I throw back my head and laugh into the night air. "Working on it."
"Hey, we brought the good stuff." Andrew and Austin walk through the side gate with a case of beer and bottles of liquor.
"Your mama call you?" Dozer asks as they unload in the outdoor kitchen.
"Nope, this was all Miller and Ashlyn," Andrew answers.
"It was all her. She's scheming about something." I take the beer Austin offers.
"I thought the house was complete. If she's scheming, it means work for us. It always has."
"Actually, it doesn't." Ashlyn comes bounding down the steps, securing her scarf and knit cap. She greets them with a quick hug and comes to my side. Janie joins us, warming her hands by the flames.
"What's up?" Andrew pushes.
"Mom and I have discussed it, and I'd like to make some changes to our Christmas plans. Instead of driving down early, I'd love it if you'd come Christmas Day and stay with Miller and me at his house."
This is news to me. I glance down to find her grinning at me slyly. "If you don't mind."
"They're welcome, but you wanted to be in your house."
"That was when I thought I'd be living out of the front room or a hotel. Things have changed. I love your house. It's already set up, and it will look beautiful decorated. It'll be perfect for our first Christmas."
Outside of a small tree for Maya and Cole's benefit, I've never decorated my place. She reads my mind and nuzzles into my neck. "I've got the decorations covered. If it won't hit your lifetime bachelor cred, that is."
"Lifetime bachelor street cred hit the dumps a while ago, Princess."
Her face lights up and she focuses back on her family. "So, if you two can swing it with work, we'd like you to come Christmas Day and stay through New Year's with Mom and Dad. They are staying with Jill and Warren, you can have the guest room, and the office will be cleared of my boxes and presents so you can both work."
"Mom and Dad know about this?" I jostle her shoulder.
She shrugs. "I may have been thinking about this for a few days."
"I can swing it. We’re running skeletal crews right now with the time of year." Austin winks at Dozer.
This leaves Andrew, who pulls out his phone and slides through his screen. "As long as I can have a fully functioning office a few hours a day, I can make it happen."
"You need anything specific, you can use Kendrick Construction offices," I offer.
"Awesome!" Ashlyn bounces. "It'll be great."
All three men groan. "We're moving you, aren't we?" Austin grumbles.
"Nope, you won't have to lift a finger except to keep the liquor stocked and grill some food."
"I've got the grill. As soon as we're ready, I'll move mine over to your porch."
She nibbles on her bottom lip, staring wide-eyed at her dad.
"We got that covered. It'll be delivered when Ashlyn calls the company," Dozer advises.
"I appreciate that, but a man likes to pick out his own grill."
"You think I'd buy you a sissy grill? Look around here." He throws his arm out to the state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen that rivals anything I've ever seen.
"Point taken, thank you."
"Merry fucking Christmas," he finishes on a grouse. "The contractor thought I'd pick out a shit grill."
Ashlyn giggles, rolling up on her toes to kiss the underside of my jaw. "May need to do better than a thank you when you see what he got you."
"He got us. And I'll do better next time I'm not blindsided."
She settles back with her head to my shoulder and whispers, "I'm loving my life. It's finally all coming together."
The crowd goes static, and the silence is broken when Janie sniffs and snuggles into Ashlyn's other side.
"Yeah, it's about fucking time you see it's all here for you," Andrew replies gravely.
"And just like that, one of my children ruins a perfect rocking chair memory," Janie scolds. "Dozer, you still need to have that conversation with your son about appropriate comments during emotional times. Even if it's too late."
"Shit, woman, I didn't know what you meant twenty years ago, and I still don't. You're the one who wanted to keep going after Andrew. How was I supposed to keep up with the etiquette when you gave me these heathens?"
The seriousness of the moment is lost as all three argue, getting louder as they each claim to be the perfect child. I gulp my beer, watching Dozer as he winks at his wife and lets his kids verbally duke it out.
