Page 36 of Loved By Tandy

After breakfast, Matthew stays to help me clean, but as soon as Colt leaves, it becomes clear that cleaning isn’t the only reason Matthew stuck around.

He slides his hands around my waist. “When I saw your text this morning, I thought you were reversing course and pulling away. I’m really glad that’s not the case.”

I touch his cheek. “I haven’t changed my mind. This feels too right to be spooked. Even for me. I admit that I had my moment of panic and tried to use working together as an excuse, but I like you. I like this.”

“I’m glad. And it does feel right. Maybe on Saturday, we should let the cat out of the bag. Unless you want to keep this between us for now.”

“I kissed you in front of Colt. I’m not keeping us a secret, Matthew.”

He grins and whispers, “Us. I like the sound of that.” He drops a kiss on my neck. “I should get to the ranch.”

“I’ll make dinner or pick it up if shopping takes forever. But I’ll be in touch.”

He brushes his lips on mine. “Have a good day.”

By late afternoon,I have been to numerous stores, and I swear if anyone else coughs in my direction, I’m going to spit at them. Don’t cough at people. It’s rude. My life is way too busy to handle being sick right now.

Tomorrow, there will be a lot of deliveries to the ranch, but I wasn’t about to load furniture in my truck by myself.

I choose two sheet sets that will fit the mattress I purchased, then toss a squishy animal pillow into the cart. Even grown-up boys want to cuddle something soft. And I think Colt will like it. At least I hope so. Maybe I should have gotten Matthew’s advice. He has sons and grandsons. I’m just guessing.

Overall, today has been successful. And my back seat is packed with purchases when I pull into my driveway. Since I spent so much time shopping, I won’t have time to cook, so barbecue will have to do.

And maybe after dinner when Matthew and I sit on the porch, I’ll have a cup of chamomile tea. I’ve missed it.

CHAPTER 14

MATTHEW

Tandy rushes toward my truck when I park outside Colt’s new place. “Morning.” She gives me a quick peck, then hands over a screwdriver and hammer. “You’ll need these. There are a bunch of boxes inside. Things that need to be put together. Colt has already gotten started on one.”

“Do you only like me because I’m handy?”

“Of course not. You are both handsome and handy, which is a great combination.” She runs a hand down my arm and grasps my hand. “I called Dallas and invited him over Sunday evening. But I didn’t tell him why.”

“You going to give Beau a heads-up?”

“Not until I talk to Dallas. He might not be interested in matchmaking.” Having Colt move onto the ranch has her excited, nearly giddy. Probably because it makes the endeavor seem real. “But I hope Dallas decides to become the foreman.”

When we get to the front door, I pause to let her go inside. Bandit wags his tail, waiting for attention, and I indulge him. He’s a sweet dog.

If someone had told me on the day she waged war on the wasps that by early summer we’d be holding hands and kissing, I would’ve laughed in disbelief. But now, here we are.

And I’m happy.

Tomorrow night will be interesting. No one has blown up my phone, so I’m guessing Colt hasn’t mentioned the kissing to anyone else. Hopefully, Tandy won’t have a change of heart when we’re around our friends in a public place.

I need to text my son and grandsons and let them know about the gig tomorrow night. It’ll be easier to let everyone important to me find out at once.

She squeezes my hand. “Colt is working on the bed. The couch is being delivered later. But if you want to start on the kitchen table, that’d be awesome.”

“Will do.”

“Great. I’m going to unpack the dishes I bought and run them through a wash cycle.”

For the next couple of hours, the only sounds are tools and dishes, with the occasional swear when I mash my thumb or attach a piece wrong.

There’s a knock at the door, and Colt grins as he strides through the living room. “My first visitor.”

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