“A better offer than you?” Mom asked. She still hadn’t stopped looking at me. I knew what she was getting at. She wanted me to settle down, have the two-point-five kids, the whole dream. I had been far too busy enjoying the life of a professional athlete to do that.
“Tuck. He’s having a friend spend the night. They’re staying at my mom and dad’s. She’s making them candied apples that are fresh from the orchard. Once she gets her homemade caramel in front of him, I don’t think he’d be able to pick me out of a lineup.”
Mom and Delilah laughed, and the unexpected jealousy that had been raging in my gut settled.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d love some of that soup and tea.”
“Coming right up,” Delilah said and headed toward the cabinets. She opened each one until she found a bowl and mug. She quickly served the soup and tea as I put away the dishes according to the neat instructions on top of each container.
Delilah pulled a TV tray off the rack and set it up in front of my mom. Then she went back to the kitchen and grabbed the soup, tea, and spoon. “Here you go,” she said.
“This smells divine,” Mom said. I couldn’t take my eyes off Delilah and the way she moved with ease in this new space. She was taking care of someone she barely knew so easily and with so much genuine affection. Again, I was fighting my instinct to kiss her.
I zoned out as they laughed and chatted. I simply watched, completely taken by what was happening in front of me. I didn’t let people into my life. I hadn’t really let Delilah into it either, but somehow, in one of the worst situations, she had found a way in. She’d swooped in and cared with ease.
“Y’all should go out and have a drink,” Mom said, winking at me.
“I’m staying to take care of you.”
“You’re not staying here.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You snore louder than a freight train, and this place is too small for that. You’d blow the whole thing down.” Delilah’s face broke out with such glee as she watched Mom give me shit. That was my mom though, trying to fix me up with a pretty girl while also making sure I was humble and never got too big of a head. The nightmare from that morning popped into my mind again and landed in my gut like a lead balloon. I swallowed past the emotion.
“I’m staying.”
“No, you’re leaving. I have everything I need, and I will call if something else comes up. Please, honey, I want to rest. You haven’t lived with me in ten years, I like my space and privacy.”
“Fine,” I said. “Call if you need anything.”
“I will. Now, Delilah, would you mind giving Gunner a ride? He doesn’t have his car.”
“Sure.” She turned to me. “Mind if I drop off the rest of my orders before taking you home?”
Before I could shake my head, Mom answered. “He doesn’t mind. Why don’t y’all go have a drink after? Tuck is with his grandparents. Gunner doesn’t have a life.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I muttered. I wiped a hand down my face to hide the embarrassment creeping up.
“Gunner?” Delilah asked. I looked up at her. Her cheeks were stained pink again.
“I’d love to have a drink with you,” I said.
Chapter 18
Delilah
The cool fall breeze blew through the open windows of my 4Runner. Orange and red leaves swirled through the air as the tires kicked them up on the black asphalt road. Gunner had insisted on driving while I navigated to each house. He’d said it was so drop-offs would be easier, but he never let me carry the food to the door alone.
His wrist rested on top of the steering wheel, and his fingers drummed on the dash, keeping in tune with the music. I cataloged every movement he made while driving. I barely knew him, only a few facts, but I wanted more in any way I could get it.
“Where is this place?” Gunner asked. I’d been leading him toward Austin, on winding country roads, for about ten minutes. It was our last stop and my personal favorite—not for the company, but for the view. The crotchety old man that lived there had food delivered to him twice a week, and he always complained. I figured if he didn’t like it, he could eat ravioli from a can, but he kept on ordering.
A woman, Adeline, helped him with his house a few times a week, but she wasn’t always there when I dropped off food. I hoped she was today.
“The address is actually Hawk Valley, but the very outer edges. Mr. Crane lives on a huge property. It had been in the same family for generations, but Crane swept in and scooped it up. I think it was once a farm, but isn’t operating as one anymore. He leveled everything and lives in a house he designed. Just wait until you see the view.”
“Maybe I’ll ask him about his realtor when we’re there.” Gunner scratched the dark scruff on his jaw.
I snorted. “Don’t expect a reply. He’s not the friendliest.”
“He’s rude to you?” Gunner’s eyes flicked from the road to my face, arching an eyebrow.
I waved my hand, brushing off the comment. “He’s just a surly old bastard. Nothing I can’t handle. I’m convinced it’s how he shows his love. Besides, sometimes he has an assistant there and she’s great.”
One side of Gunner’s lips tilted up. “I’ll still ask him. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be playing locally for the rest of my career. I need to be closer to home.”
“Won’t you still be on the road for half the season?”
“Yeah, but it’s better than only seeing my mom a few times a season. I need to be here.” His hand curled around the steering wheel and he gripped it tightly. The hand resting on his muscular thigh clenched into a fist.
Without even thinking about it, I laid my hand on his arm, squeezing gently. “I get it.”
His blue eyes came to me once more, and his gaze flitted around my face. His eyebrows scrunched together, and I wondered when was the last time someone simply understood him, was in his corner without question.
I changed the subject before his thoughts went back to his mom. I knew she’d pushed us out the door together so he could be distracted and away from her. If she was sick tonight, she wouldn’t want him there. I knew that. As a mother, I understood that. As a daughter, I wished she would let him help in any way he wanted.
I vowed to check on her throughout the week, taking some of his demons. Even though I didn’t know him well, I didn’t want him to be alone. The loneliness and the feeling that no one could understand were the ugliest parts.
I changed the subject back to housing. “You want property? Won’t that be a heck of a commute every day?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t officially decided if I want an apartment in the city or if I want property out here. It’s been ten years since I’ve been home. I’d forgotten how much the scenery calms me. The drive wouldn’t be the best, but it’d be a worthy sacrifice for some peace.”
“I grew up in Austin,” I said.
His gaze landed upon me again, and this time a heart-stopping grin accompanied it. His arm flexed as he rounded a curve in the road. Those blue eyes, that smile, and those muscular arms encased in a tight Henley? Panty melting.