Page 40 of Living Hell

“I’m afraid we’re closed for the day.” I raised my voice as I moved down the hall.

“But I found this lost puppy wandering the streets. I think his name is Carter. At least, that’s what he keeps telling me.” Iona’s words floated through the hall. I turned the corner and saw her standing next to a tall, bearded man who belonged in a paper towel commercial holding an ax.

“He’s hardly a puppy, more like a rabid dog,” I said nodding to Carter.

“Nice to see you, too, Tyler. Is Olivia here?” The burly sheep farmer glared at Iona with uncertainty.

“She’s in my office taking a nap. It was a busy day.”

He headed back, and Iona yelled out, “It was nice to meet you, bearded stranger.”

I shook my head. “Don’t bother. He won’t talk to you unless he absolutely has to. If you look up recluse in the dictionary, his face is there giving you the stink eye.”

“Did he move here when I left?”

“No. He’s been here since we were eight.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t ever remember him.”

“You weren’t meant to. His father kept him hidden. It’s a long story.”

“I guess you can tell me all about it on our date.”

I shrugged and wondered if we should postpone the outing. After what I witnessed today, and now Iona was getting security, would we be bombarded on our romantic evening?

“About that . . . There’s something I should tell you before we go out.”

“Oh, I have a surprise for you, but you go first.”

Iona bounced on her toes, bursting with excitement. She was adorable and seductive in her tiny shorts. A part of me was thankful it was chaotic here today or my mind would have been wandering too often back to what had happened this morning.

Now that I had a moment to think, I couldn’t stop staring at her legs.

“My brother will be staying with us for a while.”

“Little Jakie-Jake. Aww, I can’t wait to see his adorable little cheeks.” She scrunched up her face as if she was giving him a million kisses.

“Yes!” I pointed at her. “That right there. I would consider giving you the house if you treat him just like that when he comes.”

The last time she saw Jake, he was thirteen. His voice hadn’t dropped yet, and his growth spurt didn’t hit until later that year. She remembered the pint-sized boy who followed her around like a love-sick puppy.

Little did she know he was a big hulking beast now.

“I’ll give him a big hug and pinch those dimpled cheeks, I promise. Where does he live now?”

“Chicago.”

“The big city.” Her eyes went wide, and she fanned her hands in front of me. “I guess he’s a big boy now.”

I fell to my knees in front of her and clasped my hands. “Please, I am begging you to call him a big boy when he comes. It would be a dream come true.”

She frowned. “You have the weirdest fantasies, Tyler.”

If watching your little brother get embarrassed because the woman he used to have a schoolboy crush on call him a big boy in front of people made me strange, then I didn’t want to be normal.

I sat back on my haunches. “My only fantasy right now is getting out of here and having something to eat.”

Iona lowered her hand to help me up. “That’s my surprise. Close your eyes and follow me.”

---