“I’m glad you two finally have your shit sorted. Maybe I can finally get around to asking Ry to marry me sometime soon.”
“Wait, what do Lucy and I have to do with you and Rylee getting married?” I turn toward him, expecting to see a smirk on his face but instead he is wearing a very serious expression.
“It felt wrong asking her to be my wife when you two were so up in the air. I just wanted to make sure you two could find your happily ever after.”
I chuckle before slapping him on the back. “When did this turn into a Hallmark special? I’m glad you are so concerned about us, and we have a long way to go, but I think we are on the right track.”
Colton grips the back of his neck. “Now I just need to find the perfect way to propose.”
“You need to involve the boys from The House. There is no way she will say no to those boys.”
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”
Before we can discuss it any further, they finish cutting our wood and we are on our way. “Time to build a treehouse,” I say to him as I push the cart toward the checkout. We quickly pay for the lumber and load it into the truck we borrowed from Kellan. He felt bad he had a shift today and wouldn’t be able to help us out.
After a quick drive back to Lucy’s place we unload the lumber and head toward the backyard and stop dead in our tracks.
“What the hell is this?” I question as I look at the five men assembling a state-of-the-art treehouse in the large tree in Lucy’s back yard. I’m not ashamed to admit that this is far beyond anything Colton and I could have handled.
“This is Colt’s treehouse,” Rylee comes over and places a kiss on Colton’s cheek. “Luckily the owner of the company had this in stock, and he sent his guys right over to put it together.”
Colton raises the 2x4s he is carrying slightly in the air. “What’s this all for?” Obviously, he is equally confused as I am.
“Those are for the raised flower beds I’ve wanted back here for months.” Lucy glides out of the house, holding a tray full of cups and a large pitcher of lemonade.
“Didn’t you trust us to build a treehouse for Colt?” I dropped the lumber I was holding on the ground as my shoulders deflate. I was looking forward to being able to do something for the two of them with my own hands.
“I did, but I also know Colt. There is no way you two would have been able to build a treehouse all in one day. He’s three and has very little patience.” She places the tray on the small table I never noticed tucked into the corner. “I also knew that if I told either of you, it would have turned into a contest to prove me wrong.”
“She’s got you there, bud,” Colton says as he drops the lumber and grips Rylee up into his arms, spinning her around in a circle. “I think you can handle flower beds by yourself. You two deprived me of my girl last night. I have some time to make up for.” Without another word, he strides toward the back door not bothering to let Rylee down.
“Put me down!” Rylee giggles as he opens the door and strides though not even bothering to close it behind him. As soon as he steps through, Colt comes barreling outside, heading directly for me.
“My rehouse!” he shouts as I lift him into the air and place him on my shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m sorry I won’t be able to build one with you but you can help me make boxes for your momma’s flowers instead.”
“Otay!” He rests his arms on the top of my head.
I quickly reach behind me and wrap my arm around his waist, not wanting him to fall. “How about some of that lemonade? It was hard work getting lumber.”
Lucy giggles as I grip her hand in mine and head over to the table. “Oh such hard work. I’m sure you two never had someone cut the lumber for you.”
“Work smarter not harder,” I respond as I reach up with my other hand and pull Colt off my shoulders, placing him in the chair in front of me.
“Same reason I had them come build this thing. In all honesty it was Rylee. The one I wanted wasn’t nearly as huge as this but we both know how she is.” Lucy pours Colt a small glass of lemonade before adding some water and then pours me and her a glass as well.
“There is lemonade and water over here if you guys want any,” I shout to the workers as I take a seat on the other side of Colt, sandwiching him in between us.
The workers give us a small wave and say thanks before getting back to work. The foundation of the treehouse is already laid out and they’re currently attaching the slide.
As I look out over the yard for the first time in over four years I feel at peace, and I know in my heart it has everything to do with Lucy and the little boy gulping down lemonade sitting beside me.
I could get used to this.
Chapter Twenty
Lucy
It took most of the day, but the guys were able to finish up the treehouse. They only need to come back during the week and put on a few finishing touches, but it is secure and ready for use once Colt wakes up in the morning.
Thank the heavens for people owing you favors or there is no way I would have been able to get this put up and installed so quickly. Nothing beats having friends in high places.
True to his word, Tyler and Colt worked together to put my planter boxes together in
