A Fortune in the Family by Kathy Douglass

Author:Kathy Douglass
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-01-12T23:03:44+00:00

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Josh screwed the last plastic rock onto the climbing wall and then stood back and inspected the play structure. He’d done a good job if he did say so himself. Lily and Violet obviously agreed. Their eyes were wide and they were grinning from ear to ear. Their hands were clasped against their chests, and they were practically vibrating. Lily couldn’t seem to keep her feet still. He stood and stepped back, shaking each pole to make sure that it was secure in its hole. He didn’t want anyone who played here to be injured. He’d already checked the chains and every screw, so he knew it was secure.

The air was electric with their excitement. To be honest, he was excited, too.

“There’s only one more thing that needs doing,” he said slowly.

“What’s that?” Violet asked.

“I need someone to play on it, to make sure it’s as much fun as it looks. If only I knew where I could find some kids.” He turned around slowly as he scanned the yard, his hand shading his eyes as if looking into the distance.

“We’re here,” Lily exclaimed, raising her hand. “We’ll play on it.”

He looked down at them and smiled. “All right. Then go have fun.”

Squealing with delight, the girls raced around him and charged the play set. Violet jumped on a swing and Lily climbed the ladder to the slide. Their laughter surrounded him until his heart was fuller than it had ever been. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d gotten such satisfaction out of a simple job. Kirby came and stood beside him, and he automatically dropped his arm around her shoulder. When she didn’t pull away, he drew her to his side.

She wrapped her arm around his waist and smiled at him. “Thank you so much for doing this. As you can see, the girls are beyond thrilled.”

He smiled. “I enjoyed myself.”

“Keeping your hand in carpentry?”

“Between you and me, there wasn’t a lot of carpentry involved. It was more like putting a puzzle together. I really didn’t need my tool belt, but I thought the girls might be impressed.”

“They aren’t the only ones.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. I’m a sucker for a man wearing a tool belt.”

“I’ll make sure to wear it more often.”

She gave him the once-over, her eyes lingering on his chest and shoulders. Unbelievably, he felt his face getting hot. What kind of man blushed?

Kirby grabbed his hand. “Come on. I think I want to give one of those swings a try.”

She laughed as she pulled him across the lush lawn and then hopped on a swing. Violet had vacated hers and she and Lily had climbed the ladder to the clubhouse and were peering out the window.

“Can you see us, Mommy?” Violet called.

“I sure can.”

“Do you see us, Josh?” she asked next.

“Yep. I see you both.”

A moment, later, she and Lily were standing on the elevated crow’s nest and looking through the plastic telescope. The girls were going to be occupied for a while, so Josh decided to make the most of the rare private moment.

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