by Taryn Quinn
“What are you going to do, Boy Scout? Have your big brother arrest me?”
I pushed him back three steps. “I grew up with three brothers. I can take care of myself, son.”
“Hey!” Gideon’s voice cut through the crackling air. “Take a corner, guys. What the hell?”
I stepped back, but my hands were still fisted at my sides.
Lucky grinned and shook out his mane of hair. “Man, it is easy to push your buttons, Moose.”
“You think it’s funny?”
“Look, I might not have a mama, but I’m not a bastard.” He shrugged and tugged a water bottle out of his front pocket where he kept one at all times. “Just trying to get you to move shit along. Someone’s going to snap her up.”
“You?”
He laughed and took a sip. “I mean, I could, but I wouldn’t. We’re friends-ish. I wouldn’t be that much of a dick. I’m an asshole, but I don’t poach.”
“What do you call the last few weeks?”
“Operation Torture Moose.” He lifted the bottle in salute, then chugged the entire contents before he tucked it back in his jeans. “Ready to get this done?”
I took a step forward and Gideon slapped a hand on my chest. “All right. He’s just messing with you. He’s mostly harmless.”
“Mostly,” I grumbled.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the rest of the day. I detangled the tree from the weird hodge-podge treehouse pieces. A floor that didn’t know the meaning of level and a roof that actually did. Which was stupid, because you needed a pitch to the roof or you’d end up with rot.
It was a hot mess, but at least the man had been willing to try to make something for his kid. I had to give him points there. Unfortunately, a lot of people thought YouTube and a book was enough to get them into weekend warrior status. At least he’d called in for help before the kid climbed up the tree.
As we were working through the day, the kids came home. School was in full swing now that the end of September was in sight. Two boys came racing out to ask a million and one questions as we built the skeleton of a far simpler structure. The big difference was that this one was actually structurally sound.
But unfortunately, because it was September, the days were getting shorter. The mother called the kids in for dinner, but two pairs of fascinated eyeballs were forever in the back window while we worked.
Lucky clowned around with them a bit. Gideon was busting his ass to get the wood cut as fast as me and Lucky to screw and nail it into place. The sun was setting and we had the flood lights out to try to get it completed.
We worked past seven and finally managed to get it mostly done.
“I’ll stop by and do some finishing flourishes tomorrow.”
“I told her we’d get it done tonight.”
“No charge, Gideon.”
He frowned at me. “You don’t have to do that.”
I shrugged at the wide-eyed kids dancing around the bottom of the tree. “It’s for kids, man.”
“Yeah. If I didn’t have a job lined up tomorrow, I would have done the same.”
“Well, it’s my day off.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, definitely.” I waved at the older boy, Max. “How can you say no to them?”
“Why do you think Dani gets away with murder?”
I laughed. “I figured she’d be back already. Didn’t school start?”
“Yeah, she’s being tutored while her mother is on set in Spain.”
I crouched down to put a few more bolts in the floorboard. “Spain? Wow.”
“Yeah.” Gideon shook his head. “The movie schedule got extended. How could I make my kid come home from that?”
“For school?”
“Yeah, then I’m the bad guy. It’s bad enough I’m the hard-ass through the school year who actually gives her stability. Jess gets to be the cool mom who’s a famous actress and takes her to fucking Spain. I’m just a carpenter in a small town.”
No bitterness there. I winced. “Sorry, man.” Gideon rarely mentioned his ex-wife, so I left it open ended for him to say more if he wanted.
He shoved his hammer back into his holster. “Sorry to be a whiner.” He stood up. “But hey, I think we’re done.”
I raked my fingers through my hair to get the worst of the sawdust out. “This thing is awesome. Think we should let the kids come on up?” I asked loud enough for them to squeal in excitement.
“Asking for trouble, man,” Gideon said out of the side of his mouth.
Max scrambled up the ladder with his little brother hot on his heels. The best part of a job like this was the kid aspect. Someday I’d make one for my kid. I had the perfect tree behind my cabin.
Veronica’s kid?
Our kid.
Jesus, I had to stop thinking that way. She wasn’t looking for her forever guy, just a milkman delivery. And while I wanted to play her milkman, I wasn’t so sure I could walk away if she was carrying my kid.
Not just wanting to be in his or her life, but their mom’s. Their mom was my focus right now and the nebulous idea of a child was like a flash out of the corner of my eye. Just out of my eye line, but I knew something else was over there.
Something that could be amazing.
I shut it down as the kids pushed by me to check out the clubhouse area we’d set up. Their parents already had furniture from the original blueprints of the treehouse. We’d followed the plans and simplified some of it to get it done in a day.
I was pretty sure the kids wouldn’t care about the octagon windows and other fussy things on the original plans. They just wanted the big window to push open and talk down to their parents. They wanted the big cable spool we’d taken from another job and used as the table. They were more than happy with the boxes of games they could play.
It was the perfect hideout for a pair of boys.
