Page 71 of The Leaving Kind
“Need time to muster up some strength and fortitude? I get it.”
Laughing, Victor shoved at Cam’s chest. “Speak for yourself.”
Cam pulled him in for another kiss and Victor groaned. Then he hopped astride Cam’s lap and said, “Damn you.”
Luisa glanced up with a smile when Cam walked into the office—a smile that faded when she noted the absence of Honey. Before she could ask the question that had haunted Cam all weekend, he shook his head.
“She’s at home today. My neighbor is going to let her out for a bit after lunch.”
“I wouldn’t have minded her company,” Luisa said.
“I know. But Jorge and I have a long job this afternoon. If that fits in with what you have for us, of course.”
“It’s Monday, Cam. I have exactly one delivery for you.”
One? Damn.
Cam stopped by the coffee maker. Luisa’s mug was missing, so he filled his and carried it to the couch. “How was the weekend?”
Holding his breath, he searched her face as he waited for a reply.
“Not bad,” she said. “I had to come in for a while on Saturday afternoon because the kids were overwhelmed.”
“Your weekend manager couldn’t handle it?”
Luisa’s lips compressed.
“What?”
“I had to let her go, Cam.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged.
“Any movement on your plans to sell?”
“Some. A developer is interested in the land, but I’d like to sell the farm as a business.” Luisa lifted her chin. “How about you and Jorge? How’s the landscaping and such coming along?”
Cam swallowed the vague sense of panic that arrived with every mention of the fledgling business. “Suspiciously well.”
She laughed. “I’ve thought about it before, providing extra services. Landscaping, lawn care, snow removal. It would mean working year ’round, though. And I do enjoy winter in California.”
“I get that.” Cam dug his phone out. “Hey, while we’re here, I’ve taken a job to cut a path into a hillside. Down to a client’s mailbox.” On Saturday morning, he’d measured the route he’d traced. On Sunday, he’d transcribed his map onto paper as a scaled drawing. “I still need to price out the materials, including fill and gravel. But I want to use railway ties for the steps. Any idea where I can get my hands on some? I figured they’d be cheap but strong.”
Luisa chuckled softly.
“What?”
“Have you ever been out behind the last shed? The one behind the greenhouse.”
“Maybe? I don’t know.”
“You can have whatever you find there, and don’t forget to charge yourself the contractor’s rate for the rest of your supplies.”
Cam glanced up from his phone. “I’m sure he’s expecting to pay full price.”
Victor didn’t seem the type to expect unreasonable discounts because they’d slept together. Cam’s skin warmed at the memory of Friday night and Saturday morning. When he returned his attention to Luisa, she was eyeing him curiously.