Chapter 5
5
Tovah crossed the yard with hands full of food she’d prepared for the get together with Zach’s friends. He’d decided to make it a little less like an interview, and more like a block party. So, in addition to three of his friends, there were also a few couples who lived on the street and were friends with Rose.
Inviting the neighborhood was a nice touch, she’d admit, but it also put her on alert. How many of them would report back to Rose? Every. Last. One. Of. Them.
At least she assumed they would.
She knew how old people gossiped. As she understood how close-knit neighborhoods worked. They were always up in each other’s business.
Rose Reese was usually the ringleader.
Music and voices came from the backyard. The smell of meat cooking on the grill filled the air. Her stomach growled. Since Zach had told her about the cookout two days before, she had looked forward to getting to know the other neighbors and his friends. Hopefully, they were better at communicating than him and didn’t laugh over conversations they carried on in their own heads.
“Let me help you with that.” The voice was deep and raspy. Sexy and smoky, with a hint of power.
The gate to the backyard swung open and he let her in, taking one of the covered dishes from her.
A smile as bright as any toothpaste ad, was ringed by a perfectly maintained scruff. His hair was sandy blond, streaked with a few strands of premature gray.
“Dirx.” If anything, the smile got wider as he introduced himself. “And you must be Tovah.”
“I am.”
Dirx had a twinkle in his eyes that suggested he had mischief in mind. Lots of it. Mostly dirty and earthy, with promises of satisfaction. She followed him through the yard to where a buffet was set up with chips, plates, cups, plasticware, and other items one expected at a cookout.
“I was sorry to hear about your grandma. Rose is a good woman.”
That brought Tovah’s head up as she set the potato salad on the picnic table. “You know my grandma?”
“Yes, for a few years now. We volunteer at the same food bank.”
Okay, that was good to know. Her heart melted a little bit toward him. Maybe Zach did know how to pick someone out that was more her speed. Less dangerous.
She glanced up and her gaze connected with Zach’s. Instead of being pleased with her budding conversation with his friend, he looked…annoyed.
Confusing, confounding man.
“So, what do you do for fun and games, Tovah?”
“At the moment, it’s all school and no play, making Tovah a dull girl.”
That made him smile. “A challenge, then. How about I take you for a Sunday ride on my bike?”
Right as she opened her mouth to say it sounded good, Zach called Dirx’s name.
“Hold that thought.” He winked as he turned away.
Oh, yeah, he was a player. But did that matter? It was a ride on a motorcycle through the mountains. He wasn’t asking for a commitment. This was the exact thing she was talking about.
The twist of disappointment wound through her stomach that it wouldn’t be Zach. No matter how disagreeable or objectionable she found him, there remained a zing of excitement that she’d never felt when meeting anyone else.
“Hello, dear. You must be Tovah.” Tovah turned to find a couple firmly in their senior years smiling at her.
“Yes, I am.” She held out her hand to shake both of theirs.
“Lois and Kent Snead. Your grandmother has told us so much about you.” Lois put her hands together after releasing Tovah’s. “You have her sparkle.”
Taken aback, Tovah put her hand to her chest. All right, that was a new one. Most people didn’t think she was even related to her grandmother. Not to mention, no one sparkled like Rose.
“I may have that, but I doubt I have half her energy.” Embarrassed laughter covered her discomfort.
Lois waved her hand in a dismissing manner. “Who does? That woman could run circles around a twenty-year old.”
“I hear you’re going to school.” Kent leaned back into his heels as if preparing to lecture her. “It’s never a bad idea to keep learning. Always something of interest out there to uncover.”
Lois rolled her eyes lovingly at her husband. “He’s been retired for ten years, but still likes to teach.”
“Oh, you’re a teacher?”
He nodded. “I like how you said that. Once a teacher always one. Now, I teach at the local Adult Enrichment Center.”
“What subjects?”
“Traveling for Seniors, Stock Trading for the Novice. Things like that.”
She turned to Lois. “And what about you?”
“Gardening. That’s my passion. I taught Horticulture and Botany at the college level.” She hooked her finger over her shoulder. “That’s how I met Zach. I taught at St. Genesius until a few years ago when I retired fully.”
