Page 120 of Seasons of Love
The weight in my chest threatens to take me down. I stand and walk to the back door.
Milo has already created several piles of things, and he’s whistling a tune.
I focus on the way he moves. How his shirt rides up, showing a bit of skin every time he pulls something from the shed.
Milo is beautiful. Not just good-looking. There’s something special about him.
And yes, right now, he’s the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
I don’t understand why, but looking at him is the only time I ever find a glimpse of the peace I’ve been searching for since I came to Stillwater.
He looks my way and waves.
I go still, unsure of what to do. Will he think I’m spying on him? Or that I doubted he could do a good job?
He comes over.
“Hey, can you make a sign or something that says free treasure to a good home and then underneath no takebacks?”
“Sure, why?”
“Do you have any use for an extra sink or a set of red dining plates?”
I smile. “I’ll make up the sign.”
“There are some wonderful treasures for keeps too.” He runs the back of his hand over his forehead to wipe the sweat. “But I’ll show you those at the end. You might not think they’re treasures.” He laughs.
He goes back to work, and I check on Sara before following his instructions. I go to my office and print out a sign. I stick it to a piece of cardboard I cut out of a box from something I recently ordered.
Then, in a role reversal, I’m ordered to take the “treasures” to the front lawn and stick the sign next to them.
Can’t even say it’s not hot being bossed by backward-cap Milo. Nope.
With those jeans riding low on his hips, the fucking cap, and his easy smile to match the soft brown eyes, Milo can boss me around all day.
Get a grip, Ellis.
Milo comes in at lunchtime, removing his dusty boots and leaving them outside. He asks if he can use my bathroom, and a moment later, he comes back wearing a different T-shirt.
“I don’t want to pick Sara up in my dusty clothes,” he says as justification.
“Do you want to use the microwave for her food?”
I offered before, but if I know anything of Milo by now, it’s that he doesn’t take anything for granted, and I can see he appreciates me offering again so he doesn’t have to ask.
“Why is she wearing different clothes? Did she have an accident?” he asks, looking mortified.
I raise my hands. “No, no, no. It was all my fault. She warned me, but I didn’t take her seriously enough. My mistake. I cleaned her and changed her diaper. Hope that’s okay. I also put her clothes in the washing machine.”
“Oh god, I’m so sorry. I’ve come here to work, and now you’re having to…I’m really sorry. I’ll check with Florrie to see if she’s free tomorrow.”
The microwave pings, indicating Sara’s food is ready, so I take it out. As if she knows it’s for her, she starts jumping excitedly in Milo’s arms.
“Milo, please. Don’t do that. I honestly enjoy looking after Sara. Dirty diapers and all. Let’s face it, you couldn’t have picked a boss with more experience. Alice made sure of it. She’s even trained Darius, and he’s a nurse.”
I finally draw a smile out of a worried Milo.
With her full belly, Sara is as chatty as she can be, pulling on Milo’s arms as he’s eating.
