Page 18 of The Friendly Fall

Eliza smiles at me and my heart stutters in my chest.

“I can do better than cookies and lemonade.” Marilyn chuckles, before standing to her feet. “But do what you need to do.”

“Okay, sounds good,” I agree, pushing back from the table. “I just need to take some measurements real quick. Do you think you could help me?” I ask Eliza, trying my luck at getting a few more minutes of her time. “You just have to hold the tape measure. Nothinghandyrequired.”

She laughs, tipping her chin back. “Yeah, I can hold a tape measure, I think.”

“Perfect.” I nod to her and then turn to Ms. Marilyn. “I’ll probably work on the ramp in the evenings. I’ll get some measurements, get some plans drawn up, and then we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you, Nick.” She smiles.

I give her one last smile and head back out, slipping on my boots. Eliza follows, slipping on a pair of Vans. My heart hammers in my chest as I lead the way outside, unclipping the tape measure from my belt.

“So … you really do work for free, huh?” Eliza eyes me as I offer a hand to help her off the porch. “That seems unreal.”

“I just like to help out when I can,” I say with a shrug. “Not everyone can afford to pay premium prices for things. I guess that’s my way of giving back to the community.”

“Interesting,” she comments as I pull out a notepad.

She follows my instructions, holding the end of the tape measure in place as I write down the measurements. I work quickly, trying to keep my focus on the task at hand rather than on the beautiful woman helping me.

“When’s your friend supposed to be here with the ramp?” she asks as I put the notepad back in my truck.

“Anytime,” I say with a shrug, noticing the skepticism in her expression. “I’m not going to leave you without a way to get off the porch.”

“Well,Ican use the stairs,” Eliza says. “But Granny can’t.” She folds her arms across her chest as a cool breeze blows through the front yard, rustling the leaves. “I just don’t want her to be stranded, that’s all.”

“I understand,” I say as I start to clean up. “I have no intention of leaving her stranded. I know that might be how things are where you’re from, but not everyone has bad intentions.”

“I never said they do.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You must think I’m some kind of stuck-up city girl.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I lean against the truck. “Nah. I just think you’re a little distrusting of people, and I understand.”

Her shoulders fall. “So, you’re a firefighter, a handyman,anda therapist? Incredible.”

“You’re funny,” I quip, shutting the gate on the trailer. “This town could use someone with that kind of humor.”

“Right,” she says just as Daniel pulls up the driveway. “I’ll let you and your friend get to it then.”

“I can introduce you to him,” I offer, suddenly not wanting her—or her dry humor—to leave.

“Maybe another day.” Her voice is quiet. “I’m tired. Have a good night, Nick.”

I nod, watching her slip away into the house as Daniel climbs out of his truck. I let out a sigh as the front door closes.

“That must’ve been Eliza.” Daniel greets me with a grin as I join him at the tailgate. “Never seen your eyes linger so long before.”

“Shut up,” I shoot back at him, grabbing the end of the ramp. “Let’s just get this thing set up.”

Chapter Seven

Eliza

BZZZZ! BZZZZ!

The sound of power tools startles me right out of my chair and onto the floor.

Ouch.

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