Page 77 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

They continued piecing together the frame, Laurel handing him the hardware and holding the boards, and Gavin connecting them. They worked well together. They always had.

Until they hadn’t.

“Time for the big one.” Laurel grabbed the headboard and leaned over his shoulder to grab the frame. Her sweet scent teased his senses. Her long hair brushed the side of his neck.

He dropped the washer. It fell to the carpet somewhere near his knees.

“I got it. It’s under your—” She tapped his knee.

He moved aside, best he could while supporting the pieces.

“Here.” She handed him the washer and resumed her position. That gorgeous mane of hair hung over her shoulders, and her lashes swept down over her cheeks, her gaze fixed on the lined-up holes.

There was so much to admire about Laurel. She was smart. She was diligent and focused. She never gave up on her goals. And yet, she’d always had time for him. And once Jesse had been born she was a wonderful mother, always putting him first, despite the fact that her own mom hadn’t exactly been the warm, nurturing type.

He hadn’t been so good with his priorities. He put his dream, his work above his family. They’d argued about it often. He’d told himself—and her—that he was doing it for them, but that wasn’t entirely true. Why couldn’t he have seen the truth then, while there was still time to salvage his marriage?

“What?” Inches away, Laurel gazed up at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

He couldn’t quite bring himself to tear his gaze away. “What?”

“You’re looking at me like...”

How had he forgotten those caramel spokes in her eyes? They were downright mesmerizing. “Like...?”

The door opened. Cooper appeared in full uniform. “Oh. Sorry.”

The headboard started to fall.

Gavin and Laurel both caught it before it hit the floor. Their gazes locked. Her chin was up, shoulders square. Nothing like the arrival of a Robinson to set her defenses back in place.

Gavin cleared his throat. “Hey, Bro.”

“Hi, guys. What are you up to?”

Besides gawking at his ex-wife? “Toddler bed.” Gavin stood and leaned the headboard against the wall. “Emma climbed from her crib this morning.”

“Where is the little bug? Katie made cookies for her, asked me to bring them by.”

Laurel leaned back on her haunches. “She’s down for her nap, but she should be waking up any minute now.”

A cry sounded from down the hall.

“Wow,” Cooper said. “That is some uncanny timing you’ve got going on.”

“I’ll get her.” Laurel jumped up and dashed from the room, no doubt happy to escape.

Gavin couldn’t blame her. He set his hands on his hips and kept his voice low. “What’s up? Come to warn me off Laurel?”

Coop’s brows shot up. “Whoa. Defensive much? I came bearing gifts, remember?”

“I’ve heard from the entire Robinson brigade on the matter so I already got the message loud and clear.”

“I’m not your enemy, man.”

“I know; you’re just concerned. But I could do without all the daily checkups and second-guessing and—”

“Knock it off—I haven’t done any of that.”

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