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As the girls grabbed their bags and headed for the car, Stephanie leaned in, hissing, "A leak, Cole? Seriously? On top of all the other issues? Is this place even safe for them?"
"Course it's safe," I shot back. "And I'm gonna fix it."
"Fix it? When have you ever—" She cut herself off, regaining composure. "You need a break, Cole. Take some time for yourself. I know you're swamped with work, but this isn't sustainable. Let me take the girls next weekend while you tackle some repairs."
For a moment, I tried to work out whether to be angry or not. Was she criticizing me, or being genuinely kind?
Whatever her intent, it didn't change my situation. "I don’t want to miss out on a weekend with the girls. They’re more important to me than a damn leak."
"Maybe you can put up with a leak, but the girls shouldn't have to."
Ugh. I hated it when Stephanie was right. That's the thing they don't tell you about divorce when you're growing up. Just because you don't love someone anymore, it doesn't mean that their good qualities evaporate and they become some kind of monster. Nope. Stephanie was, irritatingly, a perfectly reasonable woman, and a good mother.
I held up my hands in surrender. "You're right. I'll fix the leak today and make home repairs a higher priority than projects like the tree house. But let me take the girls next weekend."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "You're building a tree house? You're a masochist, I swear. Piling your plate so high everyone else has to catch the mess when it falls off."
I clenched my jaw. "I hear Bryce has a boat."
"You know, jealousy isn’t an attractive tr—"
"I'm not jealous! I just want the girls to have a reason to spend time here, okay?"
She sighed. "They don't need a reason, Cole. You're their father and they adore you."
"Mom! Let's go!" Lexi called from the car.
Stephanie gave me a look that said the discussion wasn’t over, then we headed over to the car. I gave the girls a big hug each. "See you next Friday. Be good for your mom."
They nodded.
"And try not to sink Bryce's boat."
***
I try to never break a promise. So, despite my desperate urge to crack open a beer and decompress, I dutifully hauled a ladder up to the roof.
The sun melted into the horizon as I paused to admire the view. I could just make out the dark gold of the beach at the bottom of the bluff.
"The girls don't know what they're missing," I said, resting my hammer against my chest.
That's when I saw her.
Elara.
On the beach.
Naked.
My heart stuttered. I was frozen, slack-jawed, my gaze locked on her perfect figure.
She was facing the sea, bathed in the mellow glow of sunset. Waves lapped at her feet, and her long hair, now free of its ponytail, whipped in the wind like tongues of yellow fire. I knew I should look away, but it was like time had slowed right down, like I was encased in thick honey.
I shook my head, disgusted with myself. What was I doing fantasizing about a girl nearly young enough to be my daughter? I needed to shut those thoughts down, fast.
But I didn’t get the chance.
Elara turned.
