Page 11 of One Boiling Summer (Texas Summer #15)

SIBLINGS AND SLY SMILES

HUDSON

About fifteen minutes after the call, Dawson parked his work truck in front of Lacey’s house.

Only he didn’t come alone. Lawson and Grayson jumped out, too, like a ragtag repair crew who came with their own soundtrack.

Lawson carried the toolbox, Dawson barked orders, and Grayson awkwardly juggled two boxes labeled “fuses?” and “might-need-this.”

Lacey leaned in the doorway behind me, hiding a smile. “What a fine crew if I ever did see one.”

I jerked my chin toward Dawson. “You’d be amazed how often this duct-tape genius saves the firehouse.”

“Hey, I heard that,” Dawson grunted, passing me on the porch with a grin.

“You were meant to, asswipe.”

“Thanks for showing up so fast,” Lacey remarked giving each of them a hug as they went inside. When she got to Dawson, he handed me two boxes of pizza, and then he wrapped her up in his arms for a bear hug. He gave me a wink over her shoulder, and I wanted to growl at him for daring to touch her.

“When we got the call, we were just picking up pizza. Mama’s at her quilting circle, so I thought we’d all come over and make a night of it,” Dawson returned to his truck and brought out a cooler. “Got the beers, too.”

“Thanks,” I clipped at him when he passed by. Lacey had followed the others inside. “Hey. Whatever it costs to fix this just let me know. I’ll take care of it.”

He cocked a brow with a knowing look. “Taking care of her, you mean.”

“Whatever. Just figure out how to get the damn thing running again,” I grumbled. Glad he was here, not so happy about the interruption in my small world I was trying to build with Lacey.

“So testy. But I worked hard all day. Do you mind if I at least eat first? Then I’ll see what I can do to fix your girlfriend’s AC.” He winked and guffawed into the house like he enjoyed this and knew exactly how to get to me.

We gathered around the old oak kitchen table, a spread of greasy boxes and bottles of beer laid out like a potluck. The whole house smelled like pepperoni, paint fumes, and pine cleaner.

The guys were getting rowdy, taking to share some of my most embarrassing moments with Lacey.

“Remember the time Hudson broke the dock at the lake ‘cause he tried to impress that Jennings girl with a fancy dive?” Lawson asked around a mouthful of crust.

“Correction,” I said, pointing my last slice at him. “You were the one who dared me.”

Grayson chuckled. “You earned the title of Belly-Flop King instead, tripping on into the lake after the last board came loose. Poor dock never recovered.”

Lacey giggled. “I remember that. I was home from college and Carson and I were roasting hot dogs on the shore. I think I recall you turned bright red, and not just from the sunburn.”

“Oh, he was red all right,” Dawson said, flicking his eyes toward me with a grin. “How’d that work out for you and the Jennings girl anyway?”

“Even better question is how are things between you two?” Lawson picked up where his twin left off, pointing between me and Lacey.

“Lots of rumors about how quickly the two of you have hit it off,” Grayson added, his bashful dimples making a fine show for her.

“Knock it off,” I warned them all, giving a sheepish peek at Lacey.

She chewed her bite slowly, but I caught the soft smile she tried to hide. I didn’t miss the warmth I felt watching her here with my brothers, laughing like she’d always been part of our family. In many ways, she had.

“I’m just sayin’. Do we need to make room for Lacey out at the camp? Bring in another bed… or a bed big enough for two?” Dawson pressed with a shit-eating grin.

“I bought a camper off of a buddy a few years ago. So every summer, we set up a camp on the lake shore, complete with tents and fire pit,” I explained for her sake.

“I miss the lake.” Her gaze drifted down, picking at her crust. “There was a certain way it smelled right before sunset. Arguably the prettiest spot on your Mama’s property.”

We all agreed and I filed that away. Something in me stirred at the idea of taking her back there. Just the two of us. No distractions. My cock stirred as well.

“Welp…” Dawson tipped his beer up and finished it off. “It’s getting late. I hate to keep you two lovebirds from getting to bed. Best get this clunker down in the basement checked out. See what we’re dealing with. ”

Lacey flushed red and hung back watching the activity while the guys spread out. Lawson knocked on the ancient thermostat like it owed him money. Grayson had a flashlight in his mouth inspecting the vents. Dawson stood at the top of the basement stairs. "If I don’t come back, give Mama my love.”

Lacey and I exchanged a glance. “I forgot how fun your brothers are. You’re very lucky to have such an amazing family.”

“They can be a handful.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and leaned back against the basement doorframe. “Sorry about their inquisition.”

“It’s fine?—”

Before she could say more, Dawson called up. “Uh. Hud? Better get down here.”

A half an hour later, we delivered the news to Lacey.

“The old unit is completely fried, like no hope whatsoever of fixing it,” Dawson delivered the bad news. Her shoulders drooped at that.

“The problem ties back to the electric panel. I’m concerned this entire house could be a fire hazard.

Last thing you need is to lose this place to an electrical fire, Lace.

” I eyed Dawson, who’d agreed with me downstairs.

Then I put my foot down. “There’s no way you’re spending another night here until this gets fixed. ”

Lacey’s horror-stricken face fell into her hands. “Oh no. And Mom lived like this? What kind of daughter am I that I just left her here and lived thousands of miles away?”

“Hey, Lace, come here.” Yes I took full advantage of the situation to bring her into my arms and console her. She fit perfectly under my chin and I kissed the top of her forehead. “We’re here for you, and we have a plan.”

Dawson explained, “We’ve all been investing in older homes and fixing them up, then either renting them out or selling them.

In one, I just installed a new unit, but in my workshop I was able to refurbish the old.

It’s in good enough shape. At least it will get you by for now until you can get a new one. ”

Her eyes widened and she parted from me.. “You’re serious?”

“Yep. I’ll bring it by tomorrow, install it with Hudson’s help.”

“And I’ll call in a buddy of Branson’s, a fellow officer who does electrical work on the side who owes me a favor. He can tackle that electrical panel,” I filled in with the rest of the good news.

“I don’t know what to say.” She peered up at me with hope in her eyes returning.

“Say you’ll make us some sweet tea while we work tomorrow. That’s enough.” Dawson said, grinning.

“You Goodson boys drive a hard bargain. It’s a deal.”

A few minutes later, the guys filed out the door, leaving with all the tools and things they’d brought in.

Grayson peeked at Lacey from under his mop of hair with shy sincerity. “I’m glad you’re back. And I’m glad you’re putting a smile on this guy’s face.” He slugged my shoulder.

Lacey blinked. “Right. Thanks, Grayson. That means a lot.”

He ducked his head as he followed the others out.

She and I stepped out onto the porch into the warm night air and waved them off. The fireflies danced on her lawn, the breeze rustled the trees, and from somewhere far off, a dog barked.

“It’s not much cooler out here than in the house,” she said, fanning herself then tugging her ponytail tighter. “Be a night for sleeping with nothing on.”

I cleared my throat, hesitating a second too long on that image of her. “Listen, Dawson won’t be back until tomorrow. And there’s no way I’ll let you stay the night here in this fire hazard?—”

“I’ll be fine,” she cut me off, insisting.

“Just let me finish. I had a thought.”

She arched a brow.

“Come camp on the lake with me for the night. It’s nothin’ fancy, but it’s clean. We can take a midnight swim to cool off. You could actually sleep without melting.” In the nude, even better, but I bit my tongue.

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

I nodded. “It only has a bunkbed though. Hope that’s not a dealbreaker.”

“Top or bottom?” She tilted her head and asked with a purr, pairing it with a sly grin.

Well, hell. Should I read a whole lot into that? My aching balls did.