by Marni MacRae
All strength gone, I collapse against him, and this time I do sleep.
* * *
I awaken to Nick’s fingertips trailing lightly up my spine. His steady breathing beneath me is a rhythm that matches my own. Our hearts beating together in a harmonic pulse.
I raise my head to look at him, and he brushes a strand of hair away from my face. Dark, choppy locks cling in strands to the sweat on my neck.
“What do you think of a shower?” His question rumbles through my chest as if his voice is inside me.
“That sounds divine.” I give him a lazy smile and then a small shriek as he sits up, scooping my body to him in one graceful move and carries me like a child to the bathroom.
“I have feet, Nick, I can walk.”
“I have seen these feet you speak of.” He sets me down on a padded bench near the tub. “They are adorable.” With a quick kiss that I almost don’t feel, he turns from me to reach into the glass-paneled shower and turn on the water.
“Shall I carry you in, or can your adorable feet do the job?” He winks at me, but I am distracted by the nearness of him, the abundance of tanned skin and the heat that still radiates off him like the sun.
“Hmm, I’ll walk.” But I hold a hand out to him for assistance just in case I’m wrong. The man makes me weak in the knees.
Nick chuckles softly and helps me into the shower, following me in and closing the door behind us. “Now, about those cute feet,” he says as he reaches for me.
“I thought you said they were adorable.” I laugh as he stands under the spray of water, holding me against him as we both turn our faces from the spray and to each other.
“Sexy.” He murmurs.
“My feet?” I arch a brow and stand on my tiptoes to reach his mouth with mine.
“All of you.” And then the heat between us burns the water to steam.
Chapter 22
We arrive at the job site far later than we intended. With little time to return to Eve’s to change after traipsing around through the dirt and mud, I suggested she wear her boots but bring a change of shoes for the barbeque.
Although I had originally wanted to show Eve the entire project, due to our…delay, I have to settle for the finished homes she will be cleaning if she takes the job, plus a few of my favorites still under construction.
“Nick!” Eve’s voice is filled with awe, her face practically pressed up against the passenger window looking out at the row of houses as we pass them on the unpaved street.
“You built these?”
“Well, yes. My crew and I built them.”
“I can’t imagine the skill it must take to accomplish this!” She waves her hand along the street, and I feel a swell of pride.
I love my job and know that we do good work, but to hear Eve praise the homes I dreamed up and worked hard to bring to reality, warms me. Somehow, it means more than it would coming from a stranger or even another builder. Eve’s opinion matters to me. After spending yesterday without her and the last two hours exploring her every curve, every nuance—well, I have come to admit to myself freely just how much she means to me, and that includes her opinion.
“Thank you, Eve.”
I park the truck in the paved driveway of the last house on the street. It’s the first one we built. I turn to her before she unclasps her seatbelt and take her hand.” Eve, about earlier…”
I don’t know what I want to say. But we haven’t spoken of it and I feel I need to say something. I’m the experienced one here, she is—was—,
“Oh, hell,” I mutter and lean forward to kiss her.
Her mouth lingers on mine for a moment before she pulls back. “Let’s talk later.” She presses small fingers to my lips and smiles softly. “For now, let’s tour your beautiful homes and enjoy a barbeque on this perfect day.”
I nod my head, and she removes her warm fingers, replacing them with her lips and a quick kiss. “Good. Now show me your lovely homes so I can see where I will be working.” Quickly, she unclasps her seatbelt and practically bounces from the truck.
I shake my head and send a quick thanks to the big guy above for blessing me with this woman. She thrills me and makes me smile all in the space of a heartbeat.
* * *
Home after home, Eve ooh’s and ah’s over every detail. She’s fascinated with the structures, running her hands along countertops and banisters, walking into the showers. At first I find myself blushing at the memory of Eve in a shower not so long ago, with no clothes and warm, wet lips. But her questions keep me grounded, keep us moving through each home.
“How do sticks hold all this up? Where does the water go when it drains? Did you install the sewers? How do you work on a ceiling so high?”
