Page 43 of Better Together

She and Maggie stayed behind to help Paige clean up.

Paige glanced at her phone. “Our guys are out front, waiting.”

Alexis liked the idea of Zeke being her guy. That was, until they reached the sidewalk. The three of them stopped in their tracks as they watched a woman jump into Zeke’s arms and wrap her legs around his waist.

What was Mandy Blake doing here in Deer Creek Falls?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Chicken: the word used for the cowardly avoidance of something or, in Alexis’s case, someone. Alexis had visions of running into Maggie Blake leaving Zeke’s place all flushed and tousled, and she didn’t think she could handle that, so she hurried out of bed, showered, dressed, and arrived at the church before five a.m. When she unlocked the door and flipped on the lights, her phone alerted her of an incoming text. She groaned. Zeke.

Are you avoiding me?

She sucked in her lower lip. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to talk about her sudden departure last night. She pictured Mandy Blake’s legs wrapped around him and placed a finger to her temple, fighting off a headache. Maggie had called last night to assure her Mandy Blake only stopped to see the town Zeke had made sound “irresistible and quaint” and to see for herself that Zeke was all right after being injured saving her life.

Alexis didn’t believe that for a minute. Duluth’s airport was an hour away, and it didn’t have any direct flights to New York or Los Angeles.

She texted Zeke back: Tommy called last night, his mom is sick, he needed to stay home today. I’ll be working at the church all day.

Her phone rang and she answered on an exasperated breath. “Hey, Zeke.”

“There’s nothing going on with me and Mandy Blake. She headed back to Duluth last night.”

“Okay. Say, can you set the light fixtures today and make sure the plumber stays on task? I really need you to get things squared away at the Elmhurst house.”

“As long as you’re not avoiding me.”

“Zeke, I need to go. I have a long day at the church, and I’m heading to Maggie’s tonight to carve pumpkins.”

“Maybe I’ll see you there.”

“Sure. We can talk later.”

Avoiding Zeke, or staying annoyed with him, wasn’t easy. He texted throughout the day with funny emojis that made her laugh. Pete shook his head each time he caught her looking at her phone. When they finished installing the kitchen appliances, they contemplated calling it a day. Sean was working on the trim in the bedroom and bathroom.

“So, you and Zeke finally took the plunge?” Pete whispered.

Alexis glared at him. “Don’t be crude, Pete.”

“I think your mind is in the gutter, General, not mine.”

She grumbled, “We’re taking things slow.”

“Your smile hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Sean walked in, and Alexis gave Pete the stink eye. Pete understood and dropped the subject.

“Let’s call it a night,” Alexis said as she packed up her tools. “I’ve got pumpkins to carve. We made great progress today. Zeke will be over in the next couple days to finish the lighting and any last-minute electrical.”

Sean stretched and said, “I’ve got a few pumpkins to carve tonight too. I’ll see you guys later.”

As Pete walked her out, Alexis said, “If you don’t have plans tonight, a bunch of us will be at Maggie’s, carving pumpkins.”

“I might have a date.”

“Really? Anyone I know?”

“Don’t you know everyone in town?”