NATHAN ARRIVED HOME in Pantego around seven p.m. and kissed a surprised Bella softly on the lips.
“I thought you were going to be up there two days,” she said, confused.
“Was supposed to be. Then things got shifted and I was able to come back early,” he told her. “But if you want, I can make myself scarce, and go wander around somewhere and not come back until tomorrow.”
She punched him in the shoulder. “Smartass.”
He grinned.
“Quit giving her fits and help me and Tony set the table,” Jandy mock-scolded, handing her brother a stack of five plates.
Once they were seated, Nathan asked, “You went and met with Jacob again, right? How’s the build coming?”
“Jacob says we’re ahead of schedule,” Jandy told them all. “Isn’t that great?”
The winter had been a mild one, and Jandy and Tony’s h
