His timing was impeccable. As he slowly drove his car to the parking spot, he watched the workers leave his home ground. He was all ready to make his way to the front door, when he noticed some guy walking in the opposite direction, towards the building site, and instinctively Reid followed him.
The man had a self-assured, firm step, Reid noticed, and the tight jeans and cowboy hat looked clean. Too clean to be one of the workers. So who was he? Before Reid could address the man, the guy stopped and turned.
“Are you following me?”
For a moment Reid was surprised by the arrogance on the stranger’s face and then he showed his own superiority by raising his eyebrow and giving the guy the cold eye. The way the stranger stepped back underlined the effect of Reid’s demeanor.
“I am. You are aware this is private property, right?”
“Ah, let me guess. You’re the infamous Dr. Oliver.” The man extended his hand and reluctantly Reid shook it.
“I’m Waylon Jenkins. My husband is the chosen one to provide your precious Luke with all the luxuries he desires.”
Ah! Reid nodded. Luke had told him about this guy and he hadn’t stretched the truth either. This guy was a bad ass.
“And getting paid accordingly,” Reid calmly replied.
“Sure. The power of money,” Waylon snorted and again Reid raised his eyebrow.
“Still unemployed?” he sneered and Waylon’s blue eyes fired.
“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m working on a great project.”
“No disappointment on my end. That would suggest I’d give a damn,” Reid shrugged and gave Waylon his most bored look. Triggering the man’s ego.
“So you’re not a bit worried about the obvious adoration my husband has for your…boy.”
Reid narrowed his eyes and again Waylon stepped back.
“You’re the one sounding worried,” Reid’s voice was low and ominous. “I’m used to it. Everybody adores Luke. He’s that kind of man.”
Waylon looked at Reid and decided to back down. He shrugged and then pointed at the guy who was approaching them.
“My hubby looks a bit scared…he’s always afraid I’ll mess things up.”
“I assume he has a reason for that,” Reid said calmly and to his surprise Waylon grinned. For a moment Reid understood how this guy could be considered attractive.
“Some people find me offensive.” Waylon didn’t look too distressed by it.
“Really?” Reid snorted, “I wonder why.”
“Your own rep isn’t that great either, Doctor,” Waylon sneered and Reid shrugged.
“And yet I don’t see Luke rushing in, all worried.”
“He has nothing to lose. Dave is afraid he might lose his job.”
Something in Waylon’s eyes made Reid narrow his.
“Why would you want that?”
For a moment the cowboy looked startled and then he shrugged.
“I can support my family…”
Before Reid could answer, Dave had reached them and after shaking Reid’s hand, he almost pushed Waylon towards the gate.
“Let’s pick up Tristan.”
“If you wouldn’t spend so much time here, you could…”
“Don’t start, Waylon. Not here, not now…”
Reid watched them leave and then turned to the closest door in sight, it brought him right into the warm and cozy kitchen and in line with four surprised eyes.
“Hey! So it was your car I heard!” Luke jumped up and ignoring their guest, Reid made the most of the welcome kiss.
“Hello to you too,” a female voice teased and while taking off his coat, Reid rolled his eyes.
“You can take the doctor out of the hospital, but you can’t take the hospital out of the doctor…Hello, nurse.”
Alison grinned. “Luke and I ran into each other at Memorial and my shift was done, so he invited me over.”
Reid bent over to kiss Ali on her head and then plunged into a chair.
“Kids still at Seth’s?”
“Yep. Lydia brings them back when the workmen have left, so I expect them any minute,” Luke explained, while handing Reid a mug of coffee.
“I just ran into your contractor’s husband…”
Luke frowned. “Waylon was here?”
“Yep. Nice fellow,” Reid snorted.
“How rude was he?” Luke looked amused.
“Rude enough to refer to you as ‘boy’,” Reid shook his head. “He obviously tried to stir up some trouble, but I wasn’t biting.”
“I’m glad. Dave told me that Waylon found a good gig and is now on Dave’s case to drop some of his workload so he can play housewife or something.”
“Yeah, I got a piece of that,” Reid nodded. “That’s my ultimate fantasy too. Me as the centre of the universe and you catering to all my needs.”
“You mean it isn’t like that right now?” Ali feigned surprise, making Reid and Luke grin.
“I’m still working on it,” Reid teased, but the way he played with Luke’s hair told a whole different story. He wouldn’t change anything.
“That Waylon sounds like a piece of work.”
“He is. He even makes me look very polite and sociable,” Reid smiled.
“Wow, that’s quite an achievement!” Ali agreed just a little too much and they all chuckled.
“Speaking of which…let me show you the new plans for our outbuildings…” without leaving his chair, Luke reached for a large case and after removing the mugs from the table, Luke literally unrolled the plans.
Before he could explain what was what, the kitchen door opened and the room filled with outbursts of joy and running feet. Ali leaned back and silently watched how the children were hugged and kissed and how both Luke and Reid gave them their full attention. She almost felt like an outsider, but then Danny – looking all content on Reid’s lap – waved at her.
“Hello Aunt Ali! Are you staying for dinner? And what is that?”
Reid rolled his eyes behind Danny’s back as he grinned at Ali.
“Those are the plans for the outbuildings.”
That remark caught the attention of both kids and finally Luke could share all the information.
“Impressive,” Ali nodded, thinking about her small apartment, “I’m seeing a lot of sleepovers in my immediate future.”
After Luke gave her a huge smile, she pointed at the office area in the new buildings.
“I don’t understand this space, though. I thought you already had an office in the house.”
“We have,” Reid answered. “Two of them, to be exact. But Luke likes some extra space. To accommodate any unforeseen situations…”
The way Reid looked at Danny and Zoë, made Ali get the message and she nodded.
“Smart thinking,” she gave Luke a wink, “Always good to be prepared.”
“Exactly,” the blond agreed, kissing Zoë on her curls, “It’s not something we’re actively into, right now, but it doesn’t hurt to have some extra space available.”
“How long before they’re done?”
“The buildings themselves won’t take that long. It’s all prefab. But the construction of the pool and sauna will take some time.” Luke checked his watch. “But Danny asked a valid question…are you staying for dinner?”
“If I’m not…”
“That’s a yes,” Reid decided, moving his chair back and lifting Danny in the air. “How about you and me going to Al’s to get some stuff?”
Danny started to beam. He spent a lot of time with Luke, but just him and Daddy Reid? That was a long time ago.
“And you can stay here and help me with Gaia and the puppies,” Luke whispered to Zoë and her initial disgruntlement vanished.
Again Ali watched and enjoyed the scene. Her friends were awesome fathers and okay, fair enough…Luke wasn’t a big surprise. He’d shown himself to be an awesome big brother and friend already. But Reid Oliver… he was a natural and they obviously worked very well together. This was what family was all about and for a few hours, she was a part of it today. Ali smiled. This was a good day.
