Page 59 of What We Keep
Tommy’s gaze flicked between us. “I told Rachel you have a crush on Elsa, and that other lady thinks she’s my mom.”
The tips of Haven’s ears turned pink, but that was the only giveaway that he was feeling anything at this moment. The man could barely fit in the chair in the doctor’s office. He smelled like spruce trees, dust, and fresh air, and I was instantly hot and bothered. Not the place for it.
“Do you have any questions for Rachel?” I asked. “Dr. Charlie already saw him and says he’s all good. She had another appointment.”
Haven shook his head. “Not unless you have any questions for me.” He focused on Rachel. “He seems to be growing by the week, maybe even the minute. I can’t keep up with the shoes and the clothes. It’s a lot.”
Rachel bit her lip, and I could tell she was trying not to laugh.
“Go ahead and laugh at the big guy,” Tommy offered, spreading his hands wide.
“Kids Tommy’s age grow fast,” Rachel explained. “And he has tall genes. I’ve seen all of your brothers around town, and you’re all tall.”
Haven finally cracked a slight grin and nodded. “We’re not short or small.”
“Tommy’s rate of growth is to be expected. It is what it is. You just have to keep up. Just wait until he hits the teenage years. He won’t be growing by the minute. He’ll be growing a foot a week,” she said with a grin.
Tommy rolled his eyes. “There are fifty-two weeks in a year. I’m not gonna be fifty-two feet tall.”
“Thank you for everything,” Haven said, standing as Rachel did.
“You are most welcome,” she said, her tone soothing. “Now, I need to get to another appointment. So if you don’t have any other questions…”
Tommy shook his head, the authority at this moment. “We don’t.”
Haven chuckled, and I bit my lip to keep from snorting a laugh.
We filed out together. A few minutes later, we were in my car. As I started driving, I realized this was the first time I’d ever had Haven in my car.
“What?” he said when I kept glancing over at him.
“Nothing. I’m just not used to having you in my car.”
“Can I ride shotgun? We can switch,” Tommy called from the back.
Haven laughed softly as he looked over his shoulder. “No.”
He slipped his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Tommy. “You can play your game on the drive home.”
“Sweet!” Tommy exclaimed, instantly falling into silence as he focused on Haven’s phone.
Haven reached his hand over, placed it on my thigh, and gave me a squeeze. It was all I could do not to wiggle in the seat. Who knew going to a doctor’s appointment and having this guy show up would get me all hot and bothered? But here I was. Absolutely bothered.
I knew Haven could tell. He could read me fairly well.
“Thank you again for getting him to the appointment.” Haven’s voice was low.
“Anytime.”
“I was driving to fix that small walking bridge near the falls and drove over a deep hole, kicked up a rock, and I’m not kidding, it literally punched a hole in my oil pan. Oil everywhere. It’s a mess. I can deal with it, but it’s a pain in the ass.”
I flicked a glance down to his hand. Even though it was filthy, I loved the way it looked on my denim-clad thigh. “I’m sure you’ll take care of it. You’re handy like that.”
His hand slid up, his fingertips trailing along the seam on the inside of my jeans before he rested that big palm right between my thighs. The heat of his touch nearly drew a moan out of me. I bit the insides of my cheeks.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Busy,” I all but choked out.
