Page 14 of More Than A Fixer-Upper (Hope Runs Deep #13)

Chase

I walk through the gate on the side of the house, heading toward the noise laughter from adults, squeals from kids, and the bark of Hailey’s German Shepherd, who’s clearly the star of the party.

I drop off my gift at the table. Hailey already knows what it is she ordered it from my Amazon account herself. I just wrapped it.

Adam’s manning the grill. I nod at him as I pass.

“How you holding up? Heard about your dad,” he says with a snicker.

I roll my eyes and do a quick scan of the backyard. I hate that I instinctively look for Rosalie. If she’s here, I feel it. Like a pull I can’t ignore.

“Spent two nights in jail,” Adam continues, “because no one would bail him out until your sister caved.”

“Yep.” I pop the ‘p’ with a grin. “The voicemails were comedy gold. Ruth and I had a good laugh. I reminded her that my help is unconditional she’ll always have me in her corner. But I also told both of them last night that I’m done. Next time he gets arrested, the cops have their numbers.”

“I bet that went over well,” Seth says, slapping me on the back and handing me a root beer.

“They said it’s my responsibility since I live in town. I reminded them that I was the high school dropout working my ass off so they never wanted for anything. Dad drank away his money, so it all fell on me. That ends now.”

“Wait you were still sending them money?” Seth scoffs.

I nod. “Some habits are hard to break.”

Gerald steps beside me, Drew trailing behind. I nod at Drew, but he looks away.

“Rosalie went home after meeting Ellen,” Gerald says. “I’ve been introducing Drew to the family while the kids swim.”

“Not a fan of swimming?” Seth asks Drew.

He shrugs, scowling toward the diving board where Winnie and the others are jumping in.

“I didn’t learn until last year. Hailey taught me,” I offer, guessing why he’s in jeans and a t-shirt.

“Mom made sure we learned as toddlers. No one told me it was a swim party,” he mutters, glaring at his sister.

“I can take you home to change,” Gerald offers.

“Or I can,” I say. “I was the last one to arrive anyway.”

“It’s fine. I’m used to being the outcast,” Drew says, walking off to grab a tennis ball from Reese Cup.

His shoulders slump. I notice Hailey watching him.

She starts to climb out of the pool, torn between her friend calling her and the new kid.

She holds up a finger to her friend, wraps a towel around herself, and heads toward Drew.

“Never one to leave a kid alone,” Seth says with a smile.

The party winds down. Older adults leave after cake and birthday songs. Drew’s chatting with a couple of kids about school programs, including a gaming club. Seth and I are on bonfire duty, gathering supplies when Ellen approaches.

“Rosalie said she’d be back by seven,” she says, checking her phone. “She hasn’t read my messages. Should we be worried?”

“Why didn’t she stay?” I ask, curiosity creeping in.

“She’s exhausted. She’s been cleaning the bed and breakfast nonstop. Winnie’s soaking up her last days of summer sleeping in, rearranging her room. Drew helps some, but Rosalie’s working from sunup to midnight.”

“She might be sleeping,” Seth says. “I doubt she’d abandon the kids. This might be the first time she’s had a moment to herself.”

“I just hope she’s not working again. I told her I’d help in the afternoons. Hailey’s dad volunteered to help you with the heavy stuff this weekend. She rented a pod storage unit.”

“Mom’s on her way,” Drew says, walking up. “Need help with anything? I feel lazy just standing around.”

Ellen laughs, pulling him into a side hug. “You’re supposed to be lazy. You’re a teenager.”

He blushes.

“If you want to help, come with me. We’re getting the s’mores stuff ready while everyone showers and changes.”

He nods and follows her.

“Why is she doing all this alone?” I ask Seth as we stack wood. “Why not wait for the crew?”

“Gerald said she’s not used to slowing down. Worked through college, two jobs while pregnant, online classes until she couldn’t anymore. Then worked just as hard after graduating. It’s always been just her.”

“Wow,” I say, watching the kids burst out of the house, full of energy.

“Do they ever calm down?” I grouch, and Hailey jumps at me. I catch her midair, nearly stumbling.

“Jesus Christ, give a man some warning.”

She chuckles.

“Hi,” Winnie says, waving. I nod as Hailey hugs her uncle. Drew stands next to Winnie.

She asks, “Still sulking?”

“It was hot today. I wanted to swim too. You’re not the only new kid,” he mutters.

She rolls her eyes and walks off as two girls from Hailey’s basketball team approach her.

“Chase, anything I can do?” Drew asks.

“No, bud. Go hang out with the guys. They’re just standing around.”

He nods and walks away.

“I wish he didn’t feel so left out,” Hailey says, watching him hover near the group.

“I don’t think Winnie told him about the swim party,” I say.

Hailey’s eyes widen. She stalks over to Drew, pops her hip, and holds out her hand. I chuckle.

“She’s a force.”

Rosalie walks out with Ellen, eyes wide as she takes in the backyard while Ellen explains her landscaping plans. Our eyes lock.

And there it is again that pull.

I mutter a curse under my breath and move to light the fire.

What the hell is going on with me?

I don’t mess with women who have kids.

I’m not father material.

I already raised two and they don’t even appreciate it.