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Matt gestured with a flick of his head. We followed him as he moved toward his truck, away from the blistering noise of the jackhammer. “It’s a bit better here.”
When Gabe finished his turn with the jackhammer, Jake took over.
“It looks like we might not be needed for a little while. I have to head up to town, thought I might stop off at the Nookee for coffees if anyone’s interested?” Ally asked.
“Great idea. Take Gabe with you, he can give you a hand.” There was no disguising the mischievous glint in Lucy’s eye.
“That’s not necessary,” Ally replied hastily.
“He’s already had his turn playing with the jackhammer and you can’t carry seven cups of coffee and the groceries all on your own,” Lucy replied, smirking.
“I really don’t mind,” Gabe said with a smile.
“Fine, then.”
I looked at Ally, startled. I didn’t think I’d ever heard her talk to someone like that. So…snippy.
Gabe’s tone was easy and light, the contrast striking when he said, “Let’s go.”
We watched as Ally stomped to her car wordlessly, not looking at Gabe as he got in the passenger seat.
“What’s her problem?” Matt turned to me, my gaze on the black jeep doing a rough U-Turn in the drive and heading for the front gates. Even the way she was driving looked angry.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her behave like this before. Maybe she doesn’t like Gabe?” I was so confused.
“Why wouldn’t she like him?”
“No idea. He seems like a great guy to me.”
“He is,” Lucy answered.
“One of the best,” Emma put in.
I shrugged. “I don’t get it, then.”
“It’s a mystery, that’s for sure. What’s also a mystery is me thinking I can help with the driveway in these shoes. I’ll head home to change and be back for coffee.”
“I’ll come with you, if you don’t mind? I’d love to see your dad.”
“Sure, Luce, he’ll like that.”
Once they were gone, I shoved my hands in the pockets of my sweater, leaned against the truck and smiled up at Matt. He glanced over at Jake, whose back was to us, the jackhammer going full blast. Reaching out, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. I went perfectly still as warmth bloomed in my belly, a hint of a smile on my lips. Smiling back, Matt ran his hand down my arm, linked his fingers through mine when I pulled my hand from my pocket, pulled me toward him. I went willingly. So close, almost touching, his scent intoxicating. Earthy, woodsy, masculine.Him. Leaning in, he brushed the lightest of kisses across my lips, making me wish we could do more.
He pulled back. “I guess we should get some work done.”
“I guess.” I smiled at the note of reluctance in his voice, felt it myself.
“You got some work gloves? It will make it easier when you pick up the concrete pieces.” He reached into the truck, grabbing a pair for himself. “I’ve mostly likely got some spare, if you don’t.”
“Somewhere in the garage, maybe. I’ll borrow a pair of yours if it’s easy.”
“Sure.”
Emma and Lucy returned just as Jake handed the jackhammer over to Matt, and not long after Ally and Gabe came back from the shops, unloaded the groceries, and handed out the coffees. There was still a little bit of wait time until enough concrete had been broken up to be collected, so I sat down on the low wall that edged the driveway. Looking around, seeing everyone standing around waiting, chatting, drinking their coffees in the fall sunshine, I felt a sudden rush of gratitude. Everyone was there voluntarily. After Matt and Gabe had discussed the state of the driveway and what they could do to make it presentable, had decided that there was no option but to pull up the concrete, and that laying gravel in its place was a cheap and viable alternative, it had been no time before everybody had volunteered to pitch in. Sipping my coffee, I tried to think if there had ever been a time in my life when one person, let alone six, had ever been this kind and generous to me. The answer was—no. Never. It made me feel a little emotional, so I was glad when Matt asked if I wanted to have a turn with the jackhammer. My enthusiastic nod made him laugh, and he was still smiling at me when I walked over.
“Careful, it’s heavy,” he said, handing me the dampening gloves.
“I can handle it,” I replied confidently, slipping the thick gloves on and wrapping my fingers around the handles of the jackhammer. “Oh, Jesus,” I said when Matt let it go. It was much heavier than I’d been expecting.
