“I’d love to hear you, Nash,” Mr. Goldhirsh said.
“We have that bachelor auction coming up, and you could play. You’d certainly earn a great deal for the new preschool that we’re building,” Miss Sarah said.
“Oh, now wouldn’t that be super nice. Playing in front of all those people for the sweet children,” Luna cooed. “I’m sure he’d love to do it, wouldn’t you, Nash?”
He spun and threw his backpack at her. She caught it in the gut and fell on her butt. He then mouthed the words “shut up” at her. The accompanying look should have turned her to ash.
“You need to keep at him, Mr. Goldhirsh,” Luna gasped, trying to force air into her lungs as she sat up clutching the bag. “If I’m here, I’ll certainly be attending to hear him play,” she lied.
“Pass me the bandage in there, McKinley,” he snarled.
“Please,” she said in that same sickly tone. “Because manners are important, isn’t that right, Miss Sarah?”
As Luna rummaged through the backpack, Miss Sarah explained in detail about why she thought manners were the cornerstone of a personality, and the foundation for who we are and how we interact with others.
GHG lucked out there then.
“So, Nash dear, you do need to work a little on your manners.” Miss Sarah patted his cheek.
She found the bandage and some tape. There were also some pain meds in there, water, and other things that could be needed. She had to be impressed that he’d gathered them in the short time he’d had. Or maybe he kept it stocked? She handed him the bandage.
“Maybe you could give him a few lessons, Miss Sarah?” Luna said. “He’s clearly shy and in need of direction.”
“I am going to kill you,” he mouthed to her.
Luna smiled sweetly. That would teach him for judging her.
He rolled a bandage gently over the ankle with those large competent hands. He then took the tape Luna handed him and attached it to the end.
“Right, let’s get you back to my place, and I’ll drive you to the Lodge.”
“I’ll just head back then,” Luna said.
“We’ll go back with them, Luna, and then continue our run back into town.”
“Oh, now isn’t that just swell,” Nash said. “Luna told me she wanted to keep running for a while longer and add in some more hills. She doesn’t get to train on them much.”
“We can do more hills if you want.” Mr. Goldhirsh looked happy. Luna felt sick.
“Ah, no, that’s all right. I can do some more tomorrow. I think running back into town will be enough.” She glared at the back of GHG’s head. But he was looking at Miss Sarah and missed it.
“You may need an X-ray,” he said, sliding his hands under the older woman.
“Marla can take me.” She patted his cheek. “You’re such a sweet boy for doing this.”
Sweet?
Grumpy asshole muttered something clearly uncomfortable, and then stood with Miss Sarah in his arms. The woman was smiling now, but the pain was there also.
“Well now, minus the ankle, this is not a bad start to my day. Running with the wonderful Luna McKinley and now in the arms of a large, handsome man.”
Nash said nothing, but color crept up his cheeks.
“Perhaps Nash could come and play for you, Miss Sarah, seeing as you may be off your feet for a while,” Luna said because, well, you got your shots in when you could.
His teeth snapped together but didn’t speak. He just started walking with Luna and Mr. Goldhirsh behind them. They made it to the gate, and through, then reached the cabin. Nash opened the door and walked inside. He lowered Miss Sarah to the chair.
“You’re very untidy,” Mr. Goldhirsh said.