The First Time I Saw You

by Lorhainne Eckhart

  She wished they’d stop calling her Lizzie and call her Elizabeth, a serious name. “He was just being nice, is all, a first dinner here.” She hoped to steer the conversation somewhere else. To anything else.

  “And he paid for Mom’s groceries because she didn’t have enough,” Shaunty said. Elizabeth leveled her daughter with a sharp glance, and her expression was priceless. “Oh. I wasn’t supposed to say anything, was I?”

  Chloe and Ruby were now gawking as if they’d just been given everything. “So let me get this straight. He bought your groceries…”

  “I’m paying him back. I was a little short, is all,” she interrupted.

  “And he let me and Mom sleep in his bed last night. It was really comfortable.”

  Ruby handed Shaunty another cookie. “You don’t say. Oh, tell me everything, my sweet little niece.”

  Shaunty giggled. It was a sweet sound, but at the same time, Elizabeth wanted to keep her stuff private. Her family didn’t seem to get the simple concept of boundaries. “Ruby, Mom, stop that,” she said. “None of that means anything. He’s just a nice man and felt bad…”

  “And Daddy showed up and wanted to hurt him. The cops came, and…” Shaunty stopped and looked up to her, and she could feel her mom’s and Ruby’s gazes burning into her. She glanced over to them, and yup, this was the first time she’d seen them speechless. The expression on their faces was priceless.

  “MM showed up here?” Ruby gestured to the counter. Her mom still had her mouth open and was leaning on her hands, both palms pressed on the island in her overly dramatic way.

  “No, at the grocery store,” Elizabeth said. “Well, rather, the parking lot, as I was getting into Gabriel’s pickup, and he did what MM always does. He overreacted and thought Gabriel and I were together together, you know, which is none of his business anyway.” She glanced down at her daughter. “Your dad just has to learn that it’s over and we’re not coming back.”

  “So why the cops?” Ruby asked. Her mom, though, seemed to have composed herself.

  “He tried to hit Gabriel,” Elizabeth said. “I tried to stop him and grabbed his arm, and I somehow got propelled into a parked car. I’m fine.” She lifted her hand. “But Gabriel called the cops, and they took MM away. That’s all I know about it. Haven’t heard from him again.”

  “Maybe it’s time Marty goes and has a talk with MM,” Ruby said.

  Elizabeth wanted to roll her eyes at her sister’s suggestion, but just then she heard footsteps, and the front door opened. There was Gabriel, wearing blue jeans, a faded shirt, and his work boots. The expression on his face was priceless. She could just imagine what he was thinking, as she knew everyone was staring at him.

  “Hello,” he said and reached down to untie his work boots and kick them off.

  “Lizzie was just telling us that you had a run-in with MM last night?” Of course her mom didn’t know discretion.

  “And I’m Ruby, Lizzie’s older sister. She was just filling me in on what a gentleman you are, cooking dinner and giving her your bed. I swear men like you have all but disappeared.” Her sister actually met Gabriel halfway to the kitchen, really giving him an eyeful of her generous bust, and Elizabeth wanted to hide her face, wishing Ruby would shut the hell up and stop.

  “Nice to meet you, Ruby.” He was polite, and then he gave Elizabeth all of his attention. “I wanted to have a word with you about MM,” he said, but he didn’t say anything. He walked closer and stopped a respectable distance away, taking in the bag of cookies and likely the crumbs, but then his beautiful eyes, which didn’t hold a bit of craziness, fell on her. “I’m just going to grab a shower first and wash off all this sawdust and grit. Then maybe we can talk.”

  “Sure,” she said, sitting on the stool. She watched him nod politely to her mom and sister and then walk down the hall, where she heard a door close, and she let out a breath, not realizing she’d been holding it. When she glanced over to her mom and sister, she realized they didn’t miss any of it.

