Page 78 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Gavin stared at Cooper. Okay, maybe he had a point. Probably wasn’t fair to put him in the same basket as the rest of the family.

Outside the doorway footsteps retreated down the stairs, and the sound of Laurel’s chatter grew fainter as she went.

Gavin released a slow breath. “Sorry. Guess I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”

Cooper regarded him silently, his expression inscrutable. No doubt the poker face served him well in law enforcement. “What happens between you and Laurel is none of my business.”

Gavin threw his hands up. “Finally.”

“On the other hand, you know they’re just trying to look out for you.”

“I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.”

“Sure. But we watched you go through a pretty rough spot. No one wants to see you back in that place—”

Gavin narrowed his eyes.

“Right. Not here to defend them. But I am here for you, if you need to talk. And you have to admit, this is a pretty sticky situation you got going on here—living with your ex-wife and all.”

Gavin growled.

“That wasn’t a warning, just an observation. You know, I’m in law enforcement, right? Being objective is part of my job. And I can see where things could get a little... confusing.”

Gavin recalled the sight Cooper had walked in on moments ago. How could he blame his brother just for stating what was obvious? He was confused. He was having feelings for his ex-wife again. Maybe he’d never even stopped.

Crap.

Cooper grabbed the headboard. “Want some help? I got a few minutes.”

Now that Emma was awake, probably best to get this done ASAP. Besides, he didn’t need another excuse to get close to Laurel. “Fine. But you have to be in charge of the directions.”

“Like I’d pass up a chance to tell you what to do.” Cooper positioned the piece while Gavin bolted it together. “So is it?”

“Is it what?”

Cooper lined up the next piece. “Confusing.”

Gavin pressed his lips together as he connected the boards. He’d noticed the way the colors blended in her eyes, the way her back arched, the way her hips flared gently. He’d remembered how a kiss to her neck provoked a husky laugh, and the way she felt curled up to his side after they’d made love.

“You could say that.” He’d given Laurel a lot of head space the past week. It was frightening just how quickly that had happened.

“Do you think it’s messing with her too?”

Gavin thought back over the recent days. She’d lowered that wall at times. She’d shown him mercy and compassion. But that was something kind humans did for each other. He’d been grieving their son, and she offered comfort.

He scowled. Just the sort of thing a woman might do when she was ready forclosure. That word stuck in his brain like a fly in a spiderweb. “I don’t think so. I kind of tested the waters—said something about this situation bringing about something good between us.” Gavin pushed a washer onto the bolt.

“And?”

Gavin cut him a look. “And she used the wordclosure.”

“Oh.”

“Who can blame her?” He was single-handedly responsible for their child’s death. He could hardly forgive himself. How could he expect her to forgive him?

“I don’t know, though...” Cooper placed the next piece, adjusting his position for a better hold. “The way she was staring at you when I walked in here...”

As much as Gavin might want to believe Laurel still felt something for him, there were too many factors pointing the other direction. He needed to be realistic. They weren’t married. They weren’t a family. This wasn’t his second chance—he hardly deserved one. When would he get that through his thick skull?

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