Leave it to my father to be able to bring things into perspective for me. I wonder how he would feel about the timeline, considering I’ve already jerked off with the gorgeous brunette on my mind? Yeah, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. We’re close and all, but not that close.
“You two about ready to eat?” Mom opens the patio door and asks.
“Be right there,” Dad tells her.
Quickly, we finish putting away the tools and head into the house to wash up. “Look at you, sitting in the high chair like a big boy.” I bend down and press a kiss to the top of Milo’s head.
“He’s not old enough to eat what we’re having, but he can get used to it,” Mom explains.
“I think that’s a great idea.” I take a seat next to the high chair and dig in. Mom made her homemade chicken enchiladas. It’s my favorite, and every time I was home on leave in the last ten years, this is the one meal she would make for me. “You spoil me,” I tell her, taking a heaping bite.
“Of course I do. I’ve made your brother’s favorite every few weeks for years, having him over for dinner. I have some dinners to make up for.”
“This is perfect, Mom. Thank you.”
“How’s the new tenant? Hollis is his name, right? Did he get moved in okay?”
Dad chuckles under his breath as I heave a heavy sigh. “Yes. She got moved in okay.”
“She?” Mom raises her eyebrows in question.
“Yeah, apparently, Hollis is a unisex name. Who knew?” I shrug.
“Well, how is she?”
Hot as fuck. “She’s… nice. I haven’t really spent much time with her. Chase and Gabs were at the house last night. They went through her things from her apartment they had stored in the garage and brought me what they didn’t need or want.”
“That was sweet of them.”
“Yeah, it helped out a lot. There is so much I need starting from scratch.”
“What can we do to help? Do you need money? Or a sitter?”
“No, I’m good on cash. I didn’t spend much being deployed all the time. The sitter, though, I might take you up on that one.”
“You just tell me when. I’d love to watch him. In fact, he can stay here tonight. I’ll keep him tomorrow.”
“Gwen is expecting him. Besides, it will help them with extra cash since she quit her job, and you didn’t retire just to watch Milo.”
“She kind of did,” Dad chimes in.
“With Chase and Gabby with one on the way and little Milo here, it was time. Your dad’s been trying to get me to for years.”
“That will help when Gwen goes on maternity leave for sure. I don’t want to take that income, even though she barely charges me anything for watching him. Not just out of the blue.”
“Well, I’m here when you need me, and you can let her know that I’ll gladly watch that sweet Sophia if she ever needs a break.”
“I’ll be sure to tell her.”
“Good, now eat up. I made a double batch.”
I look down at the heaping plate in front of me. “No way, I’ll be lucky to get this down.”
“I knew you would say that, so you can take the rest home with you. Maybe share it with Hollis. Get to know her a little better.”
If I didn’t know that my mother loves to feed anyone and everyone, I might think that she and Dad are on some kind of mission to marry me off. I agree to take home the leftovers, but keep quiet on her comment to share them with Hollis. It’s not that I don’t want to share, but steering clear of her is the better option for me.
I help Mom clean up, change Milo’s diaper, and head home. I make two trips—the first with the diaper bag, and the leftovers, the second with my boy. The entire drive home, I think about what my dad said. I need to just get to know her and see what happens. Maybe once I spend more time with her, she’ll annoy the hell out of me, and wanting her will no longer be an issue. Even as I think it, I know that’s not going to be the case.
Parking my truck in the driveway, I see Hollis’s car. Somehow, I manage to carry Milo in his seat, the diaper bag, and the leftovers without dropping any of it. With my arms carefully unloaded, I remove Milo from his seat and place him in the swing. He’s snoozing away from our drive, and I hope he stays that way for at least another twenty minutes because as soon as we got into the house, I remembered that I need to install the lock on Hollis’s door.
Grabbing the lock from the drawer in the kitchen, and the small toolkit from the counter, I head through the laundry room and knock on her door. She opens immediately, wearing a kind smile.
“Hi, Colton.”
“Hey, I need to install your lock. Is now a good time?” I hold up the lock like an idiot as if I need to prove to her, that’s why I’m knocking on her door.
“Sure. I was just lounging.” She pulls open the door, and I see one of those fold-up lawn chairs, you know, the kind that you can shove into a bag and sling over your shoulder, and some kind of tablet sitting on a blanket on the floor.
I don’t know what it is, but something primal pulls inside me. “You can lounge in the living room.”
“This is fine, Colton.”
“It’s not fine. You can lounge on the couch,” I say again. “In fact, you should take my bed tonight, and I’ll take the couch.”
“No. No way am I taking your bed. I have lots of blankets. It’s fine. I ordered a mattress today and found a cheap frame at the secondhand store. I should have them here in a week.”
“What? You can’t sleep on the floor for a week.”
“I can, and I will.”
I shake my head and turn my back to her. Instead of focusing on how to get her to see things my way, I get busy installing the lock. I’m almost finished when Milo lets out a cry. “Dammit,” I mutter.
“Do you mind if I get him?”
“Thank you. He’s probably hungry.”
“Time for a bottle?” she asks.
