Page 55 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Sixteen

“Ahem,” Colton said as they entered the carpentry shop.

Three heads turned in their direction, and Beth gave a little wave.

Joey dropped whatever it was he’d been doing and ran over to her. “Did you bring the stone?”

“I did,” she said with a smile. His enthusiasm was contagious.

“First, let’s introduce her to your grandpa and uncle,” Colton said.

She followed them over to the workbench where the other two men were standing and gave them a quick assessment. Colton’s dad had a thick head of gray hair and was wearing silver-rimmed glasses and brown coveralls. Colton and his brother looked alike, although Mason had slightly darker brown hair and eyes and was a bit taller. The men seemed to be assessing her too as Colton made the introductions.

“Beth, this is my dad, Joe, and my brother, Mason. Guys, this is our new neighbor I told you about.”

She found it interesting that he hadn’t introduced her as Joey’s tutor or as a friend. Neighbor sounded milder, but she wasn’t sure she liked it. At this point, she hoped to be thought of as something more.

“My grandson tells me you found a Petoskey stone you want polished,” Joe said.

“Actually, Colton found it, but he was kind enough to give it to me.”

“Yeah. He’s sweet like that,” Mason said with a smirk.

Colton shot him a frown.

“Joey said you wouldn’t mind polishing it for me, but if you’re too busy, I completely understand.” Beth dug the stone out of her purse and handed it to Joe, who turned it around in his hand and inspected it from all angles.

“No problem at all. This will polish up real nice.”

“See! I told you,” Joey piped up.

“Is this your first Petoskey stone?” Joe asked.

“No. I used to visit here every year as a child, and I collected quite a few. Sadly, I don’t know whatever happened to them.”

“Ah. Well, this one will be special, then.”

She nodded.

“Colton said you were staying in your aunt’s house. Is it just for the summer, then?” Mason asked.

“Yes. I’m a teacher, so I’ll be back in the classroom at the end of August.”

“Ah. So that’s why you’re tutoring Joey,” Mason said as if he’d just put the puzzle pieces together. Maybe Colton hadn’t told them much about her after all. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

“Ok, you two. Enough with the third degree. Beth and Joey have work to do, and so do we,” Colton said.

“I’ll have this ready for you by the end of the week,” Joe said, holding up the stone.

“No rush. It was nice meeting both of you.”

“You too,” Joe and Mason said at the same time. And with that, Colton herded her and Joey out the door.

He walked them to her car and opened the door for her as Joey went around and slid into the passenger seat. She was surprised when Colton rested his elbows on the roof of the car, looking in no hurry to leave.

“Sorry about that,” he said, tilting his head toward the shop.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. I enjoyed meeting your family.”