His expression tells it all. This is everything to him.
•—•—•—•—•
"It still needs something," Ashlyn complains from the back of the room.
"Sit down," I demand, patting my thigh. "I didn't bust my ass for the last six hours not to enjoy this."
"One second." She holds up a finger and goes to the kitchen. The soft sound of Christmas music begins and a minute later she walks in carrying two glasses of wine.
She scoots across my lap, carefully balancing the glasses. "Before you gripe about the wine, this is a delicious brand my boyfriend introduced me to a while back. Since it's a special occasion, humor me."
I take a glass and click it to hers before taking a sip.
She watches closely. "Not even a flinch. The beer and whiskey man didn't even flinch."
"I drink wine occasionally. Refined tastes and all that shit."
"You said you didn't drink wine!"
"I didn't say that."
"That first night, at my house, you said you didn't drink wine."
"I didn't like the bitch you were serving up."
She winces, leaning in closer. "I'm really glad you like the bitch now."
"What's the special occasion?" I change the subject, not wanting to ruin her happy glow by remembering that first night.
"Look around. Your house is phenomenal and gorgeous."
"From where I sit, you're phenomenal and gorgeous. The house looks like a rendition of the Griswold’s."
"You don't like it?"
"Baby, the place looks nicer than a Better Homes & Gardens spread. Not sure how you did it."
"Sweetie, this is simple. Wait until next year."
I groan, "More shit next year?"
Her eyes narrow for a split second before they light up and she tosses her head back. "I was wondering if you'd freak!"
"Not freaking, just wondering if I need to build you a shed to store all this."
"You're being dramatic."
"I'm a man. I don't do dramatic. I do practical, and with the number of boxes and bags I hauled out of here while you were opening and unpacking, it's going to take a full bedroom in your house to hold it."
"Wait until you see my exceptional storage skills. Although it's a moot point."
"Why is that?"
"Well, when we start renovations on the house next door, I have the perfect idea for a storage closet."
I freeze. "What are you talking about?"
"Hmmm, are we feigning ignorance?" Her green eyes glitter, and it has nothing to do with the thousand Christmas lights shining on the tree.
"Dammit, Ashlyn, how'd you find out?" Irritation stirs in my chest.
"Was it a secret?"
"Hell yes, I wanted to surprise you on Christmas."
"Surprised is an understatement. When the sweet lady next door came to introduce herself and ask if I'd like to come over and walk through the house, I was dumbfounded. Imagine the look on my face when she explained my boyfriend is buying the house and has plans to join the properties."
"Shit, didn't see that coming. I've been dealing with their son on the sale."
"I got the complete story from a beautiful, twinkly-eyed older woman, who thinks our love story is the greatest."
"Well, she'd be right."
Ashlyn drinks her wine, cuddling closer but holding my eyes. "You made a huge assumption about our future, bought a house to expand our property, and hid it from me."
"It wasn't an assumption about our f
uture. We're a given."
"You couldn't possibly know that. We weren't even sleeping together when their son approached my dad."
With that tidbit, I know the woman must have given her the full back story.
"We'd been sleeping together for a week."
"You know what I mean. We hadn't reconnected."
"That's exactly what we'd been doing. Reconnecting on a different level."
"Can you stop being so literal? We were nowhere near the point of discussing something as serious as that."
"One of these days, it will hit you I've always been serious. Your dad knew that, too. It's why he brought it to my attention. If he had any doubts about my intentions, we cleared them up on Thanksgiving."
"We hadn't even discussed living together full time!"
"We hadn't? Hmm, I'm pretty sure that's part of the package when I told you I wasn't going anywhere."
"Miller! Please be serious. It's something we should have discussed."
"Usually, presents are a surprise."
"You bought me a house for Christmas. That's outrageous."
"There's nothing outrageous about it. You're all bent out of shape without knowing the specifics."
