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“We’ll cover the basics first, and then we’ll get to the power tools.” West packed up his stuff and stood, carrying his toolbox and a bag that contained all the power tools. “Let’s head home tonight, though. It’s too late to teach you anything, especially as my stomach is already rumbling.”
As if on cue, West’s stomach did exactly that. Before I could think better of it, I blurted, “I can bring you snacks on the days you do repair work. I always have plenty left over from events, and I do my best to give them away and not waste food. So it’s no trouble.”
Damn, why was I offering to willingly come and see the grump? And alone, to boot?
The corner of West’s mouth kicked up, and I nearly sucked in a breath. When the man smiled, he became dangerously handsome. A full-blown grin might give me a heart attack.
Realizing that was ridiculous, I decided to brush it off. “If you want. If not, that’s fine. I can give it away to others instead.”
“Oh, I won’t turn down free food. If you know my family at all, then you know meals and snacks are a serious business.”
I did know that—of his siblings.
But maybe West was more like them than I’d realized before.
And of course Avery piped in. “Millie’s coming to dinner tonight! So maybe we can plan how to take all the best stuff first, as a team.”
I laughed at her words. The Wolfe family had a rule—whatever ended up on your plate stayed there, no questions asked. It really could be borderline chaos at times, which I’d always loved growing up.
However, it was hard to imagine Weston Wolfe engaging in such silliness.
I spoke up. “We’ll need to include Abby, though, as we’re usually partners in crime.”
The smile lingered on West’s lips as he said, “Well, five against four will make the odds better for us.”
“Then let’s hurry and grab Abby so we can make a plan. Zach is the hardest to distract, usually,” I said. Avery took my hand, and I smiled down at her. “Maybe you can help your aunt Abby too. You’re Zach’s favorite niece, after all.”
“I’m his only niece.”
“I’m sure you’ll always be his favorite.” I glanced at Wyatt. “Just as you’re the favorite nephew.”
Wyatt grunted, too busy staring at the bag of power tools, so I asked, “Did you want to help your dad carry stuff back?”
The boy nodded, and West looked down at his son for a moment, as if seeing him in a new light. Maybe he was finally realizing that his little boy was growing up, and not just because he was already tall for his age.
After clearing his throat, West handed Wyatt a bag of miscellaneous stuff. “These are some of the delicate supplies, like light bulbs and special fixtures, so keep it safe and be careful, okay?”
Wyatt’s face lit up. “I will, Dad.”
West put down the toolbox and patted him on the shoulder. “I know, son. And I’ll give you both your first lesson soon.” After squeezing Wyatt’s shoulder, West picked up his tools again and then gestured toward the door. “Come on. If we don’t get a move on, then Aunt Lori will raise hell.”
Avery giggled, and I rolled my eyes as I said, “Surely you’re not afraid of her. I mean, what will she do—send you some crazy text messages?”
West shuddered. “No, thank you. She’s mostly spared me, but I’ve seen some of what she’s sent to Beck and Zach, and let’s just say I could do without her raunchy emojis.”
Wyatt asked, “What’s raunchy?”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Yes, West, do explain it.”
He gave me a half-hearted glare before saying, “We’ll look it up later, in a dictionary together.”
Wyatt and Avery both groaned, but Avery spoke first. “Always the dictionary.”
“Yes. Nothing wrong with figuring things out by yourself. You remember it better that way.”
As West’s stomach growled again, I clapped my hands. “All right, let’s go. Hearing your dad’s stomach makes me hungry too.” I lowered my voice to a fake whisper. “Maybe we can grab some leftover rolls from my place to munch on the way.”
Avery brightened. “With your homemade strawberry jam?”
