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We hop out of the truck once we’re parked at Granny’s, and I instantly catch a whiff of her country cooking. I don’t know how many more of these meals I can take, considering I’ve probably gained five pounds since I’ve been here. I’ve got to get stuff to make my salads before I die from heart failure from all the grease she cooks with.
Dad’s waiting on the porch for us. He calls for me and Tyler to come in and get some lunch. Granny does most of the talking while we eat—most of the time she questions Tyler about his family. Appears Granny loves to know all about the town gossip. Suddenly, I don’t feel special because she listened to all my problems for all those years while we spent hours on the phone every week. I listen as Tyler tells her about his mother.
“She’s doing better,” he says. “The first six months were rough on her after Dad died, but I think she’s doing a lot better now.”
I feel a little twinge of sadness for him. My heart goes out to him instantly knowing that he’s recently lost his father.
“That’s good to hear. I’ve been real worried about her,” Granny replies. “When my Earl passed, I realized that you never really get over losing the love of your life. The first six months is the hardest.” Granny reaches over and pats Tyler’s hand. “I’m here if either of you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Tyler says and then gives her a small smile.
After lunch, Dad asks me to come out to the construction area with him because he wants to show me a few things. Tyler trails close behind us to assist Dad with the explanation of their plans for this addition onto the house.
They both try their hardest to get me to envision my new room, but for the life of me, I can’t picture it. I don’t have a very vivid imagination. So unless something is concrete in front of me, forget it. I won’t see it. My main concern, here, is how long it’ll be until it’s done because at this rate, it’ll be a while. Right now, there are only a few post holes dug in the ground and a bunch of tools lying everywhere. I’m still not convinced this is a very good idea.
“Dad, this seems like a lot of work. I really don’t mind just sleeping on the couch.” I attempt to give him an out if he feels like he’s in over his head with this project, but Dad doesn’t take it.
“Don’t be silly, Avery. Granny really wants you to have this room. It will probably take a few weeks. There’s only so much Tyler and I can get done in a day, but don’t worry. It’s going to get done,” Dad answers.
“I’ll be here as much as I can, but I work at least five days a week at the lumberyard. Hopefully, we’ll get it finished before the summer is over,” Tyler adds.
“I really appreciate all your help on the place, Tyler. It will be nice to have my own space while I’m here,” I admit.
He smiles. “I’ll do all that I can to see that we get it done.”
“Okay, I’m going to take some of these tools into the barn to keep them out of the weather. Avery, honey, will you help Tyler carry all of his tools to his truck?” Dad asks.
“Sure thing.”
I turn to Tyler once Dad is gone and ask him which tools are his so I can start picking up. Tyler points out a couple hammers and a few other weird-looking metal objects, so I grab them and carry them toward his truck.
I sling Tyler’s tools into the bed of his truck. I never pictured Tyler as being a handyman type when I met him a couple weeks ago, let alone a guy that owned a bunch of tools.
“Jeez, if you wanted m
e to stay, all you had to do was ask. You don’t have to throw my tools around like that and try to break my truck. I mean, I know those hammers are no crowbar, but I still worry about the safety of my truck when you are near it with any kind of metal,” Tyler says in a mocking tone.
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” I tell him.
“Good thing these old tools are tough. They can take a beating from the likes of you, I think.” He smiles and those dang dimples come out again, making me a little weak in the knees. I expect another wisecrack from him any second while he continues to put away his tools, but every time he sees me glance at him, all I get is another smile.
“Okay, look. I know that you’re obsessed with me, so if I ask you out—show you a little attention—will you stop staring at me all the time?” He chuckles.
My mouth drops open. Someone’s awfully full of themselves. I’m not even sure how to answer that. I know he’s kidding around with me, but is it that obvious that I really am staring at him all the time?
“Come out with me tonight?” he asks.
“You want to go out with me?” I question while wearing a teasing smile.
“Well, usually I think it’s only fitting we go out on a real date seeing as we’ve already been out to Walmart and all. I don’t take girls there until at least the second or third date . . . but you’re special, and since our little trip together today was sort of our date number three, we can just pretend tonight will be date number four.” He grins.
“Date four, huh? What’s in store for girls on date number four?” I ask, playing along.
“You’ll have to say yes first. Then you’ll find out.”
I absolutely love the way Tyler is so playful. I can really see myself falling for him, so I need to remind myself to take things slow with him and figure out if he’s really the nice guy that he seems to be. All I ever seem to attract are jerks, but Tyler seems so different from all the other guys I dated back on campus. He’s nice and seems to genuinely care about more than just himself. He was there for me when my friends bailed, and he was the one who came out to check on me at the frat party, and both times he didn’t know me at all. Today when he took my hand, I felt a connection with him, and I really want to see where this will lead. It will crush me if he isn’t as genuine as he appears to be. But, I’ll never know unless I give him a real shot.
“Why not?” I smile.
