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That was Slade’s one and only intention for returning to the new neighbor’s place today.
***
NICOLE GLANCED OUTthe open kitchen window, swallowing the last bite of a peanut butter sandwich. There were different sounds in the countryside where woods surrounded by wide-open spaces replaced concrete and skyrises and Mother Nature’s song whispered in the breeze carrying the rustle of leaves and the trill of birds. She was still acclimating to several vast differences from what she’d grown up with in the city, but the work and challenges ahead of her were what she needed.Speaking of which.She stood and tossed the napkin then returned outside, reminding herself the work wouldn’t get done by itself. The cement slab around the back step would never pass as a patio, but there were more urgent replacements and repairs that required attention first.
She trekked across the ill-kept lawn, pulling on the too-large work gloves she’d found in the old barn that required the most renovation. The crunch of large tires rolling up the dirt and gravel drive drew her thoughts away from the contractor’s scheduled visit tomorrow. A shamrock-green oversized truck towing a flatbed trailer loaded with boards parked alongside the Subaru Forester she had traded her compact car in on before driving to Wyoming. Nicole’s disgruntlement at the interruption failed to prevent a hitch in her pulse when she recognized Slade Kincaid emerging from behind the wheel. She didn’t care for that reaction any more than she did for his and the other two men’s unannounced arrival, and moved at a brisk pace to find out what he was doing.
Nicole tried hard not to appreciate the better, daylight view of Slade’s broad chest in a worn work shirt, his rippling forearms exposed from the rolled-up sleeves, and bristled profile beneath the lowered Stetson.Okay, there’s something about the whole rugged-cowboy package that has an appeal city dwellers lack.That didn’t mean she wanted his company any more today than last night. She untucked her hair from behind her ears to ensure it covered her neck scar before talking to them.
Slade faced her as she reached the truck, tilting his head toward her fisted hands going to her hips. “You’ll find gloves and boots in your size at Ina’s mercantile off the highway heading north,” he said by way of a greeting. “Nicole Wells, these are my brothers, Brett and Reed.”
She gave the two men a quick nod but, before either could respond, she confronted Slade. “Why are you here?”
Turning his back to her, he followed his brothers and started loosening the straps holding the boards, talking over his shoulder. “You need a new fence. What you’re doing won’t hold up.”
Nicole tried not to fume simply because he was right. The wood they brought appeared much sturdier than the weather-worn flimsiness of her fence. She caved, somewhat. “Fine,” she bit out with grudging concession, picking up a heavy box of nails for something to do. “I appreciate the gesture, but ask next time. You’re better off driving closer to the fence. It’s not as if you’ll hurt the yard before you reach the field.” Turning her back on the three men, she led the way across the overgrown yard, keeping her face averted from the paint job the house needed.
The truck rumbled past her, and Nicole went right to work alongside them a minute later, helping Slade move the old boards out of the way.
“This place sat neglected for way too long,” Brett commented, pounding on the thick post Reed was holding steady. “I can get you a good contractor, Nicole.”
“Jim Baker is coming by tomorrow.”
Slade nodded. “He’s good, and he won’t rob you blind. Hey, Sam.” He scratched behind his ears, and Sam was in heaven.
Nicole gave her dog the evil eye for getting friendly with Slade. The man didn’t need an incentive to return. “Go chase rabbits, Sam,” she grumbled, yanking on a stubborn slat.
“Get over your snit before you hurt yourself.” Slade jerked the board off and tossed it on the pile, his jaw taut.
She returned his glare, noticing his eyes were slate gray. “You’re the one who arrived uninvited and unannounced. Read it and believe it.” She pointed to the saying in white lettering on her navy, long-sleeved top,All I care about is dogs – And maybe 2 people. His lips quirked, as if he couldn’t help himself, his brothers gazing over with curiosity. Nicole swore the heat suffusing her face was not due to three pairs of male eyes ogling her chest at her invitation.
“That leaves you out, Slade. Everyone likes me and Brett,” Reed drawled.
“Bite me. You.” He pointed his hammer at Nicole. “Learn to accept a friendly offer of assistance around these parts and the fact your dog likes me. Back to work.”
Finding it hard to argue with that, she nodded and worked alongside him in silence for over an hour and a half, amazed at the progress the four of them made in that short time. The old fence sat in a pile a few feet from the new fencing enclosing about 70 percent of the area she allotted for the larger rescue dogs to run around. The last section would attach to the barn side where all she would have to do is open that door then release a few from their kennels at a time. The sun had reached its highest peak and warmth, and now the temperature would drop much faster than it rose, so it surprised her when Brett suggested they keep going until finished.
“You’ve done plenty, and I appreciate it, and how much you’ve accomplished. Go ahead and enjoy what’s left of your Sunday with your families.” The last thing she needed was more guilt poking at her conscience.
Brett squeezed her shoulder and handed her another slat. “We’re good. Our girls will be along soon with something to eat, and we should have this finished by then.”
“They don’t need to do that. Go home in time for your dinner,” she insisted.
Nicole didn’t care for the idea of more visitors any more than she did the fleeting twinge in her abdomen when she imagined what type of woman Slade had chosen. While she could appreciate good looks paired with a hot body, curiosity about his love life didn’t sit well with her. Her interest in men died with Tony, and her healthy sex drive had lain dormant since his diagnosis over eight months ago. With all the work ahead of her, the last thing she wanted was for hormones to kick back into gear.
A wide grin creased Slade’s tanned, whiskered cheeks, and she was taken aback by the humor lacing his voice as he stated, “When Allie sets her cap on doing something, there’s no dissuading her, but hey, go ahead and tell her that when she and Lily get here.”
Reed hammered a board in place but glanced at Nicole. “My Lily is sweet and biddable. She wants to say hello though.”
Why did a few words have to make her sound like such a shrew? And were women still called shrews? Her arms ached, and she was tired. That must be the reason for such inane thoughts.
“Your Lily is only sweet and biddable when she’s not being stalked by a deranged sociopath,” Brett stated around the nail clenched between his teeth.
They said enough to pique her curiosity about both women but not to the extent she wouldn’t rather finish and everyone leave. She would force herself to be nice though.
As if reading her thoughts, Slade bent down, his warm breath fanning her earlobe when he whispered, “If I can hang around, you can suck it up.”
Nicole nodded, ignoring the shiver ghosting down her spine, noticing no one mentioned a third woman. Since she wasn’t about to ask, she focused on completing the fence.