One after another Eve peppers me with questions and queries. Her curiosity is insatiable. So many things most of us are happily ignorant to, she asks about. Like the microwave and the furnace in the basement. She asks questions that stump me, and I have to promise to google them with her later. But by the end of the tour, she is excited to get started.
“I can see why you warned me it was hard work. The spaces are huge. The floors alone will take a whole day, not to mention the windows and sills. It looked like the cupboards all have sawdust in them from their installation. But I am up to it, and I think I can make them shine.” She turns to me in a twirl and claps her hands. “I would love to clean your homes. Just to be a small part of something you built excites me. And someday, families will live here. Their memories and lives will mark your floors and little handprints will dirty the windows I clean. It will be like we are a part of their lives in a small invisible way.”
I pull her to me in an embrace and look down the street at all the homes standing in a row. “I have thought the same thing before,” I murmur.
Eve turns her face up to me, surprised. “You have?”
“Yes. Exactly the same thing.”
Her smile lights her face, reaching her eyes, and filling me with a peace and contentment I have never experienced before.
I know right then that I love her. I am certain in every part of me as I look into her golden, smiling eyes that I would do anything for her. Absolutely anything.
I lean down to lay a kiss on her brow, not trusting myself to speak, then take her hand in mine as we walk back to the truck.
* * *
Lee’s street is closed off at both ends of the block, so I park on the next one over, and Eve and I walk to the May Day celebration. I decided on the quiet drive over that I would keep the rest of the day light. A barbeque with family and friends is no place to proclaim my love or hope for a return of said love.
Or to discuss the hours spent in her bed this morning.
Sunshine, burgers, and hot dogs. Strangers asking nosy questions of Eve and introducing her to Anabel, Mom, and Dad.
Anabel is going to see right through me. I just know it. I sigh to myself and let the worry go. Keep it light, Nick.
Eve has changed into a pair of white sandals to complement the sundress that swirls around her knees. She looks like a delicate flower, and I feel a wave of pride and possessiveness wash over me.
I am yours. She had said this morning. Yes, in the throes of passion, but I cling to it as truth and take her hand as we round the corner onto crazy street.
* * *
“Every year this gets a bit more ludicrous, man!”
I almost have to yell to be heard as Lee hands me a cold beer and shrugs. He’s manning one of four grills going on the street. Flipping burgers and rolling hot dogs over the flames.
“Yeah, well, I’m just here to make a mean burger and drink during the day.” He raises his bottle to clink against mine, and I shake my head.
Kids are running rampant along the street, some on bikes or skateboards, others just running to feel the wind as they chase after each other. Years ago, Anabel’s barbeque had been a quiet, family affair. Then year by year more and more people were invited, until May Day was practically a t
own celebration on Lee and Anabel’s street.
I watch Eve about twenty paces away, sitting at a picnic table on a neighbor’s lawn, laughing at something Laurel is saying. I promised I wouldn’t hover, but it’s taking all my strength to not take the steps over to her and touch her. Just to feel her.
“Either that young lady is being stalked by you or is about to be eaten by you.”
I glance down to see Anabel standing in front of me, arms crossed, eyebrows raised in accusation, long blonde ponytail swishing as she looks at Eve and then back at me.
“Anabel, how are you?” I reach over to give the accustomed hug, but she slaps my hands away and points a finger at me.
“I know you, Nicolas Quinn Donovan. You’re no stalker. I also know it’s not a full moon tonight, so no chance of you shapeshifting into a werewolf and gobbling up that pretty girl. So tell me, why you are looking like a man about to commit a sin?”
I chuckle and grab at Anabel’s ponytail. She shrieks and sidesteps me, reaching out to jab a finger into my ribs.
“That her, isn’t it? That’s the famous Eve Brighton. Now show your good manners and introduce me, Nicolas Donovan.” Anabel skillfully bats my hand away again as I tug at her long hair.
