by Lacey Wolfe
“How’s school?” Cody asked.
Perfect question, but Lily decided to sit back and see how her son answered.
“It’s okay,” Gunther said, focusing on the cone.
“It’ll get better. It’s hard being the new kid, especially in a small town like this.”
“That’s what mom keeps saying.”
Cody smiled at Lily. “Well, sounds like she’s a smart woman.”
He was a man after her heart. No doubt about it. Cody and Gunther chatted lightly back and forth while they finished their ice cream. She’d sipped her milkshake down while listening and watching them interact. Cody was good with kids. Some men who weren’t fathers seemed to be awkward with conversation, but Cody spoke to Gunther like he was a friend, and he’d always known him.
“Thanks for letting me share an ice cream with you.” He stared at her and she could see a longing in his eyes.
She licked her lips, knowing it drove him crazy. “It was pleasant.”
“I’ll call you later?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll see ya around, Gunther.” Cody nodded at her son.
Gunther returned the gesture. Lily placed an arm around her son’s shoulder then gave Cody a slight wave as they walked toward her car. She couldn’t wait until they were at the point they kissed each other good bye. She’d been fantasizing about their one kiss ever since it happened. Soon she’d have to find some alone time with that man, and when she did find herself with just him, she hoped she could control herself.
* * * *
Never in his life had Cody made sure he looked good to do yard work. Usually he went outside in ratty clothes and got the work done. Bo was coming to help, but it definitely wasn’t Bo he was trying to impress. It was Lily. Apparently the woman loved to do yard work and begged for the chance to come over. Cody had his suspicions she just wanted to see him, and he couldn’t blame her. Her son was coming, too, which was probably good. It would give him more time to get to know her emotionally, and not the physical way that woke him up at night with a need to touch and explore.
The doorbell rang. Cody walked across his clean house—which was for Lily as well—to the door to find Bo.
“Hey, man. I’m glad you made it.” He stepped onto the front porch and watched as the car drove off that had dropped him off. “How’s the shelter?”
Seth had found a place right outside of town that took Bo in. Usually they only took in battered women, but Seth had been able to pull some strings.
“It’s a place to sleep, and they’ve given me some good info.” Bo looked less tired and smelled a heck of a lot better.
“Good.” Cody was happy for the guy. Hopefully he’d get his life straightened out and settle down. Perhaps he’d even stick around Brookfield.
“So, uh, what do you need me to do?”
“I think we’ll start trimming the bushes. Come on out back and we’ll get the stuff we need out of the shed.” He closed the door and led the way down the steps.
They started toward the back yard when Lily’s old sedan pulled up. He waved and kept his path toward the shed. “That’s Lily and her son. She works at the diner.”
“Is she coming to make sure I do the work?” Bo asked nervously.
Cody chuckled. “No. We’re seeing one another. Don’t worry, they aren’t going to press charges unless you do it again.”
Cody unlocked the shed and grabbed the lawn equipment needed, handing some to Bo to help carry. As he came down the ramp, Gunther and Lily were walking their way. Even in a T-shirt and jeans she looked like Ms. America.
“Hey.” She stopped just short of him, her floral scent welcoming him.
God, he wanted to kiss her, but it wouldn’t be appropriate in front of her son. Cody had no idea how all that worked, but he supposed when things got serious, she’d tell her son they were seeing one another. Then the kissing all the time could begin.
“Thank you, both, for coming to help. This place is a wreck, as you can tell. Do you like yard work, Gunther?”
The boy shrugged. “I wanted to stay home with Nana and Uncle Brent.”
He couldn’t blame the kid. He always loved when his grandparents visited. “Yeah? Are they visiting?”
“No. We live with Nana, but Uncle Brent came to visit with her. Guess he’s worried about her forgetting things.”
“Nanas seem to do that.”
“Not like mine.” Gunther rolled his eyes. “She’s always looking for my papa.”
“Gunther.” Lily gave him a stern look, then glanced at Bo and Cody. “Where would you like us to start?”
Cody sensed Lily didn’t want to discuss her mom, and her worried expression confirmed it. “How about you and Gunther start up front.” He handed her the trimming sheers. “Bo and I are gonna tackle this tree that has some dead branches.”
She hesitated a moment, but then turned and headed for the front yard. Lily leaned close to her son as though she was sharing a secret, when her arms flailed out and she stumbled.
“I’m okay,” she called as she picked up the sheers.
Cody smirked and shook his head. That woman couldn’t keep her balance. He went back into the shed and pulled the ladder out, handing it to Bo. Once he had everything he needed, they went to the tree in desperate need of a grooming.
“So, what do you want to do with your life?” Cody opened the ladder and rest it against the tree.
“I, uh, I’m not sure. Your job seems cool.”
“Oh, yeah? I can see about getting you into the training program if you’re really interested.”
“Really?” Bo appeared surprised.
“Yeah. Why not? We always need more people who want to catch the bad guy. Though, between you and me, we don’t have many in Brookfield. So you might want to train somewhere more exciting.”
Bo smirked. “I kinda like this place. Everyone’s been so friendly.”
