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Rhenn’s shacking up with my little sister, Marissa, and even though I love giving them hell, I actually really like him and am thrilled that they’re so happy together. “Oh, I’m sure he’s got something to say.”
“He spent a little time with the homeowner before he left. He’s adding some outdoor lighting that wasn’t on the original plans,” he says, pulling my attention.
“They’re adding more lighting? Where?” I ask, pulling out my drawings and laying them out on the tailgate.
“Here,” he says, pointing to the area at the very back of the property. I made a quick note on the drawing since it’ll be my job to fix the groundwork after they bury the wiring. “So have you met her yet?” I glance at my friend, not really sure who he’s referring to. “The homeowner. She’s hot,” he adds with a smirk.
“No,” I reply, rolling up my drawings and placing them back in the truck cab. “I dealt with her lawyer through the entire thing. I think I ran into her when I was leaving earlier, but we haven’t officially met yet.”
“Seriously, smokin’ hot, bossman. She brought out lemonade to us all. I’m kinda hoping she’s here every day. Damn sure makes the afternoons a little brighter, if you know what I mean,” Jonas says, a wide smile on his face.
My gut clenches and for some unknown reason, I find myself unrolling the drawings. They were approved a week ago by K. Dunnington. I had assumed the homeowner was a man, but now that I look at the handwriting, it’s delicate and curvy. I don’t know why I can’t seem to shake the feeling I’m missing something here. “Did you meet the husband?”
“Nope, never showed up. I assume he’s at work. You can’t afford a house like this and the massive work we’re all doing and not have a husband working his ass off somewhere,” Jonas adds, and while I understand his point, that’s not always true. There are plenty of women who work their asses off, make good money, and could probably afford a place like this. Though, I do admit, it would be difficult for anyone on a single income.
“All right, I’ll update tomorrow’s work list for you, since you had the setback today. It’ll be at the office in the morning,” I tell my employee.
“Sounds good, bossman. No Max tonight?”
“Not tonight. He went back with his mom last night.” I don’t tell him I already miss the hell out of my son. If I could, I’d have him with me all day, every day.
“I thought about heading up to have a drink later. You wanna come?”
“No, I better not. I have to update the schedules for the rest of the week and make a few client calls,” I tell him. The office side of work takes a lot of time, and being in the peak busy season, I’m busting my balls just to keep up with it all.
“’Kay. Don’t work too hard,” he teases, a smile on his face, knowing full well I’ll be up late again tonight.
“See ya,” I say, heading toward my truck cab. Before I get there, I decide to head back and check the spot where Rhenn will be installing lighting. If I know my future brother-in-law as well as I think I do, he probably already has it laid out with paint. I can check out the markings and make sure it aligns with what I already have in my head.
With my drawings in hand, I head toward the backyard, the sound of the ocean becoming more pronounced as I go. Everyone’s already gone for the day, but they left their messes behind. There’s material all over the back deck for the kitchen remodel and two new windows leaning against the siding. There’s a large dumpster in the driveway for all of the old building material, but there’s still a small pile of scrap by the back door.
I glance around quickly, confirming my guys cleaned up after themselves before heading to the very back of the property. Pink paint marks the route Rhenn will use to dig a trench and run the wiring for the new lights. When I get to the back, I can already see what they’re envisioning. There’s a small clearing with a breathtaking view of the ocean. I can practically picture the small benches or swing back here, with a few lights to illuminate the path. Solid idea in adding it, I agree, pleased to enhance this area of the yard. I make a few notes on my drawings, and roll them back up.
As I get ready to turn and head back to my truck, a familiar scent blows in with the breeze. It’s gardenia and honeysuckle, and the sweet aroma reminds me of a happier time. The memories come flooding back and I hate the longing that starts deep in my chest. Closing my eyes, I let the salty breeze wash over me, fighting against the reminiscences. God, I hate I can still smell her, feel her as if she were standing right beside me.
Opening my eyes, I gaze out at the sea, wishing things could have been different. No, I’m not wishing away my son. He’s the best part of my life and I wouldn’t go back and do everything over again if it meant losing him, but wishing for…closure. Needing it, actually. I never got it. Never heard why she left in the middle of the night. Never was told what I did wrong. Never had the chance to make it right.
Maybe being back here, I’ll finally have it.
Knowing I have a ton of work to do and only a little daylight left, I slowly turn my back to the ocean, desperately looking to put some distance between me and the honeysuckle. When I turn around, I see a woman. Her long blonde hair is piled high on her head and her gorgeous hazel eyes are wide in shock. Soft pink lips are gaped open as she stands not ten feet away from me, a look of surprise and horror written all over her beautiful face. She’s as stunning as I remember in my dreams. She stands there, the house she grew up in as the backdrop, as tears fill her eyes. It’s hard to breathe and even harder to keep myself from rushing to her, taking her in my arms.
But I don’t.
I can’t.
As much as I want to, I don’t move a muscle.
The entire world has shifted.
Everything has changed.
My Kate has come home.
