Momma tapped the table.“When do we talk finishes?I want to know what it looks like inside.”
“Of course.We’ll keep you posted on that, and don’t worry, everything we pick out will be in line with your budget.It’s smart to consider the overall value of the land and house and what makes a difference in value and what doesn’t.”It was so fucking endearing to see this big bear of a man ramble on like that.He was so sexy and uber-masculine, but he seemed to have a softer side.Was he nervous to be near me?Or was it because Momma was here?
I couldn’t resist winking at him when I finally caught his gaze again.“We done then?”
“Oh, um, yes, I...”He looked around the room as if someone was going to pop out and catch him.Or save him.I wasn’t sure which.He fumbled with his pencil a moment while we waited.The pause felt like forever but was probably only a few heartbeats.“Let’s head out, then.”
We followed him to the front, and I couldn’t stop myself from watched that sexy ass move beneath his khaki pants.He wore work boots that were a fucking turn-on, and his golf shirt clung to his massive traps and shoulders.I could get used to that view.His back side was a work of art in clothes, making me wonder what he looked like naked.
“We’re going out to the site, Nancy.Back in a few.”He motioned to the door.“We can take my SUV.”
I nodded furiously.Riding together sounded like a perfect idea.I was so smitten with him I couldn’t stand myself.Here I was, this totally cool professional athlete, suave in front of the camera, and dangerous on the pitcher’s mound, and my insides were crumbling for this man.I was a wreck.At least on the inside.
And I had a feeling my momma knew it.She gave me a look as we climbed in the vehicle.We were going to have a talk when we got back home for sure.
The trip to the land I’d purchased only took fifteen minutes.I’d bought the best piece of property I could find on the more affluent northwest side of town.It was on the outskirts where there was still a good bit of land available.As we drove closer, I enjoyed the southern sunshine and giant oaks that canopied over the roads.It was like a dream.“This is so nice.”
“It is.I love this part of town.”Godwin answered my words that I didn’t think I’d said out loud.
I sighed, resigned to making some kind of conversation.“Do you live around here?You’re from here?”
“Yep.My dad actually started Ellis Homes before he died.He’d worked construction here all his life.Hell, he built a lot of the downtown area.”He pointed out the window.
“Oh, you’ve lost both parents?”I asked.
“Sadly, yes.I still have my brother, though.”
Momma patted his shoulder.“Sorry for your loss.”
I looked out the window.I’d only ever had my momma.Whoever my dad was, he’d left us before I was born, if Momma had even told him I’d been born.Who knew?She never talked about it.If I lost her?No.Just no.“Is he in the business too?”I needed to change the subject.“Your brother?”
“Well, no.Not exactly.He owns a truss company.”
“Trust?Like finance?”
“No.Truss.”He over-pronounced thes.“Like the support system for your roof.”
“Ahh...”
“Okay, here we are.”He pulled up to the site.It was a mess.A couple of tractors dug into the ground, tearing it up.
“What’s going on here?”I jumped out of the vehicle and rounded the hood.It looked like fun.A part of me wanted to jump in the hole and help out, or simply get dirty, or something.
Momma hollered at me as I made my way across to them.“Derby.Stay out of that mud.He never could keep clean, growing up.I swear I did enough laundry to fill that hole.”
“Momma, I’m fine.”I edged up to where the tractors were working.I wasn’t jumping in, though I wanted to.
Godwin caught up and popped a hard hat on my head.“We’re already working on the septic and water.That has to happen first.Permits have already been pulled to start the foundation.We’ll get that going as soon as these guys are finished and we have revised plans approved.I expect that should happen around the same time.”
“How long?”Momma asked.
“A week.Week and a half.”He shrugged.
“Are we on schedule with that?”she asked.
“Yes.”
I eyed the scene in front of me.The machinery was loud, so I raised my voice.“Does it take two tractors?What’s that cost?”
