Page 10 of Forbidden Love

Mac pointed the spatula at Sam. “Your house will be done soon. We’ll build the playhouse inside this winter and then put it out in the spring.”

Maggie’s ears perked up at that. “I can play in it over the winter?”

“I don’t see why not,” Sam said.

Sam was building a house on a property he’d purchased. He was taking his time, building it to his exact specifications.

“As soon as Sam’s done building, Tyler will be ready to start his,” Sam said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You’re building a house?” Kylie asked.

“I want more space.”

“A house is a lot for a single guy,” she said.

“Mac built this place before he met Natalie. I originally moved to an apartment downtown so I can walk to the bars, but it’s getting old. I’m ready to have more space and a view like this from my back patio.” I gestured toward the mountains.

“You have that rooftop deck at your place,” Mac said.

The entire town was located in a canyon, so the view of the mountains was spectacular from the roof. But I wanted to see the view from my windows. I wanted to wake up to it every day. I wanted the silence that came with living in the country. I was done with the activity in town. I’d said I was ready to settle down, but that wasn’t it. I didn’t want to share my space with anyone. I just wanted more of it.

“I’ll have room to build something—like Maggie’s playhouse—if I have a garage.”

“You want a separate work shed?” Mac asked thoughtfully.

“I think so.” Although I hadn’t given it too much thought before today. Mac and Sam would have more kids, and I wanted to build them things. Maybe even a dollhouse.

“You’ll need a patio and an outdoor kitchen,” Sam said. He’d recently added an outdoor space construction branch to our contracting business. He’d created incredible spaces at his house, Mac’s, and Natalie’s B&B in town. But the demand for his expertise was growing.

“I’d love it, but only if you have time.” I didn’t want to take away from his work or time with his family.

Sam shook his head. “I make time for family. Besides, you’re building Maggie’s playhouse.”

I chuckled. “A playhouse and a house are not the same.”

“You know what I mean. Family comes first.”

Something flashed in Kylie’s eyes, and I wondered if she was thinking about her brothers. She’d complained that she was something of an afterthought. I didn’t think a lot of people knew Kylie. She’d left when she was young, and no one understood why she’d stayed away. I wondered if Alice and Natalie did.

I could have brought up the partnership proposal, but I wanted to wait until we were alone. I wanted her to know I was taking the lead on it, even if my brothers were helping. It was an excuse to spend more time with her without my brothers hovering nearby.

“You hungry?” Mac asked as he plated the patties for us and the hot dogs for the kids.

“I’m starved,” Natalie said.

Alice sat in Sam’s lap. “Shopping works up an appetite.”

I was the only single Fletcher now. Mac had always been a guy who wanted to settle down with a woman, and Sam hadn’t thought it was possible for him with a daughter, but he’d found love with his nanny. I had no serious prospects and wasn’t looking for any.

I was content being single. Building a house was a big project that would keep me busy. I didn’t need anyone else’s opinion on what kind of house I should build. Sam changed his plans for Alice, but I didn’t see that happening to me.

I had plenty of time before I thought about having what they did. I wasn’t even sure I wanted it, as much as I enjoyed spending time with my brothers and their burgeoning families.

We moved to sit around the table as Mac placed the food on a platter in the center, and Natalie grabbed napkins, silverware, and glasses. I enjoyed these evenings with my family. Sam had created a nice space to gather outdoors, and we liked to enjoy it as much as we could before fall turned into winter.

When we finished eating, the girls raced around the yard, playing some version of tag, and Mac turned on the heaters.

“You happy to be back?” Sam asked Kylie what I was hesitant to do.

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