  “So again, Lizzie, how is any of this just a guy and girl sharing space?” Ruby said. “Because, got to say, the heat was absolutely scorching from the chemistry between you two the minute he walked through the door, the minute he laid eyes on you from across the room. You can tell yourself you’re not interested, but I can tell you your face is telling a different story.” She opened her purse and pulled out her wallet, then yanked out what looked like a hundred dollars and tossed it on the counter. “And if you’re short on money, you just got to ask. Okay, Mom, we should go. I told Gary I’d meet him at the Triple Wave for happy hour and the two-dollar wings tonight.”

  All she could do was stare at the cash on the counter and watch as her sister and mom talked nonstop as they walked out the door, and she looked down to her daughter, who was watching her as if waiting for her to tell her what was happening next.

  “How about we blow up those air mattresses and get our beds made, and then you and me can figure out what’s for dinner?” Elizabeth said.

  She watched as her daughter climbed off the stool, grabbed the bag of mattresses Ruby had brought, and started dragging it to their bedroom. Then she took in the crumbs scattered over the counter and reached for a sponge at the sink. She wiped up all the crumbs, picked up the cash her sister had tossed down on the counter, and tucked it in her back pocket. She stuck the bag of cookies in the cupboard with the few dry goods she had.

  At the same time, she stared at the front door her sister had just walked through and then shook her head, because there was no way there would ever be anything between her and Gabriel. She’d been down that road before, and she had no intention of going there again with anyone who looked as good as he did. Nope, this roomy situation would stay just like that, platonic, renting a room, and staying out of each other’s way. If she put her mind to it, it would be easy.

  Chapter 10

  She was absolutely gorgeous, the way she was sitting cross legged, her cheeks puffed out, her lips around the plastic nozzle as she blew up a single air mattress. Shaunty was making up a bed with a second mattress as Gabriel stood in the doorway, watching the mother and daughter and trying to figure out what was wrong with this picture, as he couldn’t see how Elizabeth fit with Mac Murrin. It was just one of those images that didn’t work.

  “Hey there, so how was work today?” she asked. He hadn’t realized she was done blowing up the mattress and was pushing the plastic valve in.

  “Work… It was one of those ridiculous days that I’d like to forget. There was a break-in at the job site overnight, some vandalism, and most of the work we did has to be redone,” he said, and he took in the way her eyes widened.

  She stood up, resting the air mattress on the ground and moving it over to the wall with her foot. “Shaunty, can you make up both beds? I’m going to start dinner,” she said and then walked over to him and gestured out into the hall.

  He followed her into the living room, and he wasn’t sure what to make of how tense she appeared and the expression on her face.

  “Do they know who caused the damage?” she said.

  He shook his head, because he was still trying to shake off how Dwayne had tried to allude to the fact that he’d been the last to leave and forgot to lock up. The first thing Gabriel had done as he’d walked into the mess of what looked like teenage hoodlums gone wild was set the record straight with Mic that his son had still been wrapping up when he left. Then the cops had been there, and it was likely insurance would kick in to cover the cleanup and rebuild.

  “No. Could’ve been some kids, by the looks of it. Kind of what happens when someone forgets to lock up.” Yeah, he was still pissed at Dwayne and had noted the way he’d made a point of avoiding Gabriel the rest of the day, which made it difficult on a job site, where they basically had torn apart what they’d already done to start all over again.

  Elizabeth was standing there with her hands linked together in front of her, her amber eyes lacking the confidence and s
trength he’d come to associate with who she was. “Are you sure it wasn’t MM?” The way she said it, he realized why she was looking at him the way she was, as if she was somehow responsible.

  “Oh, I see. That’s what that was.” He gestured and walked into the kitchen, where he pulled open the fridge and reached for a can of coconut water. He cracked the top and took a glass from the cupboard to pour it in, taking in how she now lingered on the other side of the counter.

  “I’m not sure of your meaning.”

  Even the way she frowned was priceless.

  “So let me get this straight,” he said. “I have a break-in at my job site, and you somehow think your ex could be responsible?” He shouldn’t do it, but he couldn’t resist teasing her.

