Even before Leah arrived at Sebastian’s house for the second time, she could see through the foliage that some of his interior lights were illuminated.
Anticipation floated upward within her.
Glass covered much of the front of his house, so chances were good that she’d be able to see him inside as she passed. If so, she planned to knock, explain that she’d been walking by, noticed him, and wanted to say hello.
And he likely wouldn’t mind the intrusion because they were friends. . . . Or friendly, at least.
When she reached the edge of his property, she saw him standing on his lawn, attempting to start a push lawnmower.
“Sometimes I amaze . . . even . . . myself.” The Han Solo quote stumbled like a drunk person through her head.
Sebastian was just yards away. Wearing basketball shorts. And no shirt.
Leah resettled her attention respectfully forward. She hadn’t prepared a plan for this particular scenario! She wasn’t experienced at carrying on conversations with shirtless men.
He didn’t have the self-indulgent, puffed-up body of someone who lifted heavy weights at the gym. Nonetheless, he clearly did spend time exercising. His frame was imposing. His chest and abdomen, firm and smooth.
“Leah?”
At the sound of his voice, she turned, her motion halting.
He’d straightened to his full height, his face a portrait of surprise.
“Oh! Hello.” She approached him.
The dark stubble on his cheeks informed her that he hadn’t shaved this morning. Hurriedly, she worked to absorb the remaining details of his appearance. . . . The piercing pale gray of his eyes. The blunt nose and determined lips. The weathered plane of his forehead. The vertical furrow between his brows. He looked like a man who’d been to war and lived to tell the tale.
“Dr. Grant.”
“Professor Montgomery.”
“Nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you again, too.”
“You told me once that you like to mow your lawn.”
“And you told me once that you like hiking.”
“I guess neither of us was lying.”
He smiled. “What brings you to this part of town?”
“I get bored walking my neighborhood, so I frequently drive to areas of town I haven’t yet explored and walk other people’s neighborhoods,” she lied.
“You’re not carrying a purse.” His attention flicked down to her tennis shoes and back up. “So where’s your graphing calculator?”
She laughed. “I’m heartened to inform you that I actually can accomplish quite a bit of math in my head, so I keep my calculator near me most of the time but am not obliged to keep it with me all of the time.”
“You’re not afraid you might encounter a math problem you can’t solve in your head while out walking?”
“If I do encounter that type of problem while out walking, I’m confident that I’ll be able to remember it well enough to input it into my calculator at the first available opportunity.”
“Very brave.”
And there it was, that living, crackling, thrilling allure. And not because of his shirtlessness. Because of him. His quickness and understated humor. And also them. Their alchemy.
It was glorious to banter with him again. In fact, talking to him gave her the same feeling she’d experienced when she’d returned to Misty River from New England—the delight of coming home.
“Ah,” she whispered.
Wait. Had she said that out loud?
Ah what?” Sebastian asked. He could not believe that Leah Montgomery was standing in front of him. He felt like he had the first time he’d seen her inside his wrecked car—dazzled and stupid. His responses to her were much too big. Ridiculous. His heart was pounding, and his senses were rushing.
She’d dressed in a light blue workout top, yoga pants, socks that had pom poms at the back of her ankles above her tennis shoes. She’d pulled the front of her hair to one side and fastened it with a barrette. Exertion had turned her cheeks pink, and she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“Ah, isn’t this summer heat wonderful?” she finished in answer to his question.
“Ah, isn’t this mountain air perfect?” he countered.
“It is.”
“Go on any doomed road trips recently, Professor?”
“No.” She sniffed. “I did, however, go on a lovely road trip. Have you repaired any damaged baby hearts lately?”
“A few. Competed in any chess tournaments?”
“Sadly, no. Listened to Sinatra?”
“Happily, yes.”
“Driven off the side of any roads?”
He made a sound of amusement. “Nope. Gone out to dinner with my friend Ben?”
“Not yet, but we’ve scheduled it for Wednesday.”