I peered down to see the father looking up at us longingly. I tapped Gideon on the shoulder. “Want to let the dad up?”
“Oh, yeah. Hard to look away when they’re having so much fun. You were right about that big old spool. It made the perfect table.”
“And now we don’t have to look for a way to get rid of the beast.”
“Thanks to that pulley system you made up on the fly.”
I shrugged. “Will be perfect for their mom to send up food.” I laughed and flipped open the secret door, wrapped my foot in the rope, and lowered myself to the ground.
“Cool!” I heard from above me.
I waved up at them and turned to their mother. “Sorry about that. They’re probably going to want to do that.”
She waved me off. “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll make sure it’s Max and Taylor-proofed by tomorrow. I do love it though. I can send up food or homework.” She threw her arms around me. “You made them so happy. And my husband is thrilled.”
I patted her back. “Glad we could help. I’ll stop back tomorrow to do a few finishing things, but it’s pretty much all done.”
“I can’t believe you guys did all this.” She stepped back, her eyes shining in the limited light. “Thank goodness it’s a warm night. I think I’ll go find their sleeping bags and let the three of them sleep up there.”
“That sounds really nice, Mrs. Bridgers.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome.” I stretched my back out with a few exercises I used for working at my desk all day. Being a guy well over six feet, I had to do a lot of crouching to make a treehouse. I was sore, hungry, and beat.
The laughter from above was worth it though.
A squeak and a whimper dented the laughter. “Gideon?” I shouted up.
“Yeah?” He peeked out.
“Everything cool?”
“Yeah, can’t you hear them freaking out in here?”
“Yeah. I just thought I heard something else.” I looked around and when the sound came again, I headed deeper into the edges of the brush near the Bridgers’ property. The
closer I got to an overgrown lilac tree, the louder the sounds got.
Little distress-filled squeaks.
Crap, I hoped I wasn’t disturbing a wild animal den. A family of foxes wouldn’t be out of the realm in this area. There was just enough brush and trees to make a perfect home for them.
I peeked around the bush and found a cardboard box. “Son of a bitch.” I quickly pulled my jacket off as the squeaks became clearer. Puppies. A freaking litter of them, just left.
People were the fucking worst. “Hey, little guys.” I crouched down beside the box and they all scampered toward my voice. They were cold and so freaking tiny. I immediately stripped off my chambray shirt and put it in the box and they burrowed into the material still warm from my body.
I lifted the box and met Gideon at the bed of his truck. He’d backed it into their yard to pick up all the tools.
“I wondered where you’d gotten off to. What the hell did you find?”
“Puppies.”
“Oh, no. No, we don’t do puppies on jobs.”
“I know, man. I can’t leave them to die though.”
“Well, shit.”
“It’s all right. I’ll take them back to my place for the night.”
“Are you sure? Who knows what they have?” Carefully, Gideon tipped the box his way and one of the more enterprising little bundles of fur tried to leap up for his hand. “Holy crap, they’re tiny.”
“And cold. I can’t believe someone just dumped a box of puppies.”
“Prob had a knocked up dog and didn’t want to deal with the aftermath.”
“It’s cruel. Good thing it wasn’t colder tonight.”
Gideon shook his head. “Softie.”
“Yeah, well, I just can’t leave them.”
“No, I guess you can’t. Don’t let those kids see them. Their mother will kill me. They already have three cats.”
I laughed. “All right. You good?” I glanced over at the last of the tools.
“Yeah. Lucky will help me pack up.”
“Whatcha got, Moose?” Lucky came over and whistled. “Oh, man. A box of pups? Damn, that sucks.”
I rolled my eyes. “Understatement. I’m assuming the shelter is closed since it’s after eight.”
“Yeah, there’s a 24-hour vet in Laurel.”
“I’ll just take them home for the night. Give them some food and bring them to the shelter in the morning.”
“Boy Scout,” Lucky coughed into his hand.
I took my box of precious cargo and walked away before I did something stupid. “C’mon, little guys. We’ll turn the heater up and get you guys warm.”
The drive back to my house, with a quick pitstop at a pet store for supplies and advice, was relatively uneventful. Once they were warm, the puppies drifted to sleep.
I rushed around to feed them and get them cleaned up before I had my cyber date with Veronica. No, Vee. I couldn’t keep calling her Veronica out loud or I was going to fuck up one of these times.
But she was so stubbornly Veronica in my head.
Even when the in-person Veronica was being a little crazy lately. I chalked it up to the insane level of fame she’d cultivated with her baby daddy hunt. But no matter how we interacted at the café, when the night came…it was just us.
CF and Vee and the insanely intimate conversations we had about life, food, parents, and the all-important baby she longed for. God, I wanted to give that to her.
And more.
So much more.
The little chat chime had me sprinting for the computer. One of the puppies didn’t like the sound and made a sad howl.
