Matt stepped back like he was going to leave, but his gaze swept over the large picture windows, up to the roofline, then across the front yard. I knew the view he was seeing better than anyone, probably even Aiden. Gently rolling hills with scattered snow that was deeper than it looked. Dried brown broom grass sticking up through the white. The landscape was serene and peaceful with its own beauty in the winter.

“Damn,” he said. “I forgot how big this house was.”

Two of Matt’s houses could fit into this place. “Want to come in?”

“Nah. I feel like a runaway steer in a ceramics shop when I’m in there.”

“I don’t have anything that’s breakable. Why don’t you and Ada come over for supper when you’re both done with work?”

His light brows popped. “Seriously?”

I frowned. “Why would I be joking?”

“I’ve been to your place twice. Once when I helped you move and that one Thanksgiving when Mom brought all the pies.”

Mom brought baked goods to other people’s houses, said it helped her nerves when she was visiting a strange place. She’d brought five pies that Thanksgiving.

I lowered my voice. Only Matt could hear. “Hey, I’m not concerned about the house getting dirty or things getting broken. And I’m not ashamed of you guys. I appreciate that your ‘fuck them’ attitude stops with me, but it’s not necessary.” I poked Matt in the chest. “And you need to quit making comments about what I have to do to get his attention, or I’ll go into graphic detail.”

His eyes flared. “Katie-bear, that would give me nightmares, and then I’d have to kick my brother-in-law’s ass. I ain’t been to jail in years; I don’t plan to go back.” He flashed an unrepentant grin. “But hey, congrats on figuring out what he’d rather look at than his phone.”

I swatted at his shoulder, but he danced out of the way.

“Ada’s mom invited us over, so we’ll have to come another time. Thanks again for taking Violet. I’m up for a promotion. If I get it, I’ll be on day shifts, in an office, and I won’t be bone weary at the end of the day. Then I can help her wrestle. I hate when she feels…” He lifted a burly shoulder.

He didn’t want to make Violet feel unwanted. Most shift-working parents didn’t have to worry about it, but they hadn’t grown up with a dad who’d rather work and fuck around than come home and spend time with his kids. “I get it.”

Matt nodded and trotted to his pickup.

I shut the door and went to find Violet. She was sprawled across the couch.

“Where’s Bud?” She hadn’t given up the nickname, and Aiden hadn’t discouraged her.