Chapter 44
Rhodes
Sage and I were finally in a good place. Now, if I could convince her to move in, then everything would be nearly perfect. She’d insisted on staying at her place last night, and even though we’d talked on the phone, having her clear across town made me nervous.
The wooden frame was finally coming together. It had taken us hours of arguing over it like it was some kind of high-stakes operation, but we were on it now. East, Wade, and I were now deciding on slide placement while Opal bounced around us with Cheese.
“What about here?” she asked, gesturing to one spot and then another. Her pigtails bounced as she talked. I was getting better at them now, and they looked pretty even.
Sage had texted that she’d be by after a quick run to check in at her store and pick up some honey for Maggie.
I was glad she was checking in, but I was just as glad Ellis was with her.
My worry for her hadn’t gone away. We were still no closer to figuring out who sent the flower arrangements, and it was like an itch I couldn’t scratch.
Whoever it was had gone to great lengths to hide their identity, and nobody does that without a good reason.
Even with all the resources at our disposal, the person had still managed to elude us.
We’d had everyone on it we could, but no dice.
Sometimes you think you’re the smartest (or have the best people), but you quickly realize there’s always someone out there better than you.
This was one of those times. Whoever this fucker was, they knew what they were doing.
"Hand me that wrench, Oppie,” I called, wiping sweat from my face. She ran over, grinning, loving being able to help. East chuckled, securing a bolt. "Kid's a better helper than some of my crew."
That was absolutely not true, but she did love to help and be included. This was exactly the sort of life that I wanted for her. To be surrounded by family on a lazy weekend.
We were wrapping up the roof when Sage's delivery van pulled up, earlier than expected. She hopped out, market basket in hand, but something felt off. My gut twisted. "Everything okay?" I asked, striding over and pulling her into a quick hug.
“It’s fine. Nothing to worry about. We ran into Catherine at the market, but it wasn’t any big deal, I promise.”
I pulled her closer, possessive need surging. “What the hell did she want?" The words came out rough, laced with that deep, unyielding claim. She didn't pull away, her eyes softening, and fuck if that didn't stoke the fire.
“She was just looking to get a rise out of me.” She gave me a hard look. “Which she didn’t. I just didn’t want to hide it from you.”
“I appreciate that, sweetheart.” My thumb caressed the back of her neck as I thought through the implications of my ex showing up in town.
East shot me a knowing look, but stayed quiet as Opal ran up. “You’re here. Come see.” She pulled on Sage’s hand. “Daddy is building with Uncle East and Uncle Wade.”
Sage gave her an indulgent smile, shoving her basket at me before letting herself be pulled away, where her brothers were still working on the massive assembly.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
Ellis raised an eyebrow as he leaned against the van. “Like Sage said, Catherine came up to her at the market and said she was grabbing stuff for a lasagna she was making for you.”
I snorted. “That woman can’t boil water, and she wouldn’t even order lasagna at a restaurant, let alone know what was in it. She’s avoided carbs for years.”
Ellis held up his hands in a placating fashion. “Just telling you what I heard.”
“Sorry. Catherine drives me crazy.” My heart rate was already up just hearing that she’d approached Sage.
“She handled it like a pro. Honestly, your ex was a little put off that she didn’t get the reaction she wanted.” Ellis smirked. “I didn’t even have to intervene at all. Sage was a little annoyed, but mainly for you, I think. Chicks are hard to figure out.”
Looking over at her and Opal, I found it hard to agree right now. Sage was easy to figure out most of the time. She wanted someone to hold her and love her. Treat her right. “Why do you think so? Because of Delphina?”
He’d gotten shot down when he asked Sage’s sister out, which apparently surprised him.
Ellis had always had it easy with women.
Like many of us, when we were in the service, it was easy to get laid.
But this wasn’t a place where there were tag chasers hanging out at the bars looking for a hook-up.
Women like Sage and Delphina were looking for a commitment.
He shrugged. “I thought she liked me.”
“I don’t think she doesn’t like you, brother. But she’s probably looking for something a little more permanent than a quick fuck.”
“Dude.” He crossed his arms and glared hard at me. “Why the hell do you think that was my proposition to Sage’s sister? Maybe I want a piece of this? A home and a family?” He jerked his chin over to where East and Wade were laughing with Sage while Opal chased her through the grass.
“Sorry, man. I guess I was making assumptions.” Not that they were unfair. Ellis had always had a reputation for being a bit of a player. Sage had scoffed when I mentioned warning her, but she said Phiny could handle it.
“Nah. It’s all right. I get it. It doesn’t matter anyway. She isn’t interested. It’s cool. Let’s get this shit done because we have dinner to get to, and I’m not missing dinner at the Holts.” He slapped me on the back.
True enough. Ellis had finagled himself an invitation to family dinner, which was probably uncomfortable now that he’d asked Delphina out. But dinner at the Holts wasn’t going to be missed by any of us.
With the playhouse nearly done, East was finishing the last bolts as Ellis and I worked on hooking up the swings. Wade occupied himself with getting the roof on the playhouse.
“You know you’re going to have to watch out for critters,” East gave Wade a sideways glance.
“True. If it’s up to Sage, you’ll end up with raccoons living out here,” Wade shivered.
“She can have a raccoo…” I started, but Wade practically lunged at me, slapping a dirty hand over my mouth. “Get off.” Shoving at him, I slapped at him. “What are you doing?”
All the movement caught Sage and Opal’s attention, and Opal charged over. “Daddy, daddy. Are we wrestling?” She crashed into me, leaving me no choice but to move away from Wade and East.
Mock wrestling was something Opal loved. Complying as she attacked me with everything she had in her six-year-old frame, I fell to the grass, letting her push me back as she smooshed against me in an imitation of a pin.
“I gotcha, daddy, didn’t I? Gotcha good. Look, Sage. I got him.” She sat on my chest, then smooshed my cheeks together and looked at me seriously. “Answer me, daddy. Who’s your favorite little girl?”
“Cinderella?”
“Wrong!” She gave a mock pout. We’d been playing this version for a couple of weeks now, and it was her new favorite. She tried not to giggle, her eyes dancing. “Try again.”
“Tiana?”
“Wrong, daddy.” Another pout and then another giggle. “Again.”
“Umm. Opal?” I asked hesitantly.
She gave a little jump, hard enough to startle me, which delighted her. She was getting heavy.
“Right! Good job.” She threw herself forward onto my chest, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.
“More than unicorns and kittens.” I smoothed my hand over her back—crazy little thing.
Sage watched me as I struggled to stand, holding Opal close before I let her slide to her feet, a mysterious look in her eyes. It made me hope she was seeing visions of the same future with me that I saw when I looked at her.
Opal and Sage shifted their attention to building fairy houses and letting Cheese chase acorns while we finished up our build. Their conversation faded in and out as we hammered and twisted wrenches. This was what it was all about. Easy Sundays and family. It was perfect.