Page 13 of Strip It Down (Spoiled by My Blue Collar Man #4)
Sayer
She knows. She knows I’m Dada.
Ayla wasn’t planned. She wasn’t even imagined. But I am forever grateful to have this little bundle of love in my life. I thought the dedication and protectiveness I felt for my teammates was all encompassing. It was nothing compared to how I feel about her. My joy. My precious gift. My life.
Stone is bumping my leg with his paw. “She’s okay big guy. She just fell.”
I squat down so he can inspect her for himself. She giggles when he licks her face. He relaxes. I relax. All is right in our worlds. Gentry nods and turns to go into the house.
She gave this to me. Dad told me what she’d been doing with the pictures and working with Ayla on the word Dada.
There is so much I want to say, to give to Gentry. I should keep it locked inside but after this, I don’t know if I can.
Jarrett waves from the porch and heads to where he’s made his camp in the woods.
“Bath time, little one.”
I see the office door is open and Gentry sits working at the desk as I make my way up the stairs.
It’s almost an hour before I head back down. Gentry is still in the office. I take a seat across from her. “Thank you.”
Her gaze is confused.
“Dad told me what you’ve been doing with Ayla. I—today meant a lot to me.”
“It was bound to happen. She just needed help making the connection. She may not talk a lot, but she knows things.”
“I also want to thank you for making Jarrett comfortable. He needs his space and doesn’t like a lot of people around him.”
Blushing at the praise, she changes the subject. “How did it go with Clive and Jonboy today?”
I shake my head. “Not only are they slackers, they don’t know shit.
I had to make them redo things twice. Told them if it happens again the cost of materials is coming out of their pay.
Then I had to call the other foremen and have them double check anything they’d worked on which was another expense and time loss.
“Denny admitted he’s been giving them stuff they couldn’t screw up too badly and planned on talking to Dad. Thanks to you we caught this before the situation got completely out of hand. Have you found anything else?”
“No. But I’m also into the months before your dad’s heart issue. Your dad is really good at keeping the books. The entries won’t take me long at this rate. Then it will just be teaching him how to use the computer.”
“When I offered you the job, Gentry, it wasn’t temporary in my mind. It was permanent. Dad needs to be able to slow down and have a life. He needs to be needed, but we can handle that by having him work with you and then inspect the work sites. He’s also great at dealing with customers and bids.
“As soon as this thing with Clive and JonBoy gets settled and Dad is back from his trip I’ll find a nanny or sitter for Ayla and you can just be the bookkeeper. If you’ll stay.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not necessary. Dealing with her and the bookwork is not that hard. I can easily handle both. In fact, I was going to tell you that I could also handle the phones. I know you have the calls going to your cell.”
I smile. “Once people are used to dealing with me, you’ve got a deal. Especially the vendor calls.”
She leans back in her chair. “You were talking to the sheriff this morning. Any luck on who broke into my apartment?”
“No proof, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I kind of figured.”
“Tomorrow’s Friday and payday. Dad said to tell you he’d be here early and the two of you can do payroll together.
They’re leaving on Monday to spend a couple days in Vancouver and do some other touristy things before the cruise.
Oh, and Tate is going to keep an eye on MaryKatherine’s daughter.
He doesn’t live far from the restaurant, and she lives above it. ”
“Good.”
“Want to watch some TV or sit on the porch for a while?”
“Porch sounds good. It’s so nice out here. Just far enough outside of town to feel like country but not isolated.”
“You’ve done enough today. Shut it down. I’ll check Ayla, take Stone then Bella out, and grab the baby monitor.”
I’m coming in as she’s headed out. “Juice or tea?’
“Juice sounds great,” she says.
After checking that all the doors and windows are locked on the first floor, something I’ve never worried about before, I stop at the refrigerator. Baby monitor in my pocket I go outside.
Dropping into the chair beside her, I hand her a bottle.
“You just don’t see the stars like this in town,” she says.
“Honestly, star watching from here was one of my favorite things to do when I was younger.”
One of Jarrett’s dogs crosses in front of us making its rounds. Knowing him, he’s probably doing his own reconnaissance. I feel better having him here to help guard my girls.
My girls. I walked away years ago, hopeless that my dream would come true. But maybe… “Thank you for all you’re doing for us. Thank you for being here.”
She looks at me. “Me? You came to my rescue.”
I grin. “Maybe we’re rescuing each other.”
She laughs. We both relax and enjoy the night. Too soon she sighs. “I need to head to bed. Wake me in the morning so I can help with breakfast since your dad isn’t’ here.”
I stand and follow her in, lock up, then head up stairs. I don’t want the night to end. I don’t want her to go into that bedroom and shut me out. I’ve waited a lifetime.
“Gentry,” I whisper when she gets to her doorway. She pauses. “Gentry, please look at me.”
Slowly she turns, looks in my eyes, and shakes her head. “Sayer, we can’t?—”
“I can’t not . I can’t not love you. I’ve tried. For eighteen years I’ve tried. I’m at the point now that I’ll take any little scrap you throw me. A glance. A smile. A shoulder brush as we pass in the hall. Any crumb.”
“I’m older…”
“That may have mattered when I was ten. It doesn’t now.”
She shakes her head eyes filled with doubt and something else…fear?
“Do I repulse you?”
“Sayer, you have to know how hot you are. How attractive. And kind. And thoughtful. And…perfect.”
“Then why? Why can’t we try?”
“Because I’m not good enough for you. You deserve someone better.”
“So, I deserve what’s good for me? What I need? What brings me joy and happiness?”
“Yes. You deserve it all.”
I crowd her against the wall. “Then I’m taking what should be mine. Because you’re all of those.”
Giving her time to push back, to refuse, I lower my lips to hers. After the first few seconds she releases a groan and leans into me. That’s all the invitation I need.