Page 8 of 40 and (So Over) Fixing It
“She’s coming back?”
“Of course. She’s our contractor.”
What the hell kind of hick town was this where women that young called themselves general contractors?
Oblivious to Carter’s shock, JD was hustling them around the front bumper of the SUV, umbrella covering all three of them. “Leave the suitcases; we’ll come back for them.”
Carter stayed silent as they mounted the steps, one hand on Thad’s shoulder in case he slipped on the slick stone. Lily was waiting with open arms.
“Carter!” She quickly pulled him to her, the force of her personality far stronger than her slender arms. “It’s so good to finally meet you in person. JD talks about you all the time.”
“What about me?” Thad piped up as Carter and Lily parted.
Lily knelt before Thad, her hand coming up to shake. “I’ve heard about you too, Thad. I’m Lily.”
Thad shook the woman’s hand solemnly, putting on his best adult face. The sight allowed amusement to filter through Carter’s still-simmering anger.
“Nice to meet you, Aunt Lily,” his son said.
Lily’s eyes softened at the nickname. “I’m honored, Thad. Thank you.”
Thad’s ten-year-old enthusiasm broke through the solemnity, and he nearly bowled Lily off her feet throwing his arms around her neck to give her a big hug.
JD finished shaking out the umbrella and ushered them through the open door. “Let’s get in out of the rain.”
In the marble-floored foyer, they doffed their wet shoes and padded down the hall in their socked feet to a massive kitchen Carter knew had been recently remodeled.
JD took orders for hot chocolate from Thad and black coffee for Carter to warm them both up. As Lily filled the coffeepot for the adults, JD explained to his fiancée about their run-in with the so-called contractor earlier.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, JD,” Carter finally burst out. “No way is that girl old enough to be our contractor.”
But Lily laughed at Carter’s words. “Remember that when she comes back.” She turned on the pot to brew and moved to join them on the stools to one side of the massive center island. Carter was beginning to thinkmassivedescribed everything about the mansion. “Every woman wants to be told how young she looks.”
Carter arched a brow. “Just looks?”
“Your radar is definitely off, bro.” JD crossed to place a steaming mug of cocoa before Thad. “Dating too many young women, Carter? Blow on that before you drink it, Thad.” He jerked his chin toward Lily. “Erin and Lily are the same age.”
Remembering the braids framing either side of the woman’s face, Carter was tempted to call his friend a damn liar, but he held his tongue. Maybe he’d seen wrong in that quick glance into the truck. At any rate, he had other things to take up with this Erin that had nothing to do with her age—like reckless driving.
In the meantime, he had a son to settle in. Their vacation may have gotten off to a rough start, but he intended to make the most of this time with Thad.
“Try this,” JD ordered, offering him a full mug of deep black coffee.
Carter took a sip, and his tastebuds started singing. “What is it?”
“Gift from Linc,” JD told him as he settled on the stool next to Lily’s. “Guatemalan special blend.”
“Of course.” Leave it to Linc to find a hidden treasure like this nectar from the gods. He felt the stress in his shoulders and neck begin to ease as he sipped from his cup, Thad’s chatter flowing over him as he set about getting to know his new aunt. Carter needed to get the bags from the SUV and get their vacation started, and he would. Right after he warmed up with the best damn coffee he’d had in a long, long time.
ChapterFour
Erin’s heart raised ninety to nothing as she rushed through the slowly opening door of the ER at the small county hospital in the next town over from Black Wolf’s Bluff. Her hometown was too small to have their own hospital, but Erin had spent enough time at this one to be familiar with where everything was. She was at the registration desk before she could catch her next hurried breath.
“Scott Jenkins, please. He came in about an hour ago.” The words were ragged, but she managed to force them out.
The nurse barely glanced up. “Family only.”
Erin gritted her teeth. “I am family.”
