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Megan searched his eyes, finding nothing but kindness. “I did.”
In the dark, his deep brown eyes dilated into dark pools like the sky. Megan’s lips parted on their own as he tilted his head to the side and closed the gap, pressing a tender kiss on her lips.
The only thought she had was this felt like home, and everything in her body wanted to scream when he pulled away, and the cold night air chilled her lips in his absence.
“Tonight didn’t end like I planned. Would it be okay if I see you again?”
CHAPTER17
“Son of a bitch,” Troy called out, throwing the hammer down.
“You shouldn’t have held it like that. You’ll feel it in your elbow when you’re my age,” his dad called from down in the front yard of the house where he was supervising, which in his case was really just criticizing everything Troy did.
The past few days were a whirlwind. Megan was at work, so other than a few texts with various jokes, she had been quiet, and he had been tied up on his end as well.
Once the insurance paperwork came through, the checks were deposited and plans were drawn up for repairing the old ranch house while also bringing it into the new decade. While some of the work would be hired out—like expanding the HVAC system—the framing, electric, plumbing, and finishes would all require a heavy dose of sweat equity.
Troy didn’t mind putting in the effort, but working with Dad was a lesson in patience. The same was true for Dad. He knew what to do, but age and doctor’s orders to take it easy meant his body didn’t allow him to work as he wanted. To add insult to injury, when he did want to get his hands dirty, his recovery time frustrated him to no end.
Troy pounded the nail into the stud and finished the wall to frame out the addition onto the new kitchen.
“When I go into town tonight, I’m getting a nail gun.”
“Your grandfather built this whole house with nails and a hammer.”
“He also didn’t have a choice.”
Hank spit out into the gravel and threw his hands up. “Fine, do what you want.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s not what you’re really looking forward to.” His dad gave him a knowing smile that made Troy roll his eyes despite breaking into a grin. “She’s a good woman. Where are you taking her?”
“I let her know we’re trying to update the house, so she agreed to help pick out colors at the hardware store and go look at countertops.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“Hardly, but she was excited. Then we’ll grab dinner.”
Troy was hoping for more. After their kiss, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. She tasted like summertime. Megan was warm and soft, but the strength within her drew him to her like a magnet. Seeing her in action at the crash had only deepened his fascination.
A shiver passed over him at the memory of the fear in her eyes when the lunatic had come barreling toward her out of nowhere. Troy had plowed into the guy before he could even think. He hadn’t hurt him, but it was an exercise in complete restraint. He couldn’t imagine if he hadn’t been there in time and Megan had gotten hurt.
He had plenty of bad memories that lived in his head rent free, but he couldn’t get her out of his mind, and he didn’t hate it.
“Maybe she’ll pick out something she likes for the kitchen.”
“My leave only is approved for six weeks. I doubt it will turn into anything serious.”
His dad spit again. “You always say that. Your mother was way out of my league, but you have to try. Can’t let fear stand in the way of your life. What if she’s the one, and you’re too stubborn to see it?”
“Things aren’t like that anymore. People don’t live in the same town forever like around here.”
“That’s what you think. The right relationship can overcome a lot.”
Troy shook his head. “I’ve been best man at enough second and third weddings to have my doubts.”
“That’s your generation and the military.”
