When we got back, I set about prepping dinner and making slaw. I set it to the side and went about putting the kabobs together. I was adding the pineapple, and Ryan laughed.
“Who the hell puts fruit on a grill?” He picked a piece up from the plate and popped it in his mouth. I watched him closely. They had been rolled in a hot pepper paste, and he didn’t know it.
“HOLY SHIT!” Ryan yelled and spit the pineapple in his hand. “What the hell?” He looked over his shoulder as he ran water from the sink into his mouth. He swished the water, then spit it in the sink. “Are you trying to kill me?” He complained then walked across the kitchen and opened the fridge pulling out the milk and drinking directly from the container.
“Dude,” I complained as he downed what was left of the milk. “Use a glass. Savage.”
“There wasn't that much left. Why the hell is that pineapple so hot?”
“It's a spin on Bang Bang shrimp. I make it all the time.” I smiled at him. It really wasn't that hot, but it was spicy. “Maybe if you kept your fingers to yourself, you wouldn't have fire mouth right now.”
“Yeah, yeah, the grill is ready, by the way.”
I gathered the food and took it out to the back porch and started the kabobs. They were nearly done when I felt hands travel around my middle while I was facing the grill.
“Hey, handsome.”
I turned and looked down at my girl. I smiled at the thought of calling her mine.
“Hey, beautiful.” I kissed her softly. “I kinda missed you.”
“I just saw you yesterday.”
“Yeah, but you’re usually on your porch when I come home from my run, and you didn’t scream at me at two in the morning.” I smiled and leaned in, kissing her again.
“Well, you are a little annoying.” She smiled.
“Maybe if you slept in the same bed, you would both stay there longer,” Ryan piped in from his seat. “Heyyyyyy, Emmy.” He smiled.
“Hey, Ryan.” She leaned her head back and smiled at him. “I’m going to go grab my stuff. I just wanted to say hi. It smells amazing.” I watched her walk away. She high-fived Ryan as she passed by him.
“You are one lucky mother fucker, and you're welcome,” Ryan said softly. He didn't look at me; he was still looking toward Emmy. “Be glad I love ya, brother. That girl is a keeper.”
“Thanks.” I smirked. “Really, thank you.”
He grunted back, and I laughed. “It's a good thing I don't mind being a third wheel.” He stretched his arms over his head then stood, walking over to me. I handed him the plate of cooked kabobs, and he turned, walking into the house. I turned the grill off and followed him. He was already covering his plate with slaw and reached over and grabbed a couple of the kabobs.
“Is smells wonderful in here,” Emerson said as she came from the front door.
“Don't let it fool you.” Ryan sat down at the table.
She took the plate I handed her, and I watched her eat and smiled to myself every time she rolled her eyes back enjoying the shrimp.
“God this is so good!” Her bright smile made my lips pull up at the edges.
“He’s a pretty good cook. It's why I've been his friend forever. Wait till you taste his gravy. You could cover a flip flop with it, and it would be delicious,” Ryan deadpanned. We all broke out in giggles.
She pushed away from the table and went about cleaning up the kitchen.
“I can get that,” I told her.
“You cook, I clean. It was the way Rachel and I always did it.” She dipped the empty slaw bowl under the stream of water and then added a little soap.
“There's a dishwasher.” I pointed behind her.
She shook her head and continued to hand wash the few dishes that were around the sink. “I can wash them as fast as I can load them.” She smiled over her shoulder and lifted the water nozzle discreetly and sprayed Ryan as he walked by to grab a beer from the fridge.
“That was totally uncalled for.” Ryan stood with the water dripping off his face.
“That was payback for tickling me.”
“Are we even now?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Don't do it,” I said as Ryan walked up behind her shaking his beer. When he popped the top, the cold liquid spewed over the back of her neck and shoulders. She shrieked and ran toward the door laughing.
I stood, hip against the counter, as I watched him chase her out onto the porch shaking beer in her direction. The friendship they shared was special, and I knew it was because Ryan liked her. Not in a sexual way but just liked her for who she was. It was definitely not something he did often.
I handed her a towel when she walked back in the kitchen grinning from ear to ear. I pulled her to me. Our eyes met, and her smile widened. I covered her lips with mine, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. The kiss was deeper than I had intended, but with her, it was an all-in, all the time kind of thing. When I pulled away, we were both breathing a little heavier. I kissed her nose and looked up to see Ryan watching us. He saluted me then turned and walked toward the back porch.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emerson
“When did Ryan leave?” I asked Luke as we sat in one of his chairs in the backyard.
“Not too long ago. I think it may have been when the kissing started.” He kissed the side of my head and pulled me a little tighter against his chest. “He may be a little jealous.”
I felt his smile against the side of my head. “I’ll give him hell for not saying bye later.”
“When do you have to go back to Portland?” His rich timber filled the quiet.
“Wednesday, so I'll probably leave here Tuesday night so I don't have to drive super early.”
“And you'll be gone until?”