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“No, but your mother is but a shriek away. Do not make me call for your mother, Nick.”
“Dude, obey my bossy wife, please! If Mom comes over, she’s gonna critique my grilling skills.”
Lee shoves at my shoulder, and I glare at him before I succumb to Anabel's jabbing fingers.
“You’re burning the meat. You got the flames too high.”
I laugh with Anabel as we skip away from Lee who tosses sliced cheese at us.
“My meat is perfect! Don’t judge my fire.”
“Sounds like a catchy song title,” Ana quips.
“Or a male stripper intro.”
My sister in-law shoves me playfully as we approach the picnic table, and we’re both laughing when Eve catches my eye. My heart stops for a split second when her face lights up, and I catch Laurel and Anabel exchanging knowing glances.
“Hey, Laurel.” Ana bounces over to the slender woman and gives her a warm sisterly hug. “How’s Tuck doing? Is he going to be here today?”
“Oh, sure, he’s finishing up at work but should show up anytime. I see Lee is burning the meat again.” Laurel nods at the smoke billowing from Lee’s grill.
Anabel sighs. “His meat is perfect. Don’t judge his fire.”
Ana’s quote sounds sad and a little ashamed, and I choke on a sip of beer.
“Stripper,” I whisper so only she can hear me, and it’s her turn to choke.
“Behave! What are you, twelve? You must be Eve.” Anabel turns to see Eve is watching us with a curious expression. “I’m sorry you’ve been saddled with my twelve-year-old brother-in-law this week. It must have been rough.”
Laurel chuckles and grins at me when I cast a glare in her direction.
“Eve, this is Anabel. Busy body of Brighton Valley, wife of my brother, and “—I catch the fierce look Ana has turned on me and quickly revise my last description— “the sweetest woman in Kentucky who makes a mean blackberry cobbler.”
Anabel holds out her hand to Eve as she turns her glare from me, her face smoothing neatly into a smile. “Eve, I’m happy to—“
Eve steps down from sitting on the picnic tabletop and embraces Ana.
Surprised, but not put off, Anabel returns the hug and sticks her tongue out at me. Eve whispers something in her ear, and Ana’s eyes go wide. She pulls back from Eve and looks her in the eye, then looks at me with appraising wonder, and turns back to Eve.
“If you say so, sweetie.”
Eve nods, and I am at a loss as to what just transpired.
“Is this female-speak? Am I not tuned to the frequency?” I look at Laurel who just raises an eyebrow and takes a sip from her pop.
“Go help your brother with his perfect meat.” Anabel shoos at me and climbs up to sit next to Laurel. “We’ll take care of Eve.”
I realize my mouth is hanging open, so I close it, look at Eve to make sure she is okay with me leaving her alone with the two women, and she winks at me conspiratorially.
I’m not sure what just happened, but I hear all three of them laughing as I walk back toward billows of smoke and the sound of kids yelling “Fire, uncle Lee! Fire!”
“Women, man.” I shake my head as I reach Lee who is struggling to turn off his grill and kicking at kids running up to throw cups of water on him.
“Don’t I know it. They were dropped off by the mother ship, dude. I’m certain of it.” He squints his eyes, turning his head from the billowing smoke, and bats away another would be fireman.
“Last week you said they were pod people.”
“Yeah, pod people from the mother ship. Might be a handful of government trained assassins in the mix, too.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.” I nod.
“I am not on fire!” Lee yells." Then he’s off, chasing pre-teen boys wielding water guns down the street. “Man the grill, bro!” Lee shouts as he disappears into a bush, practically body slamming two boys with water balloons.
“Uh, no.” I take one look under the hood of the grill and chalk it up to a lost cause.
“His fire was too high.”
Mom wanders over, wincing at the shrieks I’m pretty certain are the death cries of my brother coming from the bushes.
“Yeah. I told him.”
“He doesn’t listen.”
“Nope. Every year.”
