Chapter 9

Gage

I sat in my home office thinking about how things in the house had been nice over the past few days. Ollie had not only cleaned up her mess, but she’d apologized to Ms. Helen, whose attitude had become more pleasant once the house was back in top shape.

As it turned out, Ava the cook had shown up for breakfast and helped a bit by putting some things on the top-floor landing, but I was just glad to have it all done and my house back to normal.

What hadn’t left my mind was what Ollie had said she’d overheard, and if that was true, I needed to deal with it. I couldn’t have Helen bitter about me having my child living with me, even if it wasn’t what she signed on for. I was grown when she’d come to work for my family, and while I knew she was getting up in years, I didn’t think she hated children.

Her suggestion for me to work at home was probably because she felt like a babysitter being the only full-time employee who also resided in her own private quarters in my home. My father had always kept a housekeeper for my mother who was always a busy woman. She’d opted to stay home and raise me until I was grown, and then she followed her passion for becoming an artist. Most of her work was known locally, but she had the potential to do bigger things, had cancer not ended her life so early.

Dad focused on work once she was gone, and when I was fifteen, he put me on his crew and started teaching me everything he knew.

Helen had taken care of the house so we didn’t have to worry about much at home, and looking back, I guessed the house was much quieter, and her job had been much easier without having to look after a little one. But that didn’t change the fact that my daughter was there to stay. At least, once the split visitations I had with Edna ended. I’d called earlier to arrange for Ollie to return to her at four.

The phone rang, bringing me out of my thoughts, and I was surprised that once again, Lauren was calling me instead of the other way around. “Hello, beautiful. How did things go today?”

“Well, I’m the proud owner of the Wade’s Creek cabin.”

“Yeah, I’d heard about that. You don’t sound too excited. Didn’t we have some good times there as kids?” I had some of the best.

“Yeah, but it was just a smelly old cabin to me then, and I quit going once I got old enough to choose.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “That smelly old cabin you’re talking about is a nice, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home, princess.”

“I’m not a princess. I just remember being extremely bored there when we were kids. My parents didn’t allow any TV or cable. Noah always had you, and he didn’t want me tagging along then.”

“You had friends come along.”

“Most of them wanted to chase after you and my brother. No thanks.”

“Yeah, you didn’t like chasing me?”

“As if.” She giggled, still sounding like the girl I used to know. “I’ve got a favor to ask, and if you don’t have time, I understand.”

“Ask away. All I can do is say no, which is highly unlikely where old friends are concerned.” Who was I kidding? Where she was concerned, all bets were off.

“Well, since I still think it’s the smelly old cabin from my youth, perhaps you’d like to drive me over and take a look with me tomorrow? We can see what’s left of the place, and it does help that you’re a contractor.”

To hear her talk, she must have thought the place was a broken-down dump. “You really think it’s that bad?”

“I have no idea, and I’m not sure I won’t get lost on the way out there, and I’d have to call an Uber. That’s why I need you.”

Hearing that, there was no way I’d say no. I wanted to be needed by her for more than my truck and my mad carpentry skills, but I feared that was all I could offer her for now. It wasn’t time to take advantage of the situation and make a move; it was time to stand in for Noah and be a friend. “Sure, I’ll help you out.”

“You’re the best! What time are you picking me up tonight? Are we still on for dinner?”

“Yes. I just need to get my daughter packed up and ready by four, and then I’m yours for the evening. I’ll pick you up. Just name the time.”

“Is seven too early? It’s been a long, emotional day.” I couldn’t blame her for wanting to make it an early night; she had been through a lot.

“That’s perfect.”

“Did you say your daughter is leaving?”

“Yeah. Right now, I only have her part-time. I split weeks with her grandmother, Edna, but that’s going to change soon. We’re trying to make the transition as comfortable as possible for her.”

“I can imagine it’s not easy on her. Being so young and having everything change; it’s a good thing you are taking it slowly.”

“Yeah, she’s been in trouble the last couple of days, so she’ll be glad to go back to Edna’s.”

“Trouble? That little angel?” She laughed, and I contemplated telling her about the huge mess Ollie had made.

