Chapter 8
Addyson checked her hair for the fourth time and smoothed the imaginary wrinkle from her shirt. She didn’t know why she felt skittish around Liam, but the butterflies in her stomach refused to settle.
Zeus whined from his bed while she stood before the mirror.
“What? Don’t you like this shirt? What do you suggest?” she asked as she turned to get a back view. “How do you feel about these jeans?”
Zeus grunted and rolled over.
“Some kind of help you are,” she muttered as she pet his belly. “Why do I feel nervous? He’s only helping me find a car.” Wishing she made a friend to talk to, Addyson made her way downstairs. Her eyes scanned the room, making sure everything appeared tidy and in its place.
Wanting to go outside, Zeus pawed at the door.
“All right, you big lug, we’ll go out for a few minutes.
I’m going out today, and I expect you’ll be on your best behavior,” she chided as she grabbed the ball from the basket.
When she stepped outside, she gave the ball a long toss, watching the dog gallop across the yard.
A minute later, he brought it back, and she threw it again.
Zeus barked twice and sped to catch up with it as Liam came around the corner.
“Hey, I see you’re training your horse. If we don’t find a car today, maybe you can saddle him?” he said, grinning at her.
“You know, I almost think you’re jealous,” she retorted. “I bet your K-9 can’t do as many tricks as my baby.”
“You’re probably right,” he said. “Considering mine doesn’t do any tricks. He’s highly trained and professional.”
“I’ll have you know, Zeus can do more than tricks. He’s a great roommate, picks up his toys and doesn’t say sarcastic things about other dogs.”
Liam chuckled as he leaned against the fence. “I’m only teasing. I’ll admit he startled us the first time we met, but anyone can see you’re great at handling him.”
Addy smiled as she watched Zeus carry the slobbery ball to her. Reaching down, she grabbed it and called out, “Last time before we go in, do your business.”
Zeus ran about the yard and found his perfect spot before going and then returned to Addy. She threw it again and watched her dog retrieve it.
“Do you think we’ll find a car today? Sam always did a ton of research and asked a million questions. I don’t know a single thing about them,” she admitted. “I hate feeling this misinformed over such a costly item.”
“Do you have a budget in mind?” he asked as Zeus returned with his prize and Addy opened the back door for him to bring it inside and put it in the basket.
“I’ll open the front door,” she called as Liam made his way around the house. Filling the water bowl, she pointed her finger at her cherished pet. “No funny stuff today. We took a nice, long walk already, but when I return, maybe we’ll take another one.”
She entered the living room to welcome Liam and then grabbed her purse and jacket. “Do I need anything else?” she asked as she bit her fingernail.
“I think you’re good as long as you have your ID and insurance card. You’ll be fine,” he assured her. “Do you have a certain make or model you’re interested in test-driving?”
Shaking her head, she climbed into Liam’s SUV. “No, not really. Maybe I’ll stick to the old, tried, and true.”
* * *
Liam watched as she nibbled on her nails. Addyson played the cool, professional nurse at the Winters Foundation, but seemed unsure of herself outside of the facility.
“How about this. When you envision your new car, what color do you see?” he asked, glancing at her as he backed out of her driveway.
“I love the colors blue and dark, forest green,” she said, lighting up.
“There’s a start,” he encouraged. “Do you plan on staying in the country? You’ll want to consider All Wheel Drive versus Front Wheel Drive,” he informed her.
“Since I bought the house, I guess I’ll need the first one. Do you think I can drive it home today?” she asked.
“Possibly. It depends on whether you find one and, if you do, whether you find the correct car but not in the right color. They can order it for you, and it may take a day to a couple of months.”
“Wow. I hope I don’t have to wait,” she said, nibbling on her thumb.
Shaking his head, Liam took her hand. “Stop it. You’ll be down to the skin if you keep it up. Did you know you have a nervous habit of biting your nails?”
She pulled away and blushed. “Sam always said I needed to replace my bad habits. I can’t seem to stop this one. I’m worried about it.”
“What’s your budget?” he asked again.
“I don’t have one,” she confessed. “The insurance company will take another week or two, but I can pay upfront.”
“Whatever you do, don’t tell the salesmen you have an unlimited budget,” he advised. “If you see a style of car you like on the way, let me know.”
Her shoulders seemed to relax as she watched the few cars pass.
“Don’t worry. There’ll be more vehicles closer to the city,” he assured her.
