Mention of Elaine had her coiling a piece of cheese around her finger. “What do you think you’ll do with the space once it’s restocked?”

“She’s warming to the idea of holding events at Woodmont and talked about hosting smaller weddings inside the greenhouse.”

“I thought the Carters were well off.”

“Maybe at one time. Dr. Edward Carter was not good with money. It’s either sell to developers or generate income with the property to maintain it properly and cover the taxes.”

“Did you ever see yourself overseeing weddings?”

“I did not. But I love the property. It deserves to be enjoyed. Like I said, come and see it.”

She took a long sip of her soda. “Sure, I’ll come back.”

“Great,” he said with a genuine grin.

The kids finished, and when the check came, Colton insisted on paying. He also insisted the boys visit the bathroom, explaining the drive home could be long if someone had to go. The four piled into his truck, the boys in their booster seats and her in the front seat next to Colton.

The drive back to Woodmont took less than twenty minutes, but by the time Colton turned down the long driveway, the boys had both fallen asleep. Colton parked in front of his cottage.

“Carb overload works every time,” she said, though she did not feel the least bit tired. She felt energized and glad she was not at home alone.

She unhooked Sam from his booster and hefted him up. He did not wake and wrapped his arms around her neck, nestling his nose against her chest. He was a solid kid and heavier than she had imagined, so she was not moving as quickly as Colton, who bounded up the steps with Jeff into the house. The boys’ room was outfitted with twin beds already turned down for the night.

“Just take off his shoes and pants,” Colton said.

“I’ve done this before,” she said, tugging off a pint-size Spider-Man shoe as well as a blue sock.

“Not your first rodeo,” he said, grinning.

She removed the second shoe and sock and placed the sneaker beside the other at the foot of the bed. After unsnapping his jeans, she tugged off the oversize pants and then slid him to scoot under the covers. He rolled on his side and popped his thumb into his mouth.

“Is that okay?” she asked.

“It’s one of those habits we’ll have to break, but not tonight.”

He dimmed the lights, switched on an overhead fan, and turned on a green night-light.

In the hallway, she glanced at a collection of pictures that had been taken of the boys when they were babies. “They’re cute.”

“I fell hard for both of them.” He paused to study a picture of the boys. “I’ll call Mom and see if she can come sit with them so we can go see the greenhouse.”

“I don’t want to trouble her.”

“She’s still at Woodmont. She always works late at the house when the family isn’t there. Says she’s getting it back under control.”

“As long as she doesn’t mind.”

His cell phone was already to his ear. He quickly asked Margaret if she would come up for a little while, and she agreed. He grabbed two longneck beers from the refrigerator, twisted off the tops, and handed her one.

“We can sit outside,” he said.

“Too pretty an evening to waste.”

He opened the front door for her, and she took a seat in one of the rockers. As she passed by him, she caught the scent of him. It was not really cologne but a man’s scent. It vaguely reminded her of Jeremy. Colton’s scent was rougher around the edges—in a good way, like handmade paper or frayed jeans.

“Do you get a chance to sit out here often?” she asked.

“Some nights when the boys are asleep. Lately I’ve used the time to catch up with vendors and contractors.”

She took a long sip. “Never a dull moment.”

Footsteps crunched on the path, and a security light clicked on, lighting the pathway.

Margaret rounded the corner, her head bowed as if she was concentrating on the ground. When she looked up and saw Libby, there was no missing the surprise.

“Libby, what brings you back out here?” she asked.

“Colton is showing me the greenhouse.”

Margaret shifted her gaze to Colton for only a split second, but it conveyed the kind of warning a mother sent to a son, even if he was grown, was widowed, and had two kids. “Well, you two go on and get down the path. I’ll sit with the boys.”

“We won’t be gone long,” Colton said.

“You take your time. I’m going to watch Wheel of Fortune.”

She followed Colton down the path. As they rounded the last corner, she looked up at the greenhouse. Its dome caught the evening light and reflected it back like a diamond. No longer covered by vines, each pane had been cleared and cleaned. There was also a three-foot perimeter around the structure now. He opened the door for her, which now slid easily, and held out his hand. “After you. You get the first look.”

She passed by him and stepped inside. Without all the clutter and stacked pots filled with dirt and dead plants, the space felt larger. The heaviness in the air she had felt the first time was gone. “A-plus job, Colton.”

“It turned out better than I thought.”

“This space will get Woodmont noticed. No venue I know of has anything like it.”

He sipped his beer as she crossed the space. When he turned to look at her, his gaze rested on her. A heat rose up, warming her cheeks. She knew the look. God, she had missed the thrill of a man looking at her with desire.

“Margaret must think we’re up to something.” Her voice sounded huskier than normal.

“I came to show you the greenhouse.”

The bland, noncommittal tone had her moving closer to make sure she was not getting her signals crossed. “And I see that it’s a lovely space. I suppose now that we’ve seen it, we can head back to your house and watch Wheel of Fortune with Margaret.”

He regarded her as if he was considering her suggestion. And for a moment, she thought she had terribly misread his vibe. Maybe he really was showing off the work he had done in the greenhouse. Oh shit. Was she that out of touch?

A tiny smile tugged the edges of his mouth as he set his beer down and then hers beside it. He took her hand in his and pulled her up to him. Her breasts grazed his chest. Her heart, she swore, was about to explode out of her chest.

He rubbed his calloused thumb over her palm in a slow, seductive way that sent chills over her skin. Her thighs brushed against his, and she could feel a taut energy radiating off him like a tonic. “I’ve wanted to kiss you from the moment you hopped in my truck.”

“Me too.” She angled a little closer to him. She wanted him to kiss her first. She wanted to be wanted.

He cupped her face in his hands and tilted it slightly before he pressed his lips to hers. His lips were soft and tasted like beer and pent-up energy. Despite her best plans to let him pursue her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her. Desire surged in her, and she did not care that they were likely on display in this snow globe for all to see.

As if sensing her thoughts, he broke the kiss and crossed to the switch and turned off the lights. The bright light vanished, allowing the setting sun and the rising stars to light the room.