the bathroom alone. A cold shower was in order. Unfortunately, all he could think about was Mia on the other side of the wall. Wet. Naked. That was another thing they’d never done—taken a shower together. Maybe they would remedy that soon.
During dinner, Cody chattered about his workday, all the tree branches he’d hauled to the burning pile and how many yards of fence he’d helped Mr. Scott build. How one of the laborers hid when the sheriff’s car drove by. Then he offered Cody a beer in thanks for not telling the sheriff, who paused and talked to him. Of course, he declined. Raleigh didn’t drink, so neither would Cody. At least, that’s what the kid said now.
Raleigh nodded in approval and spouted off his usual rhetoric about the dangers of alcohol. But his cells were tuned in to Mia. She ran her bare foot along his calf, even as she talked to Rose. He traced his hand over her bare thigh, rubbing his thumb on the soft skin inside. A promise. A tease. He sensed the charged atmosphere between them, the anticipation made sweeter by having to wait.
Rose pushed her seat back and stood. “Cody, we’d better get going.”
“But it’s early. Couldn’t I stay and help here?” he asked, giving Raleigh a puppy-dog face. “Don’t you got more stuff to do tonight?”
“No,” both Raleigh and Mia said. “We’re packing up some boxes and calling it a day,” Raleigh went on, trying not to meet her eyes and give away anything.
“Can we throw the Frisbee for a bit?”
Rose said, “How about you and Mia throw while Raleigh and I clean up. But just for a few minutes.”
Mia gave Raleigh an inquisitive look but let Cody tug her from her seat and out the door.
“You’re still in love with her.” Rose pulled him from watching the two jump off the steps, arms and legs splayed.
Rose hadn’t posed it as a question, and he knew there was no point in deflecting or denying it. “I’ve always been in love with that girl.”
“We did interrupt something, didn’t we?”
He lifted one shoulder as he took the rinsed plate she handed him and set it in the dishwasher. “Maybe a little.”
“Got some condoms in the truck if you need them.” When he gave her a surprised look, she added, “Hey, a gal’s gotta have fun sometime. Well, once in a long, long while, really.”
“I’m not judging. Thanks, but I bought some.” He’d felt odd about it, presumptuous, even. Telling himself they weren’t going there and yet having them on hand just in case.
Rose paused, leaving the plate under the stream of running water as she studied him. “What are you going to do when she leaves?”
It seemed strange, Rose watching over him for a change. Worrying. “Carry on, like always. I’d regret it a lot more if she left without us…” No need to be specific. His gaze found her out on the beach, laughing at a failed throw, her rich, chocolate-brown hair washing across her shoulder. “Thing is, I can’t stop myself from loving her. Wanting her.” He pulled his gaze back to Rose. “You ever loved someone beyond reason?”
“No. I liked your father well enough. Thought I could change him.” Bitterness coated her laugh. “A man can only change if he wants to. And, as you know, your father couldn’t change his stripes.”
No, they both knew that well enough. He hoped she didn’t want to talk about just how crooked the man’s stripes were.
“Raleigh, about George clearing his property…”
“He promised me it wouldn’t affect where the trailer is. I’ll be all right.”
She looked as though she were going to say more but nodded instead. “I know you will.” She wrapped her hand around his upper arm. “I can see Mia’s as crazy for you as you are for her. I have to admit that I’m jealous. Never had someone look at me like you do her. I like her. She’s good people. If you love her, don’t let us stand in your way. Y’hear?”
He didn’t know what to say to all that. “You deserve to have someone look at you like that, Rose. Someday you’ll find him. But you have to believe in yourself.” Maybe she’d be lucky enough to meet a man who could help, the way Mia had helped him believe in his worth.
Rose handed him the last plate, turned off the water, and dried her hands. “We’ll get out of your hair. Cody’ll be working on the fencing again