Fair. I could give him all the platitudes in the world, but she was his little sister. Normal siblings worried about each other. I tried another route. “I know how to take care of myself. She seems scrappy, but I think I can outrun her if needed.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, and he gave me one nod. “She is scrappy, and she has a lot of family looking out for her.”
A pang hit my chest. “Lucky girl.”
He inspected me as if to judge my tone. I was serious. Not many people had what Clover did. Then he inhaled and looked around. “Daisy and I planned to live together to get the house too.”
Daisy was his wife, and from what I could tell, they’d been married for a few years. “Decided you needed more time to really secure the place?”
He flashed a grin. “It took some convincing on her end. I set out to win her back after being divorced for fifteen years.”
Surprised, I nodded. I didn’t know much of the Dukes’ history. I knew their names after last weekend, and who they were married to. I could probably even recite their kids’ names, but I didn’t know them personally. The Dukes were now in-laws. For three months anyway.
“I’ll quit beating around the bush,” Alder said. “You seem like a better guy than Elijah.”
“You’d be surprised at what a compliment that is.”
He cocked his head like he was taken off guard that I’d admit that much. “I’m worried for Clover. Beyond physical safety.”
“All I can promise is that I’ll try not to add to her stress. This arrangement is supposed to help both of us.”
“I feel like I need to warn you—we’re a big family, and we’re in each other’s business. Is that going to be an issue?”
Alder probably butted out of Clover’s life most other times, but not now. Not when she was hurting and trying to start fresh. My respect for him grew. Clover had warned me, but I hadn’t anticipated how much I’d respect them for it. “Don’t know why it would be. Not for me. It’s Clover you’ll have to deal with.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” he muttered. He strolled out of the garage. “I’m only a phone call away. Give me a ring if you need anything.”
“Thanks for the help today.” I reached into my wallet. “I can pay you for your gas and your time.”
His expression turned incredulous before he barked out a laugh. “We aren’t taking your money. Just make sure Clover’s okay, and we’re square.”
All right.
When he was off, I went inside. The living room was no longer empty. A plush couch and coffee table were flanked by recliners on each side. Why’d I get two? Like we were going to have company, or hang out together? It was like I slipped and planned for a real family.
It was done. I could always sell a chair after I moved out.
Music was coming from the back of the house again. I admired the simple dining table and chairs in the dining room as I passed. Clover’s gaze had continued to stray toward those pieces while she steadfastly refused to tell me what to buy. She said she’d work at the dining room table, and that was another offer that was more like a demand. I’d take the second bedroom as a home office.
I like the openness of the dining room anyway, and the big window to look out.
I sensed only truth from her claim, so I had purchased a simple desk that was now in the new office. My meager box of supplies sat on the floor next to it.
Clover was making the bed, humming along to the twangy country song. Did she gravitate toward upbeat music, or was she relying on it right now?
My ribs squeezed against my lungs when I eyed the bed. I should’ve thought this through better. Sleeping together? Three months of slumber parties with a woman I didn’t know very well?
She looked up. The rays of the sun through the window made her skin glow and caught the lighter flecks in her amber eyes. “Hey. I think we’re mostly settled. Tomorrow, I’ll run to Bismarck for some smaller things, but otherwise we’re all set.”
“All set,” I parroted.
She stifled a yawn. “I might even turn in early. I can sleep through a tornado, so don’t worry about waking me when you come to bed.”
…come to bed.
My mind played that phrase over and over again. I had sworn off women after I broke up with Hillary, and I wasn’t interested in going against my oath, but that didn’t stop how much I liked hearing the phrase.
“I’ll get the office set up.” All it’d be was to get my computer out, my notes, and the pens I’d packed. I thrust a thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to see if there’s any lawn equipment in the shop. We’ll need at least one cutting before the snow flies.”
