“That was thoughtful of her,” I say.
My mom narrows her weak eyes at me. “It was thoughtful ofyou, too. She told me you helped Tommy with the labor on the vehicle, and you also paid for it. I know you’d give a stranger the shirt off your back, so I’m not going to act shocked you forked over the money, but there’s more to it, isn’t there?”
I turn away, tightening my jaw even more. Is this the part where she tells me I’m a putz for vying for the mysterious girl from out of town? Because I already know. Standing, I move to the railing, eyes widening when I land on the woman in question down by the pasture.
Her back is toward the house, her forearms leaning over the top rung of the fence, while her left foot rests on the bottom one. She gazes out over the swaying green grass toward the small group of horses scattered among the tall trees and thick oaks. The sunlight filters through the branches of the tree nearest her, casting patches of shadow across her deep hair adding a sheen to her highlights.
I inhale a breath, grappling with her exquisite beauty—it’s exotic. When I first met Lily, her whole demeanor was sharp and hard—beautiful, yes, but tempered by an edginess that was almost terrifying to approach. Yet I was still drawn to her. However, now, I’ve seen the softer side to her: the way she’s warmed up to Max and him her, the care she’s taken to be a companion to my mom during her most vulnerable moments,and the strength she’s exhibited despite the past trauma she’s experienced.
The high-pitched screech of a hawk beckons her attention and when she shuffles to look up, a notebook splayed open on top of the fence comes into view, along with the pen in her hand.
That notebook.
I wish I could know what she writes in there. Is it a diary of sorts? Her hiking adventures? Notes to her future self? Could there be the possibility she’d write about me, about our kiss?
I growl at myself and Max darts over to nose me in the shin.
Okay, fine. There’s more to it than me just being a nice guy.
My mom clicks her tongue. “That’s what I thought.”
I scoff, but it’s futile. She’s right and she’s not stupid.
A breeze catches, bringing with it the pasture air and what must be Lily’s scent. Max’s nose wiggles, lifting toward it. His ears perk up, and he stills when he sees her. Then he’s off, bounding down the steps for her. He offers her a playful warning bark and barrels into her backside, sending her notebook teetering off balance and falling to the ground. She doesn’t bother with it, though. Instead, she turns, her mouth stretching into the widest smile, and she crouches down to wrap her arms around him. He licks the side of her face, and I swear all the fanciest K-9 training in the world goes out the window when he’s with her, and I kind of understand why.
Chuckling, I move back to the chair, pulling it slightly forward to watch Lily and Max over the railing. From this distance, there’s a glint in her bright eyes, from the sunlight or the simple joy of playing with my best friend I don’t know, but I relish it.
“She’s smiling more,” my mom comments, then takes a sip of her juice.
“It was like pulling teeth to get her to laugh. I remember the first time I met her she told me she doesn’t do dogs. Didn’t reallydo people, either.” I shake my head, watching Lily run around, allowing Max to chase her. Her relationship with Max could rival my own at this point. “Still feels like it’s impossible to truly get close to her.”
This would be the moment my mom gives me a sarcastic remark, but there’s silence. So much so, I look over my shoulder to see her staring off at a rustling branch as it shakes off a few leaves.
“Oh, my boy,” she says. “Don’t you see? That right there is a girl in pain. I couldn’t begin to imagine what she’s been through. Give her time.”
My head rears back. I’m not sure Lily told my mom about what happened to her. Hell, she barely told me, and that was under stress. No, my mom is picking up on Lily’s past just from being around her. They both have that screw-the-world attitude, and I know my mom’s is part personality, part of a way to cover up past hurt. That’s most likely Lily, too.
“I know. I’ve given her time, I just wish I could help more.”
She nods. “She’s fragile. Give her time to heal. Give her time to love. Give her time because you know she’s worthy of it. She’s worthy of you, and you her.”
I didn’t mean to wait, but now that I’ve met Lily, it’s clear—I’ve been holding out for something I didn’t have a name for. Until her.
I can give her time.Willgive her time. But I also need her to know I want to give this a shot. To tell her that kiss isallI can think about, and I want more. More of her snark, more of her laughter, more of her time.
I drag a hand down my clammy face. I need to tell her.
Lily’s distant chuckle as she chases Max is faded and too far to hear thoroughly. It caps off my frustration, and I inwardly groan at the drive to get closer to her. I turn, eyeing my mother who seems to enjoy the growing anguish written all over my facewith a smirk. Her nose wrinkles, oxygen and all, as she grins at me.
Standing, I make my way down the steep steps into the backyard. It’s not overly big and most of the property’s yard—if you can call it that—is the front yard. However, the grass in the back runs into the pasture fence and that goes on forever, so it’s like the yard is nearly endless when you look out over it.
Max alerts when I finally step off the last step, and he trots over to me for me to pat his head. When I look up, Lily is smiling at me unabashedly, and my stomach dips. Those glowing eyes travel over my all-black uniform, used for training days, and down to my combat boots still strapped tight. Being so focused on getting over here, I didn’t even change.
Moving toward her, I gesture over my shoulder, up to the porch. “The chairs … wow. They’re great. Thank you—thank you for doing that for her.”
Wow? They’re great? Awesome … words are foreign right now.
Though, I wish she’d let me help her, knowing she managed these two chairs up to the house herself, to give my mom a place to sit outside …
