You were about to put a nail through Memphis’s hand.”
“Might’ve improved his attitude.”
“Eat a dick,” Memphis spat back, flipping him off.
That’s when Tallie intervened. “Okay, boys! That’s enough. There are precious ears over here.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Grim grumbled.
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Luke with his brothers. He was smiling and giving his brothers hell. That was the Luke I knew and loved. The one who laughed too loud. Told the inappropriate joke at the inappropriate time. The one who made me feel alive in ways no man ever had.
He was back, and that made me happy in ways I couldn’t begin to describe. He caught me watching and scrunched his brow. “You enjoying the show?”
“Very much. Thank you.”
“I’m glad. Somebody ought to.”
“You know, they could help,” Skid suggested.
“They are helping.” Luke lowered his glasses. “They’re giving us a show of our own.”
“That’s right,” Jenna laughed. “Consider it motivation.”
“I’m certainly motivated.”
“We’re offering moral support,” I added.
“And hydration,” Tallie added. “Anyone need another beer?”
“I could use one,” Memphis answered.
“It’s in the cooler,” Tallie answered.
“Unbelievable.”
The guys went back to work, trading insults along the way, and as I sat there watching with my girls, I felt something settle deep in my chest. Neither of us had actually said the words, but Luke’s house was beginning to feel like home.
Our home.
