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Eddie was right—he’d been undercover so long he’d lost touch with who he really was. He didn’t want to lie to Tori any longer, because he was beginning to see the extent of damage his ill-conceived deception might cause. He suddenly dreaded the look of condemnation he’d see in her pretty eyes when he came clean. Oh, what a tangled web—it needed to come down today.
* * *
Tori hurried back into the main kitchen, stopping briefly on the porch to check on Lily. She was still sitting on the glider swing with her book. Tori studied her a moment. She seemed subdued today. Not her usual cheerful self. Was she missing Judy? Since bringing Lily here to Dover, the little girl had experienced several setbacks as she grieved. The incidents had rocked Tori’s already shaky confidence, making her question again if she was suited to raising her friend’s child.
Lily must have sensed her watching because she glanced up, then waved. Tori waved back, praying Lily would eventually accept her mother’s passing and embrace her new life here in Dover.
Reassured, Tori moved into the kitchen. The newly remodeled room met all the codes for a professional kitchen and, with the help of her decorator, still reflected its 1870 origins. The small breakfast room off the back connected with the sunroom and would provide a cozy dining space when there were few guests. The formal dining room at the front of the house would be used when the rooms were full, hopefully during most of the fall and winter. Today she planned on going through the three sets of fine china the girls had left with the house and decide which one would be her statement pattern.
Light tapping on the back door pulled her around. Shelley waved and stepped inside, followed by two little ponytailed girls. Lily skidded to a stop, vibrating with excitement.
“Can I show Emily my new bookcase?”
Her new lavender scalloped-edge bookcase had arrived a few days ago, and she’d spent an afternoon putting the books in just the right spots. “Yes, but Mr. Reid is up there working on the doors so don’t get in his way, and then come back down and play in the sunroom so I can see you, okay?”
Lily tossed a “’kay” over her shoulder as she and Emily dashed toward the living quarters.
Shelley settled on a stool at the counter. “Mr. Reid?”
“The handyman.”
“You hired him?”
“Sort of. We agreed he’d work for room and board temporarily. He’s going to stay in the apartment. This way he’ll be available whenever I need him.”
Shelley frowned and leaned forward. “You’re telling me you hired a stranger, who’s also going to live in your apartment? Tori, what were you thinking?”
“He’s not a stranger exactly. Floyd recommended him. He’s nice. A bit solemn and mysterious, but he does good work and he’s eager. He finished painting my floor without being asked.” Tori pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it with the Smiley girls’ famous mint iced tea and set it before her friend. “It’s only for a few weeks. Once I have some funds I’ll pay him and hire a professional to finish the work.”
Giggles and thumping sounded before Lily and Emily burst into the main kitchen. Reid was right behind them. He stepped into the room and nodded. “All the doors work. They only needed a little adjusting.”
“Oh, Reid, this is my friend and neighbor, Shelley Vinton.”
Reid nodded. “Emily’s mother. Nice to meet you.” He faced Tori. “What’s next on your list? I can’t start the windows until I pick up replacement materials.”
“How are you with pocket doors? The one between the two parlors is wedged into the slot. Floyd wasn’t sure they could be restored. I’ll show you.”
Shelley’s expression was beyond curious when Tori returned. She braced herself for a flood of questions.
“That is your handyman? Tori, he may be a lot of things, but a handyman? Really?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve hired a few in my day and they never looked like him. Did you notice the biceps on the man?”
Not only had she noticed, she had firsthand knowledge from when he’d plucked her from the makeshift bridge he’d used to rescue her. “He used to be in law enforcement, so of course he’d be strong.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. That man is dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?”
Shelley placed her hands over her heart as she batted her lashes. “Guard your heart, girlfriend.”
Tori rolled her eyes. “You forget this heart has been closed for business for a while now.”
“If you say so. Oh, I saw the list of volunteers for this weekend. With all that help, we should have those flooded homes ready for carpenters by the end of the day. Maybe you should ask for volunteers to help with the B and B.”
“In exchange for what?”
“A free night’s stay when you open, or a romantic night for two.”
“Not a bad idea, but the clock is ticking and I’m nowhere near ready to open. I still have decorating to do, a registration desk to set up, marketing, the menu. I don’t know when I’ll be able to reopen the tearoom.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t. You said the girls had shut it because business had dried up.”
“The Camellia Tea Room is part of the home’s history. I’d hate to see it end.”
“And when would you have time to run that and the B and B, too?”
Tori sighed. “I know. Too bad I can’t clone myself.”
Shelley patted her arm. “What you need is a partner. Someone to work with you here, to share the load and give you moral support. Someone who would care as much as you do.”
