Page 54 of Crossing Lines

“They smell delicious. Thank you. Really.” I took the plate and smiled at them both.

“He has decided to take the house. Get this, dear, Wayne Malone’s daughter is his fiancée.”

“This is so exciting. I’m glad it’s going to someone who can appreciate it.” It took a moment for her mind to catch up to what she’d heard. I saw it the moment she registered the last part of what he had said. “Stella? Stella is your fiancée?” At my nod, she continued, “Oh, what a sweet girl. Though all of Wayne’s kids have always been so kind. The older boys used to help in the summer building the chicken coops.”

“They’re a good family.” Mr. Kramer grinned.

I nodded, agreeing with both Mr. and Mrs. Kramer.

“Shall we go across the street and start on the paperwork? I have everything that’s needed to make this happen. My son made sure of that before he left.”

“Yes, sir. Sure thing. AJ, do you mind putting these in the truck? I won’t be long.”

“Sure. I need to call and check on the boys. Make sure Diesel hasn’t eaten Chip yet.” She laughed, her body shaking as we exited the gate. I could see the confusion on Mr. and Mrs. Kramer’s faces at the exchange.

I chuckled. “In English that means she is going to call the shop to make sure her dog, a horse-sized mastiff, hasn’t eaten my best friend, her sometime boyfriend, Chipper.”

“Ah,” Mr. Kramer chuckled, “I see. The dog and friend don’t get along?”

“Well, sir, it’s like this. Neither of them like to share her time. Diesel is very protective; he’s a trained guard dog. I got him for her a few years ago when she took over my pop’s garage. A young woman working on her own, with late night tow calls; it seemed the safest course of action. I’m not there as much as I’d like. Neither is Chip. We’re bail enforcement agents. We’re on the road a lot.”

“Well, you sound like the perfect big brother.” Mrs. Kramer sat beside her husband at the dining room table, and I sat across from them.

“I try, ma’am. She’s my baby sister. I’ll always look out for her.”

They exchanged a look, and the grins I got in return made me relax. They would be great neighbors.

A few hours after I left the Kramer’s, I walked out of the courthouse, which housed the land and tax office. I had the paperwork in hand for my newest asset, mine and Stel’s first home, all filed and official now.

I was anxious to go and pick up her and Ethan. I’d gotten a text while I was still with the Kramer’s that she was needed out at Malone Construction. They had a problem, and apparently with Wayne out with Robert and Gabe and the boys out on other jobs, she was the only one left who could make a decision.

She loved that power, don’t let her grumbling fool you. Kris had dropped her and Ethan off with instructions that I would be back to pick them up.

While I was at the Kramer’s, my sister had concocted a plan to surprise Stel. I wasn’t asked to help or to give direction. I was told to get out and let ‘them’ do what they do. Which meant the others were in on it too. I should be worried, but really, I should have expected it.

Chuckling, I climbed into my truck, put the paperwork in the glove box, and headed for the site. Tomorrow Stel would get to see her new home, and we could start our newest journey.

I pulled into the driveway, pressed the button on the small device attached to my visor, and watched as the gate blocking the driveway opened. Stella shifted in her seat, grumbling about the blindfold I’d asked her to wear. My grin grew.

“Easy, love, we’re almost there.”

“I will kick you in the nuts if you scare me.”

I snorted and pulled up the drive, turned the truck around, and parked just outside of the garage. My brows pulled down as I got a look around. There were white paper bells and streamers hanging on the porch. I caught sight of my sister peeking around the corner of the house, waving at me. I shook my head, grinned, and gave Stella’s hand a squeeze.

“I’m going to get out and help you down. Do not remove that blindfold. You can see what this is about in a minute.”

“Don’t forget the baby.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please, woman, I’d never forget the baby.” My feet hit the driveway, and I moved around to help her out. I set her crutches under her arms. “Steady. Let me get the baby, then you can see your surprise.” Ethan was blowing bubbles of spit when I unbuckled him from the car seat. I chuckled, wiped his mouth on his bib, and pulled him to my chest.

“Can we get on with this already?” Stella griped.

“I’m getting the potato out. Give me a minute, baby.”

“Hurry it up, I’m not a fan of the dark.”

I laughed and shut the door. I gripped the tie on the blindfold. “On the count of three, love. One…two…three.” I let the blindfold drop. She blinked a few times and looked up. Her jaw went slack.

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