Kent elbowed his wife as he spoke. “That’s how he got into the neighborhood. Lois told him when this house came up for sale. She knew he’d been looking. Knew he’d be a good neighbor, so it was an easy transition. You don’t always know who you’re going to get for a neighbor when a house goes up for sale.”
Tovah smiled. “I’m glad you all take such good care of each other. It makes me feel safe for Grandma.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about your grandma. She can take care of herself well enough.”
Another couple had entered the yard, taking Lois and Kent’s attention. They were soon all laughing in a close circle, leaving Tovah to try and find where the drinks were being kept.
And to discover where Dirx had gone.
Zach stood at the grill, turning over a steak the size of a small calf. The meat sizzled and fragrant smoke filled the air.
Two other guys stood with him. They both wore T-shirts and jeans. Both had beers in their hands.
One with dark hair and eyes like a desert sun turned toward her. “Well, hello.”
“Hello.” He held out a large hand that had tattoos across his knuckles. “Weaver.”
“Tovah.” His hand engulfed hers. The palm hard and filled with callouses. Whatever he did for a living wasn’t at a desk.
He glanced over at Zach. “You always did have all the luck, man.”
“Oh, I don’t know. She tried to get me arrested before she even met me.”
They all laughed. The second man reached around Weaver and stuck his hand out. “Bach.”
That made her smile. “Like the composer?”
“The very one.” His answering smile showed a mouth full of teeth that looked as if they had been made from a dentist’s wish list.
“You are all in the same motorcycle club?”
They both nodded.
“Brothers ‘til the end,” Weaver said.
Into this, Dirx came across the yard, leading a dog the size of a small horse. An Irish Wolfhound if she was any judge. The dog was wearing riding goggles and a bandana around his neck.
Melting, Tovah put her hand out. “Who’s the good boy?”
“I am,” came a chorus of affirmations from Zach’s friends.
“All right, let’s not lather all over ourselves,” Zach grumbled as he took the steak off the grill and handed it to Weaver. “Here, cut this up while I get the burgers on.”
“Aye, aye, Cap’n.” Weaver took the plate and walked over to the table where a chef’s knife and cutting board waited.
The dog had made its way to the grill, giving the flames and heat a wide birth, even as his nose busily sniffed the air.
Zach ruffled the dog’s head. “Whatcha doing, Ian?”
Ian. The dog’s name was Ian. So funny.
Zach looked down at the dog. “I didn’t forget you, bud. I have your favorite bison burgers here.”
Upon hearing this, Ian’s tail wagged quicker.
“Ian is our unofficial mascot.” Bach reached over and scratched behind Ian’s ear. The dog licked at him. “He rides in a sidecar on Dirx’s bike.”
Tovah smiled. “Is he coming on our ride?”
Dirx’s eyes glittered. “So, you’re coming?”
“Yes. It sounds like fun.”
“Then Ian would love to join us.”
Zach’s mood grew darker as the day wore on.
Why had he thought this was a good idea?
Not the cookout—that was fun. Good friends, good food, good drinks. The part about Tovah learning to live a little via his friends—that was the one that stuck in his craw. Made him see green. Each time one of his brothers smiled or laughed with her, he had the god-awful impulse to punch their teeth down their throats. For Bach, that meant all that expensive dental work would get flushed down the drain, but it would feel so good.
Wait. Stop.
This entire idea was madness. His emotions made no sense whatsoever. Tovah was her own woman. She didn’t even particularly like him, though after the initial call to police and snarky attitude, she had at least been cordial.
Getting her to that point scored him a major victory in man/woman relations. Though maybe the fact she was Miss Rose’s granddaughter had something to do with his success. She wasn’t about to make enemies of her grandma’s neighbors.
And from the looks at how she related to the seniors he’d invited, she’d been a hit in those circles, too.
It was what he wanted. What had been expected of him since agreeing to watch over Tovah. Why he’d allowed himself to get roped into it…Nope. Forget that. He knew why he had. He had a huge soft spot for all things Rose Reese.
