“Me, too,” Justin said, already climbing up the trailer’s wheel well with the nimbleness of a monkey.
Smiling fondly, Corbin put a hand to Ivey’s back and urged her toward the house. “Hope? You want to come in with us or check out the boat?”
Fingers laced together, bottom lip caught in her teeth, Hope looked longingly at the boat.
Catching her expression, Lang said, “We could use your help. Grab that side of the cover.”
For a few seconds more she hesitated, then sent a smile at Ivey. “I’ll help out here.”
Oh my, oh my. Gently, Ivey said, “I’ll be right inside if you need me.”
Hope nodded and headed over to the boat, dutifully grabbing the cover and helping Lang roll it back.
Bending to Ivey’s ear, Corbin said, “You look stunned. Is it really so unusual for her to join in like this?”
She glanced back, but just then, Hope seemed exactly like what she was: a young woman interacting with a handsome man who’d been flirting with her. “I’m more thrilled than anything else,” she whispered, “but it is surprising. Normally she’d do everything she could to dodge a man who seems a little interested.”
“Will she be okay out there?” Concern plain in his expression, Corbin glanced back, too. “Justin is a good chaperone. That kid misses nothing. The thing is, my brother can be outrageous.”
“No way. Really?” Because that had been insanely obvious from the start, Ivey chuckled. “I hadn’t noticed.”
In reaction, Corbin gave her a brief hug.
She liked that far too much, but holy cow, the man was solid and warm. He even smelled good, causing her to draw a slow but deep breath.
“Understand,” Corbin said, “Lang wouldn’t cross a line. Not ever. Flirting, though? Can’t rule that out.”
“I get the feeling he probably flirts with every woman.”
“True, but he’s being a little more attentive than usual.” They reached the front door and Corbin released her to unlock it, then waited for her to enter.
Curiosity had her doing a quick perusal of everything she could see. The house was immense with an open floor plan, including a loft over the great room. Casually decorated with plenty of plush seating, it wasn’t at all ostentatious. “This is nice.”
“Thanks. I like all the windows that face the lake, and the deck out back, too. My biggest issue is the master suite is there.” He pointed to a door between the foyer and the great room. “The other bedrooms are either upstairs or down. I was worried Justin would be nervous sleeping on a different level in a new house, so I took one of the rooms upstairs nearer to him. We’re across from each other with the open loft between us, so still plenty private, but it means I have to come downstairs to use the master bath so he can have the bathroom upstairs.”
Taking that all in, Ivey blinked. “I grew up in an older home with one bathroom and we all shared, so I’m sure you’ll survive.”
The playful mockery had him laughing out loud. “Maybe I’ll look at the stairs as daily exercise.”
“There you go.”
Evidently more amused than insulted, he pointed to another set of stairs to the left of the foyer, leading down to a lower level. “I’ll put Lang downstairs, and don’t judge me, but he’ll have his own bathroom, too.”
Impressed, Ivey asked, “How many bedrooms altogether?”
“The master, which isn’t being used, two upstairs and two down. Three and a half baths. But hey, property around here is way less expensive than I’d expected.”
“And you’re loaded.” She poked him with her elbow to let him know she was teasing.
“Don’t let Lang fool you. We’re comfortable, but you won’t see either of us living in a mansion or buying a private jet or anything.”
She made a face of bogus disappointment. “So you’re not filthy rich? Bummer.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’re interested?” he teased right back. “You’re after my money?”
Boldly looking him over, she sighed. “What other reason could there be? I mean, you’re hot and all, tall and fit. Undeniably sexy.” She fanned her face. “You’re also funny and friendly, with all the makings of a great dad and loving brother, but—”
Grinning, he said, “Stop right there before I blush.”
Ivey snorted. “Money doesn’t impress me anyway because I’m comfortable, too. Why, just last summer I totally bought my own kayak.”
“No kidding,” he said, playing along.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” She peeked up at him, caught his grin and struggled to look sincere. “I didn’t have to save for it or anything. Just drew the cash from the bank.”
“Wow. So if I’m a money-grubber, you’re my ticket?”
The humor broke free, and she chuckled. “Yeah, we small town vets are all about the paycheck.” She rubbed her fingertips together as if holding money. Leaning into him, she admitted, “I sometimes get paid with the barter system, like a deal on a new roof or landscaping. One time this kid kept my grass cut for a month in exchange for his dog’s surgery.”
Corbin’s grin softened to a tender smile. “You did that for him?”
“His family already struggled, and he kept busy with high school and a part-time job. But he loved that aging dog so much. He’d always kept up with vaccines, flea treatments and stuff like that. When the dog needed a tumor removed, the family wasn’t sure what to do. An expense like that wasn’t in their budget and might have meant skipping a payment on other bills.” She lifted her shoulders. “What else could I do?”
“Some people would refuse services.” His hands framed her face. “But you? You found a way to work it out.”
They’d moved from friendly to intimate in a heartbeat—and she didn’t have a single complaint. “I love animals, and I love people who take good care of them.”
His thumbs brushed over her cheeks. “Damn, but you’re amazing.”
Her heart started tripping, especially with the way he looked down at her, as if memorizing each of her features. Very ordinary features, she knew. Put all together, she wasn’t a hag, but she’d never had a guy like him look at her quite like that.
“What?” His thumbs went below her chin, tilting her face up more. “You don’t know how amazing you are?”
“I’m just me.” A small town vet who’d so far led a fairly mundane life. “No man’s ever said I was amazing before. Only Hope. She compliments me all the time.”