  Even the way her brows furrowed was attractive. “No, I just thought the timing was weird, is all—and yes, it’s something he’d do. I wouldn’t put it past him. I would feel responsible,” she said, and there it was, the guilt. It was just a second that he saw it, and then it passed as she composed herself.

  He shook his head and took a swallow of the coconut water, then held up the remainder in the can to her. She just shook her head. “No, but thank you,” she said.

  “Well, it wasn’t him, and even if it was, it’s not on you. You’re not responsible for him. Besides, he was only released this morning after appearing in front of a judge and being slapped with a hundred-dollar fine. How would he even know where I worked? That would be quite a stretch if he did. Regardless, I wanted to talk with you about him being out and what that means,” he said. She stiffened and said nothing. “I’ve got a new window coming tomorrow for your room, but for now, make sure the doors and windows stay locked in the rest of the house.” Evidently, what he said was exactly what she hadn’t been expecting, by the expression on her face.

  “That’s it? That’s all you wanted to say about it?” Okay, now she not only sounded confused, she looked confused.

  “What were you expecting me to say?”

  She pushed away from the counter, and he took in the loose T-shirt dress she was wearing, her messy bun, and how gorgeous she was. He supposed there was nothing that wouldn’t look fantastic on her.

  “Well, that you didn’t sign up for this trouble and you’ve had a chance to rethink it, and I half expected you to tell me and Shaunty to go. I still do.” She stopped pacing and stood with her arms hanging loosely at her sides.

  He put down his glass and walked around the counter. “Now that would really make me a scumbag, and I’m not that. But since we’re talking about him, let’s talk about him. He’s Shaunty’s father, so he’s in her life, and he sees her, which means he’s going to be coming here. You said the last few places he wouldn’t leave you be.”

  She crossed her arms, and it wasn’t lost on him that she didn’t resemble her sister at all. Ruby, that was her name, was a different version of their mother, and then there was Elizabeth. “I see where this is going,” she said. “Well, you can rest assured MM will not be getting the address to this house. He wants to see her, I take her to him, but that doesn’t happen often.” She firmed her lips, and he could see talking about this guy was a sore spot for her.

  “Okay, but still, that’s no way to live. I know you told that cop you spoke with someone about a restraining order, but I think speaking to an actual lawyer and getting something that forces him to stay away from you would be prudent. I can get the name of someone good…”

  She lifted her hand, and he could see the minute she was done listening. “Stop. That isn’t going to happen, because I can’t afford a lawyer. They cost, remember, and he’s never threatened me. He just doesn’t understand that it’s over and has been now for a long time. It’s a harmless, annoying…” She stopped talking and crossed her arms again, and he could see her thinking. “Okay, I would love it if he would stop, but I’ve exhausted my options, and I’m not about to say he did something when he didn’t just to find a way to conform to some law and get him to stop bugging me.”

  He didn’t think he’d ever heard anyone with such strong convictions. “You know what? I really do admire that you won’t let anyone convince you to make something up to get what you need to happen, but I think talking to a real lawyer may give you more options. With most lawyers, there’s a free consult first. You get the right info and then go from there.” He knew she was about to argue again, and he couldn’t resist reaching out and touching her arm. “Seriously, stop. Just humor me. You can talk to my dad’s attorney. It’s just a talk. You’re not committing to anything. Being my dad’s lawyer, that means someone really good.”

  She took a second to consider and then raised a brow. “Talk only, but I’m serious, Gabriel. I don’t have…” She stopped talking, and he knew how cash strapped she was.

  “I know it’s the cost, but you’re just talking, free consult, remember?” He’d maybe have a word first with his dad’s lawyer, see if anything could be done easily. “And I spoke with the sheriff this morning. He’s going to have a word with MM. Maybe between him and the lawyer, this guy can be convinced to go away and leave you alone.”

  She inclined her head. “Well, that would make it easy, but don’t get your hopes up, Gabriel, because I’m resigned to the fact that my poor choice in men has landed me a pain in the ass that I’ll be stuck with forever. It definitely is a lesson well learned that falling in love is for fools.” Then her daughter raced into the kitchen before he could say anything to convince her how wrong she was.

