When they were active-duty Army Rangers, they hadn’t given Cord the nickname “Warlock” for nothing. The guy was a force to be reckoned with, able to see through even the thickest bullshit, but he’d met his match in his wife. They shared the same disposition and lack of patience, and it spilled into their relationship. Cord and Haley got engaged New Year’s Day, and since they both wanted a quick and quiet wedding, they were married two weeks later.
“And my brother is…” Stone paused and narrowed his gaze. “What is Brick?”
Leo raised a brow. “A pain in the ass?”
“A giant?” Vince grinned.
“A giant pain in the ass,” they said in unison before laughing again.
The other Mitchum brother was an easygoing jokester, but he always had your back.
Stone snickered as he continued to apply the roofing felt. “Brick is a bull with a strong backbone and a sense of humor that sometimes gets in his way.”
“Beth can be tough, too,” Leo said. “And she has the patience of a saint.”
Both good qualities for being Brick’s fiancée.
“She needs it to deal with my brother.” Stone laughed. “And how could she not have an abundance of patience? Poor woman grew up with Cord for a brother.”
“True.” Vince grinned at him. “Makes me wonder what your woman will do for a living, Leo.”
His stomach knotted. With his past, she’d probably be a nurse. He pushed the dark thoughts aside and rolled out the next section. “I’m not in the market, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
But the clear image of Kaydee’s twinkling brown eyes and wide smile flashed through his head. He allowed his mind to consider her in the context of their discussion. She worked on people’s hair, and he worked on people’s houses. Not exactly a stellar connection like the others.
“Too bad, because Jovy’s friend from Philly is flying in on Wednesday, and she’s not only single, she’s a pretty, petite blonde.”
“Not interested,” he said automatically. He preferred brunettes. Before he could stop it, that warm smile and those friendly brown eyes flashed through his mind again. “Besides, I’m checking on my grandmother after work on Wednesday.” Maybe even see Kaydee.
A surge of warmth spread through his chest at the thought. Could he ask Kaydee out? Take a chance like his buddies? Each of them had, and now they were all living happy and content lives with women who cared about and supported them.
Then his past mistakes flashed through his mind, and the guilt that followed quickly chilled the warmth from his body.
Kaydee was too good for him. He had a history of letting people down. Even though he’d worked hard to rise above his past, he was still damaged goods, and she was kind and generous with a pure sweetness he wouldn’t dare dilute.
Besides, if things went south—and they usually did for him—he’d ruin things between his grandmother and Kaydee. Put an unintentional strain on their friendship. And since his gram wasdatingKaydee’s grandfather, it was all the more reason to keep things platonic.
“Speaking of your grandmother, how’s she doing without your mom around?” Vince asked.
Leo snorted, then went on to describe the scene he’d walked into last Friday.
“Holy shit, she’s a character.” Stone chuckled. “I hope we’re that feisty when we reach her age.”
“Hey, I’m like that now,” Vince said with a grin.
Leo chuckled. “Tell me about it.
“Yeah,” Stone said. “It’s a good thing you’re getting your own place soon.”
Vince flipped their buddy off.
Stone snickered. “I’m just saying the walls aren’t too thick in the main house.”
“Or the floors.” Vince smirked. “Your room’s above ours.”
A smile tugged Leo’s lips. He was never more thankful his room was nowhere near either of theirs.
Vince started on another row. “Still, I have to admit, I can’t wait for this house to be finished so Emma and I will have our own home on the ranch, like Brick and Beth.”
