Elaina

by Jennifer Hanks

Determined not to be rude, I looked up and smiled softly at Ben who threw up his hand in a wave. I felt Paige’s elbow dig into my side. “Say hello.” She whispered loudly.

  “Hi.” I waved back, a definite squeak to my voice. I cleared my throat while he headed my way, followed by two other men, but only one I recognized.

  “Hey Lanie.” Landon winked at me the same way he had when I first met him. Why was that so sexy? I watched his eyes and Ben’s travel to where Paige stood. “Who’s your friend?”

  Paige elbowed me again when I stayed silent and I jumped. “Umm right, this is my friend Paige.” I pointed at Ben and then Landon. “Paige this is Ben and Landon.”

  She threw her hand out and I heard them talking, but wasn’t paying attention anymore since I saw the front door on Jake’s house swing open. His eyes scanned the yard, landing on mine while he walked down the short walk to his driveway, heading towards the older man standing beside the black truck parked at the end of the driveway. I dropped my head immediately, purposefully ignoring him and feeling the blush creep up my neck into my cheeks. Ugh, I hated my fair skin.

  “Wanie!” I heard the small voice call out and my head snapped up to see Braydon coming my way. I immediately squatted down and smiled, thankful he was going to be my distraction again.

  “Hi Braydon.” I said when he stood before me.

  He scanned the yard behind me and then cocked his head to the side. “Bweasy pay?”

  I smiled, but shook my head. “Sorry no. He’s inside napping on the couch.”

  I watched his little face fall and his lips form a pout, causing me to do something I really didn’t want to do. “If it’s okay with your dad, I can take you in to say hi to him.”

  He smiled wide, his eyes sparkling before he turned and ran back to Jake, yelling for him. I saw him squat down and then his eyes shifted to mine, narrowing. I stood up. Uh oh, maybe I shouldn’t have offered after all. I saw the older man say something and hold out his hand, which Braydon grabbed and pulled him towards where I still stood.

  “You must be Lanie, the neighbor I’ve been hearing so much about.” The older man said.

  I felt my eyes widen because who was he hearing about me from. “Umm…”

  “I’m Jack, Jake’s dad.” He motioned to where Ben still stood with Landon and Paige. “Ben’s too.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I said quietly, and for some unknown reason, his smile widened further.

  “Now where’s this Beasley Bray’s been talking about?” Jack asked.

  “In the house.” I started, but quickly realized Jack and Bray were already walking that way. I turned and followed, stepping up next to Bray who still held his grandpa’s hand.

  They stopped on the porch, letting me pass to open the door and just as I suspected, Beasley was still snoring on the couch. Bray let go of Jack’s hand and ran straight for him.

  “Bweasy!” He yelled.

  Beasley opened one eye and his tail did a couple of slow wags when he caught sight of Bray. He climbed up beside the dog’s massive head and giggled when Beasley scooted a little closer, resting his head on Bray’s legs and looking up at him with his big brown eyes.

  “That’s one big dog.” Jack said, eyes wide. “The boys weren’t kidding.”

  “He’s harmless. Pretty much a couch potato.” I said.

  He chuckled. “Unless I whistle right?”

  I giggled. “Yeah I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  Jack turned his body until we were facing each other. “So, Lanie, tell me about yourself.”

  “Umm…” I hesitated and looked over his shoulder towards the window in the living room just in time to watch Jake throw back his head and laugh at something Paige said.

  “Lanie?” Jack said, glancing over his shoulder to look out the window.

  “Huh?” I snapped my attention back towards Jack. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Jack looked out the window again before turning his attention back to me. “Honey, how would you feel about helping me out with something?”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  JAKE

  I tried to stay focused on the conversation between Ben, Landon and Paige, but I felt my mind continuously going back to what could be happening in Lanie’s house. What the hell was my dad up to?

  “Jake?”

  “Hmm…?” I heard my name, but my attention was solely on her front door.

  “Dude, what the fuck are you staring at?”

  I turned towards the voice and saw three faces staring back at me. “What?”

