“Caleb . . .”
He breathed, even though it didn’t seem like any air entered his lungs. “That was when I realized all love does is hurt people. It lulls you into a false sense of security, and then bam! You slam into a brick wall of pain. A shit ton of pain. Love destroys people to the point where they don’t even care who else they hurt in the process.” His knuckles turned white, he was gripping the stool so hard. “I promised I would never allow myself to suffer the consequences of falling in love. Never turn into someone like my father because of the pain of losing someone.”
Soon after he stopped speaking, fingers pushed into his hair, bringing his head to lean against her. He released his grip on the stool and wrapped his arms around Didi’s waist. He buried his face against her belly. If the front of her overalls happened to get wet, she didn’t complain.
They held each other like that for what seemed like the longest time. Yet he didn’t care. He wanted the moment to last forever. If only to live within the relief she provided. Her touch was a balm to his pain.
With the resurgence of his grief for his mother and the unconditional comfort Didi gave, one thing became clear. . . .
“My birthday,” he murmured after an eternity of silence.
“Your birthday?” she asked back, as if making sure she had heard him right.
He looked up at her. In that instant she seemed unreal. Like an angel sent from heaven to save him. “It’s not part of our agreement, but . . .” The words caught in his throat
“But?” she whispered, taking his face in both hands and drying his tears with the pads of her thumbs.
He swallowed. “I would very much like it if you came.”
In response, a soft smile graced her lips before she leaned down and kissed his forehead. Then she whispered the three little words he had been waiting for: “Count me in.”
Seventeen
THE EVENT FOR the Fourth of July involved games. Couple-centric games. Set against the pretty backdrop of Dodge Cove’s man-made lake, with its tall pines and luxury homes surrounding the perimeter. The day couldn’t have been more geared toward romance if it were Valentine’s Day and not the middle of the year. Standing side by side with Caleb, Didi looked up at the perfect concentration on his face—brows drawn tight and all.
“You sure about this?” she asked with equal seriousness.
He nodded once, then hooked his arm around her waist to grip her hip. The strength of his hold gave her the confidence she needed to grab the back of his shirt. Someone yelled “Go!” In one heave, Caleb lifted her against his side and they took off at a gallop in the three-legged race he had convinced her to join.
Squealing in delight, she let him do most of the work, content to hang on for dear life. The spectators cheered, including Preston, who was jumping in place. He cheered for Nathan and Natasha, their only real competition—according to Caleb. The excitement in the air spurred him to kick faster with the leg currently tied against hers.
Laughter boomed out of her when they reached the finish line at the same time as the twins. They all tripped over one another, but before she could fall, Caleb wrapped her in his arms and twisted so she landed on top of him. Curses and giggles abounded.
She pushed up against his chest, her eyes immediately locking with his. Like standing beneath the eye of a storm, a pause happened between them amid all the excitement and congratulatory shouts. Beneath her hand she could feel the rapid beats of his heart. He sucked in a breath, and in a quick move heaved them both to their feet and began untying their legs.
“Do you think we won?” she asked.
“Yes, we did,” he announced.
“I object!” the twins said in unison, already untied.
She still got a kick out of seeing the female version of Nathan. Her femininity put their family’s signature dark hair and blue eyes to devastating effect. The female Parker argued with Caleb for the win animatedly, a gleam in her eyes, hands in the air.
“We clearly won by a toe!” Natasha pointed out.
“I have longer legs than you,” Caleb rebutted. “So if anyone’s winning by a toe, it would be me.”
“Yeah, you.” Nathan poked his shoulder. “Don’t think I didn’t see you doing all the work, hauling Didi like a sack of potatoes.”
“Hey!” she joined in, unable to help herself. Everyone was having so much fun.
Nathan grinned at her. “A pretty sack of potatoes.”
She executed an exaggerated curtsy. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
“That’s still cheating,” Natasha challenged, loud enough for everyone gathered to hear.
According to the mix of jubilation and objection, the crowd was clearly divided. The energy in the air sent tingles of excitement over Didi’s skin. She had never enjoyed herself this much. Maybe she had been wrong about these DoCo elites.
“Preston!” Nathan called. “You be the tiebreaker here.”