“Shoot. Oh, little guy, no.” I glanced at the computer then back to the little caramel-colored pup. I scooped him up. He was trembling and trying to burrow into my skin. I didn’t know what else to do, so I tucked him into my shirt. He settled down instantly. “Well, hell.”
I shrugged. At least he was quieting down.
Goodtothelastdrop: Are you there?
Cabin Fortress: Yes, sorry. It’s been one of those days. Most of it good, then my evening took on a crazy left turn.
Goodtothelastdrop: Good left? Like with whipped cream?
I groaned. She was determined to kill me. I was still reeling from her earlier message and today had been insane.
Goodtothelastdrop: Or did I scare you with my email? You didn’t write back.
Cabin Fortress: No. Believe me, that was a no. That letter was perfect. And I’ve been thinking about it all day.
Goodtothelastdrop: But you didn’t reply.
Cabin Fortress: There was a work emergency today. I ended up wrapped in meetings all day until just a little bit ago. Then the left-hand turn.
Goodtothelastdrop: Do I get a hint?
I peered down at the little bundle of tan fur snoozing against my chest. How on earth was I supposed to explain this? Real life was encroaching on our little bubble way too much lately.
From Lucky’s wrecking ball style jackassery to a six pack of puppies, things had been crazy this week.
Cabin Fortress: A certain beautiful rainbow-haired woman asked me how open-minded I was. It got a guy thinking many less than pure thoughts. And I don’t want to scare you away.
Goodtothelastdrop: How impure?
Cabin Fortress: I have a fireplace in my room and I’ve been picturing you spread out on my reading chair. It’s one of those long chairs you can nap in. All that firelight on your skin and me, tracing every inch of you with my lips. It might not be daring, but I’d be so fucking thorough, Vee. You’d be worshipped.
Goodtothelastdrop: Oh, that’s impure enough. I am so onboard with that kind of impure.
I sat back with a puppy burrowed into my chest and I’ve got the hottest girl on the damn planet wanting to talk sexy with me. Maybe even cyber.
Why was this my life?
I looked down at my little charge and sighed. He was way too content. There was no way I could put him down. This particular little guy was almost always trying to get into my sleeve or jacket.
Cabin Fortress: If I go any more impure, I’m going to need some alone time, Vee.
Goodtothelastdrop: Well, we don’t want to waste that particular piece of you. It’s a very precious commodity.
Of course it was. I was fighting off an epic boner and she only wanted what was in my balls. I kept forgetting that part.
Goodtothelastdrop: Not that I don’t mind sampling the goods a few times prior to any type of plan we might have about making a baby. If you were serious about that firelight situation.
Cabin Fortress: Oh, I was serious.
Goodtothelastdrop: And yet you won’t let me talk to you on the phone.
I sighed. How was I supposed to get around this? If she heard my voice, it was game over. Not that I could keep this going on forever. It was either end it, or let her know who I really was.
I got up and grabbed my phone to take a picture of my windows and the darkness of the lake in the distance. I manipulated the photo a little to show my broad shoulders and a little of my profile in the reflection. Not enough to really show her anything of value. But enough so she might be appeased a little while longer.
Cabin Fortress: How about a tease for now?
Goodtothelastdrop: Goodness, you weren’t kidding about that view. I’m liking the guy in the picture too. You have nothing to worry about with me. I hope you know that, Fortress. It’s about the real you, not a face, a body, or a voice. I like what I’m learning about you. But I’ll wait a little longer for you.
Cabin Fortress: Not much longer. A computer just isn’t enough the more I get to know you.
Goodtothelastdrop: Me either.
Cabin Fortress: I have something to do really early tomorrow. Can we talk tomorrow?
Goodtothelastdrop: Definitely. It was a long one for me today too. Sweet dreams.
Cabin Fortress: Same to you, Vee.
I looked down at the sweet puppy curled into me. At least one thing made sense in my life. �
�C’mon, pal. Let’s get you back with your brothers and sisters. Big day tomorrow.”
Maybe not only for the puppies.
Eight
Vee
Vee,
I have to admit your note put me in one helluva state. One that required a long-ass shower of the chilly variety. I love a woman who is willing to ask for what she wants. For us guys, it’s a lot of fumbling around hoping we don’t take stuff too far. Me? I’m very good with my hands and my tongue. Enough to keep up with you and then some. Did I mention I have many sturdy surfaces in my cabin? If not, I do. We can get as creative as you want. I’m so very up for anything you’re into.
Yours,
CF
Cabin Fortress lived in my brain pretty much continuously, especially after I’d read that note. Though we’d chatted every night for the last few days after he’d said he was up for creativity, those particular words were on repeat in my mind.
I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do about them quite yet. And right now, I had other fish to fry than those involving my libido.
“Ladies, quiet, please. Let’s grab everyone’s drink orders and then we’ll get down to…chatting,” I finished weakly, clasping my hands as I faced the assembled ladies who were piled up in the reading nook.