Thank God she’d had Ivey.
Again and again, Corbin’s gaze was drawn to Ivey. Today she had her riotous curls somewhat contained atop her head, which produced a sort of poof that he thought looked adorable. He didn’t know how it happened, but every time he saw her, she somehow got prettier, and sexier.
Or maybe it was just his growing feelings for her.
Having her all to himself for the weekend had given him a taste of how it would be if they made things permanent. He wanted that. So damn much.
His gaze went to his son, currently with barbecue sauce smeared over the corner of his mouth and, somehow, across one cheek. His mother had apparently let him swim right up until it was time to head home; a touch of color brightened his cheeks and nose, and his hair had that dried-in-the-sun look.
Picking up a napkin, he handed it to Justin. “Right here,” he said, touching his own cheek.
Without much thought, too intent on his food, Justin swiped at the mess.
It made Corbin smile to see his son like this now. Surrounded by people who loved him. Happy. Carefree.
But he knew it was a fragile time for Justin. It was still too soon for him to accept all the changes. He’d keep at it, of course, keep showing him how a child should be loved and sheltered. Eventually Justin’s trust would grow.
Beneath the table, Ivey touched Corbin’s thigh. That silent support proved yet again the depth of her ability to care. She had an acute awareness of others and never hesitated to give comfort when she sensed it was needed. With him, she was always cued in, as if she shared his every thought.
Smiling at Justin, she asked, “How did you like the RV park?”
“It was awesome. I had a TV near my bunk and Grandma let me watch a movie last night. Today we swam and swam, then she took me for a ride on her golf cart and we found some other kids to play with.”
Corbin noticed the beaming smile on Grandma’s face.
“They shot hoops,” Vesta said. “Did you know Justin is really good?”
Blushing, Justin said, “I missed a lot of times.”
“But you also made a lot of baskets.” Briefly, Vesta touched his shoulder. “And you played well with the others, even when one or two of them were rude.”
Justin hitched a shoulder. “Kids are like that sometimes,” he said with world-weary cynicism. “There was a kid where I used to live who was always mean. I didn’t like him, but I felt sorry for him. He never had anyone to play with.”
Vesta put a hand to her chest in a show of emotion. “Were you nice to him?”
“I guess.” He looked up. “His dad would smack him in the street sometimes.”
Corbin slowly lowered his sandwich.
“It’s okay,” Justin said quickly. “Some cops came and arrested him for it and they told the boy they’d figure things out for him.” Scrunching his nose, he added, “I didn’t see him after that.”
Ivey swallowed heavily. “I’m glad you weren’t mean to him. It shows what a wonderful person you are.”
“I wasn’t mean to anyone. Well, ’cept this one kid who was throwing rocks at a dog.” His eyes narrowed. “I threw rocks at him until he quit.”
Before Corbin could figure out how to reply to that, Ivey said, “Bravo! I’d have done the same.”
“A few of the rocks hit him,” Justin said.
“Good. He probably deserved it.”
Lang snickered, and Vesta quickly covered her mouth with her napkin.
Belatedly, Ivey realized her faux pas and cleared her throat to add, “Though we probably shouldn’t do things like that. Some people just need to be taught kindness.”
Justin missed the impromptu correction. “I really like the RV. It has a refrigerator and table and beds and everything. It’s cool. The shower isn’t very big and Hagan says he barely fits, but there’s a hose on the back that Grandma let me use for showering. Outside,” he added with emphasis. “I left on my trunks, though.”
Corbin grinned. Clearly the idea of bathing outside was a treat.
“So,” Lang asked with interest. “You really liked the RV, huh?”
Corbin immediately pointed his fork at him. “No more extravagant gifts.”
Surprised, Ivey said, “You wouldn’t.” When she saw Lang’s face, she laughed. “You would! Oh my gosh, Lang, you’re outrageous.”
“I try to be, but Corbin ruins all my fun.”
“Is that so?” Ivey glanced at Hope and Lang both with suggestive meaning. “I heard differently.”
Hope went bright pink but smiled.
Lang just grinned.
“What’s this?” Vesta, never one to miss a thing, pounced. “Something happened recently?”
Lang gave her a long look. “I always have fun with Hope. That’s nothing new.”
Hope got redder.
Vesta bounced her gaze back and forth between them. “So. When are you getting a job?” she asked Lang.
“Mom,” Corbin said. “You know he just sold his business.”
Ignoring that, Vesta asked Hope, “Do you approve of my son being a deadbeat?”
“He’s not!” Hope went straight to his defense. “He’s already thinking of another business, but for now he’s just enjoying the family time.”
“Hmm,” Vesta said.
Hagan put down his napkin. “Justin, if you’re all done eating, would you want to show me the boat? I admit I’m curious.” He smiled at Vesta. “Been thinking of getting my own, you know.”
“Can I, Dad?” Already out of his seat, Justin jammed the last bite of potato salad into his mouth.
“You can,” Corbin said, “but remember to get a life preserver first.”
“I’ll make sure he does,” Hagan promised. With his hand on Justin’s shoulder, they started out.
Vesta turned to grin at them all. “Hagan knows me so well. He understood I had questions—oh, so many questions—but with Justin here, I was hampered.”
Lang snorted. “Nothing hampers you.”
She threw her napkin at him. “Behave yourself.”
Half hiding his smile, Lang folded the napkin and handed it back to her. “Yes, ma’am.”
Corbin jumped in before his mother could get going. “Justin’s birthday is in two months. I’ve been thinking about this, and we should all cut back on the presents until then. That way, his birthday, and then later Christmas, will mean a little more.”