Tie Me Down: A Small Town Friends to Lovers Romance (Bellamy Creek Series Book 4) by Melanie Harlow

Author:Melanie Harlow [Harlow, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Beckett

“How’d it go?” Mallory was sprinkling salt over a baking tray full of fresh-cut sweet potato fries as Maddie and I came in from the mudroom.

“Good.” I went over to the fridge and grabbed two cold bottles of water. “We worked for several sweltering hours before Moretti showed up and offered to buy the place. He timed it just right.”

My sister laughed. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Pretty sure he was in his car across the street watching with binoculars while we busted our asses in the front yard.” I handed one bottle to Maddie and uncapped the other. “Where’s Dad?”

“On the deck with the kids and the dog. Sitting in the shade with his puzzle book while they play Barbies.” She swapped the salt for pepper.

“They’re still at it, huh?” Maddie asked.

“Yes. They’ve been playing and chatting nonstop,” said Mallory. “You’d never guess they just met today.”

Maddie laughed. “Elliott is in heaven, I’m sure. Have they been playing Barbies the whole time?”

“Mostly, although they took a brief break to play salon, and he braided her hair. Elliott is so talented!”

“He loves brushing and braiding hair,” Maddie said. “And putting on makeup too.”

“They get along so well,” Mallory said, sticking the tray in the oven and setting a timer. “We’re going to have to tear them apart when it’s time to go.”

“She’s welcome to stay over,” I said, after chugging half the bottle of water.

“Thanks, but she’s got camp in the morning.” Mallory turned around and seemed to really see us for the first time. Her expression was puzzled. “Did you guys go swimming or something?”

Maddie touched her damp, matted hair. “Um . . .”

“After we cleaned up, we drove over to the pond to cool off,” I said. “It was hot.”

“I bet it was.” Leaning back against the counter, Mallory didn’t bother to disguise her smile. “Did you swim in your clothes?”

“Yes.”

“Guess they dried fast.”

I frowned at my sister, warning her to behave. “What’s for dinner? I take it you’re staying.”

“Yes. Feel like grilling some burgers? Maybe some hot dogs for the kids?”

“Sure. Let me just grab a quick shower.”

“Can I help you with anything, Mallory?” Maddie asked, snapping a ponytail holder around her soggy hair.

She shook her head. “Nope, I’m good. It’s nothing fancy. Just burgers and fries.”

“I’ll get cleaned up too and then I’ll put together a salad. I can also set the table. Maybe we can eat out on the patio?”

“Perfect.”

Maddie smiled. “I’ll be right down.”

“No rush.” Mallory glanced pointedly at both of us. “Have a nice shower.”

I gave her the finger as we left the kitchen.

“She knows,” Maddie whispered as we went upstairs.

“She knows.”

“Is it okay?” We reached the top and she turned to face me, a worried look on her face.

“Of course it’s okay. I might be her younger brother, but I’m a grown man, and this is my fucking house.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her lips. “I do what I want in it. So any time you want to sneak across this hall, my door is open.

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