Page 51 of So in Love
Most of the rest of the house had already been redone.Everything was gorgeous and top-of-the-line, which made sense given Dylan’s successful contracting career.
Sara waved at him from the kitchen table, where she sat with Emma in a high chair feeding her dinner.“Hey, Jamie!Emma’s just finishing her sweet potatoes, then we’ll give you a demonstration.”She winked at him before going back to feeding her daughter.
Emma looked over at him, her blue eyes wide and her lips orange from the sweet potatoes.She waved a hand at him as if she were saying hello, then turned her attention back to her mother with a loud “Muh!”
“That’s her approximation of Mama,” Dylan said from behind the counter where he was opening Jamie’s beer.He lowered his voice a bit.“She’s got Dada down pat.”
“I heard that,” Sara said.
“Of course you did,” Dylan said with a smile.He handed Jamie the bottle of IPA.“Their hearing gets exponentially better after they give birth.It’s freaky.”
“You guys are such cute parents.”Jamie glanced over at his niece.“You almost make it look fun.”
“Ha!We’ve got you fooled.It’s nothing but dirty diapers and spit-up.”
“I can still hear you,” Sara said with a healthy dose of exasperation.
Dylan winked.“I kid.”
Jamie chuckled.“I said ‘almost.’”
Sara wiped Emma’s face.“You’ll get married and have kids someday, don’t you think?”
“No plans to.”Jamie sipped his beer.
Sara picked Emma up.“You’re young.You’ll change your mind.I’m taking her up for a quick bath.She’s got some business going on, and I think it’s going to require industrial cleanup.”Sara wrinkled her nose.
“The hazmat suit is hanging up in the bathroom,” Dylan called after her.She shook her head as she disappeared down the hallway.
Dylan turned to the oven and peeked inside.A waft of delicious spicy sweetness filled the kitchen.“I did some slow-roasted ribs in the oven.They’ll be ready in a bit.”
“Smells fantastic.I really appreciate the invite tonight.I was not looking forward to cooking.”Or being by himself really.He’d lived with Luke until a few months ago, and while he loved having his own place, he realized he missed having someone else around.In fact, he hadn’t noticed that until recently.Until he’d started spending time with Crystal.Now that she was gone, he felt the lack of companionship in a way he hadn’t before.
“You cook?”Dylan asked, picking up his beer from the counter.
“Sometimes.I’m probably a better bartender, truth be told.”Jamie sat at the counter.“Hey, can I run something by you?”
Dylan took a drink and set his bottle down before putting his elbows on the granite and leaning forward.“Shoot.”
“I know you and my mom aren’t close, but I need some advice.”
“Heh, I don’t know that I’ll be much help, but I do have a mother of my own, and managing them can be tricky sometimes.”Dylan’s parents had divorced quite acrimoniously when he’d been young.Each had remarried and had second families, which had left Dylan a bit of the odd man out.His relationships with both of his stepparents weren’t great, but they had improved over the last couple of years, especially since Emma had come along.
“Good way of putting it,” Jamie said.“I’m trying to manage a situation here.”And failing.“But I can’t talk to Luke or Cam about it—part of the problem is that I have to keep a secret from them.And let’s face it, your advice is worth more than theirs.”
Dylan laughed.“I don’t know aboutthat, but thanks.”
“So you know about this history exhibit that Kelsey started up at the library?”
“Sure.”
“She and Brooke and Alaina’s friend Crystal have been doing research, specifically about the West Arch property.”
“Right.”Dylan knew all about the brick they’d found because he’d been the one to unearth it.Rather, his company.His contracting firm had demolished the existing house and built the winery.
“Did you know the farmhouse that was there became a brothel?”
Dylan nodded.“Sounds familiar.”