That information sent a slash of pain through him. After a few moments, he realized he’d been staring at her too long without saying anything. He motioned toward his house. “Would you like to come in?”
“Certainly, though I don’t want to interrupt your mowing.”
“The mowing can wait.”
They walked across overgrown grass he wished he’d had the chance to cut before she’d seen it.
Mowing his lawn was a throwback to the set of foster parents he’d lived with the longest. Jim had taught Sebastian to mow. Once he’d learned how, Sebastian had run the lawnmower over their front and back lawns every two weeks.
Jim’s motto had been “If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” By that point in Sebastian’s life, after El Salvador, Sebastian had agreed. He’d found that he liked mowing and mowing well. It relaxed him to do something outdoors with his hands. Back then, many things in his life—mostly the fact that he had no parents—had been a mess. But he’d had the ability to cut the grass perfectly.
Things could and did go wrong with his patients’ health, but to this day, he had this. He could still control his lawn.
“Ben and some of our other friends are coming by any minute,” he said. “They’re going to help me trim the hedges and plant flowers.”
“Sounds like you’ve compiled a whole landscaping team.” She paused in front of the entry to look up at the structure. “Your house is gorgeous.”
Her compliment pleased him more than anything had in weeks. “Thank you.”
“Did you hire an architect to draw up plans?”
“Yes. I was not an easy client. I’m sure she was glad to get rid of me.” He held the front door open for her.
Inside the foyer, he grabbed his T-shirt off the small table next to the door. In one fluid movement, he pulled it over his head.
“May I have a tour?” she asked, then added, “Is that a presumptuous thing to request?” before he could respond to her first question.
“I’d be glad to give you a tour.”
He wanted to take her face in his hands and make out with her. Instead, he led her to the one-story side of his house. While she was distracted, looking at the surroundings, he studied her gentle profile. Her opinion of his place meant something to him. It felt as if he was watching her open a gift he’d given her.
“It’s fabulous the way the ceiling’s vaulted and supported with all those beams,” she said. “And I like how this whole area is just one open space. Kitchen, dining room, sitting area.”
“This is the part of the house I use the least.”
“Oh?”
“If I were married or had a family, it would probably be the part of the house I’d use the most. As it is, I’m usually here alone. I don’t have much use for a dining room table or a sitting area.”
“What about the kitchen? Do you cook?”
“Not really. You?”
“Not really.” They made their way to the two-story wing.
Downstairs, he showed her the half bath and the den where he watched TV. Upstairs, they walked through the guest bedroom, connecting bathroom, and the room that served as his office. Then they stepped into his master bedroom, which thankfully, he kept clean.
He wouldn’t have thought twice about showing anyone else his bedroom. But this was Leah. The fact that he was showing her his bedroom made this seem intimate. Irrational things he’d never say out loud crammed into his head. Marry me. Sleep here with me. Live here with me.
They reached the landing at the top of the stairs. “I love your house,” she told him. “You and the architect who was glad to get rid of you did an excellent job.”
Their eyes held. For a split second his brain blanked, and he couldn’t find words. “Have . . . have you learned anything new about Jonathan and Trina Brookside since I saw you last?”
“Not much. I visited the house where they lived twenty-eight years ago and found pictures of Trina and Sophie online.”
He wanted to say, “Please let me know how I can help.” But he only let himself nod.
He heard the back door open.
Ben, no doubt. He needed to give his friend warning. “Look who was walking down my street,” Sebastian called as he and Leah made their way downstairs.
Right when they reached the foyer, Ben came into view. He hesitated for only a moment before a grin broke across his face. “Leah! Great to see you.”
“You too,” she answered, hugging him.
They stepped apart. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you until Wednesday,” Ben said.
“Same.”
Sebastian’s gut knotted. Ben filled Sebastian in on a lot of aspects of his life, but he no longer spoke about Leah. Until Leah had mentioned her date with Ben earlier, he hadn’t known about it.
“How was your trip?” Ben asked.
