Next Door Neighbors (9 page)

8

              Brian glanced around each room, double checking to make sure he had everything he needed for his trip back to Ashwin. This had been a shorter trip back home, but one that had to be made nonetheless. Being an owner had its perks, but also its responsibilities.

              As he packed the last of the remaining items into his suitcase, Brian thought about his return to Ashwin. His mom had been hinting towards finding a home where she would receive professional care
if
needed, which meant he might be doing some shopping around. He did not look forward to that one bit.

              On the flip side, he did look forward to seeing Jill again. She was like an added bonus when staying with his mom.

              Eyeing his friend, he wondered how Jill would react to seeing him. He knew his mom would be thrilled because it had been a long time, but wasn’t sure what Jill would think.

             
I guess I’ll find out.

              Deep down he was hoping his friend would be a pivotal figure in helping move things along. The last few months had been good, but he wasn’t where he wanted to be with Jill. She was definitely warming up to him, but he still didn’t have her trust, her heart or anywhere near her hand in marriage.

             
I’ve got to step up my game
, he thought to himself, smiling at his friend.

              He zipped up his suitcase and turned everything off. Walking towards the door he said, “Come on, Buddy. Let’s go.”

---------------

              Jill loved it when Ashwin experienced an Indian summer. Even though fall was well underway, the temperatures and amount of sun there was on days like today made it feel more like the end of August and not the end of October.

              Deciding it was a good day for a run around the park, Jill laced up her tennis shoes and walked out the door. Immediately she felt the warmth of the sun hit her skin, and she breathed in the fresh air. She made her way to the park, walking first so she could warm up her muscles.

              Going out for a run was a great way for Jill to process her thoughts. She did her best thinking while going through and around Ashwin City Park. This park was one of the best perks to living where she did. It was shaded and situated within a square; twice around equaled a mile. There was also a path that ran in between to give users options on how to navigate. Ashwin City Park was very ideal for runners, and Jill made use of it as often as she could.

              Her first lap around the park, Jill’s thoughts revolved around her job and how Elena recently quit. Although she knew it was coming due to Elena’s age and condition, and she wasn’t working much anymore anyway, it still stung. Work would be different knowing that she was permanently gone.

              She didn’t know what to make of Elena talking about going to a home with assisted living either. Jill understood to some extent that the available care right on site was probably a comfort to Elena, as was the lack of home ownership responsibilities. But having her leave and someone new living in her house was a funny feeling to Jill. Life as she knew of the last couple of years almost seemed to be crumbling little by little.

              Suddenly she wondered how Brian might be processing everything. After all, it was his mom; his childhood home.

              I think he comes back soon!

              The last few months Brian had come and gone a couple of times, each time Jill taking his place in watching Elena and helping her with whatever needed to get done. Usually Jill didn’t know exactly how long he would be gone for, but based on past experiences, it had to be within a day or two that he would arrive back in town.

              She didn’t know where she stood on Brian. Excited for him to come back? Yes. Attractive? Most definitely. A good man? Absolutely. Could she see herself with him? This is where it got tricky.

              A part of her wanted to maybe pursue a relationship because he was definitely different than Mark, and her dad for that matter.

              But she was scared. Scared to give all of herself to only be hurt in the end once again.

              I definitely can’t risk going through that again.

              Closing in on another lap helped her decide that she was for sure set in remaining single the rest of her life. The risks far outweighed the rewards in her opinion. Realizing that once everything with Elena was said and done that Brian would more than likely be gone from her life for good just proved her whole stance.

              Out of nowhere a dog came running up to Jill, nearly tripping her. “Whoa!”

              Immediately Jill stopped. She crouched down to pet the golden retriever who seemed to be very friendly. Enjoying the attention, the dog sat down and began licking Jill’s hand.

              “Nice boy,” Jill began, now scratching behind the dog’s ears. “Where’s your mommy or daddy?” Knowing the dog couldn’t actually respond, she looked in all directions to see if anyone was searching for what they lost. Right behind her was a man jogging towards her who must have been the dog’s owner.

             
Brian?

              “I see he found someone he likes,” Brian said a little louder than normal, as he was yet some distance from where Jill and the golden retriever waited.

              “Hey, Brian! Is the dog yours?” Jill asked, confused. Not once in all the conversations that she’s had with him or with Elena has anyone mentioned there being a dog.

              “Yep!”

              Brian finally reached them and crouched down to the dog’s level. Immediately the dog licked Brian’s face, which didn’t seem to bother him one bit.

              “Oh, I didn’t know you had a dog.”

              “Yeah, I guess it just never got brought up.”

              “How long have you had him?” Jill questioned.

              “Um, about three years. I think anyway. He was a stray puppy at the time I got him. One day I found him in my yard and I couldn’t get rid of him. No one claimed him either so here we are a few years later.”

              “Wow. Where has he been while you were gone?”

              “I had a friend watch him, but this time around I decided just to bring him. My mom loves this dog to pieces.”

