Unexpected

Chapter 13

Mallory

The rest of the work week goes just as smoothly as day one. I still feel like I'm in a dream, afraid to wake up and lose this contentment. I've decided this weekend that I'd start working on the outside of my house. The knee-high weeds in the once flower beds are driving me crazy. I sleep in until 8 A.M. on Saturday and eat a leisurely breakfast before putting on some old ratty clothes to go dig in the dirt. I begin with the landscaping near the front porch. I enjoy the chore, being out in the morning sunshine and seeing the steady progress of my effort. After a couple of hours, I see Dane leaving his house. And by the look of him, he is about to go for a run. I watch him disappear down the street from my hidden spot on the far side of the porch. We haven't had any further interaction since Monday. The roar of his motorcycle is the only thing letting me know when he is coming or going.

I take a break to go to the bathroom and refill my water bottle. Once I see how rosy my cheeks and shoulders are, I decide to apply some sunscreen as well. I only have the flower beds around a few trees in the front yard left to tackle. I think I'll finish those and then call it a day. I'm working on the bed that is closest to the road when a small voice startles me.

"That's such a pretty flower," states the soft voice of the child that is standing behind me.

"Oh! You scared me!" I exclaim, clutching my chest. The little boy just gives me a shy smile in return. "You're right. It is beautiful. Daffodils are one of my favorites."

"My father is a master gardener," he states proudly.

"Is that so? Well, maybe you can have him come help me figure out what I need to do to spruce up my landscaping. Pulling weeds is about as far as my talent goes when it comes to gardening."

"He would love to help you if you ask him to."

"Do you live nearby?" I ask, and he nods his head yes. When he doesn't elaborate with the specifics, I decide not to push for the details, assuming he has been given the lecture on stranger-danger and knows better than to say too much. "Well, my name is Mallory. I just moved here. You're only the second person I've met in the neighborhood besides Dane, my next-door neighbor." I nod my head toward his house.

"My father loves Dane," he answers simply.

"Oh, they know each other?"

"Kinda. My father would like to be closer to him if Dane would allow him."

I huffed out a small laugh in agreement. "That makes two of us."

"Well . . . I've got to be going about my father's business. I'll see you later, Mallory." He gives me a confidant smile and turns to stroll down the sidewalk.

"Wait! You didn't tell me your name," I called after him.

He looks over his shoulder and yells, "You can call me Michael."

He then turns a corner and is out of sight. What a strange little boy I think when I'm startled once again, but this time, the deep voice is a familiar one.

"What are you looking at?" Dane questions panting somewhat from the exertion of his exercise.

I turn to answer him, but the sight of his sweaty, glistening torso has me at a loss for words.

"Umm . . ." My eyes travel up his lean muscled chest and find his drenched hair that is flopped over his forehead into his dark eyes just as distracting. "A . . . a little boy," I finally managed to get out. "His name is Michael. He said he knows you."

Dane contemplates that for a moment before saying perplexed, "I don't know a kid named Michael."

"Well, technically, he said his father knew you," I clarify.

Dane nods his head more relaxed. "It's probably someone I've met through the gym or the shop. Did he tell you his last name?"

"No." I shake my head. "It was a brief encounter. He was just complimenting the Daffodils." I gesture with my hand towards the ground. At that, Dane starts to look around admiring the work I've done.

"Hey, the yard is looking a lot better. You did this all by yourself?"

"Yep," I answer proudly. "I've been at it since nine this morning."

"Are you about to mow the grass?"

I look at my yard and deflate a little. It does really need to be cut, but I've yet to purchase a lawn mower. Another problem with being a new home owner for the first time.

"I know I need to, but I'm waiting to get my first paycheck to purchase a push mower."

"I can do it for you."

My eyes dart to his. "Oh, no. I can't let you do that. I've already bothered you too much."

"Really, Megan, it wouldn't be a big deal."

"Mallory."

"What?"

"My name is Mallory," I corrected him softly and felt heat rising up into my cheeks.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Mallory, then. I was about to do my yard, and it would only take like thirty minutes extra to do yours. I really don't mind."

I look at my overgrown lawn once more before consenting to his help yet again. At least this time, it was him asking and not me.

When I hear the mower cut off, I glance out my window to see Dane pushing it back towards his garage after finishing my lot. I'm in my bathrobe with a towel around my hair, having just finished taking a much needed shower. I really do need to thank him for all of his kindness. I decide right then and there that I will bake him those cookies after all. Maybe we can eat some together fresh from the oven, which is the only way to fully appreciate the gift. I change into some comfy clothes, pull my hair up, and then go about pulling out all the ingredients.

A little over an hour later, I'm pulling the last batch out of the oven. Right as I'm placing them into a tupperware container, I hear his motorcycle start up. Oh, no! I rush to glance out the window and see him roaring down his driveway. I plop down into a nearby chair in disappointment. So much for sharing oowie-goowey cookies with him. I'll still give him some as soon as he comes back, but it won't be the same. I do eat a few hot off the cookie sheet with a big glass of milk. After cleaning up the mess, I go to the couch to read a book. At some point, I must have dozed off because when I glance at the clock, it is almost midnight. I stand and stretch before walking to look out the window. Dane's bike is still not in his driveway. Oh well, I guess it will just have to wait until tomorrow. I go about turning off my lights, locking the doors, and brushing my teeth. I then climb into bed beside Mr. Pickles, who gives me a welcoming purr before I drift off into a deep dreamless sleep.