"Bent out of shape?" She sits up, squaring off to face me, that radiant glow quickly turning blistery. "Is that southern speak for irrational?"
My cock stirs at the tone of her voice, knowing she's seconds away from getting riled up.
"Baby, as much as I love when you serve up your attitude, now's not the time."
"You called me irrational."
"Don't put words in my mouth. This is far from the way I wanted to share, but that flame in your eyes tells me you need to understand the bigger picture. You said it yourself, this is about our future. It was an investment that I'd be a fool to pass up. My plans are to renovate that place to include a full guest suite and office for you."
"But my house has all that."
"How many children do you want?"
"I…" She snaps her mouth shut, slanting her head in confusion. "I guess I've never thought about it, but probably three."
"I want four, and we're not even going to touch that argument right now. But when and if you go back to work, you'll need a functioning office that allows you privacy and is close to home. You’ll get that. As for the guest suite, your dad filled me in on their family plans to be here often, and they'll need their space. The garage will allow you to keep your car inside. We'll have to work with the layout, but it makes me happy knowing when the time comes, you won't be trudging through the Charleston winters with baby carriers and all the other shit that goes along with it."
This gets her attention and the attitude seeps from her. She drinks her wine and flips her hand in the air. "Go on, you've clearly thought this through."
"Once I knew the place was available, it all came together. You tell me what you want and I'll build it for you."
She looks over her shoulder at the tree, and I know it's all sunk in when her lips quiver. "You bought me a house for Christmas."
"Tomorrow, when we're over there, we'll see if we can do a walkthrough so you can get a feel for what we need to do. And you should know, it's not technically mine yet. We're scheduled to close on Christmas Eve."
She stays quiet for a minute, then turns back to me, her eyes swimming with emotion. "Remember that first morning I woke up here and had my mental episode, saying this was surreal? You told me that if I hadn't run out on you, it wouldn't be my first night waking up in your house?"
I nod, the hair on the back of my neck prickling at where she's going.
"I was wrong. This, right here, is surreal. My heart is about to burst open and I'm not sure what to do with it."
"Lay your ass back down and get used to it. This is your life now."
"The bossy boyfriend has returned."
The term scores through me, leaving a sting in its wake. "Princess, that boyfriend shit needs to end."
She smiles wide, the tears drying up. "I prefer live-in lover."
A rumble growls low from my throat as she folds back into me, vibrating with quiet laughter.
Soon enough, I'll change that fucking title.
Chapter 26
Ashlyn
I'm on cloud nine, floating into Jill and Warren's kitchen to find an enormous spread already on the counter. "Oh my God, who's eating all this?"
"Some of it's for tomorrow night at Annie's. We joined forces and knock it out together today. Tomorrow will be easier."
A sting of guilt hits me. "I should have been around to help."
"No use, they were wenches. These two don't like to have us in the mix." Darby comes in, holding a freshly bathed Dev, and I immediately reach for him.
"Well then, I'll pitch in for brunch at your house tomorrow. My family won't be here until mid-afternoon."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Hey, sweet boy." I nuzzle into Dev's neck, inhaling his baby scent. "You look adorably dapper in your first Christmas attire."
He's so close to sleep, all I get is a sleepy blink. My mouth feathers small kisses along his face. His little fist hits my jaw as he settles to my chest.
When I raise my eyes, Annie, Jill, and Darby are all gazing at me with a recognizable glimmer in their eyes.
"Nope," I whisper-hiss, "don't get any ideas."
"You're a natural," Jill praises dreamily.
"Devin Kendrick was the first baby I held in a decade. That hardly makes me mother material."
"Don't worry about that, it comes naturally," Darby throws in. "I mean, he's only a few weeks old, but I think we're doing okay."
"You're doing fantastic. And you look amazing. It's not fair."
Darby does not resemble a woman who gave birth recently.
"She inherited my genes." Annie perks up.
Darby rolls her eyes and winks. "Sure I did."
