Page 2 of Searching for Sadie (Mystic Falls #5)

LUCAS

A fter a particularly hard day at work, Lucas was pulling his big truck into his driveway.

He had been working on a new construction for popstar Liam James on the edge of town.

While it was nice to be working closer to home, doing the electric for a house this large was a big job.

Particularly because there was going to be a state-of-the-art recording studio in the basement.

He had hockey practice for the beer league team he was part of at seven thirty which gave him enough time to shower, eat some dinner and check on the cat next door before that. It may seem like a boring life to most people, but Lucas was content.

After he showered and ate his frozen pizza, he looked at the clock on his microwave. It was seven. He had just enough time to feed George before heading to the rink.

He grabbed the spare key off the hook by his backdoor and headed to his neighbors.

There was a gate in the back yard that separated the two for easy access.

He noticed the grass was starting to look a little long and made note to mow it next time he mowed his own.

Since Ms. Maple died, he’d taken to looking after the place.

He'd been sad when she'd passed, she was a pretty badass old lady. His memories of her made him smile as he unlocked the back door and slipped in.

"Georgie... here kitty," he called as he made his way over to his food bowl.

The food bowl was still full, that was odd. But the cat seemed to come and go as it pleased so he figured everything was fine.

Then he heard something that didn't belong. It was Dolly Parton. He cocked his head. No, it was definitely someone singing Jolene who sounded just like Dolly. Only that didn't make any sense. No one should be here.

He made his way into the living room and the sight brought an instant smile to his face. There with earbuds in, going through a roomful of boxes was the cutest little brunette he’d ever seen. His brother had told him that Ms. Maple's niece was moving in, and it would look like she was here.

Not only was she here but she sounded just like Dolly Parton. He could seem to help but smile as he watched her dance and sing Jolene.

Then she turned mid-refrain and their eyes connected. He felt like he'd been struck by lightning, but then she opened her mouth with a loud scream and clutched her heart.

Oh fuck, he was acting like a creeper, and he didn't even realize it. He held up his hands and backed up, tripping over a mauve ottoman. He stumbled to his feet as she pulled out her earbud.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Sorry," he said, getting to his feet. "I'm Lucas. I live next door. I was just stopping by to feed George. I didn’t know you'd moved in."

"Oh," she said, resting her hand over her heart. "You scared the crap out of me."

"I'm so sorry," he said again.

Then a small grin came across her face, and it was like his whole world rearranged and made that smile the very center of it. But that was before a small laugh left her and he was fucking done for. "Are you okay?"

He could only imagine the grin that was on his own face right now. "I'm totally fine."

She came closer and reached out her hand. "I'm Sadie. It's nice to meet you, Lucas."

He took her hand, and all the breath nearly left his body, it was like a jolt of electricity ran up his arm originating from their touch. He was finally able to pull his gaze from their clasped hands to her eyes. They seemed to be just as transfixed as his were.

Well, this was interesting.

But then, she yanked her hand back and shook her head. "Sorry, I must be a little distracted from all the moving. I'm here to take care of George so I can do that from here on out. Thank you for watching him for me though."

Lucas cocked his head to the side taking her in. That reaction wasn't what he expected... but he'd known this woman all of five minutes so how should he know what to expect from her?

"It was no problem. Your Aunt was a special woman; I was happy to take care of George while she was gone. Not only that, but that cat is something else," he said as George wound through his legs.

He bent down to scratch him behind the ears, only for George to give his hand a nibble and meow loudly before leaving them to saunter up the stairs.

Sadie chuckled as she watched the cat. "Oh, I know all about George. I was here the summer Aunt Rosie got him. He's always been like that, purring and cuddly one minute, biting you the next."

"Yeah, that sounds about right," he said as he ran his hand through his hair. "So, what made you decide to move to Mystic Falls?"

Her face fell and her brows creased for the briefest of moments before her smile returned. "I was just ready for a change."

"Okay, well I'm gonna let you get back to your unpacking, but if you need anything. I'm right next door. Please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Okay," he said, running his hand through his hair again feeling at a bit of a loss. He was just about to leave but part of him wanted to stay here and help her. He gave his head a little shake and blew out a breath. "I'm just a door away."

"Thanks, bye Lucas."

"Bye, Sadie."

Why was he finding it so hard to leave? This had to be one of the strangest first interactions he'd ever had.

Even after going home and grabbing his hockey bag, he still couldn't get his mind off his new neighbor.

He was the first at the rink and he headed to the locker room to get his gear on trying to focus.

"Hey man, how's it goin?" asked Sam Smith as he set his bag down next to him.

"Good. How about you?"

"Things are good. We’re just doing some work around the orchard gearing up for fall."

Lucas nodded and sat down to lace up his skates.

His mind was still wondering and finding its way back to his neighbor.

Like maybe he should tell her about his next game, and she could come and cheer for him.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he tightened his laces.

Maybe getting out on the ice would help him focus a little bit.

"Did you hear me?" Sam asked.

"Sorry, can you repeat that?"

"I was just saying that Wes Darling is going to lead a hockey camp for the high school team this summer and asked if we wanted to help."

"Oh yeah, that sounds good. Just let me know when and I can try and schedule work around it."

He stood up and got his stick and made his way to the ice. "I'll see you out there."

When he got there Kate was already out there doing some stretches.

Since Kate moved back to Mystic Falls and finally joined their rec team they'd become good friends.

Lucas, Sam and Kate hung out a lot watching games.

Her boyfriend was one of the star players for the Glendale Magic.

Every now and then he would come to their games and cheer them on.

All that thought did though was point him straight back to his beautiful neighbor.

Life was about to get interesting here in Mystic Falls.