Chapter 2 Trading Favors #2
While they were carrying things into the house, he tried to bring up the topic of which bedroom would be hers.
However, she didn’t take the hint. Instead, she watched with amusement as Ryder and Coop sped through the house, opening and closing doors.
They hollered back and forth to each other about what they liked the most about each bedroom.
Before long, they were begging to share the long bonus room over the garage.
It had a cathedral ceiling, big dormer windows, and more than enough space for two growing boys.
Since it had a full bathroom attached to it, Owen had been planning to offer it to Jen.
However, the twins negotiated so energetically and humorously that he gave in.
“Eh, why not?” As they grew bigger and older, the extra space would make even more sense for them to share.
Their exultant whoops of delight were all the thanks he needed. He shot a questioning look at Halle and found her nodding in approval. “It’s a lot of room, but they’ll grow into it.”
“We can fill it up with toys,” Ryder offered in a helpful voice.
“As long as you save room for important stuff, like your bookshelves and desks,” Owen reminded. “Now that you’re about to start school, you’ll need someplace to do your homework.”
Cooper waved a hand dismissively. “We can sit at the kitchen table for that. We need our desks for building Legos and stuff.”
“Hashtag priorities,” Halle murmured, stepping closer to Owen as they headed back down the stairs.
He enjoyed the way their elbows bumped and could tell it was an accident from the way she jolted away from him. “Aren’t you going to back me up on the homework issue?” He stopped long enough to allow her to pass in front of him.
“If you insist.” The smile in her voice warmed his heart.
“I don’t plan on giving my students much homework, though.
Like your boys, many of them live on farms. They’ll have evening chores to keep up with, and they’ll need time to sleep.
I’d rather they come to school rested, so I can pour gallons of learning down their throats during the few hours I have their attention. ”
“I like how you think.” He also liked the idea of assigning his sons age-appropriate chores around the farm.
Since Halle had grown up there, she would be the ideal person to train them.
It wasn’t something Owen wanted to add to her responsibilities right now, but maybe they’d kick around the idea in the coming days.
“Thanks.” She looked pleased. “My goal is to ensure my students have such a good time that learning doesn’t feel like work.”
“Wow!” He eyed her with a whole new level of respect. “It kind of makes me want to go back to kindergarten myself.”
“Really?” Her brown eyebrows flew upward.
“No.”
They shared a chuckle.
“It’s time for you to choose a bedroom.” He angled his head toward the hallway. It led to the other two bedrooms on the main level. Since the house had a split-floor plan, the master bedroom where he would be staying was on the opposite side of the house.
A twinge of emotion flashed across her features. “The one at the end of the hallway was mine when I was a kid. I picked it for its view of the chicken yard. They’re so fun to watch.”
It was a tidbit of personal information he found fascinating. “Want us to move your suitcases and bins in there?”
Her smile returned. “That works for me! I don’t mind reliving my chicken-watching days.”
They stacked her three suitcases and plastic bins against the wall, but the room was otherwise empty.
No furniture. No bed. He wracked his brain and decided the best temporary solution would be to offer her the use of his guest room furniture.
It would leave his sister hanging upon her return.
Then again, Halle would leave around the same time, so it should work.
He caught her eye. “I have a spare bed and dresser I normally toss in the guest room. You’re welcome to it.”
“Yes, please,” she said quickly.
“Consider it done.” He stepped into the hallway and found Jensen chugging down a bottle of water beside the stairwell. “No hurry, but I could use a hand with the last set of bedroom furniture when you get a chance.”
“Let’s do it. My break time’s over!” Jensen made a rally sign with his empty water bottle and followed Owen to the moving truck.
Halle climbed aboard behind them and picked up one of the two nightstands.
Owen eyed her with concern. “You sure it’s not too heavy?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m a farm girl. I can handle an empty nightstand.” She spun around with it in her arms and marched down the ramp with it.
Jensen stared after her, grinning. “Farm girls are the best kind of girls, if you ask me.”
Yes, they are. Owen watched her for a moment to make sure she didn’t have any trouble carrying the bulky nightstand by herself. She didn’t. She’d even had the foresight to carry it with the drawers flush against her to avoid having them fly open in transit.