While she described a few of the highlights, she pulled out her phone to find some photos to share.
Ben took the opportunity to send Sebastian a look that said, What are you doing with my girl?
When Leah returned her phone to her arm band, Ben’s friendly expression snapped back into place.
“Would you like something to drink?” Sebastian asked.
“Water would be great.”
In his kitchen, he surveyed his pantry. “What about something to eat? I’ve got crackers, sunflower seeds, protein powder, collagen.” He considered the contents of his fridge. “Greek yogurt, leftover chicken and rice, olive tapenade.” He motioned to the bowl on the counter. “Clementines, bananas, sweet potato.”
“Collagen and sweet potato, please.” Leah spoke from her position across the island next to Ben.
Ben bent at the waist, chuckling.
Sebastian arched a brow. He wasn’t above a challenge. “I can make you a collagen shake—”
“No, no, no,” she said. “Just water and a few crackers, please.”
“Ben?” Sebastian asked.
“I’ll have a banana.”
He passed out water and food, glad for the chance to give her something, even something small.
They stood around the island, snacking, talking. The whole time, Sebastian could sense Ben’s suspicion.
Leah looked between them with interest. “How long have you two been friends?”
“Nineteen years,” Sebastian answered.
“I’m envious. I wish I’d had a friendship like yours.”
“How come you didn’t?” Sebastian asked.
“I made some good friends back when I was around the same age that you were when you became friends. But then we all went separate directions when we were eighteen. One of them lives in California. One in Florida. One in New York. I’ve kept in touch with most of them, but less and less as the years passed.” She adjusted her barrette. “I’m convinced that you two are the gold standard in male friendships.”
It didn’t feel like that at the moment, since he was certain Ben wanted to punch him and he’d like to punch Ben back.
“Nah,” Ben said good-naturedly. “We’re not the gold standard. We’re just two normal guys.”
“Who were rescued from earthquake rubble by a supernatural act of God?” she asked dryly.
Ben released an amused whistle.
“What do you like best about each other?” she asked.
“I like that Ben’s loyal,” Sebastian said.
“Sebastian’s determined. More than any other person I know, he gets things done.”
“Okay. So what drives you crazy about the other?”
Ben lifted his eyebrows. “You really want to stir that pot?”
“I do. What drives you crazy about Sebastian?”
“He’s opinionated, and he’ll fight for his side, even when he’s wrong.”
“That’s true,” Sebastian told her.
“What drives you crazy about Ben?” She broke a cracker in half and popped a piece into her mouth.
“Instead of confronting me, he’ll sometimes stay quiet about the things I do that bother him.”
“Also true,” Ben said.
She ate the rest of the cracker.
“Have you demoted us from the gold standard?” Sebastian asked.
“Not in the least.”
“I realize that I haven’t known you as long as I’ve known Sebastian,” Ben said to her. “But you do have a friend in me, Leah.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m thankful.”
If these two became a couple, he’d have to see them together often. If they married, he’d attend their wedding. Then he’d visit them at their first house. Then he’d hold their baby in his arms.
The thought filled his body with a wash of dismay.
A knock sounded, immediately followed by the whoosh of the front door. “We’re here!” a feminine voice called.
“In the kitchen,” Ben called back.
Natasha and her younger sister, Genevieve, pulled up short when they saw a stranger in their midst.
Ben performed the introductions, finishing with, “This is Leah Montgomery, the most outstanding advanced math teacher in Georgia.”
Understanding swept across both sisters’ faces as they realized that this was the Leah Ben had been talking about for months.
“I’m delighted to meet you,” Genevieve said.
“Ben’s great, isn’t he?” Natasha asked.
“We adore Ben,” Genevieve explained.
“Can you confirm my suspicion that Ben’s the best science teacher in Georgia?” Natasha asked.
“Since I’m not acquainted with all the science teachers in Georgia,” Leah answered, “I’m afraid that I can’t say that definitively. But my best guess is yes.”
“I knew it,” Natasha said to Ben.
