“Then I agree with Gavin. Three spare bedrooms should be enough … depending on how many children you’re planning on having.”
“Two,” Gavin said firmly.
Ginny looked at her phone again. She really didn’t want a two-story home.
“Ginny … how many children are you wanting to have?”
“Depends on the man I marry. The man I might marry could be so old that he might want two. On the other hand, I might marry a younger man who wants to give me as many as I want,” Ginny said unconcernedly, ignoring Gavin’s heated expression.
“I want a house that can grow with however many I’m blessed with.”
“I can tell you one fucking thing. You won’t be blessed with a younger husband,” Gavin snarled.
“Then it’s a good thing whomever I marry isn’t your decision,” she said sagely.
“The hell it isn’t, since I’m the one you’re married to.”
“Silas, did you give me away at my wedding?”
Her brother gave Gavin a sympathetic grimace. “No.”
Ginny glared at her brothers, daring them to lie. “Isaac, Matthew, were you at my wedding?”
“No,” they mumbled.
Ginny scrolled down the list of plans. “I want to keep the big trees, but if we get rid of this big oak”—Ginny placed her hand on the oak tree—“would it give me enough room for another bedroom?”
“Yes,” Silas answered, placing a staying hand on Gavin’s shoulder when he would have reached for her as she breezed past him to walk toward where the laundry room had been staked off.
Placing her phone in her pocket, she twirled. “I love it! I can hardly wait until it’s built!” She stopped twirling. “How long do you think it will take to build?”
“Two to four months, depending on the weather.” His eyes latched on to what she was doing with her sling. “Is your arm hurting?”
“No. I wouldn’t even know it was sprained if I didn’t accidentally try to do something with it. The sling is what is bothering me. The material on my shoulder is cutting into me.”
“Let me adjust it and see if it helps.” Gavin solicitously began adjusting the length so it sat easier on her shoulder. “When we get back to the club, I’ll find something to pad it with.”
“Thank you.” Ginny put her good arm through Gavin’s, then leaned against him and gave him an appreciative smile.
“That twirl make you dizzy?”
“Nope, just appreciating I have a big, strong man to lean on.”
Matthew made gagging noises. “I’m out. I have work to do.” He stepped over the string to stand next to her. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt worse than a sprained arm yesterday.” Ruffling her hair, he smoothed it back down before dropping his hand. “How long did the doctor say until it’s healed?”
“Three to eight weeks. The doctor said it was just a mild strain, so she estimated about three to four, but not to pick up anything heavy for over eight weeks.”
Matthew closed one eye, pinning her with a suspicious look. “You sure?”
“I am.” Ginny straightened off Gavin. “Why?”
“When we were kids and went to bring in firewood, you would only bring in one or two logs, leaving us to haul the majority.”
“One of the few perks of having so many strong brothers is to get them to do the heavy lifting.”
Matthew gave her a side hug, making sure not to jar her arm. “When I was younger, you told me it was to take out the trash.”
Isaac moved closer. “She told me it was to cut bugs.”
“All valid reasons.” Ginny grinned.
Isaac gave her a half hug before letting her go. “Let us know when you want to get started, and we’ll order the lumber and have it ready to go.”
“I can handle all of that,” Gavin said. “After I leave here, I’m going to order what we’ll need. I’ll text Silas when the materials will be delivered. I’ll also order a metal shed where we can store the lumber and tools.”
“What kind of shed?” Matthew’s interest piqued. Ginny could tell that Silas and Isaac were just as interested.
“Fairly good size. Why?”
“You need any help picking one out, I can go with you,” Matthew offered.
“Me, too,” Isaac chimed in.
Ginny rolled her eyes at her brothers’ eagerness.
“You’ve stepped into it now,” Ginny warned Gavin. “Sheds are porn candy to my brothers.”
Silas shook his head at her. “She’s exaggerating.” He nudged her out of the way to place himself between Gavin and her. Placing a companionly arm around Gavin, he began edging him away from her as Isaac and Matthew flanked his other sides. “What size are you thinking about getting? Plastic, wood, or metal?”
“Does it matter?”
Ginny knew Gavin was done for at his inquiry.
“For sure.” Matthew nodded authoritatively. “The size is important, too. You don’t want it too small, or you’ll have to buy another one. Size is important.”
Yes, it was. Ginny had to concur with that one.
Restless, she moved away, trying to keep her impatient gaze away from Gavin. Was it her imagination, or was he getting better-looking every day? Today, he was wearing worn-out grey jeans that snugly accentuated his body, and the long-sleeved black thermal was as soft as butter. She should know, since she’d been using every opportunity to rub against it since they dressed this morning.
Ginny went around the staked-out area again, imagining the home for years she’d longed for. A home centered with her brothers around her, with a man she loved more than life itself. She wanted to pinch herself she was so happy. With the happiness came fear it could be taken away just as easily. Each time in her life that she had found happiness, it had been callously ripped away. Her hand unconsciously went to her belly, fear rising that she’d be faced with losing her family again, and this time the loss would be unrecoverable.
Ginny turned when she heard footsteps coming, placing her hand in her jacket as she turned to see Gavin.
“Your brothers want to go with me to the store. What time is your appointment with Dr. Price? Should we get the sheds tomorrow?”
“No, you can go today. Trudy has an appointment with him before mine. Dalton and she are going to pick me up at the club in an hour.”
“I planned to take you.”
“There’s no need for you to take me. Dalton has to wait in the car. No one other than patients are allowed in the office. Afterward, we’re going to the diner. I want to introduce Trudy to Marty.”
“You’re wanting one of his burgers.”
Ginny laughed. “I want several of his burgers.”
“Keep your phone on you,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir,” she smarted off.
“Damn, that sounds good.”
She raised her chin in the air, moving toward her excited brothers, who weren’t hiding their impatience to leave.
“Dream on.” Taking his arm, she pretended she needed his help to step off a branch.
“What?” he pretended innocence.
Ginny snorted. She was much better at pretending.