His grin was wide, happiness etched on his face.
“Hey,” he said in greeting as my feet ate up the gravel, and I found myself in front of him, placing the barest of kisses on his lips. It was as chaste as I could get, not willing to freak his whole family out.
As I pulled away, I smiled. “Good day?”
He nodded, gaze roaming my face. In my peripheral vision, I saw movement and edged away from Ross, moving to his side when my focus shifted to his mum.
“Hey, Harriet.” I walked on over and up the steps, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek, so very aware that I held Ross’s hand the whole time.
“All good?” Her eyes roamed my face, concern dipping her brows low. “You look beat.”
“I’m all good, Harriet. Nothing a weekend of sleep won’t fix.”
She didn’t speak for a moment, her eyes then travelling to my hand that clutched her son’s. “I made you a pie to take home for dinner. Come on in and grab it.”
I grinned, squeezing Ross’s hand, and followed her inside.
“Where’s Dad?” Craig asked, coming up behind us.
“Out in the far east paddock. He should be back soon.”
“He need me to head out to help him?” Craig asked as he stood at the kitchen window, peering out.
“Don’t think so, love. He’ll let you know if he does when he gets back.” Harriet then busied herself, and I turned my attention to Ross.
“Your day been okay?” Just being so close to the guy, his hand still snugly held in my own, was something I could hardly believe was real. I wasn’t a swoony guy at the best of times, but Ross brought out a side of me that no one ever had before. Perhaps it was having crushed on him for so long that made the difference, me knowing the man all but inside and out. But from the moment we shared our first kiss just yesterday, I readily admitted that I wanted to spend all my time with him.
“Yeah,” he said, “not too bad at all. Still busy, as we’re offering support to help entertain the kids while all of this nightmare is going on, but it’s good to feel like I’m contributing, you know?”
“I get it.”
“Here you go, Dan. One beef and potato pie for you.” Harriet placed the huge pie in front of me, and my eyes widened at the size.
“Bloody hell, just how much do you think I eat?” I threw her a wink.
She quirked her brow at me. “Don’t sass me, boy. I’m assuming you’re sharing it with that hollow-legged kiddo of mine.” Her attention flicked over to Ross, and I snorted.
“I do not have hollow legs!” Ross’s protest was drowned out by laughter.
Craig, being the smart-arse he was, added, “Like shit you don’t. You eat more than me.”
“Whatever,” Ross said, rolling his eyes at his brother. “You’re just jealous you have to spend time at the gym getting fit while I look effortlessly hot.”
I glanced at Ross, smiling because he really did look hot. His body was strong, arm muscles defined enough to make me drool. There was no six-pack in sight, and I was more than happy with his softer stomach and the trail of hairs I’d salivated over last night and this morning when I’d let my fingers have their fill.
“Piss off, turd,” Craig shot back, earning a clip around the ear from his mum.
Craig grumbled under his breath, rubbing at his ear, and I shook my head at the both of them.
“Noticed you’re keeping your mouth shut,” Craig aimed at me.
I simply shrugged, more than aware there were times in the past that I’d jump in on the ribbing. “Seemed like you had this one handled,” I said, a grin on my face.
Ross returned my grin while Craig groaned. “And so it begins. Dick whipped.” He ducked and shifted quickly, narrowly avoiding another smack from Harriet.
“On that note,” Ross said, “you okay if we head off, Mum?”
“You guys go for it. We’ll call if we need you.”
