nodded earned a soft laugh from him. Ivey didn’t mind amusing him. She’d be anticipating that kiss every minute until then.
The guys didn’t tease Hope when she shook out her brand-new sleeping bag in the bedroom. Instead, Lang knelt down to check it out, smoothing his hand over the material. “Cushy. Lots of padding.” He twisted to look at Corbin. “You remember those old sleeping bags we used in the backyard? Man, it was like sleeping on a beach towel. No stuffing at all.”
“How could I forget?” Corbin asked. “We used them in our tree house, where all the mosquitoes felt free to feast.”
“We have a tree house, too,” Justin boasted. “Well, almost. We’re still working on it.”
“He’s a workhorse,” Corbin said, again with his arm over Justin’s shoulders.
“I noticed.” Lang came back to his feet. “I think you hauled more than your dad and me combined. Maybe you’ll be strong enough to get us up the tree in our old age.”
“The way your brother tells it,” Ivey said, “we’re already in the old-age category.”
Clutching his heart as if she’d just pierced it, Corbin pretended to stagger, leaving Justin to laughingly prop him up. “I’ll never live that down.”
Ivey gave him a playful shove. “So, that’s it?” She turned to Hope. “Anything else you need done?”
Satisfaction glowed in Hope’s expression. “Nope. I’m all set, at least until my furniture arrives.”
All set and clearly excited by the prospect. Ivey would remind her again to check in, just so Hope would know she wasn’t alone.
Again proving himself to be a great guy, Corbin said, “There are floodlights off the balcony and behind the house. They’re bright enough that you can see all the way to the lake.”
“The electric bill—” Hope began.
“Isn’t a problem. You pay a flat rate, so don’t worry about that. It’s added into your monthly payment and the bills come to me.”
For that alone, Ivey could kiss him. And kiss him again.
Maybe a little more than kissing. But then, she was sort of looking for any excuse to get nearer to him. When she’d started this new campaign of being footloose and fancy-free, not once had she counted on a guy like Corbin.
Funny that him being a great dad only made him more interesting. She wasn’t sure how hooking up would work with him having a ten-year-old son, but for now, she enjoyed getting to know him better.
And yes, she realized that was the exact opposite of her plan, but who cared? He was nearby, incredibly good-looking, interested and... There she went, making excuses again.
“Speaking of the lake...” Lang smacked himself in the head. “I left a surprise for you and Justin over at your house, but now I’m concerned it might be a duplicate.”
“You hear that Justin?” Corbin led him toward the stairs. “Let’s go see what Uncle Lang has brought you.”
“Uncle Lang,” his brother said with a big, satisfied grin. “I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”
“Will you be the best uncle ever?” Ivey teased.
“Naturally.” Assuming a lofty expression, Lang stated, “I excel at all I do.” With that, he shot a quick, suggestive look at Hope, making Ivey stiffen.
Her friend never liked male attention, and in fact, it set her on edge. Outright flirting or innuendo tended to leave Hope floundering.
But Lang moved right along, adding, “I have no doubt I’ll win the uncle gig, too. Just watch.”
When Hope only chuckled without a single sign of unease, Ivey felt her heart turn over. She couldn’t wait to get Hope alone to ask her about her reaction to Lang, but for now she enjoyed seeing her relax and have fun.
Together, they all tromped over the path in the woods to Corbin’s house. Branches spread out overhead, and exposed roots tried to trip her up. Corbin stayed close, occasionally holding back a weed, once removing a spiderweb with a stick.
When Justin ran ahead, Corbin called, “Wait for us,” but Justin didn’t slow and Corbin didn’t seem to mind. “That boy has one speed, and it’s fast.”
Ivey smiled with him. “Typical of kids his age, I guess.”
Lang said, “I remember always being in a hurry.”
“And I remember always beating you.”
“A challenge!” Lang broke into a flat-out run, and Corbin immediately gave chase.
She and Hope shared another look. “Should we?”
“Heck, yeah.” And just like that, Hope took off, too.
Wow. She’d had no idea Hope was so fast! Laughing while struggling to catch up, Ivey ran as fast as she could in flip-flops...and skidded to a halt when she found the