Page 62 of Swiped By My Dad's Best Friend
“Good. We’re actually behind schedule. Between trying to catch up on all my school crap and finishing the project proposal to enter the charity work contest, I had to cut back on work hours. Plus, to qualify for this damn contest, we had to add one more housing project.” He rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I think it’s more trouble than its worth.”
Despite his words, contentment radiated from him. I hadn’t seen him this happy before. He’d obviously enjoyed sex with me, but this was different. This was a sense of purpose and confidence that had been missing when he’d begged me to spank him for stress relief.
“You love it,” I said.
He grinned. “Yeah, I do. This is my favorite thing to do.” He gave me a once-over, then winked. “With certain exceptions.”
“I’m glad you’ve found something you love,” I said. “I used to feel that way about landscaping.” I added hurriedly, “I mean, I still do. Too much paperwork these days though.”
Cooper looked as if he saw through my comment, but he didn’t call me on it. “Actually, now that you’re here, I could use your help with something.” He started around the backside of the house. “There’s a massive tree growing in close to the house, and I need to determine whether it’s safe to leave or if…”
“Oh no,” I said, seeing how closely the boughs encroached on the roof. “That’s got to go.”
He winced. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
I pointed toward one precarious branch that was already dead. “Won’t be long before that one drops off the tree. One good wind storm should do it. There’s a real likelihood it’ll damage the roof.”
Cooper nodded beside me. “I signed up to rehab the house, but it seems pointless if I leave this tree to take it out afterward.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
“But we’re not equipped to do that kind of work,” he said. “We do all the labor ourselves. Our funding really only extends to materials and equipment.”
“I could trim the tree back,” I mused. “I could do that on my own. But the best move long-term would be to remove the entire tree.” I thought about the work schedule. “I could get my crew up here next week sometime to do it. They’ve got the skills.”
“Oh, but that’s a long trip, and I can’t pay you for the work. I mean, I could pay yousomething,but if I could afford the going rate, I’d hire a local company.”
I nodded, thinking. We’d taken our share of jobs outside the city, but never this far. But still, the crew wasn’t busy, and it was a tax write-off. I could call it a donation to a charitable cause. Not that I had much need for tax write-offs. You had to make a healthy profit before that became a benefit. But perhaps business would pick up later, and I’d be grateful for it.
Maybe pigs will fly, and Matthew will smile when he finds out you’re messing around with his son.
“It’s a good cause, and we have the time available,” I told Cooper. “I’ll put a call in to the guys and get back to you about scheduling.”
“Oh, man, thank you so much!” Cooper grinned and smacked a quick kiss on my cheek. “But this just means I have to find a way to repay you.”
I thought he’d suggest a sexy reward, and I was game for that. But Cooper surprised me.
“You’ve helped me so much. I want to help you with your business too.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” I said quickly.
It wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned wanting to help me, but Cooper gave me everything I needed just by being himself. I loved being a Daddy, loved having someone I could nurture and support. It fulfilled a need inside me that nothing else could assuage. Cooper had no idea how precious that was to me.
“Maybe not, but I’d feel a lot better if I tried. Even if it’s just to listen to your frustrations and worries.” He reached up, stroking my beard. “I know you’ve got everything under control. But I want to give you something back. Will you let me?”
I didn’t enjoy thinking about my failures in business, but how could I say no to such a sweet request? I smiled faintly. “Fine, brat. I doubt there’s anything that can be done. It’s just the way things are…”
“But you’ll let me try?”
“I will,” I said.
He grinned, eyes bright, and smacked my ass, jolting a laugh out of me. “Good, let’s get back to work. I’ve got another window frame to repair.”
“You got it, boss.”
He strode away, happy and confident, while I reeled at the change in his demeanor. Cooper obviously knew what he loved, and it wasn’t Micro Economics or Philosophy. I wondered, not for the first time, why he stayed in college if wasn’t the right path for him. I was missing something. Maybe he had career aspirations that went beyond house renovations, and this was just a fun hobby. Or maybe there was some other reason he felt driven to earn a degree.
Whatever it was, I hoped it was worth the stress and pressure he put on himself. Seeing him out here, happily pounding nails and answering questions from the other guys, I finally saw where Cooper was meant to be. The only question was, did he see it too? And when he finally understood his place in the world, would he still need me?
