Read Online A Texas Soldier's Family by CATHY GILLEN THACKER - Free Book Online
Authors: CATHY GILLEN THACKER
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deal.”
“Sounds like a hedge fund manager.”
Garrett moved close enough to let Max latch on to his pinkie finger. He beamed proudly when Max met his goal.
Lucille’s eldest son might not know it, Hope thought, a ribbon of warmth curling through her, but he had real daddy potential.
Oblivious to her admiring thoughts, Garrett continued, “My dad felt the same way about his personal life. He and my mom never bought a home they didn’t plan on fixing up until it doubled in value.”
Max rocked his tiny body toward their companion, as if signaling he wanted to be picked up. Garrett took her son in his arms. Watching, Hope’s heart melted a little more.
Garrett shifted his palm a little higher, carefully supporting Max’s back, shoulders and head. “My dad also felt people never really appreciated something unless they had to work for it.”
“So the properties you and your siblings inherited...?” Hope asked, inhaling Garrett’s brisk masculine scent as they walked through the building.
“All had good long-term value. And a heck of a lot of work to be done.” He handed Max back to Hope, then paused to hold the door open.
“I’m guessing the house you were gifted is in the same shape as this office building.”
“Let’s put it this way. Just now, the listing agent said it had great potential.”
“Code for fixer-upper?”
“Probably.”
The heat of his smile made her tingle. “You haven’t been there, either,” she guessed.
Garrett fell into step beside them as they made their way to the parking area. “I’ve seen pictures. But at the time I inherited it, it was rented and I was stationed overseas, so...no. I haven’t seen it.” He touched her son’s cheek. “Think the little guy can handle one more excursion?”
The question was, could she handle it? Already she felt a lot closer to Garrett. Not good when she was supposed to be keeping her distance. As their eyes met and held, Hope felt a shimmer of tension between them. Man–woman tension.
“We’d both love to see the second part of your inheritance,” she murmured.
Located a half block away, the house was a large white Victorian with a wraparound porch. Inside it was, indeed, a mess. Trash in every room. Dust and cobwebs in every corner. Bathrooms that pretty much defied description. And yet...
Hope studied the original woodwork, high ceilings and a plethora of windows in the century-old home. The house had multiple fireplaces. Gorgeous wood floors just begging to be refinished. A backyard made for entertaining.
Garrett turned to her, a peculiar look on his handsome face. “Like it...?”
Love it. Adore it. Hope shrugged, for all their sakes, pretending she wasn’t head over heels in love with this property. Wasn’t imagining herself and Max living in a place just like it someday. With a man just as kind and sexy and good-hearted, just as fundamentally decent as Garrett.
Realizing she was getting way ahead of herself, Hope forced her errant thoughts aside as they moved through the downstairs. It was post-pregnancy hormones. That was all.
She cleared her throat. “If you were to get a good cleaning crew in here...”
He stepped closer and her heart kicked into gear. “Or do it myself.”
His pronouncement stopped her in her tracks. She did a double take. “ You’d tackle this?” What was he, some sort of superhero Alpha Man?
The tiniest smile played around the corners of his chiseled lips. His gaze locked with hers. “I’ve tackled a lot of things in some of the places I’ve lived. I don’t mind.”
Something else to admire about him, Hope noted dreamily. The fact that he’d been born rich but could easily be comfortable in less luxurious circumstances.
She pushed the burgeoning attraction away.
She had to focus.
Had to remember he was the son of a client, nothing more. And speaking of the work she was supposed to be doing at this very second, she asked, “Are you going to have time to do
“Sounds like a hedge fund manager.”
Garrett moved close enough to let Max latch on to his pinkie finger. He beamed proudly when Max met his goal.
Lucille’s eldest son might not know it, Hope thought, a ribbon of warmth curling through her, but he had real daddy potential.
Oblivious to her admiring thoughts, Garrett continued, “My dad felt the same way about his personal life. He and my mom never bought a home they didn’t plan on fixing up until it doubled in value.”
Max rocked his tiny body toward their companion, as if signaling he wanted to be picked up. Garrett took her son in his arms. Watching, Hope’s heart melted a little more.
Garrett shifted his palm a little higher, carefully supporting Max’s back, shoulders and head. “My dad also felt people never really appreciated something unless they had to work for it.”
“So the properties you and your siblings inherited...?” Hope asked, inhaling Garrett’s brisk masculine scent as they walked through the building.
“All had good long-term value. And a heck of a lot of work to be done.” He handed Max back to Hope, then paused to hold the door open.
“I’m guessing the house you were gifted is in the same shape as this office building.”
“Let’s put it this way. Just now, the listing agent said it had great potential.”
“Code for fixer-upper?”
“Probably.”
The heat of his smile made her tingle. “You haven’t been there, either,” she guessed.
Garrett fell into step beside them as they made their way to the parking area. “I’ve seen pictures. But at the time I inherited it, it was rented and I was stationed overseas, so...no. I haven’t seen it.” He touched her son’s cheek. “Think the little guy can handle one more excursion?”
The question was, could she handle it? Already she felt a lot closer to Garrett. Not good when she was supposed to be keeping her distance. As their eyes met and held, Hope felt a shimmer of tension between them. Man–woman tension.
“We’d both love to see the second part of your inheritance,” she murmured.
Located a half block away, the house was a large white Victorian with a wraparound porch. Inside it was, indeed, a mess. Trash in every room. Dust and cobwebs in every corner. Bathrooms that pretty much defied description. And yet...
Hope studied the original woodwork, high ceilings and a plethora of windows in the century-old home. The house had multiple fireplaces. Gorgeous wood floors just begging to be refinished. A backyard made for entertaining.
Garrett turned to her, a peculiar look on his handsome face. “Like it...?”
Love it. Adore it. Hope shrugged, for all their sakes, pretending she wasn’t head over heels in love with this property. Wasn’t imagining herself and Max living in a place just like it someday. With a man just as kind and sexy and good-hearted, just as fundamentally decent as Garrett.
Realizing she was getting way ahead of herself, Hope forced her errant thoughts aside as they moved through the downstairs. It was post-pregnancy hormones. That was all.
She cleared her throat. “If you were to get a good cleaning crew in here...”
He stepped closer and her heart kicked into gear. “Or do it myself.”
His pronouncement stopped her in her tracks. She did a double take. “ You’d tackle this?” What was he, some sort of superhero Alpha Man?
The tiniest smile played around the corners of his chiseled lips. His gaze locked with hers. “I’ve tackled a lot of things in some of the places I’ve lived. I don’t mind.”
Something else to admire about him, Hope noted dreamily. The fact that he’d been born rich but could easily be comfortable in less luxurious circumstances.
She pushed the burgeoning attraction away.
She had to focus.
Had to remember he was the son of a client, nothing more. And speaking of the work she was supposed to be doing at this very second, she asked, “Are you going to have time to do
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