Once and Again - By Lauren Dane Page 0,18
to Macon later today. I have some things I need to deliver to work.”
“He’s been showing improvement, Lil. You’re doing a good job.”
“Lily. And thank you. I hope so. Christ, the boy is going to make me start attending high school with him at this rate.”
He laughed. “He’s not cutting third period anymore I’m told.”
Snorting, she sipped her coffee. “For such a smart kid, he has no common sense at all. Drives me insane.”
“None of them do. I see it all day long. But the ones who get support from family snap out of it. They go to college and get good jobs. Start families. All the things you want for him. And because you care enough to sit in his class with him until he gets the message, he’ll make it too.”
She gathered her things. “I hope so. I’m off. Have a good day with your family.”
He would have offered to carry her things to her car, but she’d only say no and she didn’t have much anyway. She’d spoken with him, and not entirely about Chris, so things were moving in a positive direction at least.
She paused at the front door, turning back to face him. “Thank you. For all you’ve been doing for Chris. It makes a difference. A big one.”
He watched her leave. Loving those sexy little librarian glasses.
“She didn’t throw her coffee in your face.” William came out and dropped into the booth across from Nathan. “That’s a start.”
“Three weeks ago she would have left when I came in. Progress, bro, progress.”
“They don’t call you the bulldog for nothing.” William smiled at him over the rim of his mug.
“Oh God, I’d forgotten about that.” Tate started that one. When Nathan was a kid he’d scrapped when he needed something, worked and worked until he got it. She said he was like a bulldog when there was something he wanted.
And he wanted Lily.
William shrugged. “Big brothers never forget. Anyway, I’ll see you over at Tate’s later. I’m working here another hour or two and then I’ll get home. Cindy will have eleven thousand things she wants me to do in the yard before we go.”
Nathan adored William’s wife. Especially the way she handled his brother and accepted the insanity that came with being a Murphy.
“Thanks for the tip on Lily. Why don’t I stop over in a bit to help with the yard?”
“Damn, I’d have called you before today when she came in if I had any idea I’d be able to get some yard work out of you.”
William walked him out.
“It’s going to work. She already likes your family. We already like her. I’ve never known you not to get what you wanted.”
Nathan scratched his chin a moment. “I hope so. I hate that it’s my fault she doesn’t trust me.” Up until two weeks before, he’d only told Tate and Tim the specifics of what had happened. He hadn’t been proud of it. And he really hadn’t been happy when Anne and Beth had barged into his house early on a Saturday morning after they’d heard what he’d done the night before from Lily.
He’d been pissed she tattled until Beth smacked him upside the head and told him how the details had come out and that Lily had said he was a good man. And then his sisters had promised help on his plan to woo Lily back.
“It was years ago, Nate. A kiss. One. Not that you weren’t an ass, you were. But you’ve grown up and so has she. Take it slow. There’s no timer on it. Get to know her again and let her get to know you. She’ll see.” William clapped him on the back. “In the meantime, it’s awfully amusing to see you have to work for a woman. I’ll see you soon. Bring your gloves. I need to clear out some brush.”
Nathan groaned. “Fine. Thanks for the advice.”
Chapter Five
She pulled into the driveway too late to see Nancy’s car already there. Damn and double damn. Thankfully it was during the day so Chris wasn’t home. She had a hair appointment and she should have just gone straight there.
As if she were made of lead, she climbed out and went inside. It would be good to stand her ground from the start, but it was never fun to be around Nancy. Even when her sister was in a good mood, she was simply a vicious bitch. Self-centered. Lazy.
So it wasn’t a surprise to find Nancy with her feet up,