Page 39 of Wreck Me

Movement from the hallway caught Ginny’s eye. His mother appeared in the doorway to the living room, her face flushed pink and her eyes glistening with moisture. Wrapped in Ginny’s quilt, she seemed even tinier than before. Her hands trembled as she pulled at the quilt’s edges. “Where…where am I?” Her voice trembled too.

Nico moved toward her. “It’s okay, Mom, you’re safe.”

He reached to touch her shoulder, but she drew away as if she thought he planned to slap her. “Who are you?”

Nico recoiled too, but from the emotional strike.

Ginny moved toward the pair. She offered Nico a sympathetic glance, then looked directly at his mother and waited until they made eye contact. “He’s going to take you home,” she said, speaking softly and reassuringly. “And he’s a nice man. You can trust him.”

Her eyes blinked rapidly as she nodded. “Okay. I want to go home.”

They traded the quilt for her sweater, which she’d left in Ginny’s room, and then Ginny gave her a quick goodbye.

As Nico escorted his mother out the door, he paused and looked back at Ginny. “I guess this was the most likely way this experiment was going to end but, still, today was wonderful. This was the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. I can’t thank you enough.”

She shook her head as she raised both palms toward the ceiling. “It wasn’t me. The house did it. I told you there was lovein its walls.” She nodded in the direction of his mother. “It’s just coming back to the people who put it there.”

He pressed his lips together as if holding in his initial response, then reached over and pressed his palm against the nearest wall, giving it a pat. “All the more reason to save her. I’m going to look into some new locations. I’ll give you a call tomorrow or the next day. Will you be around?”

She rubbed her chin in mock thoughtfulness. “Gee, let me check my busy schedule…and the price of balloons.”

18

Three days later, Nico headed back to the Placard house in the pick-up truck to get Ginny and take her to the proposed new location for the house. He still couldn't quite think of it as “Ginny’s house,” but maybe that would be easier once it was no longer the thorn in the side of his real estate deal.

At least traffic was reasonable for a Friday early afternoon. A soft breeze tickled the floating tips of the palm tree fronds visible through his open sunroof.

As he sat at a light, his phone rang. “Nico.”

“What’s up?” a familiar voice said.

Vince. In all the commotion of the past couple days, he hadn’t thought to call him. “Oh, hey, brother,” he said, trying to keep guilt from his voice. “Those Colorado fish still biting?”

“More than we could possibly eat. We’re catch and release now, which the kids seem to prefer.” He cleared his throat. “But, bro, what’s happening with the squatter? I got a call from the attorney, cause she hadn’t heard anything either. I know the music torture didn’t work, but do we have a new strategy?”

The light switched to green, and the cars ahead of him started rolling forward in fits and starts. There was no reason heshouldn’ttell Vince about the plan to move the house to a new location, but it represented a complete about face from the bullying tactics they’d planned on using. Explaining everything that had happened between him and Ginny in the meantime seemed…complicated…especially when he was feeling more and more confused himself.

He'd waited a couple of days before calling to arrange to show her the lot because he needed some emotional space. Never before had he felt an actual spark when touching someone. Wasn't that just a stupid romance movie thing? But when helping her up from the grass under the oak tree, a jolt had glued his hand to hers. She was the one to finally break contact, after which he jammed his hand roughly into his pocket, reflexively trying to wipe the sensation away. Then, as they sat together on that stamp-sized love seat, he had nearly slipped his arm around her!

He could hardly explain allthatto Vince. Just thinking about it filled his mind with foreboding—roiling clouds before the storm that always accompanied his dating life.

Besides, he didn’t know whether she would like the lot. Much easier to wait till after today, when the plan would have a thumbs up or down from Ginny. “No. Sorry I’ve been out of touch. I’ve been…spending extra time with Mom while I let the squatter consider our financial offer.”

“And waiting for the squatter to leave, right? Smashy, smashy, bye-bye housie?”

“That too.” Nico could hear the hesitation in his voice, but hoped it sounded like he was concentrating on driving. “Sorry, I'm headed somewhere, and traffic is bad.”

“It’s been over a week though,” Vince said. “Should I head home to help with this? We’re leaving in two days anyway. Thekids have decided majestic mountains and trout-filled streams are overrated.”

“No, no. It’s under control. Enjoy your family time. You looked forward to it for a whole year.”

“It would be no trouble. Iamthe one who got us into this mess. Maybe together we can lure her out. I’ve got the guys with the bulldozer on speed dial, so all we need is?—”

Nico dropped the pitch of his voice. He needed to sound convincing. “Vince, really, you don’t need to do anything. It’s all okay. I promise.”

There was a short pause. “You…sound different. Are yousureyou don’t need me? You’re always saying I should trust my gut more, follow my instincts, and they’re saying?—”

Nico practically yelled. “Follow whatI’msaying to you, okay? I’ve got it covered.” Then he clicked off.

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