Page 72 of Grumpy on the Mountain
"Molly," Sienna hisses from beside me, where she's arranging what can only be described as a dessert spread worthy of a magazine shoot. "Stop drooling over your boyfriend and help me with the appetizers."
"I'm not drooling," I protest, reluctantly tearing my eyes away from the magnificent view. "I'm... appreciating."
"You're practically panting."
"Can you blame me?" I gesture toward Beau, who's currently lifting a massive plank like it weighs nothing. His biceps strain against his flannel shirt and I'm taken back to the 'moment' we shared this morning before we got here. "Look at him. That's not a man, that's a work of art with a tool belt."
Sienna follows my gaze and sighs. "Okay, fair point. But David's pretty easy on the eyes too, don't you think? Both our guys looks like they were carved by horny angels."
"Right?" I grin, picking up a tray of bruschetta that looks almost too pretty to eat. "And he'smine?! I still can't believe it sometimes."
The backyard has been transformed into something straight out of a lifestyle show on television.
David's manning the grill, all gleaming stainless steel and professional-grade everything. Picnic tables are covered in red and white tablecloths, laden with enough food to feed a small army, and string lights are already twinkling even though it's barely afternoon.
It's pure small town charm wrapped in family, and I'm living for every second of it.
"BEAU!" Maisie's voice carries across the yard with the authority of a tiny dictator. "Where's the pink wood? And where's the glitter!"
I watch as Beau stops what he's doing and crouches down to Maisie's level, his expression serious as she explains something that involves a lot of dramatic hand gestures and what appears to be stern architectural criticism coming from a six-year-old.
Beau nods solemnly at each of Maisie's demands, his massive frame dwarfing her tiny one as she waves a crayon blueprint in his face.
When she points emphatically at a spot where unicorn stickers clearly belong, he doesn't even flinch. He just pulls out a notepad and jots it down like he's receiving military coordinates.
The man who once cleared buildings in Afghanistan is now taking detailed notes on glitter placement and fairy door specifications.
God, my ovaries.
"You know, Molly," David calls over from the grill, where he's flipping the most incredible smelling burgers in the history of mankind, "I don't think I've ever seen Beau actually smile this much."
I look over at my brother-in-law, who arrived home this morning to Sienna's surprise BBQ welcome.
After three weeks away for work, David looks relaxed and happy to be back with his girls. He's got that same easy confidence that drew Sienna to him years ago, and watching them together today, the way they keep stealing glances and finding excuses to touch each other, makes my heart ache with how much I want what they have.
Even if I could do without overhearing their "not so subtle" phone conversations. There are just some things a sister doesn't need to know about her brother-in-law's... creative ideas.
But he's right.
Even from here, I can see the way Beau's mouth quirks up at the corners as Maisie continues her animated explanation. He's relaxed in a way I've never seen before, like being around people doesn't feel like a threat anymore.
"Molly's good for him," Sienna says, bumping my shoulder. "Really good."
Before I can respond, David walks over, beer in hand, and extends it toward Beau. I watch from across the yard as my brother-in-law approaches the construction zone with careful steps.
"You look like you could use this," I see him say, though his words start to get lost in the distance.
Beau straightens, wiping his hands on his jeans before accepting the drink. I'm trying to focus on their interaction when suddenly I'm surrounded by what feels like half of Stone River Mountain arriving through the side gate all at once.
"Molly!" Linda from the general store smiles at me. "I've been following you on Instagram. That Stone River hashtag is doing our town wonders, as are your beautiful posts!"
"Oh, thanks," I say, accepting the salad bowl she offers.
"Yes. That breakfast spread you made looked absolutely divine!"
"Oh, thank you," I manage while trying to peek around her at Beau and David.
"Is it true you're staying in town?" asks another voice, and suddenly there's a small crowd of people introducing themselves, shaking my hand, welcoming me like I'm already family.
