‘Jesus, don’t reward it.’ Nat couldn’t help herself. The goat could have done serious damage to Phyllie, and here it was enjoying what she assumed was a treat. ‘You need to punish the bloody thing.’
The man’s sandy-blond head snapped round at the sound of Nat’s voice. His deep-blue eyes met hers. ‘Sorry?’
She unlatched the small gate, pushed it open and walked towards him, her hands on her hips. ‘Your bloody goat had my eighty-nine-year-old grandmother pinned against her shed a short time ago, and it’s not the first time. She needed stitches a few weeks back when it came down to eat her garden and then gouged her with its horns.’
‘Rainbow did that?’
Nat stopped. ‘Your goat’s name is Rainbow?’
He nodded. ‘Is Phyllie okay? Why didn’t she say something earlier? I received an angry note recently, but I know that wasn’t from Phyllie. She’d be upfront with me, not hide behind an anonymous note.’
Nat felt her cheeks burn, deciding not to admit that the note was from her. She was slightly thrown by his good looks and concern. She’d been ready to have it out with the bloody goat owner, picturing a yobbo who was too lazy to mow his lawn so had a goat to do it for him. ‘It’s been causing problems for her for ages. She said she didn’t want to cause you any trouble when I suggested we talk to the council. She’s just lucky I’m living with her at the moment and was there to help her. Surely you’re not allowed to keep a goat in your garden?’
‘Legally, on a block twelve hundred to twenty-four hundred and ninety-nine square metres, you are allowed one pet goat.’
Nat looked at Leon’s garden. It was a reasonable size, but it wasn’t huge. She doubted the block of land met these requirements. ‘You say that like you’re a real authority.’
‘Of course I checked before I agreed to take on Rainbow.’
Nat nodded. ‘Let me guess, you checked, realised your property wasn’t big enough and thought, oh well, I’ll look after it anyway.’
Leon laughed. ‘You’re pretty switched on, aren’t you? Yes, you’re right. My block is only a thousand square metres, so doesn’t quite meet the requirements. I was thinking of moving when I agreed to take on Rainbow for a friend, but the right property hasn’t come up yet.’
‘You need to tie her up or do something to make sure she doesn’t get out again.’
‘You’re right there too. I’ve found her in the front garden a few times but couldn’t work out how she’s been getting there. There are no gaps in the fence and the gate is always shut. I didn’t realise she was visiting the neighbours until I received the note. I’ll have a look now.’
He left and Nat watched him as he inspected the fences in the back garden. He returned a few minutes later looking puzzled.
‘The fences are all intact so there’s no obvious spot for her to escape.’
‘Want to bet?’ Nat nodded at Rainbow, who was heading to one side of the garden where a small tree stump sat at the bottom of a latticed fence. Rainbow jumped up on to the stump, giving her enough height to look over the neighbour’s fence. She looked briefly before using the lattice like a ladder to climb the fence. When she got to the top, she slowly inched forward, made a clattering sound on her way down the other side and disappeared.
Leon and Nat stared at each other. ‘Okay,’ Nat admitted. ‘If I hadn’t seen her do that, I probably wouldn’t believe it.’
Leon strode to the fence and looked over. ‘There’s a woodpile stacked about halfway up the other side. Nice and easy for getting down.’ He shook his head. ‘Unbelievable. But right now I’d better hightail it next door and get her. Don’t want her causing any more problems.’ He hurried to the gate leading through his carport and disappeared.
Nat took a quick look around the rest of the garden. There were a few climbing plants on other parts of the fence, but the only section with lattice was the one the goat had just scaled. It didn’t look like there were any other places she could escape. She made her way back through the gate and up Leon’s driveway. Nat met him leading Rainbow into the drive.
He grinned. ‘Caught her, and thanks. If you hadn’t come down, I wouldn’t have realised she was causing such a problem. I’ll remove the lattice as soon as I’ve got her into the garden. If she gets out again and you see her, can you let me know? I’d prefer not to tie her up, but it’s always an option.’
Nat nodded. She could see now why Phyllie didn’t want to report him. He was lovely. It made her wonder why Phyllie had never mentioned she had a gorgeous neighbour who Nat could quite easily enjoy getting to know.
‘And tell Phyllie I’ll pop down later today or tomorrow to apologise.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘More likely tomorrow at this stage.’
Nat nodded again. It was Friday night; he probably had plans. A hot date perhaps? She gave herself a mental shake. For all she knew he was married. She wasn’t sure why her thoughts were going where they had. She’d been cooped up playing poker for too long. She needed to get out and have some fun. ‘Okay, I’ll pass on the message.’
She walked past him and the goat on her way out of the driveway, conscious that his eyes were on her.
‘I’m Leon, by the way.’
She stopped and turned to face him. ‘Nat.’
Leon raised an eyebrow. ‘The mysterious Nat. Phyllie mentioned you a few years ago but I didn’t realise you actually existed. Might have to let Rainbow escape so I have an excuse to come and visit you at Phyllie’s.’
Heat rose up Nat’s neck. ‘Turning up with a goat definitely won’t win you any brownie points. An apology for Phyllie will, though.’
Leon saluted. ‘Right, boss. I’ll keep that in mind.’
Nat’s lips curled into a smile as she turned and walked back to Phyllie’s. He was cute and funny. Once again, she wondered how come this was the first time she was learning of Leon’s existence.
Phyllie was watching television when Nat returned. ‘How did you go?’
‘Good. We worked out where she’s been escaping, and Leon’s going to remove the lattice she’s been using like a ladder, which should, in theory, keep her in the back garden. If that doesn’t work, he’s agreed to tie her up.’
Phyllie nodded. ‘He’s a good boy.’
Nat sat down across from her. ‘How come you’ve never mentioned him before?’
Her grandmother grinned. ‘Interested in my goat-loving neighbour, are we? The one you went to yell at and planned to dob in to the council.’
Heat crept into Nat’s cheeks. ‘Not really. Just intrigued as to why a guy like that is living on his own with a goat.’
‘Who said he was living on his own?’
Disappointment flooded through Nat. She shook it off. This was ridiculous, she’d only just met the guy, and of course he’d have a wife or partner.
Phyllie laughed. ‘You should see your face. The reason I’ve never mentioned my gorgeous and charming neighbour is that I don’t want anyone ruining the rather lovely relationship I have with him. Leon pops in every couple of weeks and does all kinds of odd jobs for me. As a thank you I cook him dinner and we have a lovely evening. He’s the grandson I never had.’