Page 135 of The Mating Game
“I’m sorry to barge in like this,” I say. “You see…”
Neil waves me off. “You had some things that needed to be said?”
“I…” My lips twitch. “Yes. A lot of things.”
His eyes shift between the two of us, his grin widening. “Boy. Your mama really is going to have an ass whooping waiting for you, kiddo.”
“You’re probably right,” she chuckles. She looks sheepish now too. “And I still have more to explain.”
Neil whistles under his breath. “Whew. Well. You’d both better come inside. I got coffee made.”
“That sounds great,” I say tightly, still thinking about mauling his daughter.
I watch him turn back inside, then look down at Tess, who gives me an impish grin. “We have more to talk about too, I guess.”
“You got the show.”
Her brow furrows. “How did you know?”
“Didn’t for sure,” I say with a shrug. “But I knew you would.”
“I know it will be…hard. For us. But—”
“It won’t be,” I tell her.
“But I have to—”
“You don’t get it,” I laugh, pulling her in closer. “You’re kind of stuck with me now, Miss Fixit.”
She beams back at me. “Is that right?”
“Afraid so. I told you. I’m with you. Whatever that looks like.”
“They want me to start right away,” she says forlornly.
I shake my head. “I’m due for a getaway.”
“But what about the lodge?”
“It’ll be there.” I raise her hand to my mouth and kiss the back of it. “And like I said, you’re not the only contractor out there. The place will get fixed one way or another. I promise, the work you’ve done won’t go to waste.”
Her eyes grow wider then, her lips parting as if an idea has struck her. It lingers for a moment, but then her face breaks out into a wide grin, and she throws her arms around my neck, kissing me soundly.
“You know, I get the idea it really won’t.”
My brow furrows. “What does that mean?”
“It means…” Her lips curve against mine, and my entire world is reflected in her smile. “I have some calls to make.”
Epilogue
Tess
“Nobody move.”
I hold my breath as my fingers brush against soft, dark fur, watching as Reginaldallowsme to scratch gently behind his ears.
“I can’t believe I don’t have a camera,” Jeannie says in a hushed tone behind me.
