Page 56 of Everlasting Love

Poppy smiles and nods, then signs. “That’s okay.”

“I’m sure if I stack my things carefully, everything should fit.” I clear my throat. “I appreciate you allowing me to stay with you and the additional space you’re providing for my things.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Conversation strikes up around the table as we eat the afternoon snacks Rose prepared, then everyone—including the girls—helps to unload the rental truck and stack everything neatly in the double garage. As I predicted, everything fits in the space so I don’t have to take over Poppy’s bedroom, which she still uses from time to time.

Once everything’s unloaded, Toby takes Cassia and his girls home, and I return the rental truck. When I get back, it’s early evening and close to dinnertime.

21

VIOLET

I ruba spot on the window like I’m trying to wear a hole through the glass itself as I watch my daughter lead Shane around our raised vegetable gardens. She animatedly points to the different vegetables, and I can tell by how fast her lips are moving that she’s sharing all the knowledge she has about the different plants.

“I’m pretty sure that spot’s clean, honey.” My shoulders bunch and I turn to face Mom. “What has you so worked up?”

I point over my shoulder with my thumb. “The six-foot-three Goliath being led around our garden by my daughter.”

Mom chuckles. “He’s so sweet and patient with her.”

I don’t even try to cover my sigh because watching him with Jasmine is the weirdest form of foreplay. And I know I offered for him to move in while his place is being renovated but I don’t know how I’m going to do this. “I don’t know how I feel about having him in our space twenty-four-seven,” I blurt.

She joins me at the window and watches the pair with a gentle smile. “She certainly took him under her wing from theget-go. I think she’s been good for him and she blossoms under his attention.” She turns to me. “Having Toby and Shane join our family has been great for the girls. They need to have those positive male role models in their lives.”

“Yeah, but what happens when he meets someone and he’s not around for us anymore? What happens to my daughter’s heart then?”And mine.I turn my gaze to Mom. Surely she can understand the implications for Jas if he disappears from her life. The implications for me and my broken heart.

She turns to me, her expression thoughtful. “Do you really think Shane would abandon us completely? Abandon Jas like that?”

I turn back toward the window and watch him crouch down to Jas’s level as they pinch some snap peas off the vine. He may not abandon us completely but things would definitely change. His focus would be on his own family, not ours. I wrap my arms across my body and shrug. “Probably not completely.”

Mom wraps her arm around my shoulders and tugs me in tight. “Maybe you could use this time to convince him to stay.”

I swivel my head to Mom. “Are you suggesting …”

She raises her eyebrows with a satisfied grin and a shrug. “Show him what it would be like to be part ofthisfamily instead of hovering around the edges of it.” She squeezes me and steps away as the back door opens and my whirlwind of a daughter steps inside with Shane close behind carrying a handful of peas.

“Gramma, I picked some peas to have with our dinner!” She pulls out a colander and climbs onto her step to place it in the sink. “Shane, can you put them in here. We need to wash them.”

He raises a single eyebrow at me standing at the window as he wipes his boots on the mat, then follows my daughter’s instructions. It was some kind of torture watching him lift and carry his boxes and furniture today; admiring his strength and the play of his muscles as they bunched and stretched. And now,it’s another kind of torture, seeing his gentleness and patience with my daughter.

“How about some manners, JJ?” I remind her.

“Sorry, Mommy.” She turns to Shane with a look of apology. “Sorry, Shane. Could youpleaseput them in here.” She points to the colander and he does as she asks with a smile that he always seems to have ready for her.

“Is there anything else I can help with?” he asks as he dusts his hands.

“Not right now. Why don’t you go settle in? I’ve put fresh sheets on Cassia’s old bed.” Mom turns to me. “Vi, can you show Shane where to go?” She turns back to her task of peeling potatoes without giving me the opportunity to decline.

“I appreciate it. Thank you.” He turns to me and I tilt my head for him to follow me. He collects the bag he left at the front door and as I climb the stairs I can feel his eyes burning into my back, or more accurately, my ass so I add a little more sway to my movements. He chuckles behind me and when I look over my shoulder, he’s shaking his head and rubbing the top of his short hair. I know he’s physically attracted to me, he just doesn’t seem to want to do anything about it.

Maybe I can use this time to change that.

When we get to Cass’s bedroom, I swing open the door and wave my arm out before stepping inside. Shane follows suit and places his bag on the end of Cass’s bed, then turns around on the spot, taking in the space which isn’t overly feminine but is definitely softer than his bedroom was. I move around the room, which suddenly feels tiny, opening and closing the drawers and cupboards to check if they’re empty, which they are. “Since you’re gonna be here a while, feel free to unpack and put your stuff here. The shared bathroom is at the end of the hallway.” I move past him toward the door. “I’ll show you where we keep the linen.”

Without a word, he follows me down the hallway as I point out the linen cupboard, bathroom, and Jas’s bedroom, skipping past mine.

Shane doesn’t miss it though. “What’s behind this door?” He points with his chin toward my closed bedroom door.

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