down and share.
“I can’t talk to Mom about this. She’d only get upset.”
Finn gave him a speculative glance. “You sure about that? She doesn’t seem as though she’s not coping with the divorce.”
“She’s putting on a front, that’s all.” Nate set his jaw.
It was clear to Finn nothing he could say was going to change Nate’s mind, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to have one last try.
“Look, maybe I’ve got this all wrong,” he said in a gentle voice, “but… I still think you need to talk to them, when you think it’s the right time. Because you have questions, and they’re the only ones with the answers.”
Right then the door opened, and Joel appeared. His gaze went from Finn to Nate, and Finn hated how Nate sat so stiffly.
“Your Aunt Megan is here, and it’ll be lunchtime soon.” When Nate didn’t respond, Joel returned his attention to Finn. “You still staying for lunch?”
“Let me finish this post, and I’ll be right there,” Finn assured him.
Joel gave a nod and one final glance at Nate, then shut the door.
Finn drew in a deep breath. “You’re here till tomorrow, and your dad has been looking forward to this so much. And you only have to look at him to know he does care about you, both of you. So please… try to cut him a little slack while you’re here?” He sighed. “I’ve known my fair share of assholes, and trust me, your dad is not an asshole.” When Nate’s lips twitched, Finn groaned. “And do not repeat what I just said to him.”
Nate let out a soft chuckle. “I won’t, I promise. But it’s not like I haven’t heard the word before.” He grinned. “It’ll be our secret.”
“Cool.” Finn gestured to the final J-bolt. “Now pass me that, and we can go eat. My mouth’s been watering all morning at the thought of mac and cheese.”
Nate’s face was suddenly alight. “Aunt Megan’s mac and cheese? Why didn’t you say so?” He grabbed the bolt and thrust it at Finn. “Come on, stick it in, before we get in there and find out Laura’s eaten it all.”
“That little girl? She’s as thin as a toothpick.”
Nate snorted. “Yeah right. She can still eat more than double her body weight in pizza.”
Finn laughed. “Then we’d better get inside.” He finished off the last post. That would be it until the following weekend. Unless I come over to check on how the concrete is curing. Anything to see more of Joel.
As he and Nate walked around the house, Finn’s mind was turning over the things Nate had said.
They really need to talk. All of them.
Then he put that aside. He was about to meet more of Joel’s family, and it promised to be very entertaining.
Chapter Fourteen
Finn liked Megan from the moment she looked at him with blue eyes so like Joel’s, and said. “Well, hello there.” She held out her hand. “Megan Hall. That beautiful creature in the kitchen is my better half, Lynne.” That got him a wave from Lynne and a very firm handshake from Megan. Finn liked that her smile went all the way to her eyes.
“Hi, Megan. I’m Finn Anderson.”
Megan’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, I know all about you. Funny how Joel didn’t mention what a looker you are.”
“Down, girl,” Joel murmured as he brought a stool to the table. “Behave.”
Megan fired him a glance. “Hush. Don’t spoil my fun.” She brought her attention back to Finn. “Now, I know what you’re thinking. How come I got all the looks in the family? Just lucky, I guess. But I’m sure Joel makes up for that in other departments.” That twinkle in her eyes was downright evil.
Joel coughed. “Remember who’s listening?” He inclined his head toward the living room where Nate and Laura were making a fuss of Bramble, teasing him with his squeaky hamburger.
“Why do you think I’m talking in innuendos?” she replied, her eyebrows arched.
Finn chuckled. “I was right. You’re a handful.”
Megan beamed. “You got it.”
Finn snuck a glance at Joel, who was rolling his eyes. “For the record?” he said quietly. “She doesn’t have all the good looks.”
Joel flushed. “You get another helping of mac and cheese for that. Which you’ll probably burn off in two seconds flat.”
Finn patted his belly, and Megan chuckled. “Do I get to do that, or is it only Joel’s privilege?”
“Will you stop that?” Joel muttered. “I have never done that, and what makes you think Finn would even let me?” He