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  Love Thy Neighbor’s Nephew

  Copyright © 2013 by Stephanie Williams

  ISBN: 978-1-61333-453-9

  Cover art by Tibbs Design

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

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  Love Thy Neighbor’s Nephew

  By

  Stephanie Williams

  ~DEDICATION~

  To all those women who wondered what going younger would be like.

  Chapter One

  “Lawrence is on his way home from Yale.” Yolanda sipped her coffee, enjoying the strong bitter taste going down her throat.

  “That’s right. He’s finished his PhD. He taught there for a few years, too,” Liz said. Her light green eyes seemed to whirl with eagerness to share her latest news.

  Yolanda loved their daily morning chats in her kitchen. “Boy, time sure flies. It seems like yesterday we saw him walk across the stage at his high-school graduation.” She poured herself another cup.

  “I wanted to stay home to greet him when he came back, but I have some huge party cruises to book. However, I couldn’t pass the day without our morning gossip,” Liz said.

  “I appreciate you keeping me on your agenda.” She chuckled. “I’ll be home though, and maybe you can pop over during your lunch. But he’s coming back for good, and we’re all happy about that.” Yolanda took another sip of her drink.

  “True. He won’t be gallivanting all over the world anymore, now that he accepted the position at the local university. He’s coming back to his roots.”

  “The Globetrotting Math Geek.” With a laugh, she checked her watch. “I think we have time for just one more cup of Joe, and I have a surprise. Yolanda grabbed the mugs and poured more coffee. Something brushed against her ankles, and she jumped, almost spilling the brew. “Butch!”

  “Butch seems to manage to come into the kitchen whenever the pot is percolating.” Liz giggled while scratching the cat behind its ears.

  “Don’t spoil him.” She never petted the feline without remembering a much-younger Lawrence carting him into her clean kitchen, the feline as thin and dirty as the boy. And as hungry. She missed the skinny kid running into her house with her ex-husband’s twins, asking what she’d made for dinner. “Lawrence only came back home once, and that was for Barbara’s wedding, right?”

  “Hank and I were grateful,” Liz said, staring into space as she toyed with the fringes of her short blonde hair. “But he wouldn’t have missed his sister’s big day. Those two are closer than any siblings I know. She’s going to try to come back to the States. She and George love it in Panama, but his work keeps him so busy, and with her four months pregnant, he doesn’t want her traveling without him.”

  Yolanda nodded. “Those poor kids. Lawrence and his sister losing their parents so young! I don’t know what they would have done if you hadn’t been there for them.”

  “They still haven’t caught the creep who did the hit and run to this day.”

  She reached out to her friend. “I know.” These were the only comforting words she could think of, and they seemed trite. Senseless. “So you think he’s got the traveling bug out of him?”

  “I think so,” Liz said.

  “Well, he’s traveled extensively between semesters. And from the sound of his last letter, he’s ready to plant roots.” And about time, too.

  Liz scrunched up her face in bewilderment. “He sent you a letter?”

  “Yeah. It was last month. Didn’t you get one?”

  “No. What did he say?”

  Yolanda shrugged. “Just that he’s excited about coming back home. Can’t wait to see me again and spend more time eating my pot roast and fixing things in my house.”

  “His letter to me must have gotten lost.” She twisted her mouth, confusion shinning in those bright green eyes.

  “The day he left, he wanted to make sure I didn’t need anything and asked if he could fix any last things in the house,” Yolanda said. Always so mature.

  Even though ten years had passed, her husband’s infidelity still hurt. The only people she’d told were her best friend and a few close family members. But when Lawrence had boarded the plane to Connecticut, he’d leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. He’d told her not to worry. Dale was a fool and missing a good thing. How had he even known?

  But that was Lawrence to a tee.

  “Yep, he always wanted to be the man of the house.” Liz poured more brew. “Anyway, he finished his teaching program a year ago, but he said he had some things to do before he came home for good.” She set the pot in the middle of the table. “My baby, a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics.”

  Yolanda chuckled. “Don’t get all teary-eyed. He’s thirty. I understand how you feel. I never had kids of my own, but I took in Dale’s twins, and when they left for school, I got ‘Empty Nest Syndrome.’” She sighed. “It seems that’s when things really fell apart. The only things Dale and I had in common were the kids.”

  Liz reached over and squeezed her hand. “Hey, things turned out okay. It was rough at first. But you pulled through.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’m never getting married again though.”

  Her best bud sat up straight. “Don’t say that. You’re a beautiful woman, who’s still hot as hell at forty-three. Heck, as soon as Dale left, over half the me
n in the neighborhood wanted to come over and ‘console’ you.”