“Yeah. I’m almost done,” I say, but it’s to her back. She’s already headed to the living room to take care of my son. For the second time today.
Finishing with the lock, I test it to make sure it works properly. Picking up my trash and my tools, I make my way back to the kitchen. Looking toward the couch, I see Hollis, sitting with Milo in her arms, while she feeds him a bottle.
“It was in the diaper bag.”
“Thank you.” My mind keeps telling me I’m letting this strange woman handle and now feed my son. However, my gut tells me she would never do him any harm. As long as I’m here with her until I get to know her better, it’s fine.
“I don’t mind. He’s such a good baby.”
“That’s what they tell me. I mean, I think he’s perfect, but I’m biased. I have nothing to go off of. I’ve never really spent much time around kids. Life in the military will do that to you.”
“Well, he’s an angel,” she says softly, not taking her eyes off my son.
“Have you had dinner?”
“Not yet.”
“My mom sent leftovers. I’ll heat you up a plate.” I need something to do besides stare at her holding my baby boy.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Trust me, and you’ll be thanking me once you taste it.” I busy myself heating her up a plate and set it on the table. “I can take him so you can eat.”
“You sure?”
I smile at her. “Yes. I’m sure. Thank you for helping with him.”
“It’s selfish, really. I get my baby fix.”
“You love kids, huh?”
“Yeah.” She smiles down at Milo, then transfers him to my arms. When she touches me, that same spark I felt earlier is present.
“You want any of your own?” I ask. Something passes in her eyes, but it’s gone before I can name it.
“Maybe one day.”
I want to pry, but it’s not my place. “Go eat. Enjoy.”
“Thank you, Colton.”
I force myself to watch Milo eat instead of watching
her ass as it sways on her way to the kitchen. “One day at a time, little man. One day at a time,” I whisper, keeping my words a secret between father and son.
Chapter 4
Hollis
I should head back to my own side of the wall. I started a new design for a small finance company in Dallas and have plenty of work to do. Plus, there are a few of my own things to put away in my new place, including some secondhand dishes I picked up today. Not to mention the little bit of cleaning I want to do before my new bed arrives. So I have plenty to do and shouldn’t monopolize anymore of Colton’s time.
Yet, here I am, straightening up his dirty dishes and wiping down the countertop.
“You don’t have to do that.” He startles me, making me jump a mile high. “Sorry,” he adds with a chuckle. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
I turn around, my hand covering my heart. “No problem. I didn’t hear you come in.”
He takes a step closer and looks down at Milo. “Habit, I guess. I’m used to moving silently.”
“What branch of the military again?” I ask, even though I remember. I just like hearing the sound of his voice. It’s weird, considering I barely know him, but I find it soothing. Not to mention sexy as hell, but I’m ignoring that reason.
“Army. Enlisted when I was eighteen,” he says, bouncing his son on his hip. “Thought I was going to be in for life until this one came along.”
I smile down at the baby who’s trying to eat his hand. “He’s a pretty good reason to leave.”
“The best reason,” he agrees. “So, about what I mentioned earlier.”
I cross my arms and notice when his eyes drop to my chest. They divert quickly, but it was there nonetheless. That glance and the slight flare of his eyes. “You were saying?” I hedge, even though I know where this conversation is going.
Colton clears his throat. “Right. So, uh, anyway, I want you to take my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. I insist.”
I stare across the kitchen at the man before me. He’s tall, muscular, and has a body built for your wildest dreams. A few years ago, I’d have taken him up on his offer to take the bed, and maybe even asked him to join me, but not now. Not since I gained my independence back. This is my life, to live the way I see fit, and if that means I sleep on the hard floor with only a few blankets to pad me, then so be it. I can do this my way, and don’t need his charity, despite it being appreciated. He’s clearly a gentleman, but I already know I have to turn him down.
Swallowing over the lump in my throat, I shake my head. “I appreciate the offer, Colton, but I can’t accept it. I won’t. I’ll be just fine until my bed comes.”
“Hollis, I can’t let you sleep on the floor.”
I take a step forward. “Let me ask you this. If I was a male roommate, would you be offering your bed to me?” He swallows hard. “That’s what I thought. I truly do appreciate it, but I’ll be okay. I’ve slept on the floor before, and it’s only temporary.”
He’s silent for a few seconds. “I don’t like it.”
Shrugging, I reply, “I guess it’s not really for you to like or dislike.”
Those blue eyes watch me. “I guess you’re right, but please know the offer stands.” Colton takes a step forward, almost invading my personal space.
Needing to break the tension, sexual and otherwise, I reach forward and slip my finger inside Milo’s hand. He tries to bring it to his mouth and gnaw on it, but I keep him from doing so by tickling his little Buddha belly. “Thank you. I do know the offer stands, and I appreciate it.”
Colton exhales and looks like he wants to argue with me, but instead, glances down at the boy in his arms. “I was just about to get Milo here in his bathtub. For someone so small, he sure makes a big mess,” he says, pointing to the big wet spot on his chest. I’m guessing formula… or possibly spit-up. Either way, I smile.