“I should be back Friday night, maybe Saturday morning. Just depends on if I get everything done. I have to gather some root ball samples to send to the lab before I leave, so I’ll probably be in the woods most of tomorrow and Tuesday.”
I didn't want to do anything but be in his arms. Rachel had disappeared when she first started dating Charlie, and I had sworn I wouldn't be that girl, but here I sat wanting to blow off all of my responsibilities just to be with him. I didn’t even want to go next door, but I knew if I didn’t, one thing would lead to another, and we weren’t ready for that just yet. At least, I wasn’t.
“Tonight was great, this is great.” I stood, bending at the waist and kissed his beard and then his cheek, then his mouth. I ran a finger over his forehead pushing his hair behind his ear. “Thank you.” I kissed him again and then pulled away.
“Let me walk you home.” He stood and followed me to the porch. When I reached the steps, I turned back to him. The light from the porch lamp illuminated his smile. I reached up and fingered his beard, and pulled his face down to mine. His lips pressed a soft kiss over mine that quickly turned into more passion than I had ever felt. The burning in my gut told me I should hold on very tightly to him. My body was on alert and sometimes wanted to go further, but he always slowed it down. I wanted to experience it all with him, but I also didn't want to rush this.
“I'll see you tomorrow.” He brushed his lips softly over mine again and then turned and walked back to his door. Stopping, he looked over at me.
“Goodnight,” he said then pulled at his door handle and waited for me to go inside.
“Night.” I turned and walked inside my house.
I laid in bed that night thinking about how close yet how far away he was.
***
I shuffled through papers, thinking about how just the night before I’d had to force myself to send Luke home for the second night in a row, especially knowing I wouldn’t see him for a few days. I imagined that would only get harder to do—make him... let him leave.
“I didn't know you were going to be here this week,” Chris said as he walked into Granddad’s office, distracting me from my thoughts.
“Just for a couple of days.” I tu
rned back to my papers and continued filing them. He sat down in front of me. I glanced up and found him looking at me.
“What? Did you need something?” My tone was friendly, but distracted.
“I didn't know you knew Ryan and Luke.”
“Yeah. I have for a while.”
“It was just weird seeing you there. As long as I have competed, you've never even asked about it.”
“I actually didn’t even know that’s what you competed in. When they asked me to come, I did.” I shrugged.
“So, you and Luke?” He was fishing.
“Yeah, me and Luke.” I smiled and continued to work on getting the paperwork straight. With Granddad being out so many days, it was piled up. More reason I was glad Chris was taking on more work and making sure things were right when I wasn't there.
“Hey, I'm gonna grab a late lunch, you want to join?”
“Sure, give me just a minute to wrap this up,” I responded as I finished the last of the first pile of paperwork.
I followed Chris out of the building and across the street to the Coffee Bean. I ordered, paid, and then looked around for a table while he did the same. He waited for our orders and then brought it over.
We chatted about work for the most part and everything that was coming up. The more we discussed upcoming projects, the more I wasn't sure what I would do without him in the office at this point. The back and forth between the company and my grant would be draining otherwise.
“Once we complete the Chadwick project, we can put the extra crew over in Salston to finish up there. We should be caught up enough to start the next three by then,” Chris was explaining.
“Sounds good. Thank you for all your help. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am that you are here.”
“Whatever I can do to help, I'm here. Your family has always been good to me, so I'm just repaying the favor.” He took my hand in his and smiled. His thumb ran over my knuckles gently as he looked up at me. It made me a little uneasy, but he didn’t seem to mean anything by it, so I tried to ignore it.
“Your mom and I have talked quite a bit lately when she was at the office. Maybe we should all grab dinner before you head back tomorrow.”
“I don't think so. I have a lot of work to get done before I leave.” I didn't want to have dinner with my mother again so soon. “Plus, I need to get back before dark to collect a few more sampled for the grant, so I’ll probably head out around four.” I pulled my hand back across the table and placed it in my lap.
“Maybe next time.” He smiled and lifted his sandwich to his mouth. My thoughts went to Luke, and it hit me that he probably wouldn’t be keen on the idea of me having dinner with Chris in any capacity—innocent or otherwise. Lunch with a co-worker was one thing. Dinner was another.
***
I finished the last stack of folders on the desk and gathered my things before heading for my truck. I walked quickly, not used to leaving alone after dark, and climbed in. The drive to Granddad’s and Mimi’s was only about ten minutes, so I called Luke for a quick chat. He didn't answer, so I left him a message.
Hey, I was just driving home and hadn't talked to you all day. I guess you are in the shop. Call me when you get a chance.
I hit the end button, and it rang almost immediately, so I hit the answer button on the steering wheel without looking at the number, thinking he was calling me back.
“Hello.”
“Emerson.” My mother's voice poured through the truck.
“Hi, Mom.” I said and groaned inwardly.
“How was your day?” she asked.
“It was good. I got caught up on a pile of paperwork.”
“That's great. I heard you had lunch with Chris.”
“We had a business lunch.” I frowned wondering what big mouth was feeding her information. I slowed down for a stoplight and sat waiting for her next words.