  “Please.” Yolanda waved her hand dismissively. As she stood, the cabinet fell off the wall over the sink.

  “Goodness!” Liz screamed.

  “Aaargh! Not again!” Yolanda rushed to catch the dangling cupboard. “See if you can get the other side.”

  Liz grabbed the end, and they both carefully set the cabinet on the floor.

  Luckily, only cereal and other boxed food were in there and not dishes, Yolanda mused.

  “Oh dear. How did that happen?” Liz opened one of the doors.

  “I’ve been having trouble with it for weeks. The hinges, the cracks in the walls. I think it was trying to give me a hint.” She checked her nails, pissed that she’d broken one catching the damn thing.

  Her best friend smirked, pointing at the cabinet on the floor. “Is this a big enough hint for you?”

  “Seriously.” With a sigh, she set her hands on her hips and gawked at the gaping hole in the wall while dust floated in the air. “It looks like there’s no stud. How was the silly thing staying up there?”

  Liz shrugged. “Hey, we both know Hank is handyman challenged, but I could ask Lawrence to come by after he settles in if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, if he doesn’t mind.” Relieved to have a solution to the situation, she turned to brighter topics. “Now for my surprise. You want some fresh doughnuts? I just bought a new doughnut/bagel-making machine, and I’m trying it out for the first time.” She walked to the counter. “Got the batter all ready,” she said, holding it up. The sweet-smelling mixture made her drool.

  “Can’t go wrong with fresh dou—”

  “Hey! Where is everybody? Auntie Lizzy, Yolanda?”

  She glanced over at Liz. He’s home! It’s gonna be like old times again. She trotted to the great room with her BFF.

  “Lawrence! You’re early!” Liz ran over and wrapped her arms around him.

  Yolanda did a double take. The man in her living room wasn’t the little gangly kid who’d run havoc with the twins. He was…Playboy Centerfold of the Year. She moved into the room a little more.

  Little Larry Kingston? No way. More like gorgeous, tall, dark, handsome, and panty-wetting. She frowned. Good grief! Where did that come from? But she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He’d changed so much since she’d last seen him. He’d cropped his chestnut hair, giving him a mature air, and his smoky bottle-green eyes flashed with scrutiny as he appraised his aunt. And where had that sexy-as-sin smile come from? Good Lord, the tight-fitting shirt alone made her want to rip it off. And those powerful thighs in those jeans. When did he fill out like this?

  “Hey, Lizzy!” He picked her up, swung her around the room, and plopped her back down on her feet. “I’m home for good.”

  “Look at you. My goodness.” she asked, staring intently at his face. “Hey, where are your glasses?”

  “Got laser surgery. Hey! Is that Yolanda behind you? Come here!” He grabbed her and squeezed tightly.

  Yolanda looked into those eyes she never noticed being so green and…hypnotic!

  “Well, you have had a metamorphosis.” She stepped back and rubbed her arms after his tight grip. His hug had felt…nice. And his cologne tickled her nose with its woodsy spicy scent. Good Lord!

  “Hey, maybe you can put those new muscles to work,” Liz said.

  And what muscles. Yolanda stared. She wanted to ask this stranger what he’d done with her little Lawrence. Okay calm down, girl. He’s your best friend’s nephew. The runny-nosed kid who broke your living room window while playing. Years ago. Time sure does fly.

  “Yolanda!” Liz snapped her fingers in front of her face.

  “Huh? How’s that?”

  “Where are you?” She chuckled.

  “Oh! Um….” Yolanda turned to lead them into the kitchen. “Liz is talking about my cabinets. Apparently one wasn’t screwed into the wall or something.” She tapped the cupboard with her foot. “Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. I’ll be more than happy to. Just like old times.” He winked.

  She nearly jumped out of her skin. Okay, I’m being ridiculous. “Yeah, you were a great little helper when you were younger.”

  “Now I can help with bigger things,” Lawrence said, flexing his muscles.

  Even under his shirt, his biceps popped. Gracious! He has some guns! She wandered to the opposite counter where her new toy waited. “I’m making some doughnuts. Want one?”

  “Oh, shoot. You just reminded me,” Liz said, running to her purse on the couch. “I’m late for work. I have to book those cruises. Have to take a rain check on those. See you later, hon.” She patted Yolanda’s arm and pecked Lawrence on the cheek. “See you, too, dear.”

  She headed out the door, and he laughed.

  “Well, I’ll just take hers, then.”

  “Alrighty.”

  “Let me see those cupboards.”

  “Oh, honey, you don’t have to take care of the cabinets right away. You just got here. I’m sure you’re tired.” Got to get him out of here. He’s making me real uncomfortable. Lord, I shouldn’t be having these feelings.