  Paige laughed, along with Landon, but the knowing look on Ben’s face just pissed me off. “You worried about what Pop’s telling her?”

  I frowned. “I’m wondering what the hell he’s either signing me up for or asking her to do.”

  “Might be both.” Landon spoke up.

  That was true. Dad with a plan was like a dog with a bone. I only wish I knew what was going on in his head. “Maybe I should go in.”

  I barely finished my sentence when the front door swung open and Dad, Lanie and Bray all wandered out.

  Laughing.

  He made her laugh. How the hell did he make her laugh? We couldn’t even get her to look at us. Better yet, why the fuck did that piss me off?

  They made their way towards us. Bray reached up and grabbed Lanie’s hand halfway across the yard making her look down at my boy and smile softly. He looked happy. I wanted that for him. He’d asked about Julie, but only twice in the last few weeks and I didn’t mention her, but I often wondered if he was missing a mother. Although she hadn’t really been that to him, always complaining that having him took away her life and freedom. But I still worried that just losing her presence was affecting him. Seeing him with Lanie, smiling wide, something he never did around Julie, only solidified in my mind that she hadn’t been good to him. She never made him smile or laugh, only doing what was necessary until I got home and took over. As a matter of fact, I could count on one hand how many times I’d even seen her play with him or hold him when he was sick or tired. That was all me too. He was usually shy around women, all except my mom and Gia, but he took to Lanie like he’s known her his whole life. Maybe it was Beasley, but whatever it was, seeing my boy smile made all the difference in my day.

  They came to stand in front of us and Lanie looked at Paige, smiling. Paige’s face softened and conveyed something I was assuming only the two of them knew, but it seemed important.

  “I have great news.” My dad’s voice, loud and clear boomed through the yard.

  “What’s that Pop?” Ben spoke up.

  He put his arm around Lanie and looked directly at me. “Lanie here works from home, designing websites for people and companies.”

  “That sounds interesting.” Landon said, gaining her attention and a smile.

  “It can be.” She looked down at Bray who pulled his hand free and started towards his sandbox.

  “Bray?” I called and he turned to face me. “Where are you going?” I asked, even though I knew exactly where he was headed, I was trying to get him in the habit of telling me first.

  “Pay sand.” He said, waiting for my nod, which I gave him and he hurried off to the sandbox, sitting his butt down and grabbing a dump truck.

  “So, what’s the good news?” Ben asked.

  “Well a few things actually.” He rubbed his hands together, and I watched as Lanie played with the silver bracelet dangling from her wrist. “Lanie has agreed to come up with some website ideas for you boys.”

  I pulled my stare from her wrist and looked at Ben who seemed taken aback too. We don’t need a website. We already have more work than we need. I opened my mouth to say just that, confident Ben thought the same, but he beat me to it.

  “That’s a fantastic idea!”

  I narrowed my eyes, trying to understand what was so exciting about having a website. I shook my head. “What the hell do we need a website for? We already have more business than we can keep up with.”
>
  “All good businesses have websites.” Ben explained. “I think it makes us look more reputable.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Dimarco Construction has been around for decades. People already know we’re reputable.”

  “This is a new era of the business, brother. I think we need to take this opportunity. The business we have now will eventually be done and then what. We need to think about and plan for what happens next.”

  “What happens next? Jesus, I can’t even keep up with what’s happening right now.”

  “I’ll let you boys figure that out.” Dad interrupted. “There’s another thing I want to talk about.”

  I gestured for him to go on, a huge fucking stress headache starting to take hold. I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the knots that always seemed to be there now.

  “Jake, your mother and I have decided to take a little vacation.” I closed my eyes, opening them slowly, already knowing where this was headed. “Just a week or two, but a little time together before Gia has the baby. Lanie,” He squeezed his arm around her shoulders. “has been nice enough to say she would babysit when you need someone. Gia obviously can’t with Lexi and work. Kasey is teaching and has Mia. She also said she’d be happy to help out Luke during the day while we’re gone and you’re at work.”