Tori sent a warning glare at her friend. “Stop right there. I know what you’re doing. Every time you see an attractive man you start hinting. I’m not going down that path again. Third time wasn’t a charm, it was a disaster. He lied to me about everything. Lily is my life now. There’s no room for anyone else.”
Shelley smiled and picked up her purse. “Not even a very intriguing handyman who’s right under your nose?”
Tori pointed to the door. “Take your sweet child and your sweet self and move along please. There’s nothing to see here.”
“Fine. I’m going.”
Her friend’s heart was in the right place, but her suggestion wouldn’t work. Although now that Shelley had planted the seed, the idea of having a partner began to take root...
* * *
Reid aimed the flashlight into the slot encasing the old pocket door. Something was jammed between the door and the wall, but he couldn’t see it or reach it. He tried tugging the door back and forth to dislodge the blockage. When the stubborn door refused to budge, he stepped to the opposite door and applied the same technique. His efforts were rewarded when the door slid outward a foot, bringing with it a thick strip of insulation.
A little more tugging produced more insulation and a few more inches of exposed door. If insulation was the culprit on the other door, and if he could remove it all, the doors might slide closed. Barring any mechanical problems, in which case he’d have to do more research. For some reason he wasn’t quite sure of, it was important for him to fix one of Tori’s concerns.
It was obvious, even in the short time he’d been around, that Tori was determined to get her bed-and-breakfast open on time. And her motivation, to give Lily a stable home where she could spend as much time with her as possible, was reassuring. His conscience flared again. He had to come clean and tell her who he was and why he was here. His concerns about Tori being a suitable guardian had all but disappeared.
Reid cocked his head when he heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. It sounded like crying. Then he realized—Lily was sobbing.
He hesitated, then made his way down the hallway to the kitchen door. He stopped, catching his breath at what he saw. His employer and her little girl were seated at the round breakfast table. Lily was sobbing uncontrollably as Tori cradled her in her lap, making comforting noises.
“But Miss Shelley said Emily was going away. I don’t want her to go. Mommy went away.”
“Emily isn’t going away, sweetheart. She’s going to her grandma’s, the same way you go to visit yours. She’ll be back in a few days.”
“But Mrs. Fisher said Mommy went away. Will Mommy be back, too?”
Reid watched the tears flow down Tori’s cheek as she brushed the dark hair from Lily’s face. “No, sweetie. Remember we talked about how sick Mommy was and how her body was too tired to keep working?”
Lily nodded. “She’s in heaven with Jesus and she’s happy.”
“That’s right. And now you’re here with me and I’m very happy to have you and we’ll be a family. Just you and me.”
“And our bee bees?”
Tori smiled. “Yes, and our guests. You’ll be a big help to me. You can help me make them feel very special, and they’ll want to come see us again and again.”
Lily snuggled close to Tori, her little fists hugged up against her chin while Tori stroked her hair.
Reid moved quietly back from the door, his chest twisted into a hot, uncomfortable knot. But the area around his heart felt strangely soft. If he’d had any doubts about Tori taking care of Lily, they were put to rest now. She loved the little girl. Wasn’t that all that mattered?
He rubbed his forehead. He’d tell her today before he left. Before he moved in. Once she knew who he was, he might be fired—again.
“Reid.”
He spun around to see Tori, with Lily in her arms, staring at him, both of their eyes moist and cheeks pink from tears. A rush of protectiveness slammed into him. He cleared his throat. “I was coming to report on the pocket door.” He didn’t want Tori to think he’d been spying on them.
“Can you fix it?”
“Maybe. It’s jammed with insulation, but if the hardware isn’t damaged it should be a simple matter to oil it and get it sliding smoothly again.”
“That’s a relief. It’s a feature guests love.”
Tell her. He stared at her.
“Was there something else?”
“I’d like to talk to you when you have a moment.”
“All right, but it’ll have to be later. I need to spend time with Lily, and I have some paperwork that has to be submitted first thing tomorrow.”
“No problem.”
Tori kissed her child’s cheek before setting her on the floor. “Lily, you go on to your room. I’ll be right there.” She handed him a key. “I meant to give you this earlier. I’m afraid the apartment might be a mess.”
He held up his hand. “For a free room, the least I can do is clean it.”
He took a step toward her. “Is Lily all right? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard her crying and... Does she get that way often? Missing her mother, I mean.”
Tori rested a hand at her throat. “It’s been a long time since her last spell. Thankfully, they’re becoming fewer and fewer. Her mother and I tried to prepare her for the loss, but she’s so little she doesn’t really understand. How do you explain to a five-year-old that her mom is gone forever? I feel so helpless and inadequate.”
He searched for something to say. He hated to see her so full of doubt, but comforting a distraught woman was out of his comfort zone. “I thought you handled it exactly right.”
