*
I had just gotten out of my car when I heard the crunching of tires on the gravel driveway, and I sighed again, preparing myself for whatever might be potentially on its way.
I knew I hadn’t gotten away with anything; I wasn’t trying to get away with anything. I had felt the heat of Mr. Rhodes’s eyeballs the entire time I’d been at Mr. Nez’s house. He hadn’t said much after confirming he knew about my mother’s case, but I had felt his stare. I’d pretty much been able to hear the gears in his head going as he processed the conversation I’d had with the older man.
I hadn’t figured out how exactly he knew Mr. Nez, and I hadn’t wanted to just outright ask Clara about it, at least not in front of Jackie. I didn’t trust she wouldn’t repeat it to Amos and then he’d say something, and the next thing I knew, Mr. Rhodes thought I was stalking him.
What I was, was… curious
I had so many questions. And way too much time.
Anyway, I didn’t try and run into the garage apartment as I spotted the Bronco pulling up to the house. I took my time, ducking into the passenger seat to pull out my purse and a small shopping bag I’d gotten from a candy and treat store in Ouray, and had just slammed the door shut with my hip when I heard Mr. Rhodes’s “Hey.”
I blew out a breath and turned toward the voice, already ready to smile up at him. “Hi, Mr. Rhodes.”
My landlord stopped just a few feet away, hands going to his hips. But looking at his face, I noticed he didn’t seem irritated or mad that we’d both somehow ended up at the same place. That was a good thing, wasn’t it? I still had some time left here.
Part of me was just expecting him to be annoyed that we’d accidentally met up. He hadn’t said more than five words to me after Mr. Nez had brought up my mom and he’d asked about where I’d been. I’d skimmed Nashville and settled on my years in Florida lightly, until Clara had come out of the kitchen and asked if I was ready to go.
Now though, Mr. Rhodes’s mouth twisted to one side and he pierced me with that gray, nearly purple gaze.
What was he thinking about?
“Did you find somewhere else to stay yet?” he finally asked in his gruff, serious voice.
“Not yet.”
Those eyes kept on burning a hole into me before he finally blew out a breath so harsh I wasn’t sure if whatever he’d been thinking about was a good thing. Then he surprised me again. Shocked me, really. “If you want it, the garage apartment is yours.”
I didn’t mean to gasp, but I did. “Really?”
He didn’t comment on my excitement, but his hands went to that narrow waist hidden beneath the T-shirt and jeans he had on, and Mr. Rhodes dipped his chin. “Rent is half of what you paid. No visitors. You’ve got to be fine with Amos playing his guitar in the garage.”
Yes!
“I won’t let him play late, but he likes to go in there after school until the evening,” my landlord went on. His face was so no-nonsense I knew that he meant every word and was fully aware that he really hadn’t intended to let me stay but he was going against his gut and extending the invitation… for whatever reason.
I knew exactly what it was like when a decision cost you a lot. It wasn’t easy.
And that’s why I was going to tell myself that I took a step forward and threw my arms around him. Around the top of the elbows that were cocked at his sides, locking his arms against his ribs because I’d surprised him and hadn’t given him a chance to brace himself, my palms meeting somewhere on his back. I hugged him. I hugged this man who could barely stand me and said, “Thank you so much. I’d love to stay. I’ll pay you every month and not invite anyone over. My only friends here so far are Clara and Mr. Nez anyway.”
The whole long length of his body stiffened under my arms.
That was my cue. I instantly jumped back and fist pumped the air twice. “Thank you, Mr. Rhodes!” Yes! “You won’t regret it!”
I don’t think I was imagining how wide his eyes had gone at some point, but I definitely wasn’t imagining how stiff his voice was as he just about stuttered, “You’re… welcome?”
“What would you prefer? Check? Cash? Cashier’s check?”
His alarmed face didn’t go anywhere. Neither did his crisp tone. “Either.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll pay you the day before this rental period ends and keep paying you the same day.” Wait. “How long can I stay for?”