Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(61)

She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Hi, Mama. Hi, Aunties.”

“Hello, Harmony. I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

She set her purse on the table and sat in the chair her Aunt Michelle had just vacated. “I know. Work has been really busy.”

Her mother squeezed her hand. “Not too busy, I hope.”

“It’s hectic for sure, but nothing I can’t manage. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, honey. Making ribs for dinner tonight.”

Harmony laughed. “If I’d known that, I’d have gone home to change out of this white dress.”

Mama patted her hand. “That’s okay. We’ll get you a bib.”

“And won’t she look so cute in that?” Drake asked, leaning over to kiss Mama on the cheek.

“Shut up, Drake. I’m not wearing a bib.”

“It’s your dress,” Drake said, winking at her before wandering off to join his friends.

Harmony took a quick peek, saw Barrett in the group, then turned away before anyone could notice her looking at him.

“So tell me about work and what’s got you so busy?” Mama asked.

Harmony filled her mother in on work, then excused herself to go grab a glass of iced tea. Alyssa joined her.

“Your man is looking fine tonight,” Alyssa said.

She chanced a look. Alyssa was right. Barrett wore a tight-fitting dark T-shirt and relaxed faded jeans, and all she wanted to do was go over to him and kiss him, then put her hands all over him.

So. Frustrating.

Their gazes met, and he slanted a brief smile in her direction before turning his attention back to Drake and the other guys.

“I saw that look,” Alyssa said.

Harmony turned to her. “So did I.”

“I swear, it’s like the temperature in the house just rose ten degrees. I might go up in flames just being in the same room with the two of you.”

Harmony laughed. “Shut up, Alyssa.”

She made her way around to say hello to friends and relatives. Somehow, she and Barrett ended up in the kitchen together.

“Hey,” she said, wishing she could touch him.

“How’s it going?”

“Good. Stopped by your house today.”

He nodded. “I was there the other day. They’ve made a lot of progress. Walls are in place and drywall and flooring is in. I can see how the place is going to look now.”

“I really like how it’s taking shape. You’ll be surprised how fast they finish it. Before long I’ll be putting the final decorating touches on it. In fact, you need to make the final decision on paint because they’re waiting on that.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Drake came over and draped his arms around both of them. “You two over here talking pillow colors?”

“You know it’s my favorite topic,” Barrett said.

“How’s the place coming along?” Drake asked.

“Good. You need to come by and take a look.”

Drake stepped back. “What? And miss the big reveal? I’ll wait for the open house. The one that comes with beer.”

Barrett laughed. “Okay.”

“In the meantime, Mama said dinner’s ready.”

They sat and ate and, as usual, Mama and her aunts had set out a feast—way more food than Harmony could eat in one sitting.

She’d grabbed a dish towel and tucked it into the neck of her dress. This was one of her favorite dresses, and no way was she going to get barbecue sauce on it.

“You should put one of your mama’s robes on,” her Aunt Paula said.

“Yes, because that would be even more attractive than that towel you’re wearing.” Alyssa gave her the side eye.

“Oh, I’m fine with this, thank you.”

“The bib looks great,” Barrett said. “I especially like the red and blue birds.”

That’s because the red and blue birds were spread across her breasts, but she was not going to say that out loud. “Thanks, Barrett. I thought the color scheme was ideal.”

After dinner, the guys did dishes, which was the norm.

Harmony and Alyssa took glasses of iced tea out to the back porch. A storm was brewing. It was cloudy and the wind had picked up, but she was grateful for the breeze and the sudden drop in temperature.

They were soon joined by Mama and the aunts, and then all the guys.

“I want to thank you for the invite to your family’s ranch,” Mama said to Barrett.

“My mother said to tell you she’s made up your favorite guest room. And that they just picked some corn the other day.”

“I do love fresh, farm-raised corn on the cob. Is that handsome ranch hand still working there?”

“My Uncle Elijah?” Barrett asked with a grin. “Yes, he’s still there.”

“I look forward to seeing that man again.”

Drake shook his head. “Do I need to watch out for you and Barrett’s uncle?”

Mama pointed her finger at Drake. “No, you need to mind your own business.”

Harmony laughed. “Oooh, she told you.”

“I guess she did.”

The wind started to get violent, so everyone moved inside. The aunts left, then some of the guys.