“I’m going to head back to my place. I have a site I’m working on,” I tell him. As I pry my fingers from Milo’s grasp, I throw his dad a wave and head to my door. “Thank you for dinner. Tell your mom they were the best enchiladas I’ve ever had,” I add, glancing at him over my shoulder.
“I’ll tell her,” he says with a small grin.
“Goodnight, Colton.”
“Night, Hollis.”
I shut the door behind me, flipping the lock into place. I double-check the outside door as well, though I did that earlier. Call it a habit, I guess. Flipping open the notepad on the counter, I check my list of upcoming purchases. Curtains to cover the miniblinds on the windows, a small bookshelf, a couch, and chair, though both may not fit. I add waffle maker and Crock-Pot to the list, two things I’d love to own again since I enjoy cooking. I cross off lamp as it was one of the few things I picked up today at the secondhand store, and toss the list back onto the counter. I have a long way to go before this place has that homey vibe, but I know I’ll get there. With each job I take, I’ll earn more money to buy the things on the list. It’ll take time, but that’s okay. The end result will be worth it.
In the bathroom, I get ready for bed. I pop out my contacts and place them carefully in the case. I don’t have that many pairs left, so I need to be cautious with the ones I have. After washing my face and moisturizing, I slip on warm, comfy pajamas, pull my hair up in a high ponytail, and return to my makeshift bed. I add an extra blanket to the padding and slip under the covers.
It’s still early, and I’m not quite ready to sleep, so I grab my laptop and pull up the site I’ve been working on. I immerse myself in my work, adding the stock market widget to the main page, and grain and livestock on another. I scroll through the landing pages and make sure the images are right, based on specifics the company provided me. When I’m certain those are good, I click through a few other pages, working on the text and adding buttons for social media. I spend a good hour reading every line, looking for spelling errors and missing punctuation. Before the site goes live, I always send it to my client for a final set of eyes.
The only sound is the occasional clicking of my laptop keys, which is why, when I hear a loud wail, followed by that deep sexy timbre echoed through the wall, my entire body takes notice. They sound close, which means they’re in Milo’s bedroom again. I can picture them, Milo snuggled in one of those fuzzy animal towels with the hood attached, as Colton tries to wrestle a fresh diaper on him. Of course, Colton’s shirt is probably soaking wet too. Milo seems like the kind of kid who’d appreciate bath time.
Shaking my head, I try to push all thoughts of my landlord and the way his T-shirt would mold to his chest if it were wet—I bet it would be a magnificent sight—and finish up my work for the night. Tomorrow, I’ll comb the site one last time and send it to the customer for review. I know there will be changes, but I’d like to know if I’m on the right track.
Before I shut down my laptop for the night, I pull up my Facebook account. I have a few notifications, but most of them pertain to pages I follow, like authors and cute boutiques. My cursor hovers over the search bar, and before I stop myself, I type a name and click enter. Seven matches pop up with the name Colton Callahan, but it’s the first one that I find myself clicking.
The profile picture is of a slightly younger version of my landlord, with his arms around two others. Their hair is buzzed super short, and the trio sport wide grins and army green. Even though the picture is a few years old, I can see the resemblance in Milo and even Chase. The Callahans must have strong genes.
I scroll down, scanning his page. He hasn’t posted recently, but there are a few tags. More army pictures, usually featuring the same small group of guys, and more recently, All Fit Gym. They took to social media to promote his hiring, as well as push a few of the classes he’s starting. I end up checking out the descriptions of each one, noting one particular I wouldn’t mind checking into. It’s a self-defense class for women, as well as one-on-one personal defense lessons, which includes kickboxing and karate introductions.
Redirecting my browser
to the All Fit website, I can see why Gabby thinks an overhaul is necessary. Their current site is plain and lacks any recent news. All of those classes they’re starting with Colton should be promoted on their website, with a direct link to sign up. A blog might also be a great addition to their site, where trainers and coaches can make weekly posts to engage their audience. Eating healthy, time management at the gym, personalized workouts, and classes. All things they could promote to their targeted audience.
My wheels are still spinning as I close out of their site and exit social media. A quick scan of my online bank account reveals a dangerously low amount of money, and even though I anticipated that number, it’s still alarmingly shocking. After paying first and last month’s rent, as well as my moving expenses and covering the purchases I made today at the store, I’m in desperate need of a little incoming cash. Hopefully, I can finish up this site and get paid sooner, rather than later, and then move on to the next one waiting in the wings. My business is successful, but the recent move took a hit to my finances.
After logging out, I notice the email icon lit up, so I hop over to check it out. I always get excited when I see a contact via my website because I know it’s someone looking for my services. If I’m lucky, they’ll sign on for a design soon, so I can get my checking account back up to where I prefer to keep it.
The message fills my screen, and my blood runs cold. My eyes fill with tears as I look at the seven words written, each one of them a reminder of the truth I’m running from. A truth that has followed me halfway across the United States. One that will continue to haunt my dreams, leaving me looking over my shoulder.
Contact: [email protected]
Message: You can run, but you can’t hide.
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 57