Page 4 of Just Breathe

Aiden

Icleared my throat again, waiting for her to say something. “Uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t realize y’all would work this late. I was just driving by to see the house and, uh yeah, just check the place out.” This woman seemed extremely nervous. If I didn’t know better, she was checking out Callum and I.

“This is Mrs. Ramos, and I haven’t seen….” Callum looked around.

“Thanks Callum. I’ll take it from here.” Son of a bitch. I forgot to tell my crew her husband had died, and I’m sure since we’ve only been dealing with Henry, he figured he’s probably around here.

“Sure. Do we also want to discuss where we are going to put the baby stuff at?” Callum asked, oblivious to the situation. I saw Jane tense up. I felt like the biggest asshole for not warning my crew and making her feel very uncomfortable.

I glared at Callum, hoping he would get the hint and just leave.

“Is it the crib?” Jane asked, looking like she probably regretted coming over.

“Yes, and there is a lot of other…”

“We can discuss this later,” I interrupted Callum, still glaring at him to leave.

He scowled as he shrugged, leaving Jane and I.

“I apologize for not…” Jane held her hand up to keep me from finishing my sentence. She gave me a sad smile, making me feel like shit. Madie was going to kill me for not doing as she asked, but she came early. I’m sure David was going to let me know we pissed his pregnant wife off and Madie gave us a lot of business.

“No need to apologize. I didn’t even realize to call ahead and make you aware of my situation. I’m sure Madelyn was the one who called and let y’all know?” She looked up at me expectantly.

“Madie called this morning to let me know. I was hoping to have all the baby stuff removed before you arrived tomorrow.” I scratched my beard, a nervous habit I have when I’m uncomfortable.

“I’m ok, Aiden, don’t look at me like I’m about to have a meltdown. I’ve had eight months to come to terms with it and no matter how much time has gone by, I’m sure it won’t ever get easier.” She looked back up at the house and then at me. She was a beautiful woman with big round hazel eyes, long dark hair with lips that were full, and her body curvy and round in all the right places. Henry sure had been a lucky man.

“I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable at all. I know this must be hard on you, and I didn’t want to make it worse. I’m sorry.” I grabbed my shirt from my back pocket, and I cleaned my face with it, only then realizing I was half naked in front of her. Way to go, Aiden.

“I appreciate it.” She smiled at me, showing me she had a dimple on her right side. “Now, did Madie say anything about what to do with the baby stuff?” she asked, looking up at me.

“Uh… she said maybe we could find a local to sell it. I suggested seeing if we could return it.”

“If it’s the crib, I can’t return it.” She shrugged. “I had it custom made for our baby girl with our last name initial on it. Are there any local women pregnant in need of a crib that doesn’t mind a big R in the middle of it?”

“There are a few women in town who are pregnant. I can speak with a few of them to see if they would want to purchase it,” I suggested.

“No. Give it away, actually give it all away.” She looked away, running a hand over her stomach. “I would prefer if it were someone who really needed it, like a single mom or someone who might not have the means to buy it new. They deserve it.”

“I think I have just the person in mind,” I said, looking for one of the guys, so we could wrap up the day.

“I’m sorry about just showing up. I honestly didn’t think anyone would be here. Would it be ok if I came by tomorrow morning for a tour? I can bring breakfast.” She looked up at me with those enormous hazel eyes and I couldn’t have said no, even if I’d wanted to.

“Sure, but you don’t have to buy breakfast.” I smiled at her.

“I wouldn’t say no to breakfast.” Callum passed by us carrying wood on his shoulders, Jane’s eyes following him appreciatively. I smiled at her, checking him out. She clearly liked what she saw from both of us, if earlier was any indication.

“Deal,” she called out. “What time do y’all start at?”

Her slight southern drawl was sexy. “We get here at eight thirty and start at nine.”

She pursed her lips. Like nine in the morning was really an offensive time.

“You don’t have to get here that early. We’ll be here all day.” I caught myself before I could smirk at her and flirt with a recent widow; I mean, I could, but how sleazy would that be? She was also Madie’s sister-in-law, and that was not good for business.

“I’m not a morning person, but I love to see Colorado mornings. I’ll be here around eight thirty. See you tomorrow.” She smiled and turned away to walk back to her car. She had some sway to her hips that brought my attention to her ass which looked like it was more than a handful. I groaned as I turned away, before she caught me staring, and made this whole meeting even more awkward.

“She’s beautiful.” Callum walked up to me. “But be careful.” He was right. She was a beautiful woman with those hazel eyes, small pout and that ass. I liked my woman with meat on them and something to grab on to.

---