“We’re going to squeeze in,” I say to Tash when she rolls down her window.
Natasha immediately turns to the kids in the back and tells them to lift their legs so Beth can squeeze between them to the middle seat in the back.
Once she’s in, I shut the door and hurry around to the driver’s side.
“Thanks so much,” Beth says. “That was maybe the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me. I appreciate the ride home. Oh, you must be Tasha. I’m Beth. Sam talked about you nonstop last night when he came to the shop to get the extras I had there.”
She’s a ball of nervous energy, talking like crazy, but I block out the chatter and focus on getting us all down the damn mountain in one piece.
When I reach the bottom where this road meets the one that leads into town, I breathe a big sigh of relief. The snow is just as intense down here, but it’s not as cold, so I shouldn’t have to fight the ice on the roads.
“What’s your address, Beth?”
“Oh, I’m in the apartments just up the road here. Just before you get to the first stoplight.”
I nod. I know the apartments very well.
I just moved out of them.
“I love the building,” Beth continues. “And I have the cutest neighbor. I don’t know his name, but he just moved in. He looks like he might be in the military. He doesn’t say much, but he seems really nice.”
Tash and I share an amused glance.
“I wish I knew who his friend is,” Beth continues. “The one who helped him move in. Holy sexy, Batman. I mean, they’re both something to write home about. It’s a pity that he didn’t move in during the summer when he could have washed his car with his shirt off. And his friend could have helped.”
Natasha laughs out loud now and glances back at Beth. “Actually, the guy who lives there now is my brother, Gage. And you’re right, he just got out of the Army and moved back to town. He’s definitely nice, and if you need anything, he’ll help you out.
“His best friend is Seth King. If you want, I can introduce you to him. He’s single.”
“No.” I look into the rearview and see Beth shaking her head adamantly. “No, definitely not.”
“Seth’s awesome,” Tash points out.
“Trust me. Hot guys and I don’t mix well. Been there, done that, have the baggage to prove it. But he sure is nice to look at. That’s me, on the end.” She points to the end of the building. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“Do you want me to call the tow for you, or do you have it?”
“Oh, I can do it.” She eases her way out of the truck and then smiles when I roll my window down. “It was nice to meet you, Natasha. Come into the bakery anytime. My treat.”
“Thank you,” Tash says. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“You, too. Bye.” She waves, and I wait while she climbs the steps to her apartment. When she lets herself inside, I put the truck in gear to head home.
“Okay, so she probably wasn’t flirting with you,” Tash admits.
“She’s nice,” I reply.
“Yeah, I like her. She’s super small and cute. Dimples in those cheeks for days. I wish she’d let me introduce her to Seth, but I’ll mind my business.”
“You?” I act like I’m shocked. “Mind your own business? Who are you and what have you done with Natasha Mills?”
She smacks my arm but also laughs. “Whatever. I’m not that bad.”
“Are we gonna crash?” Kevin asks from the back seat. “Or can we talk now?”
“You were so quiet, I almost forgot you were here,” I admit.
“Of course, they listen to you,” Tash whispers and sighs. “Thanks for being quiet, guys.”
I take her hand in mine and kiss her knuckles. “Hey, I listen to you.”
“Yeah, most of the time.”
Chapter 13
~Natasha~
“They’re finally asleep. The excitement from the storm and all of today’s festivities at Ellie and Liam’s house had them all hopped up. But now, they’re down for the count.” I stop in the kitchen and pour myself a glass of red wine, then walk into the living room armed with my laptop, the ads for Black Friday from the Sunday newspaper, and a notebook.
It’s time to make some Christmas decisions when it comes to the kids.
“Have I mentioned that I love black Friday?” I ask as I curl up on the couch, set my wine on the floor next to me, and open the computer. “Because I do. Monica and I went shopping every year. Some years, she made me get up at like three o’clock in the morning because there were sales she didn’t want to miss.”
I stop and stare at the computer screen, but I don’t really see it.
One thing I’ve learned over the past six months is that grief is a sneaky bastard and will surprise you in the oddest moments. Take your breath away.