Page 21 of Awakening the Wild
"Livable we can do," Sam said. "Give us some time and you'll have a place that'll last another century."
Working alongside Kevin's brothers and using my new skills made me feel proud, even though I was still making mistakes and probably was more of a hindrance than a help. They treated me as an equal, though, not some delicate city girl who needed coddling. When I proved capable with a hammer, Sam gave me an approving nod that felt like a medal. I found myself actually enjoying the physical work—the satisfying thunk of hammer on nail, the way my muscles burned in a good way, the visible progress we were making.
"She's a natural," Neil commented to Kevin, loud enough for me to hear. "Better than Sam was when we started working in construction."
"Hey!" Sam protested, but he was grinning.
Kevin's eyes followed my every movement with barely concealed pride and possessiveness. When I bent to pick up materials, I could feel his gaze on me like a physical touch. Theattention should have made me self-conscious, but instead it made me feel powerful. Desired.
We worked until sunset, making impressive progress. The cottage was starting to look less like a ruin and more like a home.
"We should head back," Neil said, gathering tools as darkness fell. "Early start tomorrow if we want to finish the roof."
"Actually," I said, catching Kevin’s eye across the work site, "I think we'll stay here tonight."
Three sets of eyebrows rose in unison.
"Stay here?" Sam looked around at the half-finished cottage. "It's not exactly habitable yet."
"We can rough it for one night," I said quickly, surprising myself with how much I wanted this. "If Kevin's up for it."
His smile was answer enough. "I'd like that. It’s a mild enough night. We won’t get too many of these before winter comes out in full force."
The brothers exchanged knowing looks but didn't comment. They gathered their tools and headed for their ATVs, leaving us alone as darkness settled over the mountain.
"You sure about this?" Kevin asked as we watched their taillights disappear down the trail. "No electricity, no running water, no heat except what we can build in the fireplace."
"It's perfect," I said softly. "It'll be like camping in my future home."
My home.The words felt right leaving my lips. This wasn't just my grandmother's cottage anymore. It was mine.
We did go back to his house for supplies, bringing back sleeping bags and a camp stove, along with enough food for a simple dinner and breakfast. We ate by the light of battery-powered lanterns, sitting on upturned buckets in what would eventually be the finished living room.
"This is surreal," I said, looking around at the half-finished space. "A week ago, I thought this place was completely hopeless. Now..."
"Now it's going to be beautiful," Kevin finished. "Your grandmother would be proud."
"I wish I'd known her better." I picked at my food, thinking about lost opportunities. Michael always had some excuse why we couldn't visit. Too busy, too far, not worth the trip. I thought she'd written me off. Michael always collected the mail, said there was nothing important. It wasn't until I was packing to leave that I found a box of letters he'd hidden—birthday cards, Christmas notes, even a letter from last spring saying she was sick.” My voice broke. “She died alone because I never knew she needed me. The inheritance letter was in that same hidden box.'"
Kevin's hands clenched into fists. "Son of a bitch.” He moved closer, pulling me against his side. "He'll never hurt you again. I swear it."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I'll kill him first." The words were said matter-of-factly, like he was discussing the weather. "Anyone who hurts you answers to me."
The primitive promise should have scared me. Instead, it made me feel wanted and ... loved.
KEVIN
Later, we lay in our sleeping bags by the fireplace, the flames casting dancing shadows on the exposed beams above us. Tonya was curled against my side, her head on my chest, and I could feel her beginning to relax into sleep.
"Kevin?" she said softly.
"Yeah?"
"When your brothers called me your woman today, I liked how that sounded."
My arms tightened around her. "Good. Because that's what you are."
