Finn's Fantasy (Maine Men #1) - K.C. Wells Page 0,52

him. Finally, she released him. “I love your house.”

“I’m glad. I want you to feel good about visiting.”

Nate came out of the bathroom, and Laura grabbed her pajamas. “My turn.” She dashed across the floor, banging the door after her.

Joel gestured to the double futon. “This okay? There’s a space heater if you get cold during the night.”

“Thanks. This looks okay.”

Joel’s heart ached. Nate hadn’t said much during the movie, apart from telling Laura not to hog all the popcorn.

Am I right to wait?

Joel didn’t know anymore.

Laura came out of the bathroom, and Joel smiled. “Those are cute.” Her pajama pants were covered in dozing pandas, and the top bore a single panda with one eye open, and the words Don’t Disturb A Sleeping Panda.

Laura rolled her eyes. “Cute?”

Joel laughed. “There is nothing wrong with cute.” He made sure the door was bolted, then glanced at Bramble. “I don’t need to guess where you’ll be sleeping tonight.” The dog had already jumped up onto Laura’s bed.

“Is that okay?”

Joel kissed her cheek. “It’s fine. Just watch out. He takes up a lot of room, and you might find yourself being pushed out of the bed.” He looked over to where Nate stood. “Goodnight, son.”

“Night, Dad.”

Joel made his way up the stairs to his bed. Laura’s laughter drifted up from below as Bramble licked her toes, and he smiled to himself. It’s great having them here. He undressed and climbed into bed, switching off the lamp that cast a warm glow on the white painted sloping ceiling. The kids were obviously too excited to sleep, but Joel had expected that. His mind was still turning over Megan’s words.

Is she right? Is Finn interested?

And if so, was Joel prepared to do anything about it? Because he could no longer deny he was interested in Finn, but he wasn’t about to make a move. He wasn’t that confident.

“Why do you have to be such a grouch all the time around Dad?”

Joel stiffened. Laura had spoken quietly, but her voice carried.

“Shut up,” Nate said with a sigh.

“No, I will not shut up. You need to be nicer to him.”

“You’re still a kid. You don’t know anything.”

“Oh yeah? I know enough to realize you being like this is hurting him.”

Joel swallowed. Is my pain that obvious?

“And just because they got a divorce doesn’t mean he’s changed. God, when I was little, you used to rave about what a great guy he was.” Laura sounded pissed.

“What do you mean, was? You’re still little.”

“And you’re changing the subject. Go on, tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you didn’t think he was the greatest dad.”

“And there’s that word again—‘was’. Don’t tell me he hasn’t changed. He must have, okay? Something must’ve changed. Because they got divorced. And I’m not gonna talk about this. Go to sleep.”

Joel waited for more, but there was nothing but silence.

It was a long time before sleep claimed him.

Chapter Fifteen

When Bramble whined for the third time in an hour, Joel knew a walk was imminent. It was already past five o’clock, and he was ready to call it a day. A walk on the beach before dinner sounded exactly what he needed after an afternoon stuck at the kitchen table, making phone calls.

“Come on then.”

Bramble dashed to the front door where the leash hung from a hook, and took the end of it in his teeth, tugging it onto the floor. Joel laughed. “I guess I’m not the only one who needs to stretch his legs.” He put on his leather jacket and boots, grabbed his scarf, and headed out of the door. “How about we walk through the village this time?”

As if Bramble cared which route they took, as long as it led to the beach.

Joel took a left onto Winter Harbor Road, enjoying the feel of the light breeze on his face, and the sound of birds singing in the trees that lined the road. There were five or six properties along it, each one set back and surrounded by trees. Then he took a right onto Beaver Pond Road, heading for Summer Breeze Lane and Skyline Drive. That was one of the things he loved about Goose Rocks Beach—the quaint street names.

It was a mile or so to the beach, and he was in no hurry to get there. As he walked, there was only one thing on his mind—a certain carpenter. Finn hadn’t been at the house since Saturday, not that there was anything for him to do there until the