Page 11 of Wildflower Hearts
“Me too,” Elias whispered as she disappeared into the employee lounge.
Lyla stepped out of her warm apartment and into the cool morning air. Steam floated off her breath as she placed her feet wide on the concrete and reached down to touch her toes. She straightened and stretched her arms over her head.
“If I were young again, I’d still be asleep.”
She grinned at her neighbor, an elderly woman who had lived there long before she moved into the apartment complex. “What are you doing out so early, Mrs. Thompson?”
“Grocery shopping.” She lifted the two bags in her hands. “They had a sale on tomatoes and rutabagas at the market. I couldn’t help myself.”
Lyla quickly hopped down the steps, moving to take one of the bags. “Here, let me help you.”
“Thank you. You sure are a sweet woman.”
“How have you been? Gone on any dates lately?”
“Me? Heavens, no!”
“An attractive woman such as yourself surely has men banging down the door.”
The elderly woman opened her door and motioned for her to follow her inside. “I think I should be the one asking you that. Girls like you should be going on dates, not always working. Any men in your life? You know how I love to gossip.”
Lyla lowered the paper bag down on the kitchen counter. “Hospital life doesn’t leave much room for dating.”
“Don’t spend the rest of your life alone because you fear it might not work out. I never would have met my beloved Dale, God rest his soul, if I hadn’t gone out and caught him.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she smiled. “Well, I hate to leave so soon, but if I don’t, I’ll never get my run done before lunch time.”
“Young people and the need to exercise when you’re already thin.” Mrs. Thompson shook her head, following her to the door. “I’ll never understand it.”
“I think it’s something that still puzzles us as well.” She bound down the steps. “Have a great day, Mrs. Thompson.”
“You too, Sweetheart. Be careful out there. Remember what I said!”
Waving, she jogged down the sidewalk. She pressed play on the playlist on her phone, putting in her earbuds right when an energizing pop song flooded her ears. She ran around the block several times before she turned off her music, breathing hard as she wiped the sweat from her forehead and climbed the steps to her apartment.
Hearing someone cough to signal they were standing there, she looked up wide-eyed to see Elias leaning against the wall beside her door.
Chapter Six
Dressed in dark jeans, a leather jacket, and a gray sweater peeking out from underneath, it was clear that he had left the hospital to go home and shower.
“Mr.…” she paused. “Elias, this is a pleasant surprise.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I wasn’t sure how you’d react to me just showing up, but I thought I’d take my chances.”
“How’d you-”
“Melissa gave me your address.” He bent down to lift two plastic bags. “I brought you some lunch.”
Lyla fished her key out of her sock and ignored his amused look. “That’s nice of you.” She glanced at Mrs. Thompson’s door. “Come in, please.” She shut her door after him, clearing her throat as she placed her key on the rack. “What do I owe the honor of you buying me lunch?”
Elias shrugged and looked around her apartment. He flashed her a smile as she took one of the bags. “I figure you might be one of those people that likes to eat lunch around noon,” he chuckled when she blushed, “and partly because I thought it’d be a nice extra little thank you.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me. Dr. Moore is the one who saved your brother’s life, not me.” She kept her gaze downward, concentrating on fetching plates and silverware, aware that he followed close behind her into the kitchen close. “I’m merely the nurse who ensures your brother rests comfortably. There’s really no need to feel obligated to-”
“I said partly,” he interrupted. “I’m going to be selfish and admit I wanted to have lunch with you. I couldn’t think of a better excuse.”
She turned to grab two cups, blushing so hard she swore she felt it to the tips of her toes. Elias was a handsome man, devoted to his family, and he knew how to choose his words regarding women and what they wanted to hear. The thought made her pause. Sophomore year in college, Eric Williams had known from day one exactly what to say. All he had to do was throw her that winning smile, and she believed anything he said without hesitation. She spent two years trying to keep him happy, and it still had blown up in her face. They were too different, their goals too distant. She was heartbroken when he took a job in San Francisco, breaking up with her right before he left.