“Don’t let this place fool you. We’ve got some characters here.” Cody stepped back. “All right, young guy. Climb on up and get cutting.”
Bo did as he was told, appearing to be grateful. Cody liked the kid. This small town could be just what he needed.
Once they had the dead tree branches cut and stacked by the fire pit, Cody excused himself to get water for Bo, as well as Lily and Gunther. After he handed a bottle to Bo, he went up front to find Lily and her son busy pruning away at his bushes. She was bent over, picking up a few branches, her hair in her face, and her skin flushed.
“Looks amazing.” He stared at her, hoping she knew he meant her and not the bushes. Though, those shaped up nicely, too. She had a good eye.
“Thanks. We’ve made quite the mess though. When’s the last time you trimmed these?” She tucked a lose strand of red hair behind her ear.
“It’s been awhile.”
“I need to use the bathroom,” Gunther said.
“Go on in, it’s unlocked. The bathrooms down the hall to your left.”
Gunther ran up the steps, leaving him alone with Lily at last. Not holding back, he stepped forward and wrapped on arm around her waist. “I’ve been dying to touch you.”
“You have?”
“Yes. And kiss you.”
She glanced over his shoulder then up in his eyes. “Then do it.”
Again, she tempted him, giving him permission. He didn’t have time to hesitate. Gunther would be back in a heartbeat. She tilted her head up and he leaned forward, capturing her lips. She tasted sweet from whatever lips gloss she had on her soft lips.
He didn’t want this kiss to end, but it had to. He pulled back and she opened her eyes, gazing into his eyes. He wasn’t sure how long they stared at one another, but the sound of the front door closing brought him back to reality as Gunther hopped toward them.
“Mom, can I go home now? I want to see Uncle Brent.”
She sighed. “My brother’s only in town this weekend.”
He felt horrible that she was here, and not with her f
amily. “I don’t want to keep you from visiting.”
“You can come back, Mom.” Gunther appeared to be hopeful.
Cody liked the way this kid thought. “I can grill some steaks, if you want to come back.”
Her eyes twinkled. “You sure. You don’t have plans?”
He’d break any plans he might’ve had for some alone time with her. “Nope. Just gonna have a beer and chill out on the porch after Bo and I finish up the yard.”
“Let me see if Brent will mind watching him. I’ll text you.”
“All right.”
She turned to her son. “We need to clean this up before we go.”
“Don’t worry about it. Bo will get it.” After all, that kid owned him forty dollars worth of yard work.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re really making him work.”
“He needs structure.”
She reached out and touched his arm lightly. “You’re a good man, helping him out the way you did.”
“Come on, Mom.” Gunther was obviously ready to get home to see his uncle.
“Go get in the car. I’ll be there in a second.” Her son ran toward the vehicle and she said, “Sorry, he isn’t usually so impatient.”
“I understand.” As she started to walk away, he added, “Don’t forget to text me. I plan to have a steak for you.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I plan to do my best to get back here.”
* * * *
Lily had one of the best brothers in the whole world. When she’d asked him to keep Gunther, he hadn’t hesitated a bit. Mom’s day had gone well, and Brent expected the evening would as well. Go figure things went smoothly when he visited, but him being here was good for mom. Her face had lit up when Brent arrived, perhaps because he was almost the spitting image of their father.
She was headed to Cody’s and couldn’t wait to spend some time with him. Their relationship felt so high school like. During the week, the only time she’d seen him was when he stumbled upon her and Cody at the ice cream shop. They’d talked each night until she couldn’t hold her eyes open anymore. This dating thing made her feel young again, even though each morning when her alarm clock went off, she was reminded she was no longer a teen.
She pulled into Cody’s driveway, impressed by how different it appeared now. Before it was an over grown mess with branches all over the yard, now everything was freshly cut and ready for the snowy winter ahead.
After she parked her car, she climbed out and the scent of the grill welcomed her. Deciding not to knock on the door, she walked around back to find Cody on his back porch, beer in hand. What a site he was. He had a ball cap on and a tight T-shirt. How he wasn’t cold, she didn’t know. Though, if she were as hot as him, she’d never need a jacket.
“Hey there,” she called, startling him.
“Hey.” He tugged his hat off and set it on the railing, letting her see his gorgeous blue eyes.
She climbed the steps and went straight to him, placing a kiss on his cheek. She was so glad she’d given up the fight of just wanting to be friends, and gave into her feelings. Now she could finally be with him. No interruptions, just hours of them all alone.
Cody stepped back and opened the small cooler, then held out a dripping-wet beer bottle. Before she took it, he popped the top off. She held the ice-cold bottle and slowly lifted it to her lips. Ah, the beer tasted good. It had been so long since she’d treated herself to an adult beverage. She never wanted to let her inhibitions down around her mom, but tonight, for a few hours, she was just Lily again.
“How do you like your steak?” He leaned against the railing, crossing his arms in front of him with his drink still in hand. The way his arms flexed, she swore she saw the veins body builders had coming from his sexy arms.
Woo, she was already wet just imagining those things wrapped around her waist as she rode him to release.
“There’s that look again, but there’s no one here to stop you.” He winked.
