‘Wanted someone like this?’ he finished for her.
‘Yeah,’ she said, her lips tracing his jaw, his neck. ‘So, I think we should… I think weneedto?—’
‘Elliot! You can’t let this dog wander around a job site…’ The sound of his brother’s voice broke them apart like they were teenagers caught making out behind the school. Caleb stomped out from behind the plastic shield carrying a squirming Goldie in his arms. His disapproving face and obnoxiously huge frame was a very effective mood killer.
‘Oh, is this the famous Daisy?’ Caleb asked, switching from aggravated to charming as soon as he spotted a beautiful woman.
Elliot cleared his throat, trying desperately not to look as wrecked as he felt. ‘Yes, this is Daisy. And I’m sorry about the dog. I’ll crate her.’
Caleb handed over the puppy and held a hand out to Daisy, who was half hidden behind Elliot like she was still recovering from their confessions. He knew he sure was.
‘It’s nice to finally meet you. In person, I mean,’ Caleb said.
Daisy took his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, too.’
Caleb flashed the smile that had no doubt gotten him into bed with every woman he’d ever chosen but Daisy’s gaze flickered to Elliot’s. She gave him a secret smile before turning back to his brother. She really was perfect.
‘How’s the work going?’ she asked.
‘Oh, you know, a new disaster everyday but that’s pretty standard, right, El?’ he said, smiling at Elliot now.
Elliot had to admit that despite all the usual hiccups that came with major renovations, things between him and his brother were going quite smoothly. He’d almost forgotten how well they worked together. Their opposite personalities helped them fill in where the other one was lacking.
They were a good team.
‘Yep. Always something.’ Elliot was about to put Goldie back in her crate, but something was odd. ‘Is she breathing funny?’ He put his head closer to Goldie’s little body, and she licked his cheek.
Daisy leaned in close, too, her forehead creased in concern. ‘She does sound a little wheezy.’
‘Do you think she swallowed something?’ Caleb asked. ‘Or maybe she just breathed in too much dust. It’s a real mess back there.’ To his credit, Caleb did not say he told him so, which Elliot appreciated. He felt bad enough as it was.
‘Shit, I don’t know. I took my eyes off her just for a minute…’
Daisy looked immediately guilty. She’d make a terrible criminal.
‘Maybe we should call the vet?’ she suggested.
‘Good idea.’ He was the worst dog-dad ever. Daisy snuggled Goldie, humming a little song to her, while he made the call. Lucky for him, Dr. Vivienne was in the area and said she would stop by.
‘The vet is on the way.’
‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ Caleb said, giving him a hearty pat on the back.
The three of them went into the back office to wait for the vet and Goldie was delighted by the extra human attention. They all ended up sitting on the floor, letting her run between them, soaking in all the head scratches and tummy rubs.
‘It’s possible we overreacted,’ Elliot said as Goldie growled and attacked Caleb’s work boot. The puppy did not seem to be in any distress.
Caleb shrugged. ‘I needed a break anyway.’
‘How are you liking Dream Harbor?’ Daisy asked.
His brother had decided to stay at the inn while they worked. He’d rented out his house in New York and moved to town. Mary and Joseph wanted to keep at least part of the inn open for guests, so they were working in sections. At the moment, Caleb had a room in the main building. Elliot had offered him the guest room at his house, but ultimately, they decided working together was enough. They were just starting to mend their relationship. Living together would have been too much. Elliot was glad they were getting along, but he still needed time alone at the end of the day.
‘It’s… quirky. I like it.’ Caleb laughed. ‘I feel a little like I’m being interrogated every time I go for coffee, but yeah, it’s nice.’
Daisy rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, they’ll get tired of you eventually, but this town loves to vet its new inhabitants. Unless you’re lucky enough to fly under the radar,’ she added, winking at Elliot, and he liked the way she made his quietness sound like a superpower.
Caleb’s gaze flicked between the two of them. ‘So… how are things going between you two?’
