“Austin works in construction. He knows what he’s doing.”
“I don’t doubt that, but your dad will be sorry he missed out. He was looking forward to building the gazebo once he was back on his feet.”
“I hope he’s not too upset.”
“He’ll get over it. Maybe I can get him to build that pergola I’ve been wanting over the back patio.” More rustling noises filled the line. “Why don’t we have the barbecue at your house this evening?”
Debbie crossed to the window to check on the men’s progress. At this rate, they’d be done by dinnertime no problem. She watched Austin’s muscles bunch as he wiped sweat from his brow.
Talk about a nice distraction!
“Sounds good. Should we say six o’clock? Can you let Joy and Sheila know? I need to get some drinks for the men.”
If Debbie called her sisters, she’d have to rehash losing Noah, and she couldn’t handle that.
“No problem, hon. See you later.”
Two hours later, Debbie watched Austin’s Adam’s apple bob as he chugged down the second round of lemonade she’d brought out.
The spring day had turned out warmer than they’d anticipated, and Austin had discarded his flannel shirt. The light gray t-shirt he wore hugged his torso like a second skin, and Debbie had a hard time keeping her eyes off his biceps.
Austin was hardly a bodybuilder, but he was built. Solid and strong. She’d noticed it when he held her the other night after the pool incident and again this morning. His embrace had been exactly what she needed both times, and she hadn’t wanted to let go. She found more than comfort in his arms, she experienced a sense of wholeness.
“How come no one invited us to the party?” Joy’s voice interrupted Debbie’s thoughts.
Debbie turned to see Joy and her husband, Liam, approaching with Sheila and Mason right behind them.
“It’s not a party,” Rudy shouted down from his ladder. “We only invited the people who were willing to work.”
Scowling, Mason stepped over and jiggled Rudy’s ladder.
Rudy swore.
“Hey, watch your language,” Joy said. “There are kids out here.”
“Sorry.” Rudy’s face colored as he shot Joy, Sheila, and Austin an apologetic look. Then he looked down at Mason. “Grab that other ladder, and climb up here and help me.”
After introductions were made, Debbie and her sisters stood and watched Austin, Rudy, and Mason start on the roof while Scott and Liam worked on the railing that would surround the gazebo. When Sheila started whistling and flirting with Mason up on his ladder, Joy dragged her and Debbie inside the house.
Dallas and Cody stayed outside with the twins and Joy’s two sons. Logan was a year older than Dallas, and Lucas was the same age as Cody. Debbie’s nephews were all close and got along well with each other. The cousins must have communicated with each other like their moms did, because all four boys brought the remote control cars Debbie gave them for Christmas last year.
Debbie saw the longing looks on Dallas and Cody’s faces as they followed her nephews to the driveway. Now she wished she’d bought extra cars to keep here at the house.
Debbie turned on her sisters as soon as they stepped inside the house. “What are you guys doing here already? The barbecue isn’t until six.”
“Are you kidding? When Mom told us Austin was here helping build the gazebo, we had to come check him out.” Joy turned and looked out the window. “Brooklyn went on and on about how good looking the guy at the park with Aunt Debbie was.”
Debbie bit her tongue to keep from agreeing with her thirteen-year-old niece.
Sheila joined Joy at the window. “Tell me about it. Lizzy couldn’t stop talking about the Zac Efron look alike.”
“Mom! I can’t believe you’re telling them that!” Twelve year old Lizzy stepped around the wall that divided the dining room from the kitchen, followed by three more teenage girls. “I’m so embarrassed.” She shot Savannah a quick glance before bolting down the hall.
Sheila’s gaze darted between Debbie, Savannah, and the hallway.
Brooklyn scowled at Joy, looking like she might bolt too.
Joy’s oldest daughter, Aubrey, who was just a year younger than Savannah, looked equal parts horrified and humiliated.