“He is a very nice young man.” I could hear the smile in her voice. Of course he was a nice young man. He had the potential to make a lot of money, and that was all she cared about.
“He is, yes.” I didn't want to answer her.
“We will have dinner soon. I know the perfect place.”
“I don't have time right now.”
“You should make time. I am your mother, and you are going to be in town a few days every week. I’m sure you can work me into your schedule.”
“We will figure it out, but not this week.”
“Very well. I will talk to you later.” She hung up without a goodbye, kiss my ass, love you, or anything. I knew her game, and I wasn't going to play it.
***
“Hey, Punkin.” Mimi greeted me as I walked in the door. I kissed her cheek and walked into the living room where Granddad was sitting in a chair, reading.
“You look comfy,” I said as I walked over and kissed the top of his head.
“Don't let him fool you. He purposely went and changed his clothes before you got here. He has been out in the yard all day,” Mimi ratted on him.
“You would think the woman who holds my heart would also not tell my secrets.” He grinned up at me.
“You aren't supposed to be doing that stuff,” I scolded.
“There is no sense in me paying someone to do it when I am home most days. I have a riding lawnmower. It really isn't that much work.”
“Just go easy, okay?” I walked over and plopped on the couch.
“You get a lot done today?” he asked.
“Yeah, we should be caught up on a few jobs by end of this week and can send the crews over to finish the big job at Salston. Then, we’ll have a clean slate for July.”
“Wonderful.” He winked at me. “I knew you were a keeper.”
We sat on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune. I always got a good laugh at them fussing over the puzzles. When the yawns began, I stood and made my way to my room.
“Love you. I probably won't be back tomorrow. I am going to head home after work,” I told them.
“Okay, we love you too. You drive safe tomorrow,” Mimi said as I pulled the door closed behind me.
I settling into bed when my phone dinged.
You up?
Luke
I hit his contact and called him.
“Hey, there.” His rich deep voice came through the line.
“Hi.” I snuggled into bed, happy to hear his voice.
“Busy day?”
“Yeah, I got a lot of paperwork done and several jobs lined up for the end of June and July.”
“That's great. I got the chairs done for Mr. Simpson. I just have to load them up and drive them over.”
“Send me a picture when you get a minute. I would love to see them. The design on the backs was amazing.” I smiled thinking about him and his large hands wrapped around the tiny instruments he used to shave away the wood into the curling design.
“I have one right here, hang on.” I heard some rustling as he moved around.
“You in bed? It's awful early, or do you save your two am working hours for when I'm there?”
“Only for you baby,” he joked.
My heart clenched at his word of endearment. My phone vibrated when his text came through. I pushed on the text message and saw the beautiful chairs.
“Wow.” It was all I could say. “Those are absolutely breathtaking. I'm going to need a few of these chairs. Can I get rushed delivery since I know people who know people?”
His deep laugh made me flush.
“You can get whatever you want. All you have to do is ask.”
“I want four of those chairs and a table made out of the stump in the meadow,” I said matter of factly.
“Consider it done.”
“I'll be home tomorrow. Can we have dinner?”
“Absolutely. What time? I promised Ryan I’d help out at the lumber yard since I’m going to be in town.”
“Six-thirty-ish?”
“Okay. I'll have some dinner ready. I can't wait to see you.”<
br />
“Ditto. I'll talk to you then.”
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
“Night, Luke.” I hit the end button and dropped my phone on my bed.
***
“I don't understand what happened?” I stood, looking at Chris who was standing in the doorway to my office trying to explain.
“Someone will have to get a panel from the other job. This one is already a week behind, and we can't wait to get another one made.”
“I'll go.” I said grabbing my keys from the desk.
“I’ll ride with you.” He offered. “Might need someone to throw a little muscle around with the foreman. He can be kinda stubborn.”
“I sent John a text. He’s going to head over to assess the damage. We’ll meet him there,” I told Chris.
It was almost four, and I knew that meant I wasn't going to be home in time for dinner, so I shot Luke a text letting him know that I would see him Sunday.
Can't make dinner had a disaster, I’m so sorry. :(
Emerson
Everything Okay?
Luke
Afraid not. It’s a mess. I have to figure this out
and shuffle some work around to get a job completed
that was due last week. I'm am not a happy camper right now.
Emerson
Raincheck for Sunday then. We should be back around 3.
Luke
Perfect. I am so sorry. Miss you <3
Emerson.
Miss you too. Be safe. I’ll call you later.
Luke
I dropped my phone in the cup holder just as Chris closed the door to the truck.
“You have plans for tonight?”
“I was planning on having dinner with Luke, and they are leaving tomorrow for a competition, so I won't see him until Sunday.” I huffed out a breath making my displeasure known.
“They going up to Rocky Top?”
“I guess. I don't have their schedule with me.”
“I already qualified, so I can skip that one and stay here and help you get all of this under control.”
“It's okay if you need to go. All we need is to get this panel, and then I can head home and you can compete.” I looked over my shoulder to back out of the parking space.
Daddy Boss (A Boss Romance Love Story) Page 182