Chapter Six #5
That was a potential issue more on Linc’s part than hers.
Anyone who ended up with Harper would be lucky.
Would get a hardworking partner who didn’t hesitate to jump in with both feet and do what needed to be done.
He’d seen it more than once in her interactions with Kash, and with the repairs around his own house.
She didn’t complain about working all day, then coming home to help him scrape hideous wallpaper off the bathroom walls . . . and ceiling.
Who put wallpaper on the freaking ceiling anyway?
“Today was good,” Chad said after a moment.
“No. It was perfection,” Evelyn corrected, with a happy smile on her face. “When are we doing it again?”
Zach chuckled. “Christmas.”
“Goody. That’s not too far away!” Evelyn said, sounding like a kid.
She seemed more carefree, happier than she’d been since her sons had moved home. The pain of losing her husband was still there, Linc knew, but time had a way of dulling the loss of a loved one. As did gaining two daughters-in-law and the anticipation of grandbabies on the way.
“Thank you all for inviting Kash and me to join you,” Harper said.
“Of course.”
“So glad you could be here.”
“Wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
Everyone spoke at once, making Linc grin.
“With that, I think we need to get going,” Harper continued.
“I didn’t think you had to work tomorrow,” Britt said with a small frown. “You’re lucky to get Black Friday off.”
“I know, but I’ve got a ton of things I need to catch up on, since I’ve been working so much. And Saturday starts the beginning of the holiday season . . . and grumpy shoppers.”
Everyone groaned at that.
Harper stood, and Linc followed suit.
“We’re headed out, Kash,” she told her son.
He was so lost in whatever he was reading, he didn’t even hear her.
“Kash,” Linc said in a louder tone.
At that, the boy immediately looked up.
“We’re leaving now.”
“Oh, okay.” He closed the book and stood. Soon, everyone was on their feet, exchanging goodbye hugs, and Britt and Marit were making plans with Harper to get together soon.
“I’m happy to help in any way I can with your wedding,” she told Britt.
“Thanks. We want to keep the ceremony simple. But I’ll let you know if we need anything.”
“Good luck with that,” Knox mumbled under his breath.
Chad smacked the back of his brother’s head. “Shut it,” he said with a grin.
Before he knew it, they were in his SUV and on their way back to his house. Looking in the back seat, Linc saw Kash was snoozing minutes into the drive. Apparently, car rides didn’t just put babies to sleep. The kid was out like a light, his book still clasped in his grip.
Keeping his voice low, Linc asked Harper, “Do you really have a bunch of things you need to do?”
“No. But you’re tired. You need to get some sleep.”
Linc was literally speechless. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had put him first. Her care of him made him feel .
. . mushy. It was a strange feeling, being taken care of.
He’d always been the one taking care of others.
Looking after his brothers, his mom, the men and women under his command.
Words wouldn’t come, so he kept silent as he drove them back to his house. He parked, and the three of them walked to the front door together. Kash was like a zombie and didn’t complain when his mom ordered him upstairs and to bed.
“You think you can sleep? Is it too early?” she asked him.
There was no way in hell he was going to sleep, but Linc nodded anyway.
As if she saw right through him, Harper said, “Why don’t we watch TV for a while?
Neither of us have anything pressing to do tomorrow.
I thought we could maybe go out for a matinee, there’s that new Christmas movie Kash was interested in seeing, and then try out that board game I brought home from work the other day. ”
Honestly, it sounded like a perfect day to Linc. He nodded. “You want another glass of wine?”
She grimaced. “I think I had enough wine tonight. Maybe some tea?”
“Sounds good. Go get settled. I’ll meet you at the couch.”
“It’s a date,” she quipped with a smile.
The words echoed in his head as Linc prepared their drinks in the kitchen, tea for her, hot chocolate for him.
A date. Things between them weren’t the usual way couples got to know each other.
They were doing things backward. Moving in together, then learning more about each other. But he didn’t hate it.
As far as he was concerned, this was a date. Pretty much their first one. Unconventional though it might be.
By the time he got back to the living area, Harper was standing next to one of the oversize chairs with a blanket . . . and a small questioning smile on her face. “Is it okay if we share? It’s a little chilly in here tonight.”
It might’ve been an excuse, but Linc didn’t mind.
He nodded and put their drinks on the table next to the chair, then sat.
Harper settled herself on his lap and covered them with the blanket.
Linc handed her the mug of tea, then grabbed the remote with the hand that wasn’t wrapped around the woman in his lap.
Soon, they were relaxed against the cushions and engrossed in a comedy series that had gotten great reviews on one of the streaming apps.
The last thing Linc was aware of was the feel of Harper’s hair against his chin as she snuggled closer. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep for the first time in years.