Treasured by a Tiger (Mate Me Book 6)

4

Saturday morning Preston stood in the backyard of Jordan and Georgia's house with his men beginning the demolition of their back wall. When they approached him about adding an addition to the house, he suggested adding a second floor so they could get another bedroom and bathroom.

"Ready?" Preston asked Jordan as he walked out the back door. They were adding the addition to the side of the house attached to the kitchen area.

"Very. How long will the addition take?" Jordan asked, coming to stand next to him. Preston watched his men take out the back wall of the kitchen.

"A couple months at least. It depends on if any delays come in with the materials or the weather delays us. We can't do too much outside work in the rain. The weather report says we are going to be dry for the next two weeks. Our goal is to have this back wall out today, and tomorrow we can begin the framing. Are you all sure you want to stay here while this is happening? You can use one of my rental properties for no charge." Preston had smelled the change in Georgia the last time they spoke. He wasn't sure if Georgia and Jordan were telling people about her pregnancy yet.

"That might not be a bad idea. Let me check with Georgia when she gets home. She and Caroline are having lunch with Myra. It has turned into a weekly thing for the three of them to get together." Preston nodded his understanding and caught sight of Liam and Daisy out of the corner of his eye.

"Liam and Daisy, make sure you stay away from these men working. I don't want either of you to get hurt," Preston warned when both of them stared at the work being done with wide eyes.

"Yes, Mr. Preston," Daisy replied, tugging on Liam to run to her backyard play set. Preston forced himself not to watch Liam. They were safe in Jordan's backyard, and his brother Scott was no longer a threat.

"When are you going to ask Caroline out?" Jordan asked once the children were out of earshot.

"I don't know. She made it clear the first time I asked she wasn't looking for a relationship," he remarked, thinking about the first and only time she'd rejected him.

"It has been a year and a half since she set up here. She might be ready now," Jordan countered, crossing his arms over his chest. Jordan and Preston were about the same height, although Preston was more muscular thanks to years of construction work. Before he met Caroline, his mate, he'd stayed in his office and let teams go out. He did that when it wasn't a project pertaining to Caroline.

"I'll think about it," Preston replied, not committing to being refused again if he asked Caroline.

"White Valley is booming with just married couples. My construction company has never been busier. Between Caroline, Anderson and Evelyn, plus you and Georgia, my company has expanded. I am grateful to everyone. Building office spaces has become boring. I am enjoying the design aspect of updating homes." Preston meant it too. He loved helping design beautiful homes.

"I heard you make amazing furniture too," Jordan answered, giving him a side eye.

"I dabble. I don't sell it, only make it as gifts," he answered, thinking of the cabinet he currently had in his workshop for Caroline. He had only just started it and needed to figure out how to get Liam into his shop to help.

"I'd love to commission a new desk for Georgia. Her desk is old and I think she needs a larger one to put her work out on as she reads through it again," Jordan explained, turning when he heard Daisy shriek. Preston whipped around to see Daisy jump off the ladder halfway up. Liam stood at the top, his eyes wide. Jordan hurried forward to check on Daisy, but before he reached her, she jumped up.

"Ta da!" Preston shook his head. Daisy was a spitfire. Watching Liam, he carefully turned around and went down the ladder, one step at a time. Even though Liam was an inch taller than Daisy, he was way more cautious. Preston wanted to know more about Liam's father. All he knew was he was a shifter. He could smell tiger on Liam, and that the man was dead.

"Daisy, how many times have I told you not to do that? You are going to break something one of these days." Jordan picked her up, checking her.

"Why? I love flying in the air before landing on the ground?" Daisy asked, struggling to be put down. Preston walked over to see Liam hop down the last step. He looked pleased with himself at how carefully he'd been coming down the steps.

"Mr. Preston, are you coming back to my house?" Liam asked in his soft voice. If Preston didn't have good shifter hearing, he'd never hear a word the boy said.

"I have to help get this project going, then I'll be back to help replace the flooring in your house." Preston went through his mental list of things Caroline wanted redone to the manager's cottage.

"Good. Mama is happier when you are around," Liam commented, taking both men by surprise.

"Is she now?" Jordan asked, giving Preston a knowing look.

"We are home!" Georgia's voice floated into the backyard.

"Mommy!" Daisy screamed, racing over to where Georgia and Caroline stood on the deck. Preston's tiger roared in his head. He wanted their mate and was tiring with Preston for taking too long. Daisy crashed into Georgia's legs, rocking her into Caroline, who helped keep her upright. Liam made his way over to Caroline in a much more sedate space. Preston looked Caroline over. She had her blond hair tucked into her signature bun and a soft smile lay on her face. He saw the love she had for Liam when she hugged him.

"Georgia, Preston has offered us one of his rental properties while work is being done on the house," Jordan announced, waving Georgia into the backyard.

"Hello Preston." Georgia smiled at him and her eyes flicked to Caroline. Did everyone want the two of them to get together?

"Hi Georgia, Caroline." He nodded and pretended to turn his attention back to the men working on taking the back wall out.

"I think it might be a safer idea if we weren't here. Daisy might want to be more involved than she should," Georgia replied, smiling up at Preston.

"I can give you the address and keys to the house I have that is empty," he offered, and Georgia smiled.

"Yes, please. It will be better for everyone." Preston nodded and dug out his keys, pulling one off his ring.

"Here. I'll text you the address." Preston took out his phone and sent the address to both of them.

"You can stay there starting tonight."

"Thank you, Preston, that was very sweet of you."

"Preston, could I talk with you?" Caroline asked, walking a ways away from her family. Preston followed, curious about what she wanted.

"Did something break at the inn? Do you need me to fix anything?" She shook her head.

"No, I wanted to know if you would go on a date with me?" Preston paused and stared at Caroline. He never expected her to ask him.