She shook her head. “I wish I could do more for her. It’s moments like this that make me wonder if Judy did the right thing in giving me custody.”
Reid impulsively touched her arm, wanting to reassure her. “I think she made a good choice. You’re the perfect guardian for little Lily.”
She looked at him with appreciation in her cobalt eyes, but evidently her self-doubt still lingered. Now was not the time to reveal his identity. “I’d better get back to the pocket doors.”
“Thank you.” She straightened and offered a slight smile. “Oh, would you take a look at the faucet in the upstairs bath in the living quarters tomorrow? The water flow is a trickle. Oh, and Jimmy Ray will be here, too. He’s going to start painting the living quarters.”
“I’ll look at it first thing in the morning. And if it’s all right I’ll move into the apartment this evening.”
“That’s fine. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’ll do that.”
Reid worked on the door a while longer, until it was obvious he needed something more than his hands to clear out the insulation. He’d have to pick up a hook and rent a Shop-Vac. Beyond that, he had some research to do. And an explanation and an apology to prepare.
Seeing Tori so insecure had been unsettling. Didn’t she see how strong and capable she was? Her love and affection for his niece couldn’t be questioned.
He couldn’t continue this subterfuge. It would hurt all of them.
Because there was something vulnerable about his new boss. Outwardly she took charge like an engineer on a mission, but inside she was filled with doubts. He suspected someone had hurt her deeply. And the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Tori any more.
Chapter Three (#u5b991f4d-9ec9-519e-ad2b-460ecb5e084c)
Reid’s encouraging comment earlier kept replaying in Tori’s mind. He’d felt she’d done a good job in calming Lily and comforting her. She wished she felt as confident. She second-guessed her handling of Lily every moment. Her mom assured her all mothers felt this way, but Tori wasn’t convinced. The women in her family all seemed like supermoms. Linc’s wife, Gemma, raised two children and ran a successful event-planning business. Gil’s wife, Julie, was the mother to three—Gil’s daughter, Abby, and three-month-old twins. Her sister, Beth, owned her own dance studio, raised her stepdaughter and taught classes while pregnant. Even her brother Seth’s new bride worked full-time, studied for her degree and took care of Seth’s son, Jack. Sometimes she wondered if she would ever measure up.
They tried to reassure her that she was doing a fine job, but for some reason, Reid’s encouragement meant more than all the others combined. What was wrong with her that the simple compliment from a stranger held more sway than those from her family?
All she needed to do was focus on getting the business open on time. With Reid close by to handle the long list of repairs, she was free to start concentrating on the details. Decor, menu, schedule and, of course, there was the paperwork and documentation. Things she hadn’t considered when she’d bought the old home.
Opening a bed-and-breakfast wasn’t a simple matter of inviting people to come and stay at your house. The state regulations were overwhelming: business licenses, restaurant license, liquor permit, even if she would only be offering wine. And with each requirement came an inspection. Being listed on the National Register had brought with it another to-do list. She was grateful Floyd was aware of the guidelines and had consulted with Laura Holbrook, a local restoration specialist, to make sure everything was acceptable.
Strange thing was that all her previous jobs were proving to be a blessing. She’d worked in her mother’s Real Estate office as a sales agent, the family Electrical business as an accountant and she’d owned her own flower shop briefly and even tried her hand at interior design. Now, all that experience would give the skills she needed to run the B and B.
Glancing out her bedroom window, she saw the light in the apartment, reminding her she now had a boarder. Reid had moved in this evening. She felt bad she hadn’t been able to clean up the place and figured she could at least provide him with fresh linens.
After a quick check on Lily to make sure she was sleeping soundly, Tori gathered a set of clean sheets and towels and carried them to the apartment. The sweet strains of a Chopin nocturne seeped through the door as she approached. Classical music? Not what she’d expect from a stoic guy like Reid.
He opened the door quickly when she knocked, his dark eyes locking onto hers and sending a quiver down her spine. He wore a faded T-shirt and dark warm-up pants that only emphasized the muscular chest. Her mouth went dry and her palms dampened. Oh, my. What was wrong with her? She’d never had this kind of reaction to a man before. Coming here was a dumb idea. His dark eyes suddenly softened, and his mouth arched on one side. Not exactly a smile, but more of a slight lifting.
“Evening.”
She cleared her throat and thrust the items toward him. “I thought you might need these.”
“Thanks, but that wasn’t necessary.”
She glanced around the small space. He’d removed the dust covers and rearranged a few pieces of furniture. A worn duffel bag and a small satchel were on the bed in the alcove. “I forgot to mention you can have weekends off, unless of course some major catastrophe comes up.”
“Good. I have a standing appointment on Sundays I can’t miss.”
She wanted to ask what it was but resisted. He probably had a girlfriend someplace. “Is there anything else you need?”
