Page 36 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

I crossed the yard and checked my phone for the first time all day. It had been so crazy at work, I hadn’t had time to look at it. There was a text from Nash that he was home early, which would explain why his truck was in the driveway. He wanted to walk with us. That notion sent a case of nerves through me, the good kind of nerves. After we spoke last night, I came to the conclusion that I really liked Nash, and if Emily hadn’t been in the center of us like a big, brick wall, I would have taken him up on the idea of getting to know him better. On the other hand, it was for the best. A guy like Nash would have a lot of female friends, and he was only here temporarily. It would be hard to fall for a guy, only to have him pack up his truck and wonderful dog and leave town a few months later. This whole episode had taught me one thing—I needed a dog in my life. Since all the sisters had their significant others, it was time for me to find one, too. Only mine would have four paws and a wagging tail.

I found myself a little breathless as I reached the door, and I was certain it wasn’t from the short walk across to the cottage. I could hear that same melody from the night before coasting out the open windows. I knocked and that breathlessness turned into a slight tremble as I heard his footsteps cross the entry.

Nash pulled open the door. He was wearing a white T-shirt that contrasted nicely with his tan. “Layla, I wasn’t sure if you were coming. I texted you, but I never heard back.” Rocky came shooting past him to greet me with an exuberant bark.

I was glad to have Rocky as a buffer because I was still feeling shaky. It was a sure sign that I liked Nash more than I would let myself admit.

I crouched down to talk to the dog. “Hey, buddy, sorry I’m late.” I stood up, and suddenly, Nash and I were just inches apart. “The bakery was busy, and I didn’t get a chance to check my phone. Am I too late for a walk?”

“No way, and Rocky is expecting it. I’m so well-mannered that I’ve left you standing on the stoop. Come inside, so I can put his leash on.” Nash seemed kind of nervous, too, but I wouldn’t allow myself to believe that the lead singer of a rock band ever got a case of jitters, and especially not over me.

Nash walked over to the leash. “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.”

“Well, you will be a bit of a third wheel,” I said with a chuckle. “But after yesterday’s walk, I welcome the company.”

“Do you think Dustin will be out there again, waiting for you?”

“I know he works on Fridays, so I don’t expect him.”

Nash looked disappointed. He handed me the leash. “I’ll let you have the honor. Plus, I think Rocky prefers it. The weather today is such a change from last week,” Nash said. “Of course, this would be the day the jobsite was shut down.”

“For good?” I asked abruptly. “Is the job over?” I didn’t want him to leave. That much was clear by my frantic reaction.

“No, just for today. There was a problem with the inspection, so the electricians had to come in and fix things before we can continue. You won’t be rid of your new neighbor that fast.” His gray eyes looked blue in the sunlight. They were unusually light and amazing.

Rocky stopped at his favorite shrub. “He likes to clear the bushes of any of those pesky birds.” As I said it, two sparrows flew out. “There. Mission accomplished. I heard you practicing the song again. I like it. If your band is breaking up, then—never mind. Not my business. Or did you guys change your minds?”

“No, I think Moonstone’s demise is inevitable. It’s just that occasionally something or someone inspires me to pick up my guitar and start composing.”

“There’s no reason for you to stop playing guitar. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find another band to play with.”

“It would be far in the future if I do decide that. I’ve got too much on my plate right now to even think about it.”

I looked over at him and caught him in a pensive moment. He looked undeniably sad.

Rocky led us across the patch of green to the “squirrel tree.” “I’m sure you’ll be back at work on Monday,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m not too worried about that. But I count on money from our shows. I’m supporting my mom and sister, and there’s this really expensive operation, and they’re both expecting me to come up with the money.” He shook his head. “Wow, did not expect all that to come rolling out. Sorry about that.”

We stopped under the tree for some shade and to let Rocky do his nasal inspection.

The look on Nash’s face made me instinctively reach for his hand. Despair was rolling off him in waves.

“I don’t mind. Really. You mentioned an operation? I know you said your mom was recuperating from an accident. Is this something that will help her?”

Rocky concluded that there were no squirrels in the area, so he forged ahead.

“The specialist seems convinced he can help her, but the insurance company has decided a surgery that will help her is an unnecessary, elective surgery.”

I stopped. “They won’t pay for it?”

He raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Not surprising, unfortunately. And then I did something really stupid. I told my mom and Becky that I’d try and find a way to get the money. I didn’t want to disappoint them, and the specialist had an opening. But the more I think about it, I want to kick myself for giving them hope.”

I wrapped my free arm around his. It was just a gesture of support, but as I did it something profound went through me, the crazy notion that having my arm entwined with his felt really right. “I wish I could help. I have about five hundred dollars saved, and it’s yours if you want it. I know it’s not much, but I’m not a good saver. I’m very good at spending, however. My grandmother would give me my allowance and then say, ‘try to make it last a few days, my angel.’”

“Thank you, but I couldn’t take your money. You lived in the cottage with your sisters and grandmother?” he asked. He seemed happy to lift the focus off his problems. I couldn’t blame him. They were big, far bigger than I would have imagined for someone like him.

“Yes, our mom died when we were in grade school. She got sick, and the doctors just couldn’t figure out how to save her. I was the youngest, so I have the least memories of her, but when I think about her, my whole body aches with not having her in my life.”

---