Page 25 of The Friendly Fall

“I was just working,” I point out, using a bungee cord to fasten the wheelbarrow to the front of the trailer. “And now I’m done,” I say with a little disappointment.

“You have alongway to go.” Eliza giggles. “So, I wouldn’t say you’re done.”

Man, I like this side of her.

“Yeah, but I’m done with today.”

She bites her lip. “Now off to fight fires?”

“I sure hope not.” My gaze lingers on her face for a few moments before I look away. “I need to catch up on some shut-eye.”

“Well, I hope you have a nice night,” she says. “I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, you, too. I’ll be here, same time tomorrow.” I chuckle lightly as I watch her walk back toward the house.

I’m not the kind of guy to fall head over heels for a woman I barely know—or even one that Ido—but here I am, feeling all sorts of ways with Eliza.

And I feelcrazyfor it.

Chapter Nine

Eliza

He sure is handsome.

I can’t even deny it as I finish uploading the pictures of Nick onto my new Instagram page:Photos by Eliza.Yeah, it’s not a catchy title at all, but I like to stick to the point; and that’s what this is.

“Wow,” Granny says from behind me. “He sure is a looker.”

“He’s photogenic,” I admit, but decidedly am not saying anything more on the matter. “I think it’s a good start to my portfolio, don’t you?”

“I mean, I do like the squirrels…” Granny trails off in a cackle. “But yeah, I agree. I think it’s perfect. Martha willlove them.”

“Martha?” I question, my brow furrowing.

Probably his girlfriend…

“His mom.”

Never mind.

“Ah, does he live with her or something?” I offer it up casually. There’s got to besomethingthat makes him less than perfect.

Although who am I to judge, considering I’m living with my granny…

“Oh goodness, no,” Granny answers me, striking that off the list. “He lives in a cabin he built himself, over by the lake. He does help his mom out a lot with her place though. When his dad passed away, she didn’t really have anyone else, so, he’s a big help to her.”

“Oh…” I don’t even know what else to say.

I’m starting to realize that Nick might actually be more likeSaintNick.

“He’s a good guy, Eliza,” Granny begins, and something in her tone catches my attention. “And the two of you would bereallycute together.”

Ah, there it is.

“Absolutely not,” I correct her, shaking my head. “You know where I stand on relationships right now. After Devon, I’m not doing it. I don’t want to go through that again. I thoughthewas Mr. Perfect when I met him, and look where that landed me.”

“He was a walking red flag, as you young folks say.” Granny raises a brow. “We all saw it. All he cared about was climbing the corporate ladder, and the wayhe—”

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