“Not in words but the coffee in a travel mug on the counter this morning told me.” It’s the little things we do for each other that reveal our feelings. The ones we don’t talk about.
“It seemed prudent when I was making one for myself.”
“Nothing practical about thinking of someone else’s comfort.”
“Like having wine chilling and a sledgehammer ready?”
“Exactly. Time to take down that eyesore in the backyard.”
“We’re moving outside?”
“You’ve demolished everything in here,” I say with a chuckle.
“I thought we were going to do the porch…” She frowns. “Next. I guess that’s outside.”
“It is, but we’re doing the gazebo because we’ve got the landscape design class from the uni coming through the property next week.”
“Ah, yes, I love that you’re offering this place as a learning space.”
I shrug. “Giving Daniel and his class access means we get a free landscape design.”
“True, but you’ll stick around and talk to the students about the place.”
“I will.” Letting her go, I weave my fingers through hers and tug her toward the back of the house.
“I need to change.”
“Your overalls are in the mud room.”
She laughs. “Of course they are.”
“I wanted to make it as easy as possible when you got home.”
“You spoil me.”
“No. I take care of you; there’s a difference.”
“I feel like it’s one sided.”
“Who does all our washing? Who helps tear down walls? Who makes sure there’s food in the house so we don’t starve?”
“All things you can do yourself,” she says with another laugh.
“Yes, butyoudo them.” I glance over my shoulder at her. “We take care of each other.”
She doesn’t argue with me. Thankfully. And when I nudge her toward the mudroom and say, “Meet me outside,” she goes without protest.
Today might have been hard for her but tonight will be anything but hard. Unless we’re talking about my dick, because the second she picks up the hammer and swings, it’ll be rock hard and ready to take care of my wife in another way.
15
ELIZABETH
“Neither of you deserves this company!” Grandfather’s face gets redder and redder with every word he yells, and I wonder if he’s going to have a heart attack.
“Grandfather.” Edward moves toward him. “Please, sit down. I’m sure we can work through what your concerns are.”
My brother is a better person than me. I’d quite happily call security and have him removed from the building. I have the power to do that now.