“I did some thinking last night about this. I didn’t have Zeus when we got our car. I think it’ll be easier if I get something like this,” she said, while her hand roamed over the interior.
“See? You do have some idea,” he said, picking up his coffee mug.
“I saw one with folding seats at the push of a button. It’ll be easier when we go to the vet,” she said, musing over the idea.
“I bet. Do you have any hobbies such as gardening, kayaking, fishing?” he asked.
“I love to knit and crochet. I’m known as an excellent hooker,” she said seriously.
Liam spat the coffee back in his cup. “What did you say?”
“Oh. It’s a term used for people who crochet or knit. They’re hookers,” she explained.
“Who taught you? My grandmother knitted all the time, but I never heard her called a hooker. Then again, if I called her that, I might not be alive today.”
“My mom taught me. I come from a long line of hookers,” she teased.
Liam laughed out loud. “My grandmother used to go to a knitting club. Sometimes, I think they should’ve called it the wine and gossip club.”
“I don’t know many people here, much less a club of any kind,” she admitted.
The comment bothered him, but he let it go.
He didn’t want to ruin their pleasant conversation.
Usually, when he saw her at the hospital, she kept a cool persona.
It didn’t surprise him the nurses didn’t invite her to their weekend activities.
She seemed unapproachable… except the few times he saw her with the Serenity Mountain kids.
They were the children of the Serenity Securities team he signed on with and seemed beloved by all the patients.
He recalled the first time he saw her. A little boy named Tommy, Bear, and Julie’s son, seemed upset when LJ, Caleb, and Tyler received an invitation to a birthday party.
The little boy didn’t receive one. Everyone knew Addyson took her lunch at noon in the cafeteria.
Liam took a walk every day to watch her eat the same sandwich.
She never spoke with anyone unless they approached her.
This day turned out differently. Taking Tommy by the hand, she fashioned two birthday hats from paper plates and a piece of yarn.
Now he knew where the string came from. Holding a basket, she tossed a blanket on the ground and pulled out a large piece of cake and plopped a hat on his head.
She blew up a balloon, and they bounced it to one another using everything but their hands.
Addy’s laugh became contagious as Tommy joined her.
A few minutes later, the Serenity kids ran out to join her, deciding if their friend didn’t get an invite because people considered him different, they didn’t want to attend.
A few of their moms followed them and attempted to pull Addyson into conversation.
She rose politely, made her excuses, and the mask came back on as she made her way into the hospital.
“Liam?” she said, drawing his attention.
“Yes?”
“How will I know if I’m getting a good deal?” she asked. “I hate appearing like an idiot. I didn’t have time to research and plan. I figured Sam’s car might last me another two years. By the time I researched it next year, I’d make up my mind.”
“You’re overthinking it,” he said. “Do you have your phone?”
Addy pulled her device out of her purse.
“All right, if I scratch my nose, it means they’re trying to screw you. If I rub my chin, I’m telling you to say you’ll think about it. They’ll usually get a manager who’ll finagle the numbers lower. If I tap my forehead, it’s a good deal,” he explained. “Write these questions down.”
Addy tapped the app and typed the questions he gave her.
“Pretend you know what you’re talking about. If you waver or act like you have no idea, you’re a mark,” he advised. “Do you want to practice?”
“Yes, please,” she said, seeming like an eager puppy with her big eyes and phone at the ready.
“Ask me a question,” he ordered.
“All right,…what size engine does it have?”
“No, don’t hesitate. Ask me like you’re ordering one of your nurses to do CPR on a patient,” he coached.
“What size engine does it have?” she asked seriously.
“It has V4, V5, or V6 engine,” he told her.
Addy’s nose scrunched up as she scoured the list searching for the correct response.
“Don’t glance at your phone. Pretend the salesman’s a nurse and you already know what excuse they’ll give you. Appear confident in your questions,” he instructed her as she nodded, absorbing everything.
“Do I want a V4, V5, or V6?” she asked.
“You’ll know when you drive it,” he explained. “We’ll take it for a test drive. Pick something that feels comfortable for you. You’ll be doing the driving. Sit in the seat, try all the buttons, and think about what Zeus might like to ride in, considering his size.”
“Oh, I like your advice,” she said, typing it into her phone.
“You can’t keep glancing at your device,” he warned. “You’ll give yourself away. Do another question.”
“I’m searching for an all-wheel drive vehicle. Do you have any on the lot I can try?”
“Very good,” he complimented. “Try again.”
“What’s the warranty?” she asked with more power.