Chapter thirteen
Extra Innings
Godwin
How long would Derby wait for me?I couldn’t be in a relationship with him, but it didn’t mean I didn’t want him, miss him, care about him.I wanted to make sure he knew that.It wasn’t fair to jerk him around, but I couldn’t let go, either.I couldn’t stop regretting that email, and I had to do something, anything, to smooth things over a little.
I grabbed my tablet and headed for the front of the office.“Nancy, I’m going to be out of pocket for a bit.Text me if you have an emergency or anything.”
“Not likely,” she muttered as I headed out the door.I didn’t stop to ask her what she meant.I wanted to stay on track.First, I made a quick detour and loaded some equipment on the truck.Then I headed to my destination.
Derby’s mother’s home was a work of art.I had worked more closely on it with the architect than I normally did.I’d wanted it to be perfect.It could only be better if I’d designed it all by myself.When I pulled up in the drive, I saw I was right.It was time to mow the lawn for the first time, and I wanted to be the one to do it.Because I wanted it done right.Because my own mother would want me to.Because I wanted Derby to know I still cared, even if I wasn’t with him.
I pulled the mower off my truck and made sure it had gas, then I cranked it up.I didn’t want Derby’s mom worrying about the lawn, and I knew Derby would be gone a few days.I’d barely made two passes when she came out of the house waving her arms.I killed the mower and wiped my brow with the back of my arm.It was mid-day and hot as hell out.
“I think you might have the wrong house, sir.I didn’t order yard work.”She looked a lot like Derby, or vice versa.
“No, I’m not a lawn service, but I know I have the right house, Ms.Ward.”
She glared, questioning me with one raised eyebrow, a look I’d seen a time or two from Derby.“Oh, Mr.Ellis.I didn’t recognize you.But what are you doing?”
“Derby will be away, and, uh...”How did I explain what this meant?
“Ahh...I see.This is all about Derby getting his britches in a knot over you.”
Maybe I didn’t need to explain at all.“I didn’t want you to worry about the lawn.”
“That’s sweet.Does Derby know you’re doing this?”
“Uh...no.”
Ms.Ward winked at me and smiled shyly.“Well, I appreciate it, and I’m sure he will too, but you would probably have more luck with him being direct.”
“Direct?Uh, no, uh...”I chewed at my bottom lip.This conversation was getting uncomfortable.“We’re not—”
“Hey,” she interrupted.“I’m not getting involved.Relax.”She held up her hands.“But I know how much he likes you.I saw how happy you made him.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to say.
“Well, you did a great job on the house.I love it so much.It’s rapidly become home.And better than I’ve ever had before.I’m so happy he had you for that.Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.But, uh, my time’s limited.I’d like to get back to this.”I gestured to the lawn and mower.
“I’ll let you do your thing, then.But, Mr—”
“It’s Godwin.Please.”
“Godwin.Let me know if you want to talk.About Derby, I mean.”
I nodded, though I didn’t think I’d ever talk to her about that.About him.
She went back in the house, and I set the throttle and yanked the cord.The mower came to life with a rumble, and I concentrated on pushing straight lines across her grass.I finished up and hit the side yard, then pushed the mower around to the back gate.I opened it and pushed through.Ms.Ward was on the deck.“Hey, Godwin.Take a break and get some water before you dehydrate.It’s hotter than, well, you know.”
I stomped up the steps, knocking the grass off my boots and took the cold bottle she held out to me.“Thank you, ma’am.”
“No trouble at all.”
For a few minutes, I drank my water, and we stood on the porch together.The silence was awkward and expectant.Finally, the words came, and I listened.I was curious about what she would say, and maybe I needed to know more about Derby.“So, Godwin.I’m gonna be honest with you.Derby’s struggled.He’s not always the sharpest tool in the shed if you know what I mean.”
