Page 72 of Wrecking Boundaries

“With help from the box instructions.” He gives me a half-smile. “My carpentry skills are lacking. Shall we go inside?”

We’re almost an hour early, so we’re not expected yet, but the minivan parked outside tells us people are home.

“One minute.” I swallow and try to ignore the nervous twitch invading my stomach. “I don’t want to make a terrible impression.”

“I love your hair.” Jake tucks a lock behind my ear. “It shines in the dark. Did you know that?”

“It’s almost black, so that’s impossible.”

“I spent the past year breaking into your apartment whenyou’re asleep. Trust me, it shines.”

I laugh, and the nervous twitches cease.

“You’re going to see my childhood room. Do you know what a rare treat that is?”

The opportunity alone makes the drive worth it. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Jake honks the horn. “We meet in the middle,” he explains as we leave his truck.

A moment later, the gravel driveway erupts in a cacophony of greetings and hugs, but I hang back, wanting to give the Knowles family some time alone first.

Jake introduces us, which leads to a friendly hug from his mother, Julia, and matching waves from his two younger sisters.

All three share Jake’s blond hair, with its streaks of gold and hints of pale silver. They have the same chin and perfect cheekbones, too. Julia’s hair is divided into two loose braids, each tied off with a piece of tie-dyed fabric. Jake once commented that his mother was born in the wrong decade.

“Well, you’re even more beautiful than Jake described,” Julia says, and I blush at the comment.

“I said knock-out gorgeous, didn’t I?” he says. I roll my eyes. “A genius, too.”

So much for his promise not to lean into the hard sell. “He exaggerates,” I say.

Jake removes our overnight bags, and we all go inside.

Maddie chews her lip when she’s nervous; oddly, I find myself doing the same.

∞∞∞

“Dinner is served,” Julia Knowles announces before setting a large pot and warming plate in the center of the dining table. “It’s nothing fancy—chicken and dumplings, one of Jake’s childhood favorites.”

Jake scoops out food before his mother sits. I start to correct his manners but resist after noticing Julia’s pleased expression. Growing up, we were never allowed a bite until every family member was ready.

“The basement light is burnt out,” Jake says. He pauses and takes another bite. “You’re also out of light bulbs.”

“I forgot to pick some up this week,” Josie says in an easy tone. “We hardly use it anymore, with only three of us in the house.”

“I’ll pick some up after dinner,” Jake says. “That way, we don’t forget.”

Julia Knowles frowns but doesn’t respond. After we arrived, Jake went through the house, claiming he needed to check for repairs or other problems. First, he sprayed their garage door with something to stop it from creaking, and then he fixed a minor leak in the bathroom faucet. After that, he changed the fire alarm battery.

He behaved like it was an old habit, but I suspect his mother finds it frustrating. She invited me to share a glass of cold lemonade and asked questions about my family while pretending not to notice Jake.

“This is delicious,” I butt in to change the subject. “My mom is always looking for new recipes. Would you mind if I share it with her?”

“I’ll send you off with a copy,” she says, immediately launching into a list of ingredients.

Maddie is supposed to be the diplomat, but my efforts are decent, too.

“I went to a tryout event at the local track yesterday,” Josie announces.

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