I never mind pitching in, but I hate when it impedes on my time with my son. It seems like by the time I get done with work and pick him up, it’s dinnertime, then bed.
“I’m glad I can help.”
She gives me a warm smile. “You’re too sweet, Joey. I know there are other places you could be, but I appreciate it.”
“We all pitch in around here. It’s what we do.”
“Are you going to be able to get off for the ranch night at the Loggers game next week?”
“Yes.” I nod. “Max is looking forward to it. He’s hoping to catch a ball.”
“It’s nice they can take all of us.”
“It is.”
Kade has big plans to bring baseball teams to town. With a great field in the summer, it’ll be an easy draw for the teams to stay at the ranch.
“Dagnabbit,” Lina mutters.
I smile at her not swearing because of all of her grandkids always being around.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“We need more sheets. I brought the queen ones instead of the twin ones.”
“Want me to run back up and grab them?” I offer.
She shakes her head. “No, that’s alright. I know where they are. It’ll take longer for you to find them.”
“Okay. Anything I can do while you’re gone?”
She points downstairs. “Make sure the adult rooms are all done. We took care of them this afternoon, but I like an extra set of eyes on them.”
“Got it.”
She leaves the room, filled with a dozen bunk beds pushed up on all sides of the walls, as I head toward the lower floors where single rooms make up the large building.
My foot hits the bottom step and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Jesus, Sam. What are you doing here?”
My pulse races as he walks toward me.
“Kade sent me down with dinner.” He holds up a brown paper bag. “I thought you might have heard me.”
I press my hand to my heart, trying to calm it down. “I didn’t. Good to know the walls are soundproof.”
Sam smiles, setting down the bag on one of the decorative tables outside the rooms. “Or maybe not so good for the parents if the kids try to sneak out.”
“What are they going to do? There’s not much to do to get in trouble around here.”
Sam reaches out and pulls me close. “I can think of a few ways to get in trouble.”
“Sam!” I hiss, looking behind him. “What if Lina comes back?”
He shakes his head. “I passed the message along to her that you guys need a dinner break. I’m guessing she should be at least thirty minutes.”
The heated look in his eyes makes my thighs clench together. “Sam…”
