Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
This part of the country was warm and inviting outside. The carved jack-o’-lanterns were being put out. Decorations were being hung. When had Halloween rivaled Christmas for home décor?
“Right here,” Mitch said, pointing to the house that had cars filling the driveway and all out front along the road.
“That’s Kreed.” Mitch gestured to the guy atop a ladder, doing some sort of home repair. An older man stood at the foot of the ladder, pointing, giving directions. It had been years since he’d met Kreed’s family, but he thought that might be Kreed’s dad at the base.
Cody parked the truck in the first available spot a few houses down. He turned off the engine. Mitch didn’t move, he stayed by Cody’s side.
“You’ve been quiet. I know that’s not a good sign.”
“I’m just trying to be accommodating.” Cody gave him a smile.
“You know I feel better just being with you, but you haven’t kissed me yet,” Mitch said, scooting closer to Cody.
“It’s probably not the best place,” Cody started to say as Mitch lifted his arm, moved in, and pulled Cody toward him. Their lips met for a soft brushing. Mitch opened, deepening the kiss. He agreed this wasn’t the time for much more, but he’d missed Cody and merely being in his presence soothed him. Besides, they’d just had a pivotal moment in their relationship. Cody had been jealous of Kreed. Very jealous, and that meant he cared. Mitch wanted him to care.
“I’m gonna need you to make love to me tonight. Maybe something tender, meaningful.” Slowly he opened his lids to see Cody staring at him.
“You have no problem just saying what’s on your mind.” Cody leaned in and kissed his lips again.
“Actually, I don’t think you’ll believe me, but I do. I keep a lot inside.” Mitch watched as Cody’s brow narrowed. “Come on. Kreed’s probably going to need some help with whatever job his dad has him doing.” Mitch let go of Cody, got out of the truck, and waited for him at the tailgate.
“Mrs. Sinacola said there was a lot of food. We could stay for dinner.” Mitch tucked his hands inside his jacket pockets when Cody slid his in his jeans.
“It’s Halloween this weekend.”
“Am I keeping you from anything? You don’t have to stay if you have plans,” Mitch said.
“No, I took off tomorrow, and Sunday I was scheduled off,” Cody said as they walked side by side toward the house.
“Knox, it’s about fuc…time.” Kreed yelled from the top of the ladder.
“It’s about time you did some actual work for a change,” he called out, cutting across the yard. He reached for Kreed’s father’s hand. “Mr. Sinacola, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, son,” the older man replied. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he looked tired. Kreed was coming down as he introduced Cody.
“Mr. Sinacola, this is Cody Turner,” Mitch introduced them. Cody was perfect. He extended a hand to Mr. Sinacola’s in greeting.
“Sir, I played little league with Derek. I was so sorry to hear what happened.” Before Mr. Sinacola could respond, Kreed was in Cody’s face.
“It’s about damn time I met you. Mitch freaked me out with all the positive energy and smiling he’s been doing,” Kreed teased, sticking out his hand. Mitch took this as the diversion Kreed needed. He looked as exhausted as his father.
“It’s crazy in there. You might wanna grab a ladder and help me clean out the gutters,” Kreed offered.
“I’m supervising,” Kreed’s father declared. “The womenfolk are three feet deep in food in there.”
“Your mom said there was food.” Mitch watched as Kreed handed Cody the ladder and grabbed a smaller one lying against the side of the house.
“Not worth going in there,” Kreed hollered back.
“Cody, don’t let him put you to work. Come inside, eat something.” Mitch was already several steps away.
“I don’t mind helping,” Cody said, and Mitch laughed at the gleam on Mr. Sinacola’s face. Mitch could see him mentally ticking things off his to-fix-around-the-house list. Cody was in good hands, besides, his cowboy had to see for himself that Kreed was harmless. Those two needed to build a friendship if he and Cody had any chance of making something substantial together.
“Can you use a hammer?” Mr. Sinacola asked, and Kreed just laughed.
“Yes, sir,” Cody nodded seriously.
“Well, that’s going to come in very handy. Come with me, young man,” Mr. Sinacola said.
Chapter 39
Twilight had passed about an hour ago, and Cody worked on hammering several broken shingles back in place. The job had been more than he originally thought. Part of the siding from the house had come loose. Once he got up there, he found a big mess, and he just didn’t have it in him to do a half-ass job.
Kreed’s father had regularly thanked him for the last couple of hours. He finally sent the man inside when the evening chill came on. Kreed had his own task going on in the shed outside. Apparently with both their boys gone and Mr. Sinacola’s age, a lot of things around the house hadn’t been taken care of.
What got Cody solidly in the heart was when Mr. Sinacola had said Derek had planned to make these repairs once he left the military and was looking for work. That broke his heart. He and his family worked together all the time. And here this family was all broken apart.
“Homemade Southern fried chicken. It’s about the best thing ever,” Mitch taunted. Cody looked down and saw Mitch standing in the shadows of the house, holding up what looked like a chicken leg.
“I’m a home-grown Southern boy. That chicken’s a staple of my everyday life. It doesn’t hold a lot of interest to me. Now pecan pie on the other hand…” Cody called back, jokingly.
“Well, that’s a good thing since I ate your share of chicken. Now I’m gonna go find that pie.” Mitch grinned, and Cody just chuckled at him.
“I’m almost done. Hang on.” Cody finished the last couple of bangs with the hammer, made sure everything was nailed properly and made his way down. Mitch sat on the porch steps. The light from the front door cast a glow on him. He gnawed on that bone, not leaving a scrap behind. Cody had to laugh; Mitch must really like fried chicken. He’d be at home with his mom on a Sunday lunch.