Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) (9 page)

“I said I was sorry.” Gunther sat down at the small wooden bench. “He kept calling me names about my hair. I couldn’t help it. I just got so mad, I hit him.”

“You could’ve walked away and told the teacher. We’ve talked about this.”

He licked his cone. “I was standing up for myself.”

She’d give him that, but not verbally. A person could only take so much before they reacted. Unfortunately, her child was at that point. When she’d spoken with the principal earlier, they’d decided on bringing the school counselor in.

“Are you making any friends yet?” she asked.

“I talked to a boy at lunch who likes to play Minecraft like me.”

“That’s a start.” She smiled. “You two will be good friends in no time.” She sipped through her straw. She’d opted for a milkshake instead. Less mess.

“Good afternoon,” a deep voice said from behind her. She knew just whom it belonged to as she turned and smiled.

“Hi, Cody.”

“Ice cream. Must be a special occasion.”

Gunther snickered and Lily rolled her eyes. “It’s not.” Having ice cream was just an excuse to sit and talk with her son about everything going on in his life.

“I don’t want to interrupt, but I wanted to say hi.” He stepped back.

“Stay,” Gunther chimed in, which Lily found really odd. Most likely he thought if Cody stuck around, they’d stop talking about school stuff.

“Oh, no. I don’t want to impose.”

Sucking in her lip, she stared at how good he looked in uniform with the sun bearing down on him. “Gunther suggested it, might as well get a snack and join us.”

“If you insist.” He flashed a sexy smile before going into the ice cream shop.

She slurped her milkshake and her son stared at her. “What?”

“Is he the one you’ve been on the phone with in your room?”

She’d totally forgot about the paper-thin walls in her mom’s house. “Yes, we’re friends.”

“It’s okay if you’re seeing him. Dad said he’s dating again.”

Heath was dating? Wow, he’d never said anything
, not that she cared. “We’re getting to know each other.”

He shrugged and went back to his ice cream. Gunther wasn’t easily fooled. Heck, she’d tried to fool herself and that hadn’t worked.

The last few evenings, she and Cody stayed up having phone conversations when she thought her son was fast asleep. They’d talked about their childhoods, favorite foods, movies, just the basics, but the time was coming when she’d have to open up more. That meant telling him about caring for her mother. Cody seemed like it wouldn’t bother him. He was close with his sisters, even though it seemed like they drove him bonkers most of the time.

Footsteps sounded from behind her, then Cody slid onto the bench next to her.

“I had no idea they had half-price cones from two to four every day.”

“Seriously? There’s a sign in the window.” Lily pointed.

Cody glanced back then shrugged. “Guess I should pay more attention.”

“Guess so.” Gunther bit into his cone.

“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 family. “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.