  “You should let her cook for you. She’s an amazing cook!” Paige’s voice cut in. I’d forgotten she was even here.

  “You like to cook?” Landon asked, his attention focused on Lanie.

  She shrugged. “A little, but I’m not very good. Not amazing that’s for sure.” She nervously laughed.

  “Yes you are.” Paige said.

  “So, what do you think boy?” My dad’s voice brought me back to him.

  I said the first thing that came to my mind. “Have you ever spent time with kids alone before?”

  She glanced up and I saw it took everything she had to hold my gaze. She seemed to be doing fine with everyone else, but even I knew I wasn’t being all that friendly.

  She spun her bracelet around again before answering. “I babysat when I was in high school.”

  I nodded, but now that my attention was solely on her, I took a minute and let my eyes scan over her. She looked different, but somehow the same. Her hair was down this time, and she had her glasses off, which made her look older, less like a college kid. She also had on clothes that fit her, unlike before, and I could actually see her body. My eyes lingered on her breasts too long and I felt my cock jerk. Dammit, the first reaction to a woman in months and it’s someone who’s as far from my usual type as I could get. Loneliness is a real bitch.

  “We need to go.” Her voice cracked through the silence and my eyes skimmed back up to her now very red complexion. Why was she blushing? Shit, she must’ve noticed where my eyes had been. I heard Ben snicker and it pissed me off so I shot him a, shut the hell up, look before turning my attention back to Lanie. Well Lanie’s back, seeing as she was now pushing through the middle of the group and heading for her car.

  Paige smiled at everyone, but narrowed her eyes when she got to me. “It was nice to meet you guys. I’m sure we’ll see you again.”

  Ben snorted. “Well you made that pretty fucking awkward, brother.”

  “What the hell did I do?” I asked.

  Landon made a sound of disbelief. “Seriously? You don’t think staring at her body would make her uncomfortable.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “You got a thing for her?”

  He shrugged. “It isn’t your fucking business if I do, but I wouldn’t want any woman to feel that uncomfortable.”

  “Whatever.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Can we just move Luke’s damn bed?”

  Ben and Landon turned, heading for Ben’s truck and I started to follow when I felt my dad’s hand land on my shoulder.

  I sighed, but turned to face him. “I know what you’re going to say, Pop, and yes you raised me better than that.”

  He smirked. “Yes, I did and I’m confident you’ll make that right with her. But I also need you to take her up on her offer to help with your brother and Bray. Your mother needs a vacation and more than that, she deserves one. She’ll only go if all her grandbabies are taken care of.” He leaned in close to my face, his set in determination. “Get this set up, call your mother, and let her know.”

  I nodded because there was no use arguing. Dad didn’t get upset often, but when it came to our mother, he could be intense. I wasn’t going to be the one to poke that bear.

  “Crap.” I heard and turned to see Lanie staring down at her front tire on the driver’s side.

  “What’s up?” I called out, already turning and heading her way.

  Paige skirted around the car and frowned. “A flat.”

  Ben jogged over and stood behind me when I gently pushed Lanie to the side and squatted down. I ran my hands over the tire, but without taking it off, I couldn’t find the problem. Probably just a leak.

  I stood up and faced Lanie. “Do you have a spare?”

  She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes glancing at the men over my shoulder before settling back on me and shaking her head.

  My eyes widened. “You don’t?”

  She chewed her bottom lip, releasing it to answer. “I had a flat about a year ago and then ran on my spare too long because I didn’t have the money to replace the tire. Long story short I ruined both tires and kind of forgot about it until now.”

  I closed my eyes, shaking my head. “You forgot to replace your spare?”

  She lifted her hand, holding her palm out towards me, surprisingly the hell out me with her sass. “You can spare me the lecture; I already know it wasn’t smart.”

  Ben chuckled behind me. “Nice pun Lanie.”

  Her lips quirked up at the sides and she glanced over my shoulder again to look at Ben. “I didn’t mean to.”

