“Get one of the guys to buy them on his way in, Early.” Demming rolled his eyes. “Bosses.”
“Ha!” He would never be the boss. That was Early’s job. “Those are the bosses, over there in the pool. I just work here.”
“Jayden and Jaxson, right? How old are they?” Reese asked him. “They’re little fishes, aren’t they?”
“They’re six and ten. Early created a monster when he put in this pool.”
“I’d have put them closer together.”
“Jaxson is a very big six, and Jayden is a young, smaller ten.” Early winked at Reese and pulled a face. “Although, let me tell you, they can discover trouble. No sweat.”
“They take after Early that way.”
Demming laughed out loud. “That’s the truth.”
Early rolled his eyes and shrugged. “What do you want me to say? I’m an overachiever.”
“Well, you ready to get to work?” Demming grinned at Reese. “Because I’m ready to retire.”
“Yessir! Let me text my wife, and you can take me on the rounds.” She glanced at Early. “Watch that little jackass Ian, boss. He’s a creeper.”
“Yeah, thanks. He’s not allowed on the property. I still can’t believe him.”
Connor growled under his breath at Ian’s name. He wanted the bastard far away from his family—his kids and Early.
Reese nodded to him, pushed back her chair, and pulled out her phone. “Yeah. That’s how I’d be. Be right with you, Demming.”
“I like her,” Demming said, and Early’s lips pursed.
“I do too. This might work.”
He rolled his eyes. “Thiswillwork. And I’m not being optimistic. She’s great.”
“Dad! Watch!” Jaxson cannonballed into the pool, water splashing everywhere.
“Oh lord.” He shook his head. “Five more minutes and then you have to do chicken things!” He was pretty sure it was Jaxson’s day.
“Wet butts make chicken feathers stick!” Jaxson squealed and mooned them.
“He’s not wrong,” Demming offered without cracking a smile.
“That’s your fault,” he pinned Early with a teasing look.
“Well, he does have his facts right.” Butter wouldn’t melt in Early’s mouth.
“The two of you.” Connor laughed and rolled his eyes. “I need to go inside to put a couple more steaks in the marinade and make a dressing for the spinach salad someone requested.” He gave Early a quick kiss. “Stay out of trouble. Send the boys in when you’re done here.”
“Will do, darlin’. Come on, boys! Time for chores, then you can screw off until lunch.”
“Daddy said screw!” Jaxson hollered, and Jayden rolled his eyes.
“Screw isn’t a bad word. You screw in a…a…a screw.”
Demming snorted. “Logical.”
“Jayden is often too smart for his own good. He considers it a challenge.” Early smiled happily. “So do I.”
Demming winked. “Good luck with that one. Reese is giving me a wave. I’ll report back.” Demming waved at Reese and headed down the steps from the pool deck.