“Is she the reason you decided to go to law school so nearby?” I asked.
He looked off into the front yard, and sighed. “Yeah, partly. But also, I need to keep an eye on Dad. I’m sure you’ve noticed he has a slight weakness of the alcohol variety.”
I nodded. “What does your mom say?”
“Well, apparently it’s not the first time. Now that I know that, I have vague recollections as a kid before he got some help. Let’s just say, I’d like to stick around.”
I’d had a feeling that was why.
Part of the reason I stopped going to church, aside from how angry I was at God for letting Mom and Dad die, was that Nana didn’t go.
One summer when we were visiting, I may have only been eight or so, I overheard Nana and my mother arguing quietly. Nana said something that, at the time I didn’t understand, about Mrs. McDaniel not doing a good enough job of hiding the marks if she expected Nana not to get involved. She had never elaborated, but it stuck in my mind, especially when I went to Church every Sunday with my parents after we moved to Butler Cove permanently.
I felt bad for Jasper and laid my hand on his arm just as I heard the rumble of a motorcycle in the street. Jack, with his helmet on, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white t-shirt, slowed to a stop beyond the front picket fence. Before I could react or even let out the breath I’d sucked in, he kicked the bike into a roar and headed off. Hot blood rushed to my cheeks as I realized I’d snatched my hand off Jasper’s arm.
Jasper laughed. “It’s not like that, my ass.”
Oh shit. I had it bad. It would be obvious to anyone who knew me.
“Shut it, Jasper. Otherwise, I’ll tell Liz how you feel.” The look on his face was priceless. “Relax, I won’t,” I added. “But you should.”
He swallowed. I had never seen him look so nervous and unsure of himself, yet so hopeful. It was kind of adorable.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. You keep my secret, I’ll keep yours. Deal? Now, let’s get some work done.”
It was the last thing I wanted to do. My pounding heart was telling me to jump in my truck and go after Jack. I couldn’t believe he had come by. Surely he wasn’t checking up on me? Why would he do that?
N I N E
I got a text just after the lunch rush on Monday.
Late Night Visitor: Hi
The flutter in my belly made me grit my teeth.
Me: Hi
Late Night Visitor: Are you planning on getting a dumpster for the carrot I left outside?
Huh?
Late Night Visitor: Carpet! Autocorrect. Sorry.
I couldn’t help it, but getting a text from Jack made me ridiculously and annoyingly giddy.
Me: Oh, thought you’d gone off your vegetables again. I’ve got roofers coming for the cottage this week, so I can use theirs.
Hector’s nephew had called the night before and given me a price I could live with and would start the next day. The hurricane had weakened back to a tropical storm, but it was still on a projected path our direction by later in the week. At the very least it was sure to bring heavy rain. I was relieved to be getting the roof done.
Late Night Visitor: You’re funny. Mrs. Weaton’s place?
Me: How do you know?
Late Night Visitor: She came by. Nosey lady, but nice. Don’t worry she didn’t recognize me. She seems to care for you a lot.
Me: Sorry, should have warned you she’d probably come by. She and Nana were close. Who did you say you were?
Late Night Visitor: That I was a friend doing you
My eyes widened.
Late Night Visitor: A favor! A friend doing you a favor! Sorry. Damn phone. Banging head on wall ...
I bit my lip, trying hard not to laugh out loud. A warm buzz ran through me. I bit my lip even harder to pull myself back in line while thumbing the keys, wondering how to respond. A few seconds later another text chimed on my phone.
Late Night Visitor: If only we had a wheelbarrow, that would be one thing ...
What on earth?
And then I got it and grinned. It was a quote from The Princess Bride. It just happened to be one of my favorite movies. I used to watch it with Nana all the time. I racked my brain to come up with an appropriate quote back.
Me: Go away, or I’ll call the brute squad!
Late Night Visitor: I am the brute squad!
I giggled and put my phone away just in time to see Hector smiling at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Nada.” He shrugged his shoulders.
*
It was almost midnight Monday by the time I jogged up my back steps. I was a little disappointed Jack hadn’t offered to walk me home again since Friday night, and then mad at myself for being so.
The moon was full, so although I couldn’t see stars clearly, it cast such a strong white glow I could make out every bush and tree and person sitting with his back against my door. I jumped and did a double take. Yep, there was definitely a person sitting there, head down, cradling a six-pack of beer. I’d know that glossy dark hair anywhere. Jack. My heart sped up in spite of myself.
“Jack?”