Ever since he moved in next door, she had adopted him like a member of her family. Both her and Lois Snead. He loved those ladies and would do anything for them. Which was why he sat in a lawn chair, listening to conversations swirling around him while watching Tovah glow the more animated she became.
Did she even realize how fucking gorgeous she was by firelight? The flames picking up the vibrant strands of her hair and making them come to life?
She sat across the fire pit from him, talking with Dirx and Weaver. Bach had to leave due to an early flight in the morning. At least it was only down to the two of them, fighting over her attention.
Subtly, though. Poor Tovah probably didn’t realize she was being charmed.
Ian sat at his feet, and he absently rubbed the dog’s head. The phone in his shirt pocket buzzed and he took it out to read it.
I’m wet for you.
What the hell?
Not the same number he’d blocked. And he didn’t recognize this one, either.
Dirx had caught the shifted tension and looked across the circle at Zach. An unasked question lingered on the air. Zach gave a small shake of his head as not to alert anyone. Hell, it was annoying but nothing to get twisted over.
Women came up to him in the Gus Stop all the time and said the same shit in his ears. He either politely declined or took them up on the offer to inspect the situation more closely, depending on his mood.
The fact the person hid behind an unknown number, that wasn’t his bag. Either have the fortitude to approach him face to face or leave it alone.
The possibility that a student might be texting him was never far from his mind. No way in all the blue hells was he going to go down that road and put his career in jeopardy.
Which was the reason why Tovah tore him up so hard.
If she had sent him that text, he’d have cleared his yard and had his face planted under her skirt before the last car left the driveway.
Ah, fuck.
That would be the end of a perfect evening. Going down on Tovah under the stars.
He sat up and shook his head to clear it. Another cold drink wouldn’t go amiss right about then. He jiggled his beer bottle. Only a few dregs at the bottom remained.
Hoisting himself from the chair, he stood and walked over to the built-in fridge on his deck. The entire backyard was designed for entertaining. Not that he did it much during a semester, but when he did, he wanted to in comfort and style.
Sounds of chairs moving grabbed his attention from the selection of beers in his fridge and he turned to see Tovah saying goodnight to his friends.
Then she was up and walking across the yard to him as if everything had gone into slow motion. Zach blinked a few times to get his brain and eyes working as a team again. Yeah, this was not a good sign.
“You leaving?” He picked up a bottle from a local brewery and popped the cap with the opener mounted under the bar.
“Yes. I promised Grandma I’d drive over and see her tomorrow. I’m going to bring her lunch and her mail.”
“Tell her I said hello.”
“I will.” She reached out a hand and touched his arm, searing his skin as if her fingers were as flame-kissed as her hair. “I like your friends. Thanks for the introductions. It’s nice knowing more people in town. Doesn’t make me feel as lonely.”
What was that damn lump that formed in his throat? “I’m glad.”
“Good night.” With that she walked away, waving to the others as she reached the gate.
As soon as she was gone, Weaver had his hand on his chest shaking his head. “You’re an idiot, my brother.”
Zach returned to the fire and sat down. “No. I’m preserving my job.”
Dirx raised a shoulder like it was Zach’s loss. “Too bad about your ethics. She’s a real sweetheart and I don’t mind saying that I’m so happy you asked me to help. Bless you.”
Weaver grinned, egging Dirx on. “Now, don’t go getting Zach all stirred up. You remember the Shelby Lent incident.”
Who could forget that debacle. She’d tried dating all of them at the same time. Not letting any of them know. Thought she’d try building her own secret reverse harem. It had all blown up in her face and caused a couple of guys to leave the club. Since then, they’d been really careful about sharing…unless all parties were cool with it.
Shelby had led them all around by the dicks for about a month. How one woman had so much energy, he hadn’t a clue. But she had. It might have been the thrill of the adventure for her. Who knew?
Zach rubbed a hand across his chest. “This is different. This is Miss Rose’s granddaughter. We have an obligation to treat her with respect. Show her a good time, but not too good.”
“Of course.” Dirx leaned in. “So, after the semester…”
Zach threw his empty bottle at Dirx to the sound of Weaver’s laughter.