  “Nonsense. Anyway, I just want to see what needs to be done. I’ll come over later and fix it.” He studied the wall. “Hmm. The whole thing is more than just a patch-up job, I’m afraid.”

  “Shoot.” She slumped and stared at the dough mix in the maker.

  “Hmm.”

  “What is it now?” With a sigh, she strolled over and stood by him.

  “No board or stud. How the hell did it stay up to begin with?”

  “That’s the sixty-four thousand dollar question.” She eyed the disaster. “Think you can you fix it?”

  “Sure, but I’m gonna have to go into the wall.”

  “Oh no.”

  “Hey.” Lawrence patted her back, and looking at her with those piercing green eyes “No problem. I’m great with tools and DIY stuff. It’ll take less than half a day.”

  “Thanks, Lawrence.” She rubbed his arm then paused, her eyes fixed on the smooth, tanned muscle under her hand. His tight, short-sleeved shirt did great things to his—

  Gracious! He is Liz’s nephew! The boy who came over to play and eat my cooking. The machine dinged, snapping her mind from places it shouldn’t have been going. “Okay, here we go. Fresh doughnuts. Let me get you some coffee.”

  Lawrence pulled out a chair at the breakfast nook. She poured his drink and piled the fragrant, cinnamon doughnuts on a plate.

  “Mmm. Smells delish. You can almost taste the sugar before it hits your tongue. But you were always a great cook, no matter what the dish.” Lawrence immediately reached for the honey for his coffee.

  She went to the fridge to get the milk. His coffee drinking didn’t change at least. “Thank you,” she said as she poured the milk in his cup. “I’ve missed your compliments on my cooking.”

  “Well, then.” Lawrence wiped his mouth. “Don’t know if I ever told you, but you cook way better than Aunt Lizzy.”

  Yolanda got her coffee and joined him at the table. “Oh, Lawrence, don’t tell her that.”

  He laughed. “I think she knows already, especially since I spent more evenings here than at home.”

  “Well, her cooking has improved since, I’m sure.”

  “Yeah, but I’ll still come here for your pot roast.”

  He was still a sweet kid. She took a sip of fresh java as he swallowed half a doughnut. Sexy mouth. “Ahem…. So what’s the teaching job?”

  “Oh.” He leaned back in the chair. “I’ll be the new dean of the mathematics department at the university across town.”

  “Wow!”

  “Yeah, I’ll be working on different ancient mathematical theories, too.”

  She took a bite of doughnut. The sugar melted on her tongue. The machine was a keeper. “Mmm. I have to be honest. Math was never my favorite subject. In fact, I didn’t ‘get it’ until college. I finally figured out it was—”<
br />
  “A language!” He leaned toward her, a sexy smile on his lips. “I know. That’s what I tell my students. That’s all it is, and it follows rules no matter where numbers are placed.”

  “Yeah, well, I have enough trouble keeping up with computer languages. Always something new.”

  He nodded. “Understandable, it’s forever evolving.” He checked his watch. “I hate to eat and run, but I have to get over to Aunt Lizzy’s. I came straight to your place when I drove from the airport.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah.” He stared at her with those bright green eyes, and her skin prickled with heat. “Anyway, I have calls to make and unpacking to do. I’ll be here later to fix that.” He pointed to the cabinet.

  “No rush. Really. Thanks again.”

  Lawrence got up and kissed her on the cheek, assaulting her senses again with his scent. “It’s great seeing you again, Yolanda.”

  “Same here.” She walked him to the door. With a wave, she watched him cross the street to her best friend’s neat bungalow. She shut the door, leaned against it, and took a deep breath.

  Her skin hadn’t stopped tingling, and she had trouble catching her breath. Lord, help me.

  ***

  Lawrence slowly moved around his old room, unpacking his things and looking at the stuff he’d left behind before he went off to college—like the photo of him and Yolanda’s stepchildren. It felt great to be home and on familiar ground. Pausing, he took out his wallet, opened it, and stared at the picture of Yolanda. A bit worn but very familiar.

  “Damn. Was she always so beautiful?” he mused. When he’d seen her in the living room at her house, he’d taken a step back, blown away by her beauty.

  On the day he left for college, he’d been sad for several reasons. He’d worried about Yolanda, putting on a brave front after that jerk of a husband had left her. The guy hadn’t deserved such a fine woman.

  Lawrence gazed at the photo of Yolanda’s sultry brown eyes, smooth, rich milk chocolate skin, and gorgeous smile. Could he have helped her more? He’d carried guilt over it for years. He felt as though he abandoned her. But what else could he have done at that age?