Page 61 of Housebroke

“Me? Nothing. My life is just fine.”

“Is it, though?” Warren gave him a direct look.

Linc leaned against the car. “Okay, hit me. What’s wrong with my life?”

“First, you’re never here,” Warren said. “Sure, your staff can run the business, but should they have to while you’re off playing Mr. Fixit with houses?”

Linc rolled his eyes. “I’m not playing anything. I run a legitimate business buying and renovating houses—for a profit, I might add. It all falls in line with the real estate investments I make. Some places I buy I turn around for a profit without ever touching them. There’s no reason to change a business model that works, while also giving me an opportunity to do something I enjoy.”

“Still, we would like to see you a little more often,” Mom said.

“Mom would like to see you more often,” Eugene said. “We don’t care.”

Warren nodded. “This is true.”

Linc laughed. “Noted. I’ll definitely try to make more trips home.”

“That would make me happy,” Mom said. “And as far as yourwork? If you’re happy doing it, and you’re successful doing it, then stay the course.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“But I’d really like some grandchildren, so one of you needs to get on it.”

“You heard her, Warren and Joe,” Eugene said.

“Actually,” Joe said, “we’re talking to a surrogate right now.”

Linc pushed off the car. “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” Warren said. “We interviewed several, and we’re pretty sure we’ve decided on the one we want.”

“Oh my.” Mom put her hand to her heart. “That’s very exciting.”

“We weren’t going to say anything because we didn’t want to get your hopes up,” Joe said. “But it’s looking good. So keep your fingers crossed.”

Eugene grinned. “Hey, this is great news. Keep us all updated, okay?”

“We’ll do that,” Warren said.

This trip home had been decidedly worthwhile. Besides the necessary business stuff, he loved spending time with his mom and his brothers. But now, with this news? He was really happy to have made the trip.

“Well, now that we’ve heard all this news,” Mom said, “dinner’s ready. And Hazel made most of it, so I think you’re all going to be really impressed.”

“Oh, I’m intrigued,” Warren said.

“And I’m starving,” Eugene said.

“You’re always hungry,” Joe said.

Linc shook his head, then slid his arm around Hazel. “You made dinner.”

“I helped. Added a few small dishes.”

“Uh-huh.” He swept his lips across hers.

“I like your family, Linc. Especially your mom.”

He smiled at her, that warm feeling settling somewhere around the vicinity of his heart. “Yeah, me, too.”

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