“But you love me anyway.”
Smiling, she provided the long-standing response she’d given the wonderful man since her childhood. “Only times infinity. But just so you know, I’m only doing this because I need to go inside to flip my laundry.”
With the smile still lingering, she headed to her door, and her joy increased as the wonderful sound of Leo’s laughter followed her inside. He didn’t laugh nearly enough. Oh, the guy chuckled and grinned for sure, but an honest-to-goodness laugh? That was rare. And a gift. Leo needed to loosen up more and laugh often.
Once she finished flipping the laundry, she opened her fridge and grabbed three beers.
She needed one, too. Big-time. For some reason, her mouth was dry.
After she opened the bottles, she stepped out onto her porch to find Leo fixing the railing. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I know.” He glanced up at her from the bottom of the steps and smiled. “I want to. And it’s no big deal. It’s what I do.”
“Yeah, at your day job,” she said. “You shouldn’t have to do it during your downtime.”
His smile widened. “I don’t mind. I enjoy it.” He lifted his hand, and that’s when she noticed he held a drill, and a large toolbox sat near his feet.
He must’ve fetched them from his truck when she was inside.
“Thanks for the beer. Can you put it on the porch? I’ll have it in a few minutes.”
“Of course.” She handed her grandfather his beer, then pointed at his drill. “So…nails weren’t the best choice to fix the rail?”
He shook his head. “No. Too much give. Screws are more secure and provide a better anchor.”
Kaydee made a mental note of it…and of the way his T-shirt stretched across broad shoulders and muscles rippled across his back. Maybe she’d hit the lottery, after all. Someone was fixing the rail for her and looked great doing it. Settling down on the top step, she sipped her beer and enjoyed the view for several glorious minutes.
But all too soon, he was straightening up and putting away his tools.
“Thanks, Leo,” her grandfather said. “You coming back this weekend?”
Kaydee found herself holding her breath, although she was pretty certain he was driving up.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Toolbox coming with you?”
Leo chuckled. “Yes, sir. Is there something else you need me to work on?”
“A few things could use fixing,” her grandfather replied. “Kaydee’s done a fine job, but the stuff that’s left requires someone with more expertise.”
“Make a list, and I’d be happy to help.”
Kaydee’s heart cracked open, and a wave of warmth flooded her chest. She was touched by his eagerness to help, but she didn’t want him to work on his time off. “Thanks, Leo,” she said, placing her beer down before rising to her feet. “But we can’t monopolize your free time or take you away from visiting your grandmother.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m still keeping my promise to my mom, but you know my grandmother. Do you think she wants me hovering over her every minute?”
A smile tugged her lips. “No.” Ava was too independent for that.
Her grandfather chuckled. “More like a capitalHell No.”
“Exactly.” Leo laughed as his gaze met hers. “So you see? Helping you with repairs will give me something to do while I’m still close enough to keep my word to my mom.”
He’s also going to be close by me, her mind noted. A thrill shot down her spine.
“It’s settled, then.” Her grandfather grinned. “Thanks, Leo. I’ll have my list ready by the weekend.”
Nodding, Leo shifted his attention to her. “What about you? Is there anything I can help you with?”
