Page 82 of Five Alarm Love
Tuli studied the direction of his stare.So that was his angle.What a scammer.“Need something to help you feel better?”Tuli asked.
The smile popped back on Gordy’s face as he pointed at the seasonal sweet shop a few doors down.Then he patted his broken communication device.
Lou rolled her eyes.“Ice cream?You’re turning this accident into a play for ice cream?You want sympathy because your machine is busted.”
The returning grin was completely unrepentant.Way to work the situation, Gordy.
She let go of him and crossed her arms.“No way.It’s getting close to dinnertime.Mom and Dad will kill us if we get ice cream now.”
Gordy huffed and took a few steps, thin limbs stiff and jerky.Tuli reached out to steady him.
“Let’s go home,” she said.
The pitiful baby moose noise Gordy made would have ripped out most people’s hearts.
“Not going to work on me, bud.”But her expression softened.
Tuli smiled, but kept his mouth shut.
Gordy took a halting step toward her and pressed his cheek to her neck, resting his arms on her shoulders.
Tuli almost clapped, the acting job was that good.
After a second, Lou slid her arms around and gave her brother a hug.“Fine.”Her voice dropped to a whisper as she threatened him.“But we’re not telling Mom and Dad.And you’d better act like you’re hungry and eat your dinner.”She stepped back and pointed at him.“If you’re up all night on a sugar high, you’re just going to have to count sheep.I don’t want to hear any complaints.”
Tuli smiled as Lou stalked off toward to the sweet shoppe.
Lifting a fist for a bump, Tuli murmured, “Nicely played, Gordy.You’re a master.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
After the sidewalkincident, Lou found herself agreeing not only to contraband ice cream for Gordy but also to a date with Tuli after work the next day.
That next day was today.Friday.
An actual date.
As the sound of a truck grew louder outside her apartment above the back of the furniture store in town, she checked her outfit.She had dashed home from work twenty minutes early, hedging her bets that no calls would come in.Mav had agreed to pick her up if they needed to do a run.She loved having a flexible and supportive boss.
Lou had quickly showered and changed into a long-sleeved, black knit dress with an open neckline.The hem came to above her knees.Leather booties added a little heel and looked dressy, but not fancy.A beaded pendant hung from a silver chain on her neck and rested on her sternum.
She peeked out the window.Tuli’s old but reliable truck.Footsteps on the metal steps grew louder until there was a knock at the door.
Lou smoothed her unbound hair and opened the door.
Tuli, with faded bruises on his face, stood there with a bundle of late season wildflowers and pine boughs in his hand and a broad smile.He wore dark denim, thick-soled work boots, a brick-red cotton button down, and a black leather vest with embellished fringe.His broad shoulders filled out the shirt until there was no space left.Material strained over his arms.
“We’re really doing this?”she asked, heart pounding.
His brows drew together.“The flower part or the going out part?”
“Both.”
“First things first.”He held out the flowers.“You look beautiful tonight.”
Needing something to do with her hands, she clutched the bouquet.“Thank you,” she said.
He paused, his smile twisting into a silly expression.“Or as a third option, we can stand here for a while.”
