“Yeah!” Lily said, jumping up and down and clapping, which elicited jumping and barking from the dog. “Then he’ll be your dog, and we can come over and play with him!”
Violet stepped out the back door, and Ben was grateful for the interruption, not knowing how to explain to the kids that the dog wasn’t his to keep. She walked toward the fence, her smile making a good day seem better.
“Hello, Ben,” she said as she reached the kids. Her gaze dropped to the dog at his feet, and her eyes widened. “You got a dog?”
Dropping his chin to his chest, he grinned, shaking his head slowly before looking back at the trio of expectant faces in front of him. “Actually, it’s a stray that’s conned its way into my backyard.”
“A stray?” She sucked in her lips, her gaze worried. “Do you think he’s safe?”
“Seems to be. At least, he’s not aggressive. In fact, he seems really friendly. No fleas or ticks. Clean but a little thin.”
“You should feed him some more,” Lily pronounced.
“Honey, you need to let Ben decide how to handle the dog,” Violet chided gently.
“But—” Charlie began, then quieted as Violet placed her hand on his shoulder and offered a little shake of her head.
“I did give him food and water earlier just so he wouldn’t be hungry. I’ll probably see if he’s around tomorrow and check with the local veterinarians and shelter to see if anyone has lost him.”
Before the kids could protest again, Violet redirected their attention. “Kids, do you want pizza or Chinese for takeout?”
“Whoa, sounds like it’s a special night for you all,” Ben said at the bright eyes of the kids.
Leaning closer, Violet admitted, “More like Mom is too tired to cook!”
“Ben is going to grill tonight,” came his grandmother’s voice from the back door. He swung his head around and spied her waving at them.
The idea of spending more time with the Mayfields was not what he wanted. Sure, the kids were cute, but they seemed desperate for attention when he was outside trying to work. And as much as Violet was off-limits, it was hard to tell his cock that she was just a neighbor only. He’d had to mentally go through the steps to take apart his weapon in an effort to tamp down the physical response to being around her.
With his back to the Mayfields, he tried to silently warn Babciu away with a bug-eyed glare, but she ignored him and continued. “We’d be glad for you all to join us. I’ve got lots of hamburgers and hot dogs, and Ben is a grillmaster!”
Before he had a chance to refute her over-exaggerated claim, the kids began cheering. Swinging his head back toward them, he caught Violet’s grin sliding over her face. Blowing out his breath, he nodded. “Looks like we’re grilling tonight.”
Violet’s stare was penetrating and he suddenly felt guilty at not making a more enthusiastic invitation. Just as it looked as though she was going to refuse, the kids began cheering again.
“Really,” Ben said, holding Violet’s gaze. “Please, come.”
She nodded slowly before looking toward the back door. “Mrs. Popovich, what can I bring?”
“I’ve got plenty,” came the reply before she moved back inside.
“I’ll get the grill going,” Ben said, knowing he had no choice but to acquiesce to his grandmother’s commands. Looking down at the dog, he walked to the gate and slapped his hand on his thighs. “Come on, boy.” When the dog dutifully trotted over, he let him out and then slipped back in, keeping the dog on the outside. Then, he walked to the kids and easily lifted them over into his backyard. Glancing at Violet, he said, “I just realized that you can’t come in through the side gate since I put the dog out there.” He reached his hands out.
“I’m sure I can make it. He seemed friendly enough with you.”
“Yes, but until he’s been checked out by a vet, I’d rather not take a chance.”
She glanced at the fence and said, “Let me go change clothes and grab some potato salad that’s in the fridge. I’m sure I can make it over the fence with a little help.”
He watched her walk back toward her house, trying not to stare at her luscious ass. Blowing out his breath, he turned to the grill sitting to the side of the new deck. “Kids, be careful. With no rail, I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
It didn’t take long for the grill to heat and he grabbed the platter of meat. Hearing the kids yell for their mom, he turned to see Violet, now in jeans, sneakers, and a simple t-shirt walking toward him. He jogged to the fence, taking the bowl from her and setting it on the ground. “Stick your foot in the fence link and give a boost. I’ll get you over.” She did as he suggested and he spanned her waist with his hands, lifting her easily over the fence.
Her hands landed on his shoulders and she peered up, surprise on her face when he set her feet gently onto the grass. “Wow, I can’t believe you lifted me!”
Chuckling, he reluctantly dropped his hands from her. “You’re light.” The words ‘you’re perfect’ ran through his mind, but he squelched them before they slipped out.
They walked to the deck and he placed his hand on her arm in caution. “The base is finished but with no rails, you should be careful.”
Barking ensued at the gate, interrupting their moment. The kids ran over, watching as the dog barked and jumped up, enticing them to let him in. Charlie looked over his shoulder, pleading in his expression.
“Please, can we let him in? He was fine over here with Ben.”
Violet and Ben walked to the kids, and Ben leaned over the gate, petting the excited dog’s head.
“I’ll let him into the yard when we go inside to eat,” Ben said. It didn’t take long for the burgers to grill and once Charlie, Lily, and Violet were inside the house, he let the dog have the run of the yard again. “Be good,” he coaxed, the dog’s happy nature worming its way inside Ben’s heart.
Soon, they gathered around his grandmother’s table, and conversation mixed with the sounds of the meal being consumed. The scene was domestic, but instead of making Ben anxious, he relaxed, enjoying the company.
“I thought you were just making a new deck, but I saw lots of paint cans in the bathroom,” Lily said.
In the little time he’d spent in her company, he realized how astute she was. “Yeah… I’m working on the house.”
Charlie sat up straight, his eyes holding interest. “What kind of work?”
“I want to fix up the bathrooms and kitchen. Some new light fixtures and fresh paint in some of the other rooms. This way, it will be all fixed up when my babcia decides to sell it.”
“Sell it?” Lily squeaked, her eyes widening as she swung her head around to look at his grandmother. “Mrs. Popovich, are you moving away?”
“No!” Charlie shouted, his nose scrunched. “Then who will watch us when Mom’s late? Or give us kolackzi cookies? Or— ”
“Children, hush—” Violet began, shaking her head.
“Oh, my dears, I’m not moving right away.” She looked at the others before her gaze settled on Ben. “While Ben is here, I’m perfectly content to stay where I am.”