“We knew it,” Genevieve corrected.
“Are you here to help us with yard work?” Natasha asked Leah.
“If not, you’re still allowed to stay.” Genevieve lifted the stack of cookies she’d brought from Tart Bakery. “I came under the guise of planting flowers, but I’m mostly planning to eat cookies, talk, and maybe drink iced tea.”
“I don’t have iced tea,” Sebastian said.
“Dream killer,” Genevieve murmured.
“Actually,” Leah said, “I was out walking when Sebastian saw me, and I stopped to chat. I have a few more miles to go, so I’ll head out.”
“We’ll be trimming hedges,” Ben said to Leah. “I know you can’t resist trimming hedges.”
“Amazingly, I can.” Her lips curved. “Thanks for the house tour and the food, Sebastian.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her gaze remained on him. “I’ll be driving to Atlanta next month so that Dylan can tour colleges. I’ve been trying to introduce him to various career tracks in a desperate attempt to motivate him and was wondering if it might be possible to bring him by your hospital while we’re there.”
“Of course,” Sebastian answered. “Just text me and let me know when you’d like to come by.”
“Will do.”
“We’ll walk you out.” Genevieve and Natasha ushered her away before Sebastian could say good-bye. “Here, let me give you my number!” Genevieve said, then the sound of feminine voices faded to quiet.
Ben frowned at him. “Dude.”
“Everything happened the way she said. I was trying to get my lawnmower to start. I looked up, and I saw her walking by.”
“What was she doing, walking in this part of town? She doesn’t live anywhere near here.”
“She told me she gets bored walking her neighborhood, so she likes to branch out and walk other people’s neighborhoods.”
“Seems like a weird coincidence that she walked right by your house.”
“I agree.”
“What were you guys doing upstairs?”
“She asked for a tour of the house.”
Ben’s mouth tensed. “Is anything going on between you two?”
“No.”
Long pause. “Okay,” Ben said.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Ben had always been slow to anger and quick to let anger go.
Natasha and Genevieve returned. “Ben!” Genevieve took hold of his shoulders. “She’s beautiful.”
“She really is,” Natasha echoed.
“I’m glad you two finally got to meet her,” Ben said.
The sisters went on and on about Leah.
Natasha, a mother of two, was currently on leave from practicing law. She was fit, blond, practical, and, in his opinion, slightly eccentric. She’d completed what she’d called “A Year of Living Austenly,” and this year had kicked off “A Year of Living C. S. Lewisly.” A few weeks back, she’d told him about the theology she’d been reading, the letters she’d been writing, and her determination to smoke a pipe before the year was out.
Natasha’s younger sister, Genevieve, had long hair, browner at the top and blonder at the bottom. He’d never caught her without makeup, nail polish, earrings, and a coordinated outfit. Outgoing and self-deprecating, she’d surprised him by building an extremely successful career as a Bible study author and Christian speaker.
“So, what’s the latest with you and Leah?” Natasha asked Ben. She and Genevieve settled on the island’s stools. “Any change?”
“Today’s the first time I’ve seen her in about a month. She was traveling, so we’ve been keeping in touch through texts. Here, look.” He pulled out his phone and passed it to the sisters. After they’d each taken a look, Genevieve turned Ben’s phone in Sebastian’s direction. The photo Leah had texted Ben showed Leah and Dylan sitting in a canoe, smiling.
“A few days ago, she suggested we go out for Korean food this week,” Ben said.
“Wait.” Natasha faced Ben. “What?”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Genevieve asked.
“Because I don’t want to get my hopes up. I think it might just be a friend thing. Not a date.”
“Wear something semi-nice, in case it is a date in her mind,” Genevieve suggested. “Women don’t like to feel overdressed.”
They continued to talk in painful detail about what Ben should wear, what he should order, how he should handle trying to pay.
Miserable, Sebastian drained the last of his water, then peeled another clementine, even though he hadn’t been hungry for the first one he’d eaten.