Moving a Little Heart (2 page)

Baylor stared at the large lizard, who stared at her from under a rock in its enclosure. "It's gorgeous in an ugly sort of way. He also looks pissed. Aren't they poisonous?"

"I wouldn't suggest you kiss it on the lips any time soon." Hayden laughed. "I found this old thing after it got attacked by a coyote, tucked it in my jacket and brought it home to heal it. I don't know who was more scared, Stud or my mother."

"You just carried it home?" Baylor's mouth dropped open. "In your jacket?"

"I was a kid and didn't know better. The bro teased me for years, calling me the lizard whisperer. He said it was the only girlfriend whose kisses were worse than mine."

"Stud is a girl?"

"Yep. Dropped a clutch of eggs after I found her and proceeded to ignore them. Gilas aren't exactly what we call stay-at-home mums."

"It you knew she was a female, why did you name her Stud?"

"I'm a guy."

"That certainly answers my question." Baylor giggled. "So listen," she said seriously, touching his upper arm, then rapidly pulling back when her fingertips came in contact with solid muscle. "You are really sweet and I appreciate all the help, but I am coming out of a horrible marriage and have sworn off people forever. I don't mean to be rude, but I need some space and time to heal. Please, let me be alone."

"Forever is a long time, kiddo. Good things happen in the course of forever, if you let them."

"Not for me they don't."

"Now you listen," Hayden gestured to the outdoor couch for her to sit, "been there, done that. In fact, Matt is the only one of us that hasn't been married yet, but he is in a committed relationship and has been through crap with the rest of us. Each of us were in the same place you are in now, and we get it. We also know that if we didn't have the support of our friends, life got a little too tough to handle at times. We won't invade. Promise."

"Why don't I believe you?" she asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Probably because I'm a terrible liar," he admitted with a dimpled smile. "Open your heart, kid. I know you've been hurt, but life will be much better for you if you let others into it."

"Does dealing with the psychology of survival include being a therapist to new neighbors?" she asked suspiciously.

"Survival isn't just about the environment. It includes relationships. To answer your question, yes. Masters in psych, PhD in life experience."

Just my luck
, she groaned inwardly. "Okay, this has been a lot of fun, but I really need to go. I have to go drop off this truck or I'll get smacked with late fees and can't afford to waste another cent," Baylor said abruptly. She turned to Hayden as he followed her out. "Thank you again for the help. I'll see you later, okay?"

"You're coming right back here after you take the vehicle back, right?" He touched her arm.

"Yes," she lied, refusing to look at him.

"Good. Just call if you need me. Here's my cell and home number." He handed her a business card. "Please, make sure you give me your address to send the big rig to, okay? We will be there bright and early on Saturday."

"Okay, thanks. See ya later."

"Swing on by when you get home and I'll make you a burger if you're hungry. And, again, welcome to the neighborhood."

Baylor waved at him and quickly hopped up into the driver's seat of the rental truck.

She closed her eyes briefly after starting it, thinking about how her ex had ruined her for men. He'd sure showed his true colors when he ran back home to live with his mommy and daddy in the Palisades after Baylor informed him that she was tired of his juvenile behavior and verbal abuse. She'd tossed the final comment in his direction that there was no way she would ever have children with someone so immature and irresponsible, and that she was glad that she was infertile. Never again, she promised herself as she pulled onto the street. My life is mine now, and no one is going to tell me what to do or how to live it!

After dropping off the truck keys in the night deposit box, Baylor popped a fresh wad of bubblegum into her mouth, slid into her old Volvo, and glanced at the clock with a deep sigh. It was after nine in the evening, and the miserable warmth of the desert night did nothing to help her stay awake. She suspected that being hypoglycemic added to her lethargy, as well as the lack of sleep from the stress and anxiety that accompanied this move. For a split second, she questioned her wisdom in not returning to her new house, but then quickly dismissed the notion. Her stubbornness forbade her from allowing her sweetly obnoxious neighbor to think he could dictate the path of her decisions.

With a yawn, she pulled out of the parking area and then headed down the main road towards the highway. Seconds later, the blipping of a siren and flashing blue lights jarred her to full wakefulness. Baylor cursed as the motorcycle cop pulled up beside her and gestured for her to pull over.

"License and registration, ma'am," the highway patrolman requested, as he leaned into her window.

"Was I speeding?" Baylor asked, suppressing another yawn.

"No, ma'am. You were all over the road. Have you been drinking?"

"Not at all. I'm sorry. I'm exhausted and a bit under the weather. I'm in the middle of a move." Baylor looked at him with tired eyes.

"Moving is the worst," the officer said kindly. He handed back her paperwork. "How much farther to get where you are going?"

"I'm still a good distance away. I just dropped off the truck and am headed back to LA to pack some more."

"To this address?" He gestured to her license and received a nod. "That's another two plus hours on the road. In your state, it's not a good idea. How about you go back to your new place and stay there for the night? You can start fresh in the morning."

"I can't." Baylor yawned again. "I'm on a deadline. Jerk landlord gave me no time to get out, and I have a ton of packing to do."

"One night is not going to make a difference, especially if you end up in an accident because you passed out during your drive. I will escort you back to your house to make sure you arrive safely."

Baylor groaned. What was it with men in this part of the country? "Thanks, Officer, but I really must get back to work."

"What's your new address?" he asked, taking out a small notebook and jotting down her information.

Baylor sighed and reluctantly recited it. He tucked the notebook back into his pocket and leaned into her window.

"That address is only ten minutes from here. I will follow you home."

