Page 94 of Golden Rule

At the thought, Dane passes with a wheel barrel filled with branches as Jaxon clings to his neck, laughing as he pretends Uncle Dane’s his horse for the day. Sterling tosses a bag of trash into the roll-off dumpster, and Hunter’s already started mowing the back section we cleared first. The ladies are covered in dirt and sweat like the rest of us, and it’s safe to say the progress that’s been made has been a team effort.

“Water?”

I glance left, pushing my shovel into the dirt to accept a bottle from Blue. “Thanks.”

She glances around with a sigh, trying to ignore that several news outlets have begun to set up camp around the perimeter of the property. Instead, she’s evaluating the work that’s been done versus what’s still on the to-do list, but my eyes are only on her. She’s filthy, but I’ll be damned if that shit isn’t working for her. The white tank top clinging to her tits is soaked with sweat, revealing the polka dot bra underneath it. The little-ass shorts she has on aren’t helping, either.

Damn, how the hell did I get so lucky?

My next thought is of how I nearly fucked everything up. Calling Tripp was a mistake, but it could’ve been so much bigger if I hadn’t flushed the pills. The last two weeks have been tough on Blue, and she needed me present—physicallyandmentally. No way I could’ve done that if I hadn’t come to my senses. In return, I got to be around to help her through the discomfort of injections, and the nerve-racking monitoring appointments, which were mostly ultrasounds and needles. She’s been strong—unbelievably so—and I’m proud to say I was strong, too.

Blue wipes her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a smudge of dirt behind that makes her too hard to resist. When I pull her close, kissing her lips, a laugh bubbles in her chest.

“Don’t! I’m disgusting,” she screeches, but when I lift her feet off the ground, holding her against my chest, she smiles and wraps both arms around my neck.

“All I see is perfection.”

Even without a clear view of her face, I know she’s rolling her eyes right now, trying not to laugh. I lower her back to the ground, and there’s no missing the look of pride in her eyes as she scans the lot again. Her gaze darts toward me when I nudge her.

“You did all this. You know that?”

She’s already shaking her head before I finish, and I know what she’ll say before she says it. “No, look at everyone here. This is a group effort, West. All I did was get the ball rolling.”

I stare at her. This beautiful, humble woman I married. “Some might argue that’s the most important part.”

Her smile grows, and she chews the side of her lip in that way that’s always gotten to me.

“Maybe,” she says back, and I know that’s the closest she’ll get to admitting that she’s a total badass. But it’s cool, I’ll think itforher.

All day, every day.

In my peripheral vision, I spot Blue’s doppelganger headed this way, Scar with her half-pink ponytail bouncing behind her. Without asking, she takes the bottle of water from her sister’s hand and chugs what’s left.

“Sure, have at it,” Blue says with a laugh.

“Sorry, but it’s hot as balls out here. Leave it to you to pick the hottest day of the year to have us out here hauling dirt.”

“Look at the bright side. If we finish today, we won’t have to come back tomorrow.” Blue hugs her around her shoulders when she finishes speaking, which has Scar twisting her face into a scowl.

“Gross! You’re all sweaty,” she whines.

Blue smirks and tosses a look toward me. “West didn’t have any complaints.”

“Because you’re both freaks,” Scar sighs. “He probably liked it.”

I could deny the accusation, but why bother. She’s fucking right.

My nephew’s still hanging from Dane’s neck when he walks over. Actually, it’s more of a gallop, which means he’s leaning into the wholehorse thing. Sterling’s right behind him. Most of the work’s done, so I’m guessing they’re wondering what’s next.

“Well, what do you think so far, Boss?” Sterling’s question is aimed at Blue, earning him the punch to his shoulder.

“Whatever,” she laughs, glancing around the lot. “Honestly, things are coming together a lot quicker than I expected.”

“So, basically, what you’re saying is… we saved your ass.”

Blue smiles and opens her mouth to give Sterling shit for the comment, but Lexi walks up and speaks first.

“Whoa, language.” She tips her head toward Jaxon as she slips both hands into the pockets of her jeans. But there’s no scowl on her face. Actually, she’s smiling, which means she isn’t actually pissed.

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