Page 28 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

“I think so.” The front of the house, with the grand entrance, had two stories of windows and faced east. “I’m looking forward to sunrises while lounging in the salon.”

“Salon?” Adam guffawed. Then sobered. “Sorry.”

“Ye who lives in a castle?” I loved that I felt comfortable teasing the men .

Maddox chuckled.

Adam shrugged. “You’ll have to see it. Impressive but in a very different way. The windows are nothing like this.”

“They’re tinted so the space won’t overheat. Let’s go.” I pulled my keys from my pocket and led the two guys inside. We all removed our boots, even though much of the flooring had yet to be installed.

When Maddox pointed to doggie pawprints, I waved him off. “Riley’s going to have a shock when she comes in and finds so many. We’ll just keep them away from the flooring that’s completed.”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

And thus began the tour of my Arthur Erickson-inspired house.

No expense had been spared on the design, and I was bloody curious to see what my interior decorator—Knight’s partner—would come up with.

Orlando was newer to the business, and his reputation wasn’t quite as prominent as Knight’s, but the architect promised I’d be pleased.

I couldn’t wait.

By the time we finished the tour, it was nearly nine o’clock. “I’ll show you where I’m building the cabin at the back of the property. Then I should be getting, uh, home.”

“Sounds great.” Maddox, I noticed, was very careful when he bent to put his boots on. So was Adam. Leading me to believe both might’ve been injured at some point.

Wait, Maddox had said something about his boyfriend leaving him when he was injured. The ex who lived down the street.

And Adam’s scars were visible, so perhaps there was underlying damage as well?

Gideon needs to meet these guys. They offered to help. What if they are sincere ?

Because I wouldn’t always be here. I had to go back to Vancouver. And I’d exchanged no promises with the man. Even though we’d discussed me getting tested again—which implied sex without condoms—didn’t mean we’d committed to that.

“You okay?” Maddox held my gaze as we stood on the spot where I planned to put the cabin.

“Just thinking about which of my many, many, many siblings will visit first.”

“How many?” Adam scratched Chip’s ear.

“Well, seven.”

“Oh dear God.” Maddox rubbed his eyes. “I have one very nosy, very wonderful, very overwhelming sister. That’s more than enough for me. My parents live down south, although they’re planning to move back to Canada. We’re looking at getting them an apartment in a retirement community.”

“We live in a great country. I’m kind of glad your parents are coming back.” Adam smiled, although a little sadly. He met my gaze. “My brother died over ten years ago and then my parents. It’s just me.”

I felt his pain. Viscerally. “Well, you’ll have to come and meet some of my tribe. Protect me from them.” I offered a smile.

Belatedly acknowledging a former hermit might not want to face seventeen people.

“That might be arranged.” Maddox linked arms with Adam. “We’ll be your shield.”

Adam chuckled. “Something like that.” His phone buzzed, and he unwound his arm from Maddox’s and pulled the thing from his back pocket. “Oh, Dean says he’s making pancakes and wants to know how many people he’s feeding.”

Maddox’s eyes lit. He grabbed his phone, typed quickly, and then grinned. “The four Laxamana-Baker crew are in. ”

“And you? And Lucky’s owner?” Adam’s smile was a little shy. “All three of you are welcome. I’m not certain Maurice, the magical disappearing cat, will make an appearance for Lucky, but there’s always a chance.”

“You’re very kind.” I gazed over to Gideon’s property. “I’m going to take a pass. But perhaps we could exchange phone numbers? So I can invite you to my grand-opening party? Just for the neighbors.”

“Because your family will easily fill that place. Good plan to have a dining room that huge.” Maddox handed me his phone. “Type it in and I’ll text you.”

I did, and then repeated the process with Adam. Soon we all had each other in our contacts. That little gesture made me feel better. Two men I could ask for help if I needed it. “I intended the dining room to entertain friends.” I pursed my lips. “I’d sort of planned to keep this place to myself.”

Adam cocked his head.

“I won’t bore you with details, but I’m newly divorced with a meddling family. I just…sometimes I need a breather.”

“Oh, I get that. Before I met Ravi, my sister was always in my business. Now she’s in my business and in Ravi’s.” Maddox grinned. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll leave you be. Thanks for the tour.”

“Dean and Ravi are going to be jealous.” Adam chuckled.

“They’ll get their own tours when the place is finished, I promise.”

“We’re going to hold you to that.” Maddox waved as he steered Princess Sofia back toward the road.

Adam fell into step with him, Chip at his side.

Lucky gazed up at me.

“Yeah boy, let’s go home.”

Home .

I like the sound of that .

My architectural wonder was nothing like Gideon’s home.

And part of me ached for the small house through the trees.

So we went.