Can I do it?
Me too.
Jenny leaped on Nathaniel's back, knowing she was always welcome.
I guess I got me a crew.
Nathaniel figured that with all the extra help it would only take about twice as long to finish.
An hour later, Megan pulled up beside the long, classic lines of the T-Bird and stared. The house itself surprised her. The charming two-story cottage, with its neatly painted blue shutters and its window boxes bright with pansies, wasn't exactly the image she had of Nathaniel Fury. Nor was the tidy green lawn, the trimmed hedge, the fat barking puppy.
But it was Nathaniel who surprised her most. She was a bit taken aback by all that exposed golden skin, the lithe, muscled body. She was human, after all. But it was what he was doing that really captured her attention.
He was crouched over her son on the partially finished deck, their heads close, his big hand over Kevin's small one. Jenny was sitting adoringly beside him, and Alex was playing highwire on a joist.
Hi, Megan! Look, I'm the death-defying Alex.
In his excitement, Alex nearly lost
his balance and almost plunged a harrowing eight inches to the ground. He pinwheeled his arms and avoided disaster.
Close call,
she said, and grinned at him.
I'm in the center ring, without a net.
Mom, we're building a deck.
Kevin caught his bottom lip between his teeth and
pounded a nail.
See?
Yes, I do.
Briefcase in tow, Megan stopped to pet the eager puppy who fell over backward in enthusiasm.
And it's my turn next.
Jenny batted her eyes at Nathaniel.
Isn't it?
That's right, sugar. Okay, Captain. Let's drive that baby home.
With a grunt of effort, Kevin sent the nail into the board.
I did it. I did the whole
board.
Proudly, Kevin looked back at his mother.
We each get to do a board.
This is my third one.
It looks like you're doing a good job.
To give the devil his due, she smiled at Nathaniel.
Not everyone could handle it.
Just takes a steady eye and a sure hand. Hey, mates, where's my timber?
We'll get it.
Alex and Kevin scrambled together to heave the next plank.
Standing back, Megan watched the routine they'd worked out. Nathaniel took the board, sighted down
it, set it in place. He tapped, shifted, using a small block of wood to measure the distance between the last board and the new one. Once he was satisfied, Jenny wriggled in front of him. She wrapped both little hands around the hammer, and Nathaniel, a braver soul than Megan had imagined, held the nail.
Keep your eye on the target,
Nathaniel warned, then sat patiently while her httle strokes gradually anchored the nail. Then, wrapping his hand over hers, he rammed it home.
Thirsty work,
he said casually.
Isn't it, mates?
Aye, aye.
Alex put his hands to his throat and gagged.
Nathaniel held the next nail.
There's some lemonade in the kitchen. If someone was to go fetch the pitcher and a few glasses...
Four pairs of eyes turned on her, putting Megan firmly in her place. If she wasn't going to be a carpenter, she'd have to be a gofer.
All right.