  “All done, so what are we making for dinner?” Shaunty said.

  Gabriel watched as Elizabeth gave all her attention to her daughter, and he was stuck on the fact that she had closed the door on any opportunity for love with someone good. As he watched this woman who’d walked into his house with this precocious girl, he couldn’t help thinking of the fun he would have changing her mind. But how? That was something he’d have to think on.

  Chapter 11

  “He showed up here yesterday, came in looking angrier than a stirred-up nest of hornets,” said Margie, Elizabeth’s coworker at the automotive parts store. “He demanded to know where you lived now, and Barry had to go out and tell him we don’t have that kind of personal information on you, and if we did, we wouldn’t tell him anyway. He didn’t seem happy with that, though, and Barry had to pick up the phone and tell him he was calling the cops if he didn’t leave,” she added in a low whisper that was still loud enough that if anyone else had been at the counter, they’d have heard.

  Margie was reed thin, with straight brown hair, and she had four inches on Elizabeth. She wore a red vest, the standard uniform for everyone who worked behind the counter, and it did nothing for her except make her look like a scarecrow. Elizabeth had only tucked her purse under the front counter at the back of the shop before Margie had informed her of the previous day’s visit from MM. Of course he wasn’t going to go away.

  “So is Barry here?” she asked, feeling her heartbeat kick up, because she knew MM was putting her job in jeopardy, and she couldn’t help worrying Barry would tell her that was it and she’d have to find another job.

  “In back, but don’t worry none. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  She wasn’t so sure, but she should have known he’d show up. Maybe Gabriel was right about the lawyer, and maybe after talking to said lawyer, she’d have a plan and some direction, something with teeth that would help her find a way to make MM go away and stop this craziness.

  “Hey, Elizabeth, you got a second?” Barry appeared from the open door to the back office. She took in his round face and expanding middle, his glasses, and his dark hair, a mix of gray and black. For a second, she felt the floor beneath her feet soften.

  “Of course,” she said as she pulled at her red vest and, on instinct, tucked her long dark hair behind her ears. She stepped into his office, and he closed the door behind her. She just stood there, seeing through the glass to where Margie was talking with a customer who’d stepped up to the counter. “M
argie was just filling me in on yesterday, that MM showed up and caused a scene,” she said. “I’m sorry about that.”

  Her heartbeat kicked up again, but he lifted his hand as if it were no big deal and then perched on the edge of the steel desk. Papers were stacked in a box on the other side, and the corkboards in his office had invoices and papers pinned everywhere.

  “That’s not on you, Elizabeth, and it’s not really your fault, but he is affecting business coming in, and customers. I won’t hesitate to call the cops and press charges if he shows up again.”

  She lifted her hands. “Of course, and you should.”

  Then he glanced down at the desk, and she had an awful feeling. It was something in how he appeared so uneasy and in what he wasn’t saying.

  “You know how bad I feel about having to cut your hours down to half time. If I could give you more, I would, but the reality is that my costs and overhead are going up, yet my prices and profit are going down. It’s forcing me to make tough choices I don’t want to make. I want to give you some warning that I’m cutting hours again at the end of the month—”

  “What?” she said, interrupting him.

  He lifted his hand, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. Truly, I am. Unless business picks up, starting the end of the month, I can only put you on the schedule for Saturdays and give you the opening shift until noon. I’ll understand if you say no, I would, but my hands are tied. Again, I didn’t want to hit you with that at the last minute when you have no options,” he said.

  Her heart sank as she tried to figure out what one three-hour shift a week was going to pay for. Nothing. “Barry, I have rent to pay, a daughter to feed.” Of course, it sounded as if she was pleading, because she really was.

  “Again, I’m sorry, and that’s why I’m telling you now, because of how bad I feel. I wish things were different, and …”

  For the first time, she could really feel his sincerity and how much this was bothering him. She let out a breath. This wasn’t an easy choice. “Okay, thanks for letting me know.”