"But back to you." Annie waves a finger, gesturing between Dev and me. "From what Scottie says, it won't be long before you're holding your own little one.”
Damn Scottie! He and Annie are worse than the 227 crew. My cheeks tingle as I shake my head in denial.
"He lied to you."
"Only time will tell."
My skin sizzles under her words. "Jill, please know I'm not…"
"Save it, honey." She throws her hand in the air. "We know it's coming, no need to get in a tizzy."
At this point, nothing should surprise me with these families, considering Darby had matchmaking in her sights, and Warren practically orchestrated my move in with Miller the same day he met me. But openly discussing my future with a baby sends my stomach on a rollercoaster.
The conversation last week with Miller comes back to mind. Just like with him, it's not an 'if' we have children. It's 'when' we do.
"How about we talk about the day?" Darby thankfully saves me.
"It went seamlessly. Miller is the owner of a run-down house next to mine. The whole family showed to the closing. It was kind of emotional and beautiful. Mrs. Chester cried when I gave her the photo of the home for her new place."
Darby presses her lips together "She has lots of memories in that house. I'd have lost it, too."
"That's because you're a mess. Thank God Pierce, Evin, and Miller have the badass, or my grandson would grow up with a weepy personality." Annie pretends to be put out, but when she looks at Dev in my arms, her face tells a different story. She’s in love with the little guy.
A little squeak escapes before I can stop it. Big mistake because she focuses back on me.
"And that goes for you. Don't let Pierce hear you call his son dapper."
"Yes, ma'am." I nod vigorously. "No more dapper."
She smiles approvingly. "So glad you're part of the family. You get me."
Jill laughs, too, tapping Annie's shoulder. "Can we go back to the details now?"
"There's not much else. We stopped by on the way here tonight and walked the property, talking about the plans. I think it will be easier to d
igest when we move next week. I can get a better feel for what we both want."
"Can I give you a piece of advice?" Jill gets serious.
"Of course."
"My boys are assertive and emphatic when they set their sights on something. It's a trait I blame on Warren."
"Oh lord, you may need to give him to me for this conversation." Darby cradles Dev, and the second he's gone, a glass slides next to me on the counter.
"You'll need this." Out of nowhere, Lynda appears and my skin prickles at the change in the group.
"What is this?"
"It's my holiday specialty. You'll like it."
"But why do I need it?"
"Just trust in the wisdom," Darby advises.
"Like I was saying, my boys don't back down, barreling through obstacles they feel are in their way. Sometimes they lose sight of glaring signs." She pauses, looking at Darby lovingly. "Learn to make them listen. It's difficult, but it's necessary to find that balance."
"I don't know if I'm following." I take a large swallow of the bubbly concoction to keep from fidgeting.
"What she's saying is that, if you ever feel overwhelmed and railroaded, speak up," Darby announces.
"Speaking up has never been my problem. But most of it falls on deaf ears."
There's a chorus of 'mmmhmms' around the kitchen.
"Been there many, many times. These men have selective hearing if it doesn't fit their agenda. Make him listen. It's the only way to get through to the Kendrick men," Darby goes on.
I've bonded with all these women over the last few months, some more than others, but my comfort level plummets with the fact that I'm in unchartered waters. They may like me, but the fact remains that I'm still new to this.
"Miller's not very receptive to resistance."
"I don't like that grimace. She's going pale," Annie assesses with a scowl.
My shoulders snap straight, and I shake my head. "I'm not grimacing." The reply sounds croaky even to my ears.
"No judgment. We know you've been through a lot and Miller's moving fast."
"Fast is quite modest."
"Look at me." Darby's demand is kind yet firm.
I do as she says and catch the gleam of understanding in her light brown eyes. Then something happens, and that understanding transforms into a story she communicates silently. Our history is different, but the parallels are staring me in the face.
Miller's Time (Southern Charmers Series Book 2) Page 29