Page 17
Ronan shrugged. “Suits Gertrude.”
“Gertrude?”
“The house.”
Nate glanced toward the Victorian, then back at him. “You named the house.”
Ronan hopped onto the U-Haul. “Felt rude not to.”
Nate snorted, joining him. “You a romantic, Law?”
Ronan didn’t look back. “No. Grab that side.”
Fortunately, wrestling the bulky sideboard out of the trailer and up the front steps reduced Nate’s commentary to grunts and curses until they finally settled it against a wall in the living room.
Nate took in the room, eyes tracking the bare floors, the stacked boxes, and the lone mattress in the corner. “Looks like you’re camping.”
Ronan shrugged. “Didn’t keep anything from base housing. Just the TV and my books.”
Nate glanced at the mattress again. “You planning on sleeping like that?”
“For now.”
“You know, you could crash in our basement until you get settled. No sense roughing it.”
Ronan shook his head. “I’m good.”
Nate frowned. “Law—”
“This’ll do,” Ronan cut in calmly. “I’m going to make a mess fixing the old lady up. No point shifting furniture from room to room.”
Nate studied him for a moment, then nodded once. “Figured you’d say that. We’ve got an old armchair you’re welcome to.”
“I won’t say no to that. Thanks.”
“Why don’t you come by for supper?” Nate was already moving toward the door. “We’ll load the chair after.”
Ronan shook his head. “Love to, but I’m beat. Long haul from Texas. Rain check?”
“I’ll hold you to it.” Nate flashed him a grin. “Maybe Bella can invite Ruth and the kids?”
“Sure.” Then something in Nate’s grin clicked. Ronan frowned. “Wait. Why?”
Nate paused, head cocking slightly. “Isn’t that why you’re here? For … Ruth?”
Ronan stiffened. “No. Yes. Sure. She’s part of it. But shit, not the way you’re thinking.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Is that what people think? That I moved here to go after Ruth?”
For goodness’s sake, she was his teammate’s wife. That was a hard no. And what had happened between their respective spouses…
That just added another layer of complexity he wasn’t touching.
Nate hesitated, then gave a small, unapologetic shrug. “Yeah. Kinda.”
Ronan swore under his breath. “Is that what Ruth thinks?”
“Look,” Nate added, holding up a hand, “no one’s saying it’s a bad thing. You’re single. She’s single. History and all that. People connect dots.”
In the wrong order.