Baylor popped a bubble and shook her head. "I really can't. I have—"

"Let me rephrase this," the office said firmly, interrupting her. "I won't issue you a ticket for reckless driving if you go back to your place and promise to stay put until morning."

"That's not fair!"

"You would rather I give you a ticket? Or maybe have the car towed after I cite you for reckless driving and personal endangerment?"

"That's fucking blackmail!"

"Yes or no? Do you want that ticket and to lose your car? Maybe a night in the station to sleep off this grumpiness?"

"No, Sir, Officer," she grumbled, snapping her gum with irritation.

"Good girl. I'm right behind you. Make sure you buckle up."

Baylor simmered angrily as she returned to her new house. She frowned as the officer pulled into the driveway next door, and watched as Hayden and the other man exchanged a few words. The two walked over to her car.

"You lied to me, Baylor. You said you would come back tonight," Hayden admonished.

"Yeah, well I changed my mind. Do you know each other?"

"Yeah, this is Jake Paterson, the room-mate and pain in the ass older brother who I mentioned would forage through your refrigerator like an old bear. Remember? I told you he was a cop and kept an odd schedule."

"You mentioned something to that accord, but there was no reason for me to make a connection. Why don't you have an accent?" She snapped her gum as she glared into Jake's face. It was hard to distinguish his features in the darkness.

"I'm adorable enough not to need one," Jake replied. "My father married his mom and brought him to Arizona to annoy me."

"Are you okay, Ladybug?" Hayden asked with concern. "You can barely keep your eyes open."

Ladybug
? Baylor felt taken aback—she had never been given a nickname; at least, not a kind one. "I'm fine! I was just more tired than I thought."

"Jake said you were swaying all over the road. You might be dehydrated still, and I know for a fact that you haven't eaten anything in hours."

"I was not driving that badly," she grumbled, as she rummaged through her purse. "Shit! I locked my house keys in the garage. Do you know of a locksmith I can call?"

"Not at this time of night. Where is your garage door opener?" Hayden asked, leaning over the roof of the car.

"Inside the house," Baylor said gloomily.

"How did you close the garage then?"

"I ran out under it as it was closing. Fuck! What am I going to do?" She blew a big bubble and popped it.

"You are going to calm down and stop swearing," Jake said firmly. "And please spit out that gum. I can pick the lock for you after I get off my shift in the morning. Right now, I gotta get back on patrol. She can have my room tonight."

"I can chew gum if I want to." She popped it again for the annoyance factor. "I'm not staying in your house. I will call a locksmith."

"No, you won't. I don't want a stranger knowing that you are a woman home alone. Now get your fanny into the house and get some rest before you drop in your tracks."

"Excuse me?" Baylor stuttered, shocked by his statement.

"Good idea," Hayden said, ignoring Baylor's protests. "The poor kid looks like she needs a good night's sleep."

"Give her some of your special cocktail, make her a warm bath, and tuck her in," Jake ordered, opening the car door for Baylor to exit. "Don't put up with any lip, either. She's already treading on thin ice."

"Hello!" she snapped, "I am standing right here. Neither of you have any right to tell me what to do. I am not going to put up with—what are you doing?"

"I, young lady, am writing you a ticket," Jake stated, flipping his pad open.

"What? No! I can't afford a ticket!"

"Are you going to mind me and do what you are told?"

"This is illegal. You can't blackmail me into… into…" She snapped her gum angrily.

"Taking care of yourself so you don't end up dead in a ditch? Believe me, I certainly can." He held out his hand under her mouth and snapped his fingers. "Spit it out. Now."

Baylor glared at him and met an unwavering stare in response. He snapped his fingers a second time and she spit her gum into his hand, at which he calmly wrapped it in a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Hayden. "I will see you in the morning. You are not to leave for LA before I get home, understand me?"

"Careful out there, Bro." Hayden waved as Jake mounted his motorcycle and strapped on his helmet. The broad-shouldered man waved, backed his bike out of the driveway and then quietly left down the dark street.

"Unfuckingbelievable." Baylor slammed her car door closed. "What the hell is wrong with you guys?"

"Shhh, lower your voice. Your screeching is going to wake the neighborhood."

"Okay, let's get two things perfectly clear. First, there are five houses and maybe twenty empty lots on a total of three streets. Our two houses are the only ones even built next to each other so, technically, this is not a neighborhood. Therefore, I don't give a royal shit about what anyone else hears, okay?" Baylor stomped her foot.

She had reached her limits, and now Hayden was going to get the brunt of her anger. "Secondly, I am a grown adult and have every right to make my own choices and decisions. You and that over-testosteroned Cro-Magnon brother of yours have absolutely no right to tell me what to do or force me to comply. That includes chewing gum! Do you hear me?" She slammed her car door and glared up at him.

"The entire county hears you. Inside the house, right this minute," Hayden ordered, his voice becoming stern. He placed his hand on the small of her back and pushed her towards his front door.

Once they were inside, he turned to look at her. "I'm going to draw you a bath and you are going to take the time to calm down and rest. No arguments."

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"I believe I just did. Upstairs with you."

"This is wrong."

"There is nothing wrong with keeping you from killing yourself. You act as though no one has ever taken care of you before."

"I don't need to be taken care of. Let go of my hand."

"I'm not hurting you, you big baby. This is Jake's room. I'll grab you one of Terry's t-shirts. He's the monster among us, and it will go past your knees."

"You are infuriating!"

"And you are welcome," Hayden said, entering the shared bathroom between Jake's and Terry's rooms. He started the water in the large, deep soaking tub. "I'll be right back with my special cocktail."