Mind Games

“How about we walk him back? You can pick some flowers for Thea on the way.”

“What for?”

“Because it’s nice, and I have this vase to put them in.”

A sly smile followed. “Chickens?”

“We’ll see. How about one of those flowers?”

Just clovers that had popped up since he’d last mowed the lawn, but it gave Bray a mission.

By the time they’d topped the rise, made the turn, the vase was stuffed with clover, little wild daisies, buttercups, and grass. And Bray rode his father’s back.

He considered her wraparound porch as they walked, and wondered—if they stayed—if he should do something like it. Or just a bigger porch/deck on the back for the grill he still had to buy.

He could grill reasonably well.

And made a mental note to order one along with that play set.

Lowering Bray, Ty handed him the vase. “Here you go. These are from you.”

“I picked the flowers.”

“That’s right,” Ty said, and knocked on the screen door.

Through the screen, he saw her coming, and felt the tug he imagined all men felt when a really pretty woman in a summer dress walked their way.

She’d scooped her hair back in a tail. She had a long neck to go with those long legs. Her smile said welcome, and he could admit that was something that got him every time.

“Look here, two handsome men at my door.”

When she opened the screen, the dog bolted in, and Bray shoved the vase at her.

“You get this.”

“I do? They’re just beautiful.”

“I picked the flowers.”

“He goes for the weeds,” Ty explained, and she smiled again.

“Weeds are just wildflowers in the wrong place. And these are in the exact right place. Come in. You had a long walk on a warm afternoon. I bet you’re thirsty.”

“I am!”

“I knew there was a reason I made lemonade, and sugar cookies.”

“Cookies!”

All innocence, Thea looked at Ty. “Oops.”

“It’s fine.”

“Y’all come on back.”

A really nice house, Ty thought again as he scoped out the living room with its warm sand-colored walls, the dreamy landscapes, the fireplace framed in deep blue marble, its thick mantel. She’d flanked it with built-ins that offered open shelves and lower cabinets, all in natural wood.

Cozy, cushy, easy furniture.