Page 3 of His New Toy

He looked back up at the house. It was in its own little cul-de-sac inside a gated community, and Seth had almost missed it walking around trying to follow his phone’s GPS, until he’d realized that the “dead end” sign was next to a driveway and not an old road.

The driveway itself had taken nearly three minutes to walk up, only for Seth to be met with an enormous and stately house. He didn’t even know what someone did with a lawn this large.

Seth took a deep breath and went to the front door. He hesitated one moment more before he forced himself to ring the bell. If nothing else, he wanted to be punctual.

He was half-terrified that he’d gotten the wrong house and was about to be accused of trespassing when the door finally opened.

“Good evening,” Clark said with warmth. He wasn’t wearing a suit this time, but still had on a button-up that was well-fit across his broad shoulders. Seth had forgotten just what a presence the man had, and it hit him all at once. “I’m glad you could make it. Come on in.”

Clark didn’t step back, but only turned aside, gesturing inside. When Seth passed then, it was so close to the man that he got a breath of the cologne Clark was wearing. It was some intoxicating blend of spice and smoke.

“Thanks,” Seth said, swallowing. Then, because it felt polite, “You have a beautiful home.”

The man smiled. “Thank you. Did you find the place okay? Some people have trouble with the gate.”

“Oh, uh, no, it was fine.” He didn’t want to confess that he hadn’t had to deal with the gate at all because he’d just walked in. The sidewalk gate hadn’t been locked.

“Great,” Clark said. “I have the box just in the den. Can I get you something to drink first?”

“Oh no, I’m okay,” Seth said. This would be a quick build, and there was no need to take up more of this man’s time than necessary.

Clark nodded, and then led him through an enormous house toward the back. Seth tried not to stare as they went, but everything was polished and pristine and beautiful. There was art on the walls that looked like actual paintings, not prints, and when they got to the den, it was adorned with floor to ceiling bookcases of carved dark wood.

“I appreciate you coming all this way,” Clark said.

“It’s no problem,” Seth said as he slid the backpack off his back and unzipped it. He’d brought his ratcheting screwdriver with him, and the different heads he’d need, uncertain if Clark would have anything. The trampoline kit came with one of those mini Allen wrenches, and it assembled so much faster with an actual tool. “These are pretty easy to build.”

“I appreciate your expertise nonetheless.”

Seth ducked his head, cheeks flaming, and settled on the floor. The box had already been opened, so Seth just began pulling out all the pieces.

“How long—” Clark started, but then the sound of a phone cut him off. “Excuse me one moment,” he said, and then stepped away, walking out of the den.

Seth let out a breath he didn’t know he'd been holding. He heard Clark answer the phone, his deep voice dipping lower as he stepped out of the room. The tone was soft, affectionate. Seth couldn’t help but wonder who was on the other end.

None of your business, he reminded himself and then got to work.

The trampoline was a tiny thing, and Seth had put together enough small toys that it came together under his hands quickly. By the time Clark returned it was almost done. The safety net was last, and Seth attached it carefully, making sure there was no way for it to come loose.

“There you go,” he said as he finished, tucking the screwdriver back into his bag and zipping it shut.

When he stood Clark was there offering him a bottle of water. The bottle was made of glass, and Seth took it gingerly.

“You made quick work of it,” Clark said approvingly.

“I’ve built a lot of stuff like this for Turner’s,” Seth explained.

Clark hummed, lips curling up. “So I got the right man for the job.”

Seth sipped at the water to give himself a moment. Everytime Clark praised him, it was like a little lick of warmth down his spine. It wasn’t as though Seth was special. He was just handy. He’d grown up needing to be, because he was the only one to fix his own stuff if it broke. Toys were mostly just fun puzzles to assemble or fix, especially high-quality ones like the toys Turner’s carried. “I’m glad I was able to help, sir.” His cheeks flamed. “I mean Clark.”

Clark chuckled. “You don’t have to apologize for slipping up with my name. I don’t think I mind you calling mesir,as it turns out.”

“Oh. Okay.” Seth swallowed a big gulp of water to try to combat the dizzying swirl of heat that suddenly kicked up in his gut.

“If I could trouble you for one more thing,” Clark said. “I’d like to take this over to my son’s house, so that it can go under the tree. I have something to wrap it with once it’s there, but it does need to go into my car.”

“Oh yeah,” Seth said, eager for something else to do. He set the water down on one of the nearby coasters. “Sure.” The trampoline was a bit more unwieldy now that it’d been built, but Seth could manage it. “Just show me where you want it.”

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