She slams into my arms, tears flooding her lids and falling. Through sobs and laughter mixing, she says, “That’s what my mom told me.” Looking up at me, she rests her chin on my chest. “She told me that two years before she died.”
The tears have slowed, and her smile has bloomed like the wildflowers. She reaches up and palms my cheek. “My parents would have loved you.”
CHAPTER 26
SUMMER
ONE WEEK LATER . . .
Ican’t stop staring at Daniel.Not that it’s a chore. But it is bordering on creepy tendencies . . . if I’m caught.
I’m starting to wonder if it wasn’t a coincidence that he came to Mountain Laurel Cove, that the pipes broke, and that we ended up shacking up, which led to love.
Dots connected.I think my mom had a hand in this. It’s all just a little suspicious how well it’s worked out. Almost like it was planned. I look up at the ceiling of the cottage with my hands in prayer. “Thank you,” I whisper, hoping my mom hears me.
“Everything?” Daniel asks, hovering over the plumber in the bathroom. “The entire bathroom, Willie?”
Willie replies, “The plumbing for the entire house. Whoever did the work the first time didn’t seal the pipes properly, and if I’m being honest, used the cheapest supplies they could. I’m sure you were charged a pretty penny for it, though.”
I dipped into the hallway when the guy’s pants hunglower in the back than I was prepared for when you hear “plumber’s crack.” But leaning against the hall, the view from here has been incredible.
Six-four.
The thick hair he combs his fingers through when something’s on his mind.
Those shoulders that held me like I weighed nothing.
That smile . . .If I have a say in when and how I leave this earth, that’s what I’d take to my deathbed.
Willie hands him a card. “Get other estimates. I bet I can match it if they’re using the same grade materials I would. My work will last you the rest of your days in this place. I guarantee it.” That shouldn’t make me laugh. Easy guarantee to toss out if we’re no longer here to make the claim.
Daniel rights himself and looks at me, giving me that smile I know has broken a million hearts. Not mine.
When he turns back, he says, “Thanks for taking a look. We’ll talk and get back to you.”
Daniel walks him out, leaving me to feel a lot like we’re playing house. I like it. I like having someone around to help me out, especially when it comes to contractors. I sit on the couch, tucking my legs under me and listening to the sendoff, and watch as he shadows the windows when he passes by. He shuts the door behind him. “What do you think?”
“I like him. My gut trusts him. And,” I say on the verge of a sigh, so tired of dealing with this plumbing stuff. “I don’t think there are many others qualified who can do a job out here in the Cove.”
Sitting too far from me on the other end of the couch, he says, “I agree. And you said he came recommended? Seems like a safe bet. We can get a few other estimates, but I think it’s going to lead you back to him to do the job.”
I stretch my legs out, my heels pressing against his leg.He picks up my feet, setting them on his lap, and rubs. The man knows the way to my heart. “I’m not doing anything until I own it, but he said his schedule has an opening on August first. Starting the day after I buy it isn’t too soon.” I laugh, scooching lower on the couch, resting my head on a throw pillow. “Should we go back before Roman gets up from a nap?”
“I’m still surprised he took one.”
“The swimming did him in.” Tossing my arm above my head, I’m here wishing we had time for a nap without the sleeping and definitely naked together.
His hand moves to my leg, rubbing over my shin and higher to the knee. “We have a little time.” I love when we’re on the same page. That’s more often than not these days. Daniel loves waking up and sliding into me when the house is still asleep. An unhurried meeting of our bodies while the birds sing outside and the sun rises makes a beautiful start to the day.
Nighttime holds so much romance for me. The reconnection of slipping under the covers to come back together after a long day. The moonlight helps me relax, and the calm quiets my mind, allowing me to experience our bond on a deeper level. A little forbidden and a lot sexy, and love that’s flourishing so fast I can’t always hold off as long as I want, and the release hits hard.
His hand slows over my thigh as his eyelids wane, a tell that he’s not in such a hurry either. When his fingers dip under the hem of my short dress, I let one of my knees fall to the side, allowing more access to where I want him most.
My heart beats heavier in my chest, my lower belly winding tighter. It’s the tingling between my legs that has me closing my eyes and only wanting to feel him. We’rerarely alone, and when we are, it’s in my room with my entire family home.
“The door is locked,” he says, the tone matching the mood—naughty and like we’re getting away with something. “Why don’t you take off what you got under there?”
Not a question, which is good because I took it as a request and already have my fingers hooked around the sides of my underwear. He’s undoing the button and zipper of his jeans and sliding them down his thighs. Daniel still looks at me like it’s the first time, never wavering from complete adoration.
