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“Perfectly fine for someone who wrestled a wayward disposal. I had a late lunch and am ready to just collapse on the sheets.”
Sandra nodded. “Sleep well, Mom.”
“Love you.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek and continued upstairs.
A moment later they were sitting across from each other enjoying O’Faredeigh’s delicious food. Deciding that a little levity was required, Paxton brought up the time that Aunt Eileen came after the kids with a hose when she’d overheard one of the older cousins spewing inappropriate words for anyone except a truck driver.
“That really was funny.” The twinkle returned to Sandra’s eyes. “Especially when Adam went sliding across the muddy ground. It was like watching a show with the Three Stooges.”
“It was definitely memorable.”
“Thank you.” Her smile softened. “You really came through for us. I appreciate it more than you know.”
“I’m glad I could help, but sorry I didn’t get here sooner for the disposal.”
She shook her head. “You got here just in time. Thank you again.”
“You’re going to have to stop saying that. I was glad I could help. But I do want you to keep in mind that any time you or your mom are having trouble you can call me.” He took a chance and placed his hand over hers. “I mean it.”
Her gaze leveled with his. She seemed to be studying him as she processed his words, then finally nodded. “I believe you do.”
Chapter Thirteen
Standing in the driveway of what would soon be Sandra Lynn’s home, Paxton placed his tools in the bed of his truck, then stretched his aching muscles, twisting and turning from side to side. A couple of the crew had called in sick, so he’d strapped on his tool belt and worked inside today with his brothers and several of the volunteers.
Straightening, he turned to gaze at the house and caught Sandra standing on what would be the front walk, her hands on her hips, making similar stretching movements as he’d just done, her gaze never leaving the home. Not wanting to disturb her, he leaned against his truck and indulged in admiring her for a moment. One quality he admired in anyone was hard work, and Sandra had proven herself to be a very hard worker. Not only did she work all morning at the Cut n’ Curl, she came to the job site every day, even when it wasn’t required of her, and then she’d go home and care for her son and help her mother.
His mind wandered to last night. She worked so well under pressure. His mother would have been barking at everyone. Not that she didn’t love her boys as much as Sandra Lynn did, but his mother tended to frazzle easily. Sandra Lynn stayed perfectly calm under pressure. Probably got that from her mother. The woman was sopping wet from dealing with the sink and then had pitched in to help with her sick grandson. He’d never been happier to lend an assist in his life. He just hoped the disposal didn’t revolt again.
Unable to stay by his truck any longer without someone noticing, he strolled up to where she stood. “What do you think?”
Her hands dropping to her side, she turned a thousand-watt smile to him. “It’s coming along great. Even better than I envisioned.”
“Yeah?” Why did that make him want to puff out his chest like the proverbial peacock? After all, it wasn’t as if he’d done all this single-handedly. “Construction Cousins do good work.”
“You Farradays do it right. I think this house will be better built than any house in the county. Maybe in the whole country.”
Although he and his brothers had healthy egos, even he wasn’t prepared to think that much of himself. “I might give you county, perhaps even town, but definitely will be the best house on the block.”
“So you have a modest side. Good to remember.”
No one had ever called him modest before.
Her gaze shifted back to the house. “Ed would let me dream of our own home, but eventually I figured out it was just that, a dream.”
“I gather your ex liked living in an apartment?”
“I suspect what he really liked was no maintenance. He wasn’t one to enjoy hard work. Or any work.” She bit her lip as if she’d revealed a deep dark secret.
The temptation to ask more about her ex pricked at him, but what little he knew about David’s father already didn’t sit well, he was afraid if he learned more, he would only want to strangle the guy. If there was a God in heaven, Paxton would never get the chance to encounter the jerk.
Dragging his thoughts away from a man he may not have met, but who he strongly disliked, he shifted his thoughts to Sandra’s new home. “One good thing about a well-constructed new house, there won’t be any repairs, at least not for a few years.”
“I’ve been reading up on ordinary maintenance. I’ve already started looking for lawn mowers at garage sales. Might have to expand my shopping to Butler Springs.”
“You know, there are plenty of people here in town to help you with ordinary maintenance and upkeep.” He took a step closer and resisted the urge to run his finger down the side of that pretty face and promise her she’d never have to worry about overgrown lawns, leaky faucets or even a burned-out light bulb again. “That includes me.”
Her smile softened and some of the sadness that had lingered in her gaze a few moments ago faded. “Thank you, but I need to learn how to do things for myself. I need to set the example for David. I see a lot of YouTube videos in my future.”
