Broken Vows (Domestic Discipline Romance) (15 page)

"You are not painting tomorrow. You are resting," Josh said firmly.

"It's my left arm, I am right handed," Jenny protested.

"No. We will get the painting done, Mila. We have been delayed, but I promise we will get to it."

Jenny did not argue. She knew from the look on her husband's face, she had no chance of winning. "Are you coming to church with us," she asked Mila.

"I'm not much of a church-goer," Mila answered.

"Another thing we have in common," Kevin said. "Josh, I have something I want to show you before I leave."

"Sure. I will be back in a moment, Jenny. I'll take care of the dishes. I want you on the couch vegging. Thanks, Mila."

Josh followed Kevin to the main house and into his office where Kevin pulled a stack of papers off the printer. "I didn't invade your computer, I used my laptop, but I did connect to your printer. These are printouts for some rough estimates on the cost of fencing in the property… ten-foot chain link, one or two rows of electric optional."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Josh demanded.

Kevin shook his head. "Man, I guessed it when you were sparring with the Sheriff. You are a city man who would think a fence can protect your family, and it will to a certain degree. I called three local companies I know and can vouch for them. I hope the guy who owns this place has deep pockets. These estimates have a steep price tag."

"Can it be done in the winter with the ground frozen?" Josh asked.

"Oh, yeah," Kevin said. "Hydraulic down pressure augers can drill into the frozen ground. It's kinda cool to watch because they raise the rig off the ground and use the weight of the machine in addition to the weight of the auger. Snow will delay them, but not frozen ground. Well, I have to get home to check in at the shop and make sure everything is on schedule there."

"Thanks for your help today," Josh said. "You said as a
city man
I would think fence. What would you think?"

"If it were my family, I would have a bunch of buddies out there on ATV's or snowmobiles, watching for trespassers and tracking each other by walkie-talkies. If we managed to catch some good old boys, they would spend time in jail although the Sheriff probably wouldn't be too happy with my friends or me. I can't advocate you doing that because you are too new to the area. You and your boss would both be best served going with a fence. The fencing would also keep the elk and deer outside the property lines, and that's what the hunters are following."

"What about surveillance cameras instead of electric fencing?" Josh asked.

"It's a thought, but you wouldn't be able to use local vendors. One of the problems with small towns is everyone knows everyone else's business. If the owner wants to go high-tech, it might be better than fencing. It would be something to look into, only keep your mouth shut about it. Otherwise, the very people you are trying to catch will know all about it."

Josh nodded, "I am beginning to get the hang of this small town living."

"Small town living is great, for the most part. Durango has fewer rotten apples than most cities. The trouble is we have so much good going on, the few bad apples stand out more."

"Sometimes, I think you are no more a small town local than I am," Josh said sagely.

"It's my wild college years in Miami showing through," Kevin said smiling. "When I was twenty-two, I thought sun, beach, and bikinis were my destiny. I was young and dumb. It took me a while to figure out where I belonged. The funny thing is I came right back to where I started. Well, I have to get Buddy. I think I have lost partial custody of him to your kids. You should think about getting them a dog, the pound is full of them, and they are good for security, too."

"We've talked about it. Enjoy your day off."

"Oh, I will," said Kevin with a gleam in his eye.

Josh sat down at his computer and did some preliminary research, in addition to reviewing the fencing estimates. He did not particularly care what it cost. He wanted electronic surveillance, in addition to fencing and for the first time in his life he didn't have to worry about the costs.

* * *

Kevin Carter pulled off the road and into the driveway of a house owned by snowbirds. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Colorado during the winter months, but not the Elkins. Before the first snowflake fell, they were sitting on a beach in Belize. No one would notice him here. He watched until Josh and his family drove past on their way to church in Durango. He waited twenty more minutes before returning to the Bentley place, telling Buddy to lie down on the porch, and knocking on Mila's door.

"Aren't you off today?" Mila demanded, standing in the doorway and blocking him from entering.

"Yes, but we are here to keep you from doing something you are not supposed to do," Kevin said pushing his way past her. He surveyed her living room and turned back to face the pretty, but angry, pregnant woman. "I knew it. I saw it in your eyes last night when Josh said they weren't going to paint your place today. I knew you would try to do it yourself."

"Whether or not I paint my living room is none of your business," Mila exclaimed.

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Kevin demanded. "You have no business attempting this. You even have a step ladder to climb!"

"Again, it is none of your business," Mila exclaimed.

Kevin took off his fleece-lined jeans jacket, tossed it over a peg, unbuttoned, and rolled up his sleeves.

"I didn't invite you in here," Mila snapped.

"Tough," he growled. "Sit your ass down in a chair, supervise if you want, but it is as close as you get to a paint roller or brush."

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"Try me, Missy. I know you are a capable woman, Mila, but you are acting like a spoiled brat. Your job right now is to protect the little one inside you, which includes
not
doing dangerous things."

"Why do you care?" Mila demanded.

"I haven't got a single clue," Kevin said honestly. "However, I will not let you hurt yourself if I can stop it. Make me some coffee and stay out of my way."

Mila never moved.

"Sweet Pea, I don't know what kind of men you are used to, but I am not the kind you want to piss off. You may be very pregnant and uncomfortable, but I can add to your discomfort by spanking the shapely little ass of yours. You might as well learn quickly when you have lost an argument with me. Now, make me coffee. I tend to be cranky without my morning caffeine rolling around in me, and you are not helping matters." He grabbed the stepladder and a roll of masking tape and began to tape around one of the window sills.

