Finn's Fantasy (Maine Men #1) - K.C. Wells Page 0,47

it. He smiled. “It’s my sister. I’d better take this.” He picked up the phone and went into the living room.

Finn walked over to the back door, his mug in his hand, and stared out at the yard, assessing how long the job would take. In theory, he could build the deck in three days, but that didn’t allow for unforeseen circumstances. He also needed to make a start on Grammy’s rocking chair, but that might be a task he did in his evenings—the next couple of weekends were all Joel’s.

I want it done for when June gets here. That was doable.

“No, you can’t come over. I don’t care if Lynne is dying to see the place, I have plans today.” Joel’s voice rose, a contrast to his usual quietly-spoken state.

Finn smiled to himself. Looks as if Joel might have a houseful of people.

“Megan… the kids will be here… I don’t know… Plus, I’m having work done…” Joel sighed. “Yes, I know you’re not that far from here… Okay, so you haven’t seen them for ages, but… I don’t care how fast you can whip up—did you say mac and cheese? Talk about playing dirty.”

Finn stifled a chuckle. Maybe that saying about the way to a man’s heart wasn’t so far off the mark.

Joel heaved a sigh. “Fine. Make it one o’clock. I’m sure they’ll be here by then… Sure… See you then.”

Finn didn’t move from his spot by the window. Joel soon joined him, another mug of coffee in his hand. “I’m guessing you caught most of that.”

Finn bit back a smile. “Family, hmm?”

“My sister also lives in Maine. In fact, it’s probably because of her that Carrie and I started thinking about a move here.”

“She sounds like she’s an older sister.”

Joel arched his eyebrows. “Astute assumption. She’s four years older. She lives in Portland with her partner Lynne.”

Finn blinked. “I guess there is such a thing as a gay gene.” He drank his coffee and placed the mug onto the countertop. “Well, if you’re going to be invaded, I’d better get started and finish as much as I can before they pour through that door.” And with that, he went over to the front door, put on his boots, and stepped outside.

He walked around the house, mentally trying to picture what Joel’s sister might look like. All he came up with was a female version of Joel, just as tall, but with longer hair.

I can’t wait to meet her. Judging by the way their phone conversation had gone, Megan sounded like she could be a lot of laughs, but a handful at the same time.

Lunch could be fun.

Joel opened the front door as Nate and Laura got out of the car. “How was the drive?” It was a little past twelve o’clock, and Joel had already called Carrie to find out what time they’d left home. When she said Nate hadn’t gotten out of bed until nine-thirty, Joel had laughed. No change there.

“Okay,” Nate said with a shrug. “Mom told me to take a different route, because of construction on 295, so we took the turnpike instead. Traffic wasn’t too bad.”

“Nate was swearing,” Laura said with a grin.

Joel narrowed his gaze. “One, don’t tattle on your brother, and two, Nate, don’t swear in front of your sister.” He stood aside to let them enter, and Laura immediately dropped her bag in the middle of the room in her rush to greet Bramble. Joel picked it up and set it down next to the futon.

Nate placed his bag beside hers and glanced at the living room. “You haven’t done anything with the place yet.”

Joel chuckled. “How long has it been since your last visit? Two weeks? Rome wasn’t built in a day, isn’t that what they say?”

Nate peered along the kitchen to the back door. “Someone’s out there.” He turned to face Joel. “Is Finn here?”

Joel nodded. “He’s pouring the concrete today, so Bramble is definitely staying indoors. Otherwise, there’ll be doggy paw prints in the post bases.”

“Aw, Bramble just wants to leave his signature, you know, like at that theater in Hollywood.” Laura stroked Bramble along his back.

“He can want all he likes, he’s still not going out there.” Joel glanced at the clock. “By the way, your Aunt Megan will be here soon. She’s bringing lunch.”

Laura’s face brightened. “Is Aunt Lynne coming too?” When Joel nodded, she beamed. “Cool.”

“Can I go talk to Finn?” Nate asked.

Joel’s stomach clenched. “Sure. Just don’t get in his way, okay?” Nate