Page 27 of Megan's Mate
“Yes, I do.” Briefcase in tow, Megan stopped to pet the eager puppy who fell over backward in enthusiasm.
“And it’s my turn next.” Jenny batted her eyes at Nathaniel. “Isn’t it?”
“That’s right, sugar. Okay, Captain. Let’s drive that baby home.”
With a grunt of effort, Kevin sent the nail into the board. “I did it. I did the whole board.” Proudly Kevin looked back at his mother. “We each get to do a board. This is my third one.”
“It looks like you’re doing a good job.” To give the devil his due, she smiled at Nathaniel. “Not everyone could handle it.”
“Just takes a steady eye and a sure hand. Hey, mates, where’s my timber?”
“We’ll get it.” Alex and Kevin scrambled together to heave the next plank.
Standing back, Megan watched the routine they’d worked out. Nathaniel took the board, sighted down it, set it in place. He tapped, shifted, using a small block of wood to measure the distance between the last board and the new one. Once he was satisfied, Jenny wriggled in front of him.
She wrapped both little hands around the hammer, and Nathaniel, a braver soul than Megan had imagined, held the nail.
“Keep your eye on the target,” Nathaniel warned, then sat patiently while her little strokes gradually anchored the nail. Then, wrapping his hand over hers, he rammed it home. “Thirsty work,” he said casually. “Isn’t it, mates?”
“Aye, aye.” Alex put his hands to his throat and gagged.
Nathaniel held the next nail. “There’s some lemonade in the kitchen. If someone was to go fetch the pitcher and a few glasses...”
Four pairs of eyes turned on her, putting Megan firmly in her place. If she wasn’t going to be a carpenter, she’d have to be a gofer.
“All right.” She set the briefcase down and crossed the finished portion of the deck to the front door.
Nathaniel said nothing, waited.
Seconds later, a shrill wolf whistle sounded from inside, followed by a muffled scream. He was grinning by the time Bird squawked out his invitation: “Hey, sugar, buy you a drink? Here’s looking at you, kid.” When Bird began to sing a chorus of “There Is Nothing Like a Dame,” the children collapsed into fits of laughter.
A few minutes later, Megan carried out a tray of drinks. Bird’s voice followed her. “‘Give me a kiss, and to that kiss a score!’”
She arched a brow as she set the tray on the deck. “Bogart, show tunes and poetry. That’s quite a bird.”
“He has an eye for pretty women.” Nathaniel picked up a glass and downed half the contents. He scanned Megan, taking in the tidy French twist, the crisp blouse and slacks. “Can’t say I blame him.”
“Aunt Coco says Nate needs a woman.” Alex smacked his lips over the tart lemonade. “I don’t know why.”
“To sleep with him,” Jenny said, and caused both Nathaniel and Megan to gape. “Grown-ups get lonely at night, and they like to have someone to sleep with. Like Mom and Daddy do. I have my bear,” she continued, referring to her favorite stuffed animal. “So I don’t get lonely.”
“Break time.” Nathaniel gamely swallowed his choke of laughter. “Why don’t you guys take Dog for a walk down by the water?”
The idea met with unanimous approval. With war whoops and slapping feet, they raced off.
“Kid’s got a point.” Nathaniel rubbed the cold glass over his sweaty brow. “Nights can get lonely.”
“I’m sure Jenny will lend you her bear.” Megan stepped away from him, as if studying the house. “It’s a very nice place, Nathaniel.” She flicked a finger over the sassy petals of a pansy. “Homey.”
“You were expecting a crow’s nest, some oilcloth?”
She had to smile. “Something like that. I want to thank you for letting Kevin spend the day.”
“I’d say the three of them are working as a team these days.”
Her smile softened. She could hear their laughter from behind the house. “Yes, you’re right.”
“I like having them around. They’re good company.” He shifted on the deck, folding his legs Indian-style. “The boy’s got your eyes.”