  He laughed. “That’s what makes it even better.”

  “Okay boys.” Dad clapped his hands together. “Who’s got Cole’s number?”

  “Cole?” Paige spoke up, and even I could see she seemed anxious for the answer.

  “Our cousin. Dad’s brother’s kid. He owns a garage in Cranberry.”

  “Oh no.” Lanie called out. “That’s not necessary. I’ll just call the garage I’ve used before and have it towed there.”

  “That’s ridiculous darlin’.” Shit, dad busted out darlin’. He only says that to women he likes and considers part of the family. He just fucking met her and he’s already adopted her. It goes without saying he never called Julie darlin’. “That’ll cost a lot and there’s no reason Cole can’t do it. He’ll even give you the family discount.”

  “Jack…” She started.

  “Nope.” He interrupted and Ben smirked at me. We both knew she was going to lose this battle. “It’s already been decided.”

  “I have his number Pop.” Ben said, already pushing a button on his cell phone before putting it to his ear.

  Ben walked away, talking while we stood quietly. I watched Lanie who looked either unsure or embarrassed, I couldn’t tell.

  Paige’s voice speared the silence. “We can just take my car after they come get yours.”

  Lanie nodded and then her head snapped up as if something occurred to her. “Actually, that’s perfect because you can just take me to pick it up when it’s done.” She turned her body back to face me. “I’ll just need the address of the garage or a phone number or something.”

  Dad waved his hand around in the air. “Nonsense. Jake will wait there. I’ll go along, haven’t seen Cole in a while. It’ll be good to catch up.”

  “Pop, you saw him last week.” I reminded him.

  “A lot can happen in a week.” His eyes flicked to Lanie, a smirk playing around his lips.

  My dad’s a family man and he takes that seriously. He keeps tabs on everyone in the family and I do mean everyone, even down to the second cousins, always making sure they know he’s around if they need him. He’s the g
lue in our family and when he’s not able to be that, I have no doubt Luke will become that for the family.

  “Jack, that’s crazy…” Lanie tried again, but failed when she was interrupted.

  “Cole’s on his way.” Ben said, rejoining our little group.

  Dad rubbed his hands together, obviously happy he got his way. “Okay then it’s all settled.”

  “Lanie,” I called out waiting for her to look my way. “Do you have an extra set of keys?”

  “Oh yeah,” She nodded, turning towards the house. “I’ll just go get them.”

  I watched her walk until she disappeared into the house, only to turn back to the conversation going on and catching Ben’s smirk. “What?” I grumbled.

  He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Nothin’.”

  I didn’t push it, not wanting to get into it with him. Lanie rejoined our little huddle and listened while Ben and I talked to Dad about our progress with the new development. It only took about fifteen minutes until I saw the tow truck rolling down the road towards Lanie’s driveway. Dad threw his hand up in the air, waving him over. Cole parked and jumped down from the truck, his eyes taking in the group, and not hiding it when they lingered a little longer on Paige.

  “Cole, son, I’d like you to meet Lanie and Paige.” Dad called out to him when he made his way to the group.

  Lanie smiled. “I’m Lanie.”

  He grinned. “The one with no spare.”

  She smiled, shaking her head in amusement, before pointing at Paige. “This is my friend Paige.”

  “We know each other.” Paige spoke up. I was surprised to hear the disdain in her voice.

  “How?” Lanie asked.

  “From the store,” Paige said, her eyes narrowed on my cousin.

  Cole smirked. “Nice to see you Paige.”

  She rolled her lips together like she was keeping something to herself and nodded.

  Cole shook his head, taking off his dirty green army cap and holding it above his head, scratching his forehead with his finger before settling it back on his head. “Let’s get loaded up.”

  Lanie handed him her keys and gave him her number, asking him to call and let her know what it cost to replace the tire. He grinned, and turned to walk away knowing full well Dad was not letting her pay for the repairs or the new tire, but not going to be the one to tell her that. Cole had always been a smart guy. Except maybe for whatever he did to piss Paige off.