“Yeah, she’s a little terror when she wants to be, but I think I’ve found the source of the problem.”

“Yeah? I hope it can be fixed.”

“I hope so, too.” And fixed where I wouldn’t have to fire the help. If Ollie and Helen couldn’t get along, I’d have to do something.

“I’m sure it will all work out. And I’ll be ready and down in the lobby at seven.”

I figured she must not want me to come up to her room again, and that, with the early date, let me know there was nothing but friendly intentions on her mind. I’d go to this dinner and have a good time and come home to my problems alone. I knew I needed to ask her about the contract, but instead, I let her go and decided to go upstairs and pack Ollie’s things.

I made good time getting Ollie to Edna’s rendezvous, but the weather slowed me a little on the freeway, and by the time I got back into town, it was nearly six. I had just enough time to get cleaned up and ready for dinner with Lauren.

While I splashed on some cologne, my phone buzzed with a message. I looked down and saw that Noah had messaged me. Behave yourself.

The guy had nothing to worry about. From the way his sister was calling for an early night, she’d be home and asleep by ten.

I decided to let the message go and grabbed my keys to head out. I made it to the hotel with ten minutes to spare, but when I walked into the lobby of the hotel, Lauren stood near the fountain looking like a goddess.

Her hair swept down her back as she turned and saw me. She was every bit the girl I used to know, but her curves were going to take some control on my part. They had my eyes roaming every peak and valley, and it was awfully hard to look at her and not think of a million things I’d love to do to her. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine Noah’s fist coming at me, but instead, I saw the things I’d dreamt of nights before: her on her back, panting and speaking my name as I drove into her.

She crossed the lobby, and I met her halfway and offered her my arm. “You look incredible,” she said, looking me up and down.

“You look amazing.” I let my eyes drift a little too long on her cleavage, and she giggled, lifting my chin.

“Eyes up here, Mr. Riley.” She took the coat from her arms and shrugged it on.

“For the record, the ‘Mr. Riley’ thing is not helping me to behave.” That earned me a soft laugh and a nudge as I walked her out to the car.

“Where’s your truck?” She looked around the parking lot as I approached the Charger, hit the locks, and opened her door.

“I thought you’d prefer the car. I use the truck for work and rescues.” I winked.

She slid into the seat and looked up at me. “Thanks again for coming to save me. No telling when that tow truck would have arrived.”

“You’d still be waiting with icicles in your hair. It looks lovely tonight, by the way. I’ve always liked it long.” I shut her door and walked around the car.

When I settled into the seat beside her, she gave me a sideward glance. “Oh, you have, have you? I didn’t know you had a preference for my hair.”

“Well, I have known you a long time. Remember when you got that bob in middle school?” I laughed as she covered her face. I started the car as she laughed out loud.

“Oh, come on, like you didn’t have some awful hair? I remember you and Noah having that long, grungy hair.”

“It was grunge, and it was because we listened to some kick-ass grunge music. Don’t hate. You went through that Spice Girls phase.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“And the Britney phase. You cried for a week because your father wouldn’t let you dye your hair. Noah was worried about you and that you hadn’t been eating.” I headed out and wondered where I should take her. I hadn’t been on a date in so long, not that this was a date, but I couldn’t remember what was good.

“Well, I’d heard all about blondes having more fun, so can you blame me?”

“Yes, you changing that hair would be a crime.” I looked at her as if I wanted to touch it, but I knew I’d better keep my damned hands to myself.

She looked out the passenger side window, but now and then, she would glance my way. “I didn’t think you even noticed me.”

“Trust me, I did. And I did even more once you hit high school. Your brother discouraged any attempt at an attempt, though. So here we are.”

Finally, I had her full attention as she looked my way. “Yeah, here we are, and just think, if it weren’t for my brother, we could have been married by now.”

I took the next exit into the entertainment district. “Yeah, I heard all about the crush. Molly Parker told me about it. I wondered if you put her up to it.”

“What? No way!” Her face turned beet red, and she reached out and slapped my arm playfully across the console. “Where are you taking me?”

I turned to meet her eyes. “Anywhere you want to go.”