Ready For It (MacAteer Brothers #2) - M.L. Nystrom Page 0,90

a motorcycle for our ten-year. Perhaps a cruise instead.

The men took off, Connor on his bike and Owen in his truck, and Bevvie and I moved to the kitchen.

“Coffee?” I asked as I reached for the pot.

“Why are you asking? Just pour.” Bevvie settled Ryan in the bouncy chair in the middle of the dining room table and sat in one of the chairs. I pulled down two mugs and filled them for our morning gab session.

“How’s the driving lessons coming?”

Bevvie leaned over and pointed to her scalp. “See these new gray hairs? Abby’s gift to me. I so wish I could get her father to do this.”

“Doug still MIA with the kids, then.”

Bevvie sighed and stirred creamer and Splenda into her coffee. “Yup, and not a thing I can do about it. He’s missing out on some of the best years of the kids’ lives and someday he may regret not being a part of it.” She tapped the spoon against the side of the cup. “I can’t help him, and I don’t want to. He’s an adult. Speaking of adults, I think Garrett is finally coming to terms with his ex. Connor and Owen gave Garrett the bulk of the big restoration job on that bed-and-breakfast place, and he’s been spending a lot of time out there. I’m glad he’s able to help take on the workload, but Connor is still getting piles of calls for work.”

I took a big sip of my own cup. “Really? Even with Patrick and Angus coming down from Pennsylvania? Owen said they plan on sticking around at least for the summer to help with the overload.”

Bevvie waved a hand in the air as she swallowed and cleared her throat. “I’m glad they’re here, but I don’t know that they’ll stay long-term. They never really do.”

I hummed and gently bounced the chair. Ryan, gurgled a bit and tried to eat his fist. “An old friend of mine is opening a yoga studio, and the guys are taking on the job of designing it. Between the B and B, the yoga place, and all the deck jobs Owen’s got booked, they might want to consider something long term. We should check out the yoga thing soon.”

“I’m game, but don’t you make fun of me when I break something by bending over to touch my toes. How’s the baking coming along?”

I stuck my tongue out and put a square plastic container in front of her. “Here. My latest batch of chocolate chip cookies.”

She popped off the top, took one of the lumps inside, and looked at it dubiously. I shrugged. “Yes, they are the consistency of hockey pucks, but they make great teethers and aren’t so bad when you dip them in your coffee.”

She dipped and managed to gnaw off a chunk. “Mmm. Yummy.”

Her expression absolutely did not reflect her words.

“PITA.”

“You love me. I’m the godmother to your son.”

“Still a PITA.”

“Love you too, Mellie. Have you heard about the job yet?”

Ryan started fussing, and I plucked him from his bouncy chair and opened my shirt and nursing bra to feed him. He latched on like a limpet and kneaded my breast with his tiny hands as he nursed. “I’ve heard I’m in the running for the position, but I’m not sure I want that right now. I have plenty of my own money, so I don’t really have to work. Owen brings in quite a bit with all the work he’s doing. We’re not hurting at all financially, and I’m really thinking I’ll take a step back for a few years until this little booger is in preschool before I go back to work. I’ll keep tutoring a few nights a week, to keep my chops up, but that may be it for a while.”

Bevvie nodded. “I get it. I didn’t have that option and had to use a church day care ’cause I had to work. My kids turned out pretty damn good, but I would have loved to stay home with them. You’re a great mom, Mellie-Jellie.”

“Thanks, Bevvie-Levvie. Here’s a thought. Why don’t you apply to be the principal? You have the administration credentials, right?”

“Yeah, but that’s from years ago.”

“Still valid.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Me as a school principal? In charge of everything and everyone? I’m not sure I can handle that.”

I laughed out loud, and Ryan made a sound of protest as he let go of my nipple. “That’s too funny. I’ve watched you handle your four kids with all their activities,