She lifted her beer to her lips. Maybe this was a bad idea. There was no way she’d be able to control herself around him. She wanted him—bad. Hell, she’d even worn her sexy lace panties set just in case he saw her with her clothes off. She was so bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Deep down she knew she wanted to throw caution to the wind, and let that hunk of a man take her right here, but then the conservative woman told her not to be easy.
The question was, which side would win?
“So, how do you like your steak?”
“Medium,” she replied with a shaky voice.
“I’m going to go grab them from the fridge. Feel free to have a seat.” He gestured toward the patio chairs.
She took a seat and a moment later he came back with a plate in hand. “These are marinated in my secret recipe.”
At least he had a secret, too. “I can’t wait to try it.”
“Your brother was fine watching Gunther?” He opened the grill and laid the steaks down.
God, whatever the marinade was, it made her mouth water as the meat met the open flame. “Yes. Gunther is close with my brothers.”
“How many do you have?”
“Just two. Brent and Jake. Though, I suspect Brent is having some issues in his marriage. He’s thinking about staying a little longer. Last time we talked, he mentioned they were fighting a lot.” She really needed to make a point to talk to him tomorrow and see what was going on. She hated to think his marriage was failing.
“And you live with your mom?” He closed the grill lid then turned toward her.
“Yeah.”
“Must be cool. I bet she’s a good help with Gunther, as well.”
Lily took a deep breath and slowly let it out. If she was going to do this relationship thing, she had to start being honest with him. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed of her mom, and now, thinking about how she’d kept it a secret, it almost felt silly.
“I moved to town to care for my mom. She’s ill.”
“I’m sorry to hear about that.” He rubbed his temple. “It makes sense now.”
“What does?”
“When you said you weren’t sure you had enough time to date. I feel almost bad now pressuring you.”
She smirked. “Almost.”
“That’s right. In no way do I regret that you’re here tonight.” He winked then returned to the grill, opening the lid.
She set the beer down, hoping it would help her steady herself from drinking it too quickly. The last thing she needed was to become a lush. She had a hard enough time walking around Cody half the time. Too much alcohol, she’d probably fall down the porch steps or something.
She pulled her jacket tighter to her. “Bo did a really good job.”
Cody nodded. “He’s a good kid, I think. Just needs a little guidance.”
“What are his plans?”
He drank from the brown bottle then rested it next to his hat. “He’d like to get into law enforcement, but before that he needs a job. So I told him I’d look around and see what I could help him find.”
“I think Swift Water is looking for a new night cook. Mike could train him.”
“I’ll ask him and see if he’s interested. He might be too embarrassed to show his face there again.”
She waved her hand. “Anyone can understand his situation. Some people get the bad end of the stick. We just gotta help him.”
Life wasn’t a walk in the park for anyone. No one’s life was perfect, even if they made it look that way.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.
“Nope. I’m waiting on you tonight.”
That was a pleasant change. Her life was spent taking care of others, from her job to home life. Sitting back and having nothing to do was different—a good different.
Cody put the steaks on two separate plates, grabbed his beer, and set the items down on the patio table. “I’ll be right back.”
He went into the house, returning with a big bowl of salad. He took a seat next to her,
placing the bowl in the center of the table.
“I hope you like the dressing. It’s a recipe I found on Pinterest.”
Had she heard him right? “You get on Pinterest?”
Cody scooped some salad onto her plate. “Don’t tell. My sisters got me onto the site and before I knew it, I had all these boards created. Mostly food.”
“You’re an interesting man.” In more than one way. He intrigued her, and without a doubt, she knew life would never be boring with him around.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” His smile brightened his face, sending a wave of swooning emotions through her.
Yes, she’d throw caution to the wind all right. She wanted this man and was determined to have him tonight. Life was short; there was no time to waste on being a shy, sweet girl. She was a strong independent woman, and she knew what she wanted.
“Try it.”
“Huh?” Try what?
“The salad.” He pointed.
Her cheeks burned. She really needed to stop zoning out like that. Glancing away from him, she took several deep breaths to bring her emotions back in check. Then she picked up her fork and scooped some salad in her mouth.
“Oh my, that’s really good.” It was sweet and tangy all at once. She could just drink the dressing and be happy.
“I’m glad. Eat up.” He lifted his beer to his mouth.
Oh, she’d eat up all right. She needed the energy for what she had planned.
* * * *
Lily placed the last plate into the dishwasher, even though Cody insisted she sit and let him do it. But she’d wiggled her way next to him at the sink, and the next thing he knew, he was rinsing them off and she was loading them into the dishwasher.
“Can I get you another beer?” he asked.
“Nope. Just the one was enough to help me relax a little more.”
“Want to go sit on the deck?”
“Let’s sit on the couch. It’s cold out there.”
Oh yeah, his big comfy couch. At least outside all they had was a bench and chairs, and there was no way he’d lay her back on that. It was taking every ounce of his control not to ravish her and instead be the gentleman women wanted.
They went into the living room and she sat right in the center of the suede couch. Cody plopped down beside her. He let his gaze wander over her tight, blue top. It was a conservative shirt, but it hugged her perky breasts.
