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He tested the support, made sure it wouldn’t budge and climbed down, seemingly as at ease on the ladder as he was at his job. The power player had a domestic side. Who knew?
Garret put the hammer back into the tool chest, hesitating. “Darcy, about the other day—”
“We’re good. Right, Spike?”
He chuckled, his eyes warm on hers. “I’m glad. You and Spike have enough on your hands without me adding more to the mix.”
“Or hurting your girlfriend,” she murmured softly, nixing the easygoing mood with four words.
Garret hesitated, his expression darkening with a mixture of regret and sadness. “Or that.”
GARRET FROWNED and hung up the phone when he got Toby’s voice mail again. He knew his friend was upset about Wellington and the loss of the partnership, but Toby had bills to pay. He had to get something going soon, and a week had come and gone since that night at the Old Coyote.
A knock sounded outside his door. Garret swiveled in the chair, hoping Toby had come to see him, but his mother stood there instead. “Hey, Mom, what’s up?” He stood and walked over to give her a kiss.
“You tell me.” His mother hugged him back and sent him a look he recognized well. “Garret, is everything all right?”
Sighing, Garret leaned his hips on his desk and scowled. “If everyone would mind their own business, it would be.”
“Have you been out with Joss lately?”
He inhaled and sighed. “She picked up a cold in Montana. I’ve talked to her on the phone several times, but she’s been taking it easy and puttering around the gallery. Why?”
“Garret—”
“It’s not my baby.”
“Well, of course it’s not. I know Darcy would be wearing a wedding band if that was the case.” She smoothed her carefully styled hair. “Sweetheart, I hate to sound old-fashioned, but appearances do matter and—”
“Harry said something to you.”
The first time or two he’d seen Darcy since the kiss, her responses had been reserved, but then she soon warmed up and seemed to have forgiven him. Once he started noticing the ripe fullness of Darcy’s breasts pressing against her top, the curve of her lips and the shape of her behind, the way she jumped up to help Gram every time she thought the older woman needed it, he left.But you still noticed.
His mother drew herself up to her full height. “He’s concerned. And frankly, so am I.”
“It’s fine, Mom.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Doing what? Darcy is literally stuck here in town until after the baby’s born, and Gram’s great, but don’t you think it’s a little heartless to drop Darcy there and not see her again?”
“So it’s friendship? She’s your friend?”
“I’d like to think so, yes.”
Exhaling what appeared to be a sigh of relief, his mother said, “We want you to be happy, Garret.” She palmed his face in her hands. “Marriage is supposed to be forever. No one would hold it against you if you need more time before you propose to Joss.”
“Harry would disagree with that statement.”
“Harry can disagree all he likes. I don’t want you or Joss hurting over something that could’ve been prevented if it wasn’t rushed.”
“Me, neither. Thanks, Mom.” He forced a smile. “Now, tell me how the plans are going for Gram’s big birthday bash.”
DARCY ACCEPTED the gift with a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Colby. I don’t know what to say.”
The older woman beamed. “You don’t have to say a word, honey. I’m glad to help. My grandbabies have more than enough. I thought you might be able to use a little, too, with your baby on the way.”
“I can. I appreciate it.” It had been that way all day. All of her clients had come bearing gifts, and she was overwhelmed by their generosity. As she set the gift aside and selected music for Mrs. Colby’s session, she reminded herself this was a temporary situation. She wouldn’t be staying here, best not get too attached to the people.