              Brian started rubbing behind both of the dog’s ears and talking to him in a different voice. It reminded Jill of how someone would talk to their baby, and she found it kind of endearing. After all, it was the same way she talked to her cat on occasion.

              Giving them space, she stood up. “He seems really nice. What’s his name?”

              “Buddy.”

              “Gee, how generic,” she teased.

              Brian chuckled a little, but still seemed more into showing affection to his dog than anything else.

              Until the dog turned to Jill and started licking her hand again. The move took Jill by surprise. “Hey, Buddy,” she said.

              “He seems to really like you, Jill,” Brian observed, smiling.

              He gave the dog a little pat on the head and said, “Come on, Buddy. Time to get back.”

              “I’ll join, if you don’t mind,” Jill offered.

              “We’d like that, wouldn’t we, Buddy?”

              Buddy gave a small howl as if he were saying yes.

              The three of them started heading back towards their homes. As they were walking, Jill and Brian talked about his trip back home, and Jill asked when he arrived in Ashwin.

              “We actually just got here. I thought it would be nice for Buddy to go for a walk, having been cooped up and all for such a long ride.”

              “Oh, nice,” Jill approved, smiling.

              Brian thought about how this was the perfect way to return. He got to see Jill who, though sweaty and in workout clothes, looked stunning, and there was something special about the way they walked back together, his dog walking nicely and calmly by their side. He felt as if they were family going for a leisurely stroll on a beautiful day.

              Stopping at the front yard of Jill’s house, Jill mentioned she had to go to the store to pick up a few things. “Do you need me to get anything for you?” she asked.             

              “No, I don’t think so. Thanks for asking though,” Brian responded.

              “Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you around then.”

              “Yep. The two of us will be here for a while this time, as long as nothing goes haywire at my store.”

              Jill was pleased with that statement. Brian being around for a while could be something she could get used to. But she played it cool, knowing full well that there was still an end in sight. “Sounds good.”

              Buddy licked Jill’s hand right before Brian called him over. He listened right away to his owner’s call, and the two of them started walking on up Elena’s driveway.

              The view in front of Jill made her smile. She quickly went inside her home to change her clothes and get her purse and car keys.

              Heading to the store, it was Buddy who consumed her thoughts this time; he seemed like such a good dog.

              I always wanted a golden retriever!

---------------

              Jill found everything she needed at the store and started making her way to the checkout lanes. Before she turned the corner to do so, however, she noticed the pet section. She got the bright idea that it might be nice to get a little something for Buddy so she browsed through items found in the one aisle full of dog toys and treats.

              There was a bag of medium-sized dog bones that looked appealing. It seemed like the perfect treat that would last a while, and it was something perfect for the size of dog Buddy was.

              Placing the package in her basket, she turned around and went towards the front of the store. Lane five had an immediate opening, and Jill was greeted by a dark-haired teenage boy who must have been new.

              The cashier scanned the items slowly to make sure he got everything, and the way he packaged all of Jill’s items proved her suspicions. However, it never bothered her when someone new worked in customer service. She knew that dealing with people could be a tough job and she was certain that he was just doing the best he could.

              Finishing up her order, the teen told her the amount. Jill smiled and paid. She then grabbed her three bags and headed home after telling the young man to have a great day.

              It was truly a beautiful day in Ashwin. Jill enjoyed the rays of sunlight that flooded the car window as she drove back home. It provided a warmth that only natural sunlight could give.

              Arriving home, Jill stepped inside her home to put away the things she just purchased. With nothing better to do the rest of the day, she decided to take the dog bones over to Buddy and check in on Brian and Elena. After all, their company was better than having no one, which is exactly what was in store for Jill tonight if she didn’t do anything about the situation.

              Jill knocked on Elena’s door, dog treats hidden behind her back. It was almost as if she was trying to surprise Brian as much as Buddy.

              What she saw when the door opened was definitely not what she was expecting to see. The image in front of her stole her breath and had her eyes fixated in shock.

              Albeit a delightful shock.

              There Brian stood nonchalant, bare chested, with tattered jeans on and what looked like paint smudges in various places across his body. “Hey, Jill. Come on in.”

              With one arm Brian motioned for Jill to go in ahead of him while the other was placed at just the right spot on the door so as to flex his muscles just a tad. Jill was in a daze from being taken off guard at the sight that she completely missed what Brian said.

              Clearing her head and refocusing, she asked, “I’m sorry, what was that?”
              Brian politely repeated, a subtle smile forming on his lips as he contemplated Jill’s obvious attraction to him.

              As Jill stepped in front of him, he noticed the bag of bones she still had placed behind her back. “What ya got there?”

              “What? Where?” Jill asked, the bones completely forgotten about. Her mind was still focused on only one thing.

              “The bones.”

             
Duh,
Jill thought to herself.

              “Oh! Right! I saw these at the store and thought maybe Buddy might like them.”

              “Like them? He’ll love them! That’s so nice of you, but you didn’t have to get them.”