“Oh, good. I told my mother about the whole thing, and she said I should’ve thrashed Aaron.” He chuckled.
“Well, I think your idea of painting the deck was actually really good. Thank you.” She studied his face, his firm chin, straight nose, dark expressive eyes ... so handsome. She felt an unexpected warmth rush through her and wondered if he felt anything similar. “It seems like your relationship with Dad has improved. I mean, while we were painting the last few days, heseemed to soften up toward you. And this morning probably helped too.”
“Yeah, I think we’re making progress. Either that or he’s starting to forget his old grievances.”
“Maybe both. But he did seem grateful to you for being there this morning. That was so nice to see. I really hope he can stay on good terms with you.” For her sake as much as anything, but she didn’t plan to say that.
“Me too.” He paused for a long moment, gazing intently into her eyes until she felt like she was melting inside. Were her knees actually growing weak? Could that still happen at her age?
“I mean, since we’re neighbors and all,” she muttered nervously, feeling more and more like a smitten schoolgirl and embarrassed by it. Really, she was too old for this silliness.Aren’t I?
“Yeah. Neighbors should get along,” he spoke quietly.
“Yeah...” Despite trying to look away, she kept her gaze fixed on his dark eyes, silently wishing he’d take her in his arms and kiss her—passionately. Was there a more romantic spot for a first kiss than a lavender field at sunset? But what then? Was she really ready for this?Was he?She stepped back, taking in a deep breath to steady herself, to get ahold of her emotions.
Miguel stepped back too. “So, you and Aaron ... It’s none of my business, but I’m curious. Are you more than just friends?”
She thought back to their conversation at the barbecue when he’d questioned her about Aaron. “As far as I’m concerned, Aaron and I are just friends. Business acquaintances, really.”
“Well, I noticed how he looked at you today.” Miguel folded his arms in front of him with an intense expression. “It seemed almost territorial. Then on my way home I glanced over there again and saw you and Aaron behind the new house. I could be wrong, but it seemed, well ... somewhat intimate.”
She could tell he was uncomfortable telling her this, but she also realized how it might’ve looked that way. “That’s because I was trying to get through to him. About forgiveness. About restoring a relationship with you and Anna. He’s still so angryabout his sister. I don’t understand it, but he clearly blames you.”
Miguel glumly shook his head. “I’m well aware of that.”
“Why?” she demanded. “I just don’t get it. Why can’t he let it go?”
Miguel shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve tried to talk to him in the past, but he just shuts me down. Finally, I just gave up.”
“Is there any legitimate reason for him to blame you?” She knew this sounded accusatory, but she had to know. “I just don’t understand why he is so convinced it’s your fault Beth died. She had cancer, right? So how can he hold you responsible for that? If he wants to blame someone, why not blame the doctors?”
Miguel pulled off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Like I said, I don’t know exactly why. Well, besides the fact that he’s never liked me. But I’ve gone over and over Beth’s illness and treatment plan. At the time, I believed we were doing our best.”
“Not according to Aaron.”
He nodded. “I have some theories about why, but I’m not totally sure. It’s probably a long story. One that I don’t completely understand.”
“I have time.”
He studied her. “Okay. How about if we go sit down and I’ll try to explain it to you?”
“Sure,” she agreed. “If you want to. I mean, I don’t want to drag you through something that’s painful for no good reason.”
“I think I’d like you to know.”
She pointed to the new house. “We could talk in private in there. I put a couple chairs inside.”
“Sounds good.” And to her delight he took her hand as they walked.
She unlocked the new house and, after Miguel sat down, she got them cold drinks from the fridge. “I’ve been trying to get this place more comfortable for Dad. You know, so he can get used to it. And hopefully want to live here.”
“It’s a nice house. But I suppose he’s used to his own home. I can see how it might be a problem.”
“That’s what worries me.” She sat down with a sigh. “But worst-case scenario, Cooper and I will move in here.”
“That wouldn’t be too terrible, would it?” He smiled.
“No, of course not. But we came in here to talk about you.” She leaned back. “I’d really like to hear your story.”
