“I mean it.”
“Man, you look great.” Her hair was long, her face glowing.
“And you’re so grown up.” She cupped his face in her hands. “But, buddy, you look worn out.”
He laughed. Nodded. “I am.”
She slipped her arm around his and pulled him into step beside her. “Come in and meet Jack.”
As soon as they entered the foyer, Jack approached. He offered his hand and a sincere smile. “Dylan, so great to meet you.”
Dylan instantly liked the guy. He was easy and genuine and warm, just like Miranda. “You too, man. You too.” He shook Jack’s hand. “This place is crazy amazing.”
“That’s all Jack,” Miranda said, grinning at her fiancé with the kind of love that used to fill Emma’s eyes when she looked at Dylan. Damn, how he missed that kind of connection and comfort.
“Not true,” Jack said. “Definitely a joint effort.”
Jack released Miranda and gestured Dylan into the house. “Let me show you around.”
Dylan wandered through the space in awe of all the architectural details Jack shared about the construction, the process, the materials. The views were even more spectacular from inside the house.
Jack returned Dylan to the living area, where Miranda sat out on a deck, working on a laptop, and returned to the house to take a call.
“Sit with me.” Miranda pushed her computer aside and poured iced tea for Dylan.
He eased to the edge of the chair, grateful this side of the house was opposite the construction. The deck looked out over the Cumberland River and the rolling hills in the distance. “This place is really special.”
“It is. You’re welcome anytime. We’ve got plenty of room. Mi casa es su casa.”
“Thanks. I like the ranch. I like being close to help with Cooper.”
“A huge relief for Gypsy. She’s been trying so hard to do it all on her own. I have to pry that baby away from her with a crowbar to get her to take my help.”
“She feels like she has a lot to prove.”
“We’re like three little peas in a pod, we Wrights.”
Dylan laughed. “That we are.”
“What do you th
ink of Cooper?”
“They don’t come any cuter.”
“Right?” She rolled her eyes. “So damned cute. Looks a lot like you and Gypsy did as babies. Same dark hair and light eyes. They’re still a little more blue than green, but you were both born with blue eyes, and they changed after several months. I think Cooper’s will do the same.”
“You’ve got her in a sweet little setup there with Marty. Who is amazing, by the way.”
“My savior, in more ways than I can count.”
“Tell me about this cool company you’ve got going.”
“It’s a bit unorthodox, but it works for me. ” Miranda shrugged and gestured to the home surrounding them. “I’m building homes out of shipping containers.”
“She always undersells herself.” Jack walked out onto the deck and dropped next to Miranda. “What she’s doing is creating developments of affordable homes where like-minded people can find a sense of community. Americans who are struggling, like single parents, veterans, and the disabled.” He looked at Miranda. “We should take him out to Warrior Homes while he’s here.”
“Gypsy told me a little about it,” Dylan said. “And I saw the home you built for her. It’s perfect for her and Cooper. I’d love to see the development.”