“Every year.” She sighs and lifts the hood to start cleaning the charred meat from the grill. “Grab me the garbage can, Nick. “
Ten minutes later the grill looked almost usable again, and I give Mom a thumbs up.
“Now don’t let your brother near this fire again. I need to go help Kim set up. She’s bringing pies from the diner.”
“Yes, Mother.’ I lean down to kiss her smooth cheek, and she takes my hand.
“I see your young lady over there.” Her voice has gentled, and she raises her eyes to mine. “You go spend time with her. Once your father turns off his grill, we’ll find you for a proper introduction.”
I don’t even try to hide the smile or pretend Eve isn’t “my young lady.” I just give her hand a squeeze and nod. “Say hi to Kim for me, and save a couple slices of her peach pie.”
“Go on now.” She’s smiling, glancing over at Eve who now kneels with Laurel and Anabel, trying to hold a wiggling puppy still while a little girl tries to clip a leash to its collar. “She’s lovely, honey.”
I hear my mom’s voice, but my eyes are glued to Eve. Her hair is pulled back into its ponytail from this morning, her dress pooling around her like a blossoming flower, and her face is lit up with joy as she holds the squirming puppy. She doesn’t even attempt to escape the wild licks as the yellow pup laps at her hands and face, any spot it can reach to taste.
“Yes, she is, Mom.” I throw a distracted “catch you later” over my shoulder as I walk away, zeroed in on the prize of Eve Brighton.
As I near the ladies, the young girl lets out a victorious whoop and jumps up from the fray, leash firmly clasped in her young hand.
“I got it! Come on, Princess!” She tugs at the now attached leash, and Princess scrambles from Eve’s lap. The two are off running down the street by the time I reach Eve’s side, and I hold my hand down to help her up.
Laurel hands her a napkin, and laughing, Eve begins cleaning the puppy licks from her face and arms.
“I wonder what I taste like to a dog.”
She smiles up at me, and I have to bite my tongue.
“Well, dogs tend to sniff butts and eat garbage, so no telling.” Laurel contributes.
Eve frowns and looks into my eyes. “Do I smell like garbage?”
I can tell she is teasing, but before I can respond, Laurel yells so close to my ear I flinch away, side-stepping to sta
nd behind Eve, my hands on her shoulders.
“Tuck! Over here!”
She waves her arms, drawing everyone’s eyes within earshot, and I chuckle. Seems I’m not the only one who’s smitten. Laurel’s eyes shine as Tuck strolls across the street, cowboy hat pulled low to block the afternoon sun from his eyes. He looks like a cowboy from an old western film.
Laurel hugs his tall frame as soon as he steps up onto the grass, then pulls him along with her to our little group.
“Anabel, Eve, Nick.” He tips his hat to the ladies and shakes my hand. “Where’s all this food I heard tell about?”
Anabel claps and smiles up at the towering cowboy. “Leave it to a man to get right to the point.”
“I’m starving, too,” Eve says.
“Yep, let’s eat,” Laurel chirps.
I can’t deny my stomach hasn’t growled a few times, having worked up an appetite since the omelet early this morning.
Tables have been set end to end half a block down the street. I notice they are as far from Lee’s grill as they can get and wonder if Mom and Anabel planned it that way. They’re so laden with food, they sag under the weight.
I grab a sturdy paper plate from a tall stack and hand one to Eve. Together we make our way down the line of hungry revelers, picking out tastes from some dishes and large helpings from others.
Eve chooses a hot dog with ketchup, mustard and relish, some potato salad, and a large slice of watermelon. In front of me, Tuck has loaded his plate to heaping, threatening the sturdy paper’s ability to withstand the load. Laurel glances over to see his precariously balanced meal and nudges him.
“Babe, you can come back for more.”
As baked beans begin slipping down his hand, he sees the logic in that choice and drops the spoonful of scalloped potatoes he had been about to dump on top of the pile.
“Will do. Now, where are we supposed to eat this?” Tables and chairs are strewn throughout the street, on lawns, and in driveways, but most have been claimed already.
