Chapter Eight #2
Beth considered that, but as she’d seen Ellie in host mode, she had to disagree. ‘I don’t know, I think she’s enjoying it. In fact, she just finished telling me that bookings have increased by twenty per cent since she took over. She seemed pretty proud of that.’
Noah leaned against the bench’s backrest, his brows rising. ‘Really? That is impressive.’
‘Yeah, though she made it sound as if that’s the only thing going right for her at the moment.’
‘Did she say what’s not going right?’
‘Oh, nothing major,’ Beth rushed to assure him, then thought back over what Ellie had shared with her, about her inability to keep friends and how guys only want her for one thing. ‘I think you might be right, though. Maybe she is a bit lonely.’
And maybe, thought Beth, she and Ellie had more in common than she ever would’ve thought possible.
‘Good thing you showed up, then, huh?’ Noah held out his plastic tumbler of beer and Beth tapped her can against it.
Just then, a gust of wind blew her hair across her face and she raised her free hand to tuck it behind her ear, causing her baggy sleeve to drop down her forearm.
Noah furrowed his brow and pointed at her bandaged wrist. ‘What happened there?’
‘Oh, I just strained it earlier.’ She waved away his concern. ‘But that reminds me, I have a favour to ask.’
‘Okay.’ He turned towards her and propped an arm on the back of the bench. ‘Shoot.’
The overhead spotlights flicked on then and a cheer went up from the players who’d snagged their lanes along the green. Beth blinked, letting her eyes adjust to the light, then looked back at Noah.
He stole her breath, but in a good way. Robbed her mind of thoughts, but she didn’t care. Because all she could see in the soft curve of his mouth and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes was kindness. So even though she was about to ask for his help, she didn’t feel the usual trepidation.
‘Remember how I told you I’m fixing up a house?’
He nodded.
‘Well, the ceiling caved in today—’
‘What!’ He sat taller and ran his eyes over her. ‘You weren’t in there when it came down, were you? That’s not how you hurt your wrist?’
‘No, I made it out in time, but I’ve been too scared to go in there to see how bad it is in case the rest of the ceiling comes down.
I don’t have a clue what to do and you mentioned you had experience, so I was hoping you could at least check it out and give me some advice.
Maybe point me in the direction of someone who could help. ’
‘We’ll get to that in a minute. How’d you hurt your wrist?’
She bit her lip, something she often did to ground herself. ‘It’s not important.’
‘I thought you said you didn’t go inside.’
‘I didn’t.’ Sighing, she admitted what had happened—at this point, what was a bit more embarrassment?
Noah dragged a hand over his face. ‘Okay, new rule. No climbing anything that isn’t a ladder. Deal?’
She brightened. ‘Does that mean you’ll help me?’
‘Well, I’m afraid that if I don’t, you’ll end up breaking a bone or, I don’t know, sticking your finger in a power socket.’
Beth tilted her head and grimaced. ‘Why would I do that?’
He laughed, then seemed to realise she hadn’t understood the joke. ‘I just meant that you broke one of the golden safety rules. Didn’t your dad ever teach you not to climb on unstable objects?’
‘No.’ She looked away, the ease with which she’d conversed with Noah until now vanishing in an instant. ‘He died when I was five.’
A beat of silence passed between them.
‘Bloody hell, I’m sorry, Beth. I didn’t mean—’
‘It’s okay,’ she assured him. Because she really, really, didn’t want to have this discussion. With him or anyone. ‘So do you know of someone who might be able to help?’
He studied her a moment longer, then cleared his throat. ‘Well, I do, but a boom in the construction industry means there’s a serious shortage of trades. Everyone’s booked out months in advance.’
Her heart sank. ‘I really can’t wait that long. Do you have any other ideas?’
Crossing his arms, he leaned back in his seat and frowned. ‘I could free up some time to help. Dad’s just hired Caleb, so I think I can make it work.’
‘Did I hear my name?’ Caleb strolled over with Ellie.
‘Yeah. I just finished telling Beth about that time you got so drunk you climbed a tree and started hooting like an owl, hoping to impress a girl.’
Ellie snorted and Beth mashed her lips together, trying to contain her laughter.
‘Dude, why?’ Caleb glared at Noah then shook his head. ‘Not true, Beth, not true.’ He inched forward, appearing to rethink his denial. ‘Unless that’s something that might actually impress you?’
Beth couldn’t control it. Her laughter bubbled up inside her, danced over her tongue and rang out over the green.
‘Yes!’ Caleb pumped a triumphant fist in the air. ‘Sucked in, Brennan! I don’t get embarrassed. You should know that by now.’
Noah stood and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Yeah, you got me there, buddy. Good job.’
‘All right,’ Caleb declared as he reached into a wooden box that sat beside the bench, then held aloft the little white ball he pulled out. ‘It’s time to kick some Brennan butt!’
Taking Noah’s place beside Beth, Ellie leaned closer. ‘So is he going to help?’
‘Yeah, he just needs to make sure he can spare the time away from work.’
Ellie nodded, but Beth didn’t miss the tiny crease that formed between her brows.
‘What? You didn’t think he would?’
‘Well, I knew he’d want to help, but his dad’s been sick, so I wasn’t sure whether he’d have the time.’ Ellie shrugged. ‘Uncle Mick must be feeling better.’
Beth’s jaw dropped. ‘How could you let me ask?’ she hissed. ‘He probably felt obliged to say yes.’
‘Relax.’ Ellie grinned and linked their arms together. ‘If Noah didn’t have the time, he would’ve been honest with you. Besides, he does so much for his family, especially lately, and he never takes time out for himself. It was his decision to make.’
‘Except, he’s not doing this for himself, he’s doing it for me.’
‘Is he?’ A mischievous glint sparked in Ellie’s eye.
Beth stared at her, speechless, and an odd feeling settled in her belly.
‘Are you two playing or what?’ Caleb called from the mat.
Ellie nudged her gently. ‘You don’t have to play if you don’t want to. You’ve got the perfect excuse.’ She nodded at Beth’s wrist.
Tired of making excuses, Beth held up her good hand. ‘I’m left-handed. Will you teach me how to play?’
‘Absolutely!’ Ellie stood. ‘C’mon, let’s show these boys how it’s done.’