5
Katie
“What’s that noise, Mom?” Lane asks me from his position on the couch. He’s milked this injury for all it’s worth. I called into work and am using a few vacation days until I get him settled and feel that he can go back to school, and this morning he was up bright and early asking for a bowl of cereal as he lounged back on pillows on the couch.
I thought I heard pounding a few minutes ago, but now the sound is even more clear, and there’s no mistaking the fact that there is definitely something happening in the backyard. “I don’t know. I’ll go check. Stay right here and I’ll be back.”
I set down my cup of coffee on the kitchen counter and open the back door, and there’s nothing that could have prepared me for what I’m seeing. Trey is up in the treehouse. He has jeans on similar to the ones he had on before, but today he’s shirtless, and I feel the need to fan myself with my hand as I take in all the tattooed muscles he’s showing off. Thank God he’s in the backyard like this because I can just imagine all the gossip the neighbors would be saying if they could see him now. My word, the man is delicious looking.
I step into the house and slide my sandals on and then trek back outside to stand under the tree. “Trey!”
He leans over the same rail that Lane broke through last night, but now it’s sturdy and is holding Trey’s weight without any problems. “Morning, honey. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
I shake my head, speechless.
He tilts his head to the side and asks me, “Are you okay?”
I laugh and cover my mouth before the snort comes out. “Do you know how many times you’ve asked me that in the less than twenty-four hours you’ve known me?”
He just lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “I just want you to be all right.”
His words send a tingle down my back. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He takes his hand and wraps it around the fixed railing, trying to push it back and forth, but it doesn’t budge in the least. “The railing is secure. I went through and double checked it all. I replaced a board in the flooring too because I thought it was getting weak. I’ll have to bring some paint next time, or I can wait if you think Lane would want to help me paint it.”
He’s talking the whole time he’s coming down the ladder, and I can’t even focus on what he’s saying because all I can seem to see is his tight butt in his jeans and watching the muscles in his back work as he climbs down the ladder. I’m stumped for words until he’s standing right in front of me. I have to force my eyes up to his face. “Uh, I’m sorry, what did you say?”
He has the nerve to chuckle, and I can feel my face flush. I’m definitely busted. He knows exactly what I’m thinking, and it’s obvious by the way his eyes darken and his nostrils flare as he towers over me and his eyes are riveted to me. “I said the treehouse should be safe now.”
I shake my head as if I’m trying to clear my thoughts. “Yeah, thank you for that. You keep doing all these nice things for me. What can I do for you?”
As soon as the words are out, I realize how they sound, especially since I’ve been standing here ogling his body. I bring my hand to my forehead and step backwards with my head down. “I mean, can I make you some pancakes or fix you something for breakfast?”
I don’t have to turn around to know that Trey is right behind me. I can feel the heat coming off him in rays. His voice is right next to my ear, and his breath spans my neck as he whispers in my ear, “Yeah, breakfast sounds good.”
I suck in a breath and nod my head as I walk into the house. Get it together, Katie. He’s just a good guy that likes to help people. You’ve got way too much drama going on, and you shouldn’t read any more into his kindness than what it is.
Treyton
When I got home last night, I made a plan to get Dawson to help me get Katie’s car to her house and then leave. It started out all right. Dawson followed me here and then took me back to the shop for my truck. He grumbled about having to get up earlier than normal, but Dawson grumbles about everything. As soon as I got back to the shop, I told myself to go home, get my motorcycle, and head up into the mountains. Instead, I found myself at the lumber yard buying wood and then driving back over to Katie’s. I have to fix the railing on the treehouse. And the whole time I’m working on it, I convince myself that I’m doing it so the kid doesn’t get hurt again. And then I look down and spot Katie staring up at me. The look on her face and the appreciation in her smile is thanks enough. But I don’t miss the way she’s looking at me. I can see that she’s attracted to me, and I was stupid to think that I was only doing this for the kid... I did it for her too. I like the way she looks at me.