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“You saw me at Christmas.”
“Has it been that long?”
Matt grinned, his mouth missing a few teeth. “Dad says I’m the bottomless pit. Maybe that’s why.” A third-grader, Matt had taken a growing spell this past year and no longer looked like a little kid. He was tall for his age, lanky, growing into that awkward stage. Something all the boys in the family had suffered through.
He felt bad that Matt was growing up and none of them were getting to see it happen.
Garret seated himself and smiled at Darcy. “What’s going on here?”
Darcy fussed with her napkin and unleashed one of her amazing smiles on Nick. “Your brother came by so we could celebrate our deal. He finished the estimate on the repairs and he’s going to let me work off the cost at the gym. I’m his temporary massage therapist. Isn’t that sweet of him?”
Nick shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “I’ve been looking for someone and already had a massage table on order. This benefits us both.”
Darcy turned her cocoa eyes back to Garret, excitement etched on her features, and his gut pinched in response. How could he ever have thought she wasn’t beautiful?
“It’s more than that. He’s already talked to some of his members and lined up clients for me. I start Saturday.”
Jerking into the present, he frowned. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Nick promised. “She won’t overdo it.” He settled back in his chair and palmed his coffee cup, raising it to his lips to drink.
Garret knew he ought to be reassured by Nick’s words, but was Nick helping Darcy to be nice—or because he was interested in her? And what if hewas?
Garret rubbed his chin. The fatigue was getting to him. He hadn’t slept more than a few hours each night since Darcy left. Maybe he should get a massage? Help her out financially? Remembering what happened last time, he quickly decided against it.
“Something wrong?” Nick asked.
Gram returned from the kitchen. “Matt, be a dear and carry in the dessert for us?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The kid took off like a shot, eager to please. “Gram, you made my favorite!” Matt returned with a broad smile on his face, the heaping plate of chocolate chip cookies balanced precariously in his hands. “Can I take some and go watch cartoons since I already ate?”
“Yes, sweetheart. Just take a napkin and try not to spill, all right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Garret. Joss hasn’t made it home yet?”
He glanced at Darcy, noticed her gaze focused on her plate. “She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Her persistence paid off. She handpicked some pieces and is bringing them with her.”
There was a lull in the conversation and he glanced at Nick, found his brother’s gaze on Darcy. Not good. With her belly hidden and the light shining through the window behind her, it was all too easy to find Darcy attractive. Any man would.
A jab of anger slid through him that smacked of jealousy. Nick and Darcy might understand each other because of the similarities in their lives, but Nick needed to keep his distance. She didn’t need the complication of a temporary romance at the moment.
Of course, she was strong enough to take care of herself—she’d proven it time and again. So why was he worried about Nick? Why was he feeling so protective?
Over the next half hour he didn’t come up with any answers. The talk continued and eventually made its way down memory lane, thanks to Darcy asking questions about what it was like growing up in a large family. He and Nick talked about the good times they’d had, keeping Darcy and Gram laughing while they told on themselves and relived the pranks they’d pulled. It took him a while to realize Darcy worded her questions so that he and Nick remembered the good times and not the arguments over school and the split Nick had made from the family.
“I need more coffee. I’ll be right back.” Gram excused herself, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, but Garret saw her linger at the door and smile in Darcy’s direction. The sight was a punch to his gut. Gram loved Joss, but he’d never once seen her look at Joss that way.
“So, Darcy, you all settled in?” Nick asked.
“Yes, I am. The spare bedroom is beautiful, and Rosetta’s—”
“Somebody’s cell phone is ringing!” Matt called from the other room.
Darcy gasped. “That must be my mom. Excuse me.”
