“My deathbed? This went dark fast,” she said, trying to focus on his words instead of on the way his lips moved against her skin.

“You’re the most beautiful hundred-and-five-year-old to ever live,” he said. “Are you going to be patting yourself on the back for getting all your chores done on time or are you going to be wishing you’d given yourself more quality time?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I kind of want to say I’d be patting myself on the back.”

He pulled away and grinned down at her. Maggie’s heart took a funny dip in her chest. It was a completely different feeling from the crushing weight of responsibility from a moment ago.

“God, I’m so into you, Maggie. Even when I’m good and pissed.”

“I’m kind of fond of you, too,” she stammered.

After another glance at Keaton, who was sitting in a puddle of hose water while the dog licked his face and hair, Silas dropped his forehead to hers. “Take the time, darlin’.” His tone was so tender that it made her heart hurt with a want for more. “We can juggle schedules, dates, and to-dos, but you’ve got a sister who needs you and a nephew who wouldn’t mind getting to know his aunt Maggie. You know I’m happy to lend a hand wherever you need me. And Dean and Cody can take over in the areas I’m not equipped to deal with.”

“Like anything involving hashtags?”

“Exactly.”

She took a breath, blew it out slowly, and then rested her head on his chest. That broad, warm, welcoming chest. His heart beat steadily, comfortingly beneath her ear. “Ugh. Okay. But if this goes horribly wrong, I’m holding you responsible.”

“I’d expect nothing less. Now, before you go back in there, call in the reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements?”

“Niri and Kayla. Call ’em up. Your sister needs support, and there’s none better than girlfriends with alcohol.”

“Call Nirina and Kayla. Okay. Got it.”

He released her, and she missed his touch immediately.

“Oh, and, Mags?”

“Yeah?” She knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Pencil me in for that in-depth discussion of why you didn’t feel the need to tell your future husband about your family. Tonight.”

“I might need reinforcements for that conversation,” she said, ignoring the husband bait.

“No, you won’t,” he said mildly. “Now, I’ve got to get out to the job site. So you’re gonna have to clean up our muddy buddy before his mama sees him.”

She started for Keaton but stopped when Silas called her name.

“Maybe you can call it a coincidence that your mama was the first one to bring you here and that your sister showed up here looking for a place in your life. But I see signs.”

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