While the ladies continue chatting about the events of yesterday and last night, I step out on the back deck to call Tommy myself. One of the benefits of being from such a small town is everyone knows almost everyone else—by marriage, from school, or in passing.
“Hey, Tommy. It’s Ace. How’ve you been?”
“Ace, good to hear from you. I’m just fine. What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling to find out about Zoe’s car. I understand you had to tow it last night. What was wrong with it?”
“It was the damnedest thing,” he drawls. “Poor thing had to wait for me for a long time because Roger drove his tractor drunk again and got it stuck way back in his field. By the time I got back to town, it was long after dark. I checked all the things that would normally go wrong, but I didn’t figure out what was wrong until I got it back to my house.”
“Why? What was it doing?”
“All the lights and stuff inside came on, but it wouldn’t turn over at all. No clicking. No engaging of any kind. Battery tested fine. I knew it had to be the starter,” he explains.
“My thoughts exactly. What’d you find when you got home?”
“It was the starter all right. Someone cut the hot wire to it so it wasn’t getting any juice at all. Luckily, I got a new wiring harness first thing this morning and it fired right up for her. Why the curiosity?”
“She may not have had a chance to tell you last night, but my girlfriend Layne and I are adopting her baby. Zoe’s living with Layne right now, and we were worried about her when she didn’t come home last night.”
“Aww, man, I’m sorry about that. If I’d known, I would’ve called you. Ava really enjoyed spending time with her, though.”
My chat with Tommy lasts a few more minutes before we disconnect and I rejoin my ladies. They’ve moved on to other topics, but I’m still stuck on my last one. Tommy said the problem with Zoe’s car was a cut starter wire. That can only mean one thing—it was intentional. That wire doesn’t get cut by accident. It was also no accident that Zoe was prevented from going home just in time to avoid the fire.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Layne
The construction crews have been busy repairing the damage to Marcia’s cabin over the past week while another crew has been busy painting and turning the spare room into a nursery. The furniture will be delivered today and the adoption home study will be finalized tomorrow. Ace and I went earlier this week to have his name added to the adoption paperwork. Zoe, Ace, and I also attended the classes to help prepare us for the adoption process, and we have our certificates of completion to show the social worker when she arrives. With each milestone we complete, my excitement increases exponentially.
Staring at the empty nursery, I visualize where each piece of furniture will fit and still allow room for the rocker-glider chair. The mural of the mountains surrounding us painted on the accent wall is a special gift to Ace. Set against a pale yellow, the vibrant colors of the landscape appear three-dimensional. I can’t wait for him to get home today and see it. I’ve kept him out of this room until my masterpiece is complete. He grudgingly agreed, but only because he knows it’s important to me.
It’s scary how hard I fell for him, how fast my life has changed, and how much I love every minute of it. The giddiness threatens to bubble up out of me in the form of uncontrollable laughter just before the doorbell rings. When I swing the front door open wide, I’m thrilled to see three husky young men and a large furniture truck. Working together, they set the furniture in place within a matter of minutes. Now I really can’t wait for him to get home.
River’s bedroom was undoubtedly decorated by a man—well-intentioned, but largely utilitarian in design. Thankfully, the current furniture and layout work for Zoe to sleep comfortably until the repairs on the cabin are finished. Zoe hinted that she should probably get a hotel room so she wouldn’t intrude at Ace’s house, but there was no way I could let her do that. She’s stolen my heart much like River has, and we’re her family now since her parents don’t want her.
Passing by River’s room, an idea pops into my head and I can see it as plain as day. While River definitely isn’t a princess-themed little girl, she would love a room that better reflects her personality. After wasting enough time on my favorite inspiration website, I have more than enough potential ideas to decorate every room in this town.
Before I order everything without even talking to Ace first, I get busy in the kitchen making a special dinner for the two of us. Zoe is closing at the grocery store tonight, so Ace and I have the house all to ourselves. Hopefully, no drama or catastrophes will crop up to distract us. Like clockwork, everything except dessert is ready and waiting on the table just before Ace walks in.
“Something smells good,” he calls out as he walks through the house. “I could get used to being spoiled like this every day.”
“Oh, yeah? What would I get in return?” I challenge.
His muscular arms wrap around me and pull me into his chest. He leans down and murmurs against my lips. “Multiple orgasms every night.”