As he and Jensen carried the headboard for the guest bed across the front yard, they passed Kenny running around with both arms outstretched, making airplane noises.
“That’s his best imitation of a crop duster.” Jensen spoke in rueful undertones. “I know he acts a lot younger than his age, but I assure you he’s worth his weight in gold as a farmhand. Folks around town call him the chicken whisperer and claim we get more eggs from our flock because of it.”
Owen could only hope the last part was true.
He didn’t know much about raising chickens, so he was depending on the Carters to educate him.
Now that Halle was sticking around, she might prove useful in that area as well, but only if she was willing.
Their situation wasn’t a normal one. He didn’t intend to push her to do anything her heart wasn’t in.
Since he and Jensen had spoken over the phone a few times prior to his arrival, Owen was already aware of Kenny’s developmental issues.
He didn’t feel the need to rehash the topic.
Instead, he focused on the simple enjoyment Kenny was getting out of the beautiful weather.
“If my boys see what your boy is up to, they’ll join him. ”
No sooner had Owen spoken than Ryder and Cooper erupted out the front door and began twirling around the yard with their arms outstretched like Kenny’s. They made loud engine-droning noises, collided with each other, and ended up in a snickering pile on the ground.
Owen watched Kenny amble up to the boys and plop down on the ground beside them. “We need to find the black box to see why you crashed,” he declared somberly.
Ryder and Cooper rolled apart in mid-snicker. “What black box?” Cooper demanded.
“Oh, there it is!” Kenny lunged Cooper’s way and tickled him beneath his armpit.
It was like a declaration of war. In seconds, Cooper and Ryder had Kenny stretched out on his belly, riding him like a horse.
“Careful, Kenny,” Jensen warned, but Owen shook his head to stop him from intervening.
“I think my boys are holding their own just fine. Unless you’re worried about Kenny getting hurt?”
“Hardly.” Jensen snorted. “He’s indestructible. It’s another one of his strengths. He’s also a gentle giant with kids. A couple of years ago, they recruited him as a water boy at the baseball park, so that’s where we spend a lot of our evenings and Saturdays.”
“Nice!” Owen and Jensen stepped inside the house and carried the headboard down the hallway. “Fair warning. We may bump into each other there since I’m raising two future major league baseball players. Or so the twins tell me.”
They reached the guest room and found Halle nudging the nightstand into place. “I’ll get the other one.” She smiled shyly at the men and darted from the room.
Jensen was silent for a moment after setting down his end of the headboard.
Assuming he needed a rest, Owen took his time leaning it back against the wall.
Jensen spoke in a hushed voice that wasn’t designed to carry farther than the room they were standing in.
“When word gets out that she’s single again, this place is going to be buzzing with cocky young bull and bronc riders.
Mark my words.” He glanced furtively at the door to ensure they were still alone.
“She’s been voted Teacher of the Year more times than you can shake a stick at.
The elementary school couldn’t snap her up fast enough when they found out she was moving back to town. ”
“That’s good to know.” Not the part about Garrett Farm being overrun by hopeful single guys, but Owen did appreciate hearing about all the Teacher of the Year awards Halle had won. After hiring her on the fly, it was nice to receive yet another confirmation that he’d made a wise decision.
“Everybody loves her!” Jensen curled his upper lip in derision. “Except maybe the creep who robbed her blind. If I ever get my hands on him,” he threatened, fisting his hands at his sides.
“You and me both,” Owen assured quietly.
His initial review of the Garrett Farm ledgers had revealed someone had struck the monthly budget down to zero around the time the chicken farm had gone up for sale.
He was pretty sure he knew who that someone was.
“Like we talked about over the phone, you and I need to have a sit-down soon to go over the numbers together. I want you and Kenny to have the budget you need to keep the chickens healthy and the egg-laying facilities in good repair.”
Jensen stretched his shoulders. “I’m ready whenever you are. My time is your time, boss.”
“Just call me Owen.” Owen wasn’t one to lord his position over others. His career as a private investigator had taught him that every member of the team was vital. “How about we meet over coffee and breakfast in the morning?”
“I’m in!” Jensen’s whole face lit up. “Mind if I bring Kenny along?”