Page 36 of What We Keep
“I’m sure it would have been fine.”
He tipped his head to the side, studying me, and I started to feel hot all over. “What?” I pressed, shifting on my feet.
“You know, you could just take a thank you or a compliment. Wouldn’t hurt you.”
I felt the blush rising into my cheeks, shrugging as I scuffed the toe of my worn cowboy boot in the gravel. “I’m not that good at that.”
He pressed his tongue into his cheek as a smile slowly stretched across his face. “Oh, I didn’t notice,” he deadpanned.
This time, I kicked the toe of my boot against his. “Hey, Mr. Grumpy, you ignore compliments and thank-yous too.”
He chuckled. “Fair point.”
I was about to ask what had changed him from the previously easygoing guy I’d known in passing when we were younger into this, but I knew the answer. Losing his dad, and then the fire, and his sister. Those events had been one blow after another, crowded together.
He had shouldered all of it as the oldest of the brothers. While it was clear they were all taking care of Tommy, he was the one who made it official because somebody had to make it official.
“What?” he prompted.
I took a quick breath. “You’re a good man, Haven Silver.”
“Hmm.” That was all he had to say to that. “You’ll be at dinner?”
I nodded. “Your mom seems to like it when I’m there.”
He chuckled. “She loves having you here.”
His gaze darkened as he studied me. “And after?”
“After what?”
“Where will you be after dinner?”
I was instantly flustered as I gestured vaguely in the direction of the barn. “There?” I finally said.
“Good.”
“What does that mean?” I called after his retreating back.
That night, dinner was delicious, and I did my best to ignore how I got flustered every time I looked at Haven. Why did he have to be so handsome? It was incredibly unfair and distracting. He came walking in all brawny and strong with that long stride and sat down directly across from me. It was all I could do to keep from wiggling in my seat under the burn of his gaze.
Tommy talked nonstop tonight, conversation leaping from one topic to the next. Afterward, I helped Maggie clean up. I heard the rumble of the brothers’ voices as they discussed scheduling some things.
“Thank you for putting that ad up,” Maggie said as I tucked the last dish into the dishwasher.
“Of course. I’m sure you’ll get some good applicants.”
“We already have some, and I’m hoping you’ll sit in on the interviews.”
“Oh really?” I glanced toward her.
“Please. I need someone other than me to screen for tech skills to handle this stuff.”
“You schedule them, and I’ll be there. I start work Monday, so if it’s after Monday, we’ll have to do them after four thirty.”
“No problem. The sign looks beautiful,” she added as I began to turn away.
“It was no trouble. I’m glad you like it.” My mind spun to Haven, pointing out I didn’t take compliments well, and I forced myself to just accept the compliment.