Mila gave a frustrated huff and went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. When she returned, she took a roll of tape and began to tape around the doorways as far as she could reach without stretching or bending.

Kevin turned to stare at her for a few seconds, and then nodded and returned to his work.

When Mila completed what she could, she went into the kitchen, poured a large mug of coffee for him, sneaking a sip before making herbal tea for herself.

"Thanks," Kevin said, taking the cup and downing a third of it gratefully. "Are you allowed to have any?" he asked.

"One eight-ounce cup a day," Mila admitted. "I cheat with decaf in the morning and the real deal in the afternoon."

"It won't be for much longer unless you plan on breastfeeding."

"Are you sure you don't have a wife and ten kids?" Mila sniped. "You know an awful lot about pregnant women."

"Six married sisters, twenty-three nieces, and nephews," Kevin reminded her. "I am the certified backup birthing coach in the family since I have EMT training. I take one-evening shift every two weeks at the volunteer fire department. I have delivered two babies and been a coach twice when my brother-in-laws were out of town and their kids popped out unexpectantly. I'm a handy person to have around when women go into labor."

He moved over to the paint cans still stacked against the wall. "Which color?"

"The sage green."

"Do you want to save this carpeting or are you going to rip it out," Kevin asked.

"I haven't checked to see what is under it yet. It's not my property, so Josh's boss makes those decisions."

"Josh likes wood," Kevin said walking over to a corner of the room. He bent down, gave a yank, and pulled the carpeting and underlayment away from the walls and the floor. "There's oak under here. I wasn't sure since I was in college before this section was built."

Mila moved closer to look at the beautiful wood floors. "Why would anyone cover this with carpet?" she asked.

"Mrs. Eugenia Dougherty was the housekeeper here. She came with Mr. Bentley from wherever he lived before moving here. Local rumor had it he came from California or Florida depending on who is telling the tale. He had a mini-stroke, or an aneurysm, or something, not long after he moved in. Afterward, no one saw much of him. He paid a fortune to build this place and didn't skimp on details. My Dad said he put three of us kids through college on what he earned working here.

"Mr. Bentley worked with a decorator in the beginning, but after his health failed, he lost interest. Mrs. Dougherty took over. Her taste ran toward yard sales and white elephant church bazaars. Everyone in town knew if you posted a sign, she would be there early. The woman loved what she called 'a bargain.'

"These floors are in good shape," Kevin said, walking to another corner and yanking up more carpeting. "I will have to remove the tack strips, but a round-edge kick molding will cover the damage. I'll use the carpeting as a paint drop before removing it. A good cleaning, a buff, and this floor should be good to go."

"You don't have to do this."

He grinned. "Yes, I do. Otherwise, you will try to do it. I would hate to swat a pregnant woman's bottom, even one as cute as yours. Put on a jacket and extra socks, or go over to Josh's house, I'm opening windows."

* * *

"What on earth," Jenny said as they parked the Land Rover in the driveway after church. They saw Kevin loading rolls of carpet into the back of his truck, there was a lot of it.

"Let's get the kids down for naps, and then we will find out what he's doing," Josh suggested. Kevin waved a hand with a metal tool in it and went into Mila's section of the house. Meanwhile, Buddy left his sunny spot on the deck to trot towards them to greet the kids.

* * *

Adam was quickly asleep in the playpen they kept downstairs. Josh put Emmie on the couch in front of a Disney video. They knew from experience she would be napping in no time. Five minutes later, she did not fail them. Leaving Buddy to guard the kids, Josh and Jenny slipped over to Mila's where they saw open windows and heard a repetitive banging from inside.

"Wow," Jenny exclaimed as they stepped inside to see freshly painted walls and beautiful wood floors instead of the former dingy gold-colored shag carpeting.

Kevin was kicking and snapping a tool pulling the carpet tack strips away from the floor.

"Hi," Mila said, all smiles and happy. "It's a big difference, isn't it?"

"It will be when we drag out this old furniture," Josh agreed. "Tell me, you didn't do any of this?"

"She did not," Kevin answered for her. "I stopped by and took over. I'll only be a few more minutes removing these strips. Tomorrow morning, I'll pick up some half-inch quarter round from the shop and bring it along for toe molding, and stain it. Oh, yeah, Josh you need to order an industrial-sized dumpster. Put it on your list."

"I'll order one first thing in the morning. We can't leave the kids alone too long, so come over to the guesthouse when you're finished," Josh suggested.

* * *

Kevin closed the windows and turned on the thermostat, grabbing his jacket as he passed in front of Mila and she pulled the door closed. As she turned away from the door, he pulled her coat closed, buttoning it above her protruding belly.

"I am not six years old," Mila, protested.

"No, but sometimes you are too stubborn for your own good."

Mila shook her head in exasperation. "
You
are way too bossy for your own good!" She took a couple of steps and stopped. "I do thank you. The room already looks better."

"Well, that didn't hurt a bit, did it? There is an Ashcroft furniture store in town open until seven on Sundays. We have time to get there so you can pick out new things. It's off the beaten track, you might need me to show you how to get there the first time. The locals swear by the place."

Mila smiled. "Nice try. Jen and I passed it twice the last time we went to town."

He grinned. "Durango can be confusing. The tourists get lost all the time. Besides, you should not drive long distances by yourself. What if you hit a deer, or an elk, or an ice patch on the road?"

"I have a cell phone!"

"Yeah, but the reception is unreliable in these mountains. One second your phone works, you turn a corner or drop into a valley, and the signal is gone in a heartbeat."

"Is that really true?"

"I swear it is." He raised a three-fingered Boy Scout salute.