Yes.
I’d give her all the space she wanted, but I didn’t have to like it.
“Yes, Alder’s leasing a place to me.” Across town from Clover. Good thing Coal Haven was small.
Jasper’s brows lifted, and he glanced at Alder. “Yeah? You got one for me, bro?”
“Tell me when,” Alder said. “If it’s not open, the same offer goes to you that went to Clover. You can stay with us.”
Eliot and Evander murmured their agreement, offering a room.
Jasper raised his hand. “No offense, but it’s bad enough seeing you all suck face and give each other dopey eyes at family gatherings. If I hear anything, I’m gonna hurl, and then I’d get kicked out.”
“I’ve got a pair of noise-canceling headphones,” Alder said.
Weston held up a hand. “Take pity on a poor father and save this kind of talk for when Magnolia and I hit the road.”
Snickers filled the room just as a touchdown was made.
Jensen pumped a fist in the air and paused. “Wait, is this the team we’re rooting for?”
“Is it the wrong football for you, soccer boy?” Jasper drawled.
Jensen grinned. “I’m a soccer boy because of your sister.”
The guys groaned.
“So, Van.” Jasper angled himself toward me. “Need a roommate?”
Shock filled me. “Roommate?”
Jasper touched his chest, a sly grin on his face. “You won’t have to marry me.” He thought for a moment. “Wait. You can, and then we could live in the lake cabin that’s supposed to be mine.”
Weston grunted. “If you can sell the story to Linda, be my guest.”
“You won’t mind having Van for a son-in-law? Again?” Jasper joked.
Weston dipped his head. “My kids can pick good partners. Why would I think you’re any different?”
Humbled by his response, I didn’t know what to say. Jasper was joking around, but Weston didn’t sound bothered to keep me in the family. They’d welcomed me in, and while we were just shy of three months, they’d been good to me.
“What’d ya say?” Jasper asked, crossing his arms, his expression sincere. “We can have Bean over for uncle sleepovers.”
If I had said we had a nickname for the baby to my parents, they’d have found a way to make fun of it or me—or both. The Dukes didn’t do that. They all pitched in to cook and clean. They were good to each other, and the people they had surrounded themselves with did the same. To be embraced by this fold? It was an experience I’d never forget. One that would make me more discerning when I dated again.
My turkey dinner would waddle right back out of my stomach with that thought. I didn’t need to date for a while. I had a company lifting off and a baby to help with.
“I don’t know if I want to get married again.” I was only half joking. My appointment to sign the divorce papers hung heavy over my head. “But I could use a roommate if you’re okay with me working from home.”
“I’ll be unemployed, but don’t worry. I’ll go hang out in a coffee shop or something.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “I’ve gotta reorient myself to the civilized world after being a cowboy for years.”
“You wanna plant pumpkins?” Evander asked.
Eliot chuckled. “I don’t think he’s joking.”
“I can plant pumpkins,” Jasper offered.
“Me too.” Hell, did I really offer that?
