Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
As soon as Maddy and Blaine left the room, Grey slanted Lachlan a look. “What’s all that about?”
“No idea.” Maddy’s choice of wording when she’d answered Blaine struck him as significant. And it seemed like Blaine was worried about her, as if he didn’t want her to leave or didn’t think she was ready to. “Grab that end. We’ll turn it on its side when we get to the door.”
As soon as he grasped his end and tried to lift it, he realized just how badly he’d underestimated the difficulty level of the job.
Through sheer brute force they managed to muscle it to the doorway leading to the stairs. The stairs they were going to have to get this bastard up.
“Christ, it weighs a ton,” Grey grunted, face bright red, arm muscles bulging from the exertion.
Lachlan couldn’t answer, too busy gritting his teeth as he carried his end.
God, he felt out of shape. Back when he’d been a rescue swimmer, he would have moved this, no problem.
He felt a bit better seeing Grey struggle.
His brother might not be in peak physical condition like he’d been back in the day either, but Grey was still fitter than he was.
It took three tries to get the desk turned sideways and tilt it enough to get it through the door. Getting it up the stairs was an exercise in physics, endurance, and willpower driven by sheer spite.
“Pivot,” Lachlan wheezed when they reached the turn in the stairs. “Piv-ot.”
Grey snickered at the reference to an old sitcom, his face red. “Don’t make me laugh,” he gasped out. “Asshole.”
They were both sweating and straining when they made it to the top of the stairs. Setting it down in the foyer was a relief. Lachlan’s arms felt four inches longer.
“I’ll get the chair,” Grey said.
Lachlan nodded, glad for the chance to catch his breath. Holy mother, that thing was heavy. If he hadn’t known Tripp had built it, he’d have thought it was made of solid stone instead of wood.
Maddy and Blaine appeared from a room off the foyer. She saw the desk, eyed him and smiled a little. “Told you it was heavy.”
“You did,” he said just as Grey appeared with the chair. “That everything?”
“That’s it. Do you think you can get it into the bed of your truck?” she asked with a doubtful expression.
“No problem,” he said, ignoring the amused look Grey shot him. He’d get it in there or destroy his back trying.
“I’ll give you guys a hand,” Blaine said.
“I won’t say no to that.” He wasn’t a masochist.
It wasn’t easy, but the three of them managed to get it loaded and strapped down in the back of his truck. As far as he could tell, he’d managed to avoid herniating a disc in his lower back, but he was definitely spending some quality time in the hot tub later.
“Maybe we should let some air out of the tires just in case,” Grey said.
“Ha.” Lachlan lifted the chair into the bed and tucked it under one of the straps. “I’ll follow you,” he said to Maddy, who hugged Blaine goodbye and hurried to her car.
“Please tell me Willow’s cottage is one level,” Grey said as they followed her onto the street.
Word. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
The quiet residential neighborhood was nestled up against a forested area on a hill above town. They passed a cute little place with a well-tended front garden and rainbow decorations all over the place. “That’s gotta be Mae’s house.”
Willow’s place was just up the street. And thank you God, it was one level except for the few stairs leading up onto the front porch. They could handle that.
Maddy hurried to the front door and propped it open. “It’s going to go in the back of the kitchen. Straight shot just down the hall.”
Getting the desk out of the truck bed wasn’t easy, but he and Grey managed to muscle it down. They carried it up the short set of steps onto the porch, down the hall to the kitchen to the spot Maddy had cleared, and set it near the sliding doors.
“Perfect,” Maddy said in approval, her delighted smile making all the bruises and sweat worth it. “I know that wasn’t easy, and I really appreciate it. Thank you, both of you.”
“Our pleasure,” Lachlan said.
“I don’t have anything stocked yet, but I can order us some takeout if you’re both hungry?”
“No thanks, I’m okay,” Grey said with a tired smile.
Lachlan could tell his brother was curious about her. “Another time.”
“Okay, then we’ll do a rain check. You guys pick.”
“Sure.” He gave Grey a subtle take off nod, wanting a moment alone with her. “Ever been to the San Juans?” he asked when they were alone.
“No, why?”
“I’m transporting some passengers to one of the islands early tomorrow afternoon, around one. Forecast is calling for sun and mid-fifties with light westerlies. There’s a great pub near the marina there, really cozy with a wood burning fireplace, and the food’s fantastic. Wanna join me?”
“Yes, I do.”
He grinned, pleasantly surprised that she’d agreed so fast. Was he making progress?
“Great.” He wanted to stay and talk some more, learn more things about her, but that could wait until tomorrow. And before he left, he would make it clear that he was interested.
He took a step toward her, holding her gaze. She watched him, unmoving, but he could see the hint of uncertainty in her face.
Reminding himself to move slow, he pulled back from the kiss he wanted to give her and slid his arms around her to draw her into a gentle hug instead.
His heart squeezed at the light, tentative pressure of her hands on the center of his back. He held her for a moment, just until he felt her relax a little, then pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Her hair smelled like strawberries, and she felt so good against him, small and soft and sweet.
Then he let her go and stepped back, albeit reluctantly. Because he needed her to know he wouldn’t push her for more than she was ready to give.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you,” she answered, sounding a little breathless.
He got into his truck with a smile on his face.
Grey lifted an eyebrow. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“Don’t even. You’re into her.”
“Yeah, I am.” He saw no reason to deny it.
“She’s pretty shy.” Not his usual type, Grey meant.
Maybe that’s what intrigued him so much. But there was something more than shyness with her. Almost like she’d been hurt before.
“I know.” Sometimes she seemed younger than mid-to-late twenties. More innocent. But he was willing to be patient and put in the time necessary to gain her trust. That’s how much he was into her.
“I like her too.”
“I can tell. And if you even think about flirting with her, I’ll break both of your legs in multiple places.”
“It’s like that, huh?’ Grey chuckled. “Love this for you, bro. It’ll be good to see you have a life again.”
“I have a life.”
“Working twenty-four-seven isn’t much of a life.”
Lachlan cocked an eyebrow at him. He was one to talk.
“Yeah, all right, I heard it as soon as I said it,” Grey muttered. “But trust me, I don’t plan on making moves on anyone anytime soon.”