Her Handyman Hero

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“Not a thing.”

He took a step toward her, and she became acutely aware of his height. When he’d set her down from the board the other day, her head had rested right below his chin. She remembered thinking how perfectly she fit in his arms. Her cheeks flamed when a glint appeared in his dark eyes. Had he guessed what she was thinking? She forced a smile, searching for something to say to break the awareness arcing between them. She couldn’t stop looking at him, and each time she did she wanted to smile like a kid with a crush on the boy next door. “I thought I’d make you a list of the things that need fixing in case I’m not around. Then you can scratch them off as you finish them.”

“Good idea.”

Their eyes locked again and she became aware of his scrutiny. Her heartbeat skipped. What was he looking for? She broke contact and moved to the door. “Oh, don’t forget our deal includes meals, so I usually fix breakfast at seven. Help yourself to whatever is on hand for lunch. Supper may vary, but normally we eat around six or so.”

He followed her, stopping close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. Her gaze zeroed in on his chest, watching as it rose and fell with each deep, steady breath. She turned her attention to his voice. He was saying something.

“I’m not much on breakfast, but coffee would be good.”

“There’s always a pot ready.” He rested his hands on his hips and she had the feeling he wanted to say more. He had mentioned he wanted to talk to her about something.

“How’s Lily? No more tears?”

“No, she’s been her usual happy self since then.”

He hesitated a moment. “What about Lily’s father? Where is he?”

All her defenses shot into place. Her fingers curled into fists. Her jaw worked side to side as she tried to temper her response. She took a step backward. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. He has no place in Lily’s life. Judy never wanted him mentioned to Lily. Ever.” She turned to leave but Reid took her arm.

“Why?”

“Because he’s a heartless, selfish coward who abandoned his child.” She pulled free of his grasp. “I need to get back to Lily.”

She sensed Reid’s intense gaze on her back as she strode to the house. From the way she’d exploded, he probably thought she was a lunatic.

After a quick check on her daughter, Tori went downstairs to her craft table. Working on her jewelry designs always calmed her down and cleared her mind. Putting the glittering pieces together to create a lovely necklace gave her satisfaction.

Fifteen minutes later, residual anger still vibrated along her nerves. Any mention of Lily’s father churned up a fierce need to protect. She’d probably overreacted to Reid’s question, but any discussion of Lily’s worthless parent never failed to infuriate her. Especially now that Judy was gone. It was up to her to honor her friend’s wishes, and after hearing how that man had abandoned her friend when she was pregnant, she could understand why Judy would become enraged whenever the topic came up.

Still, that was no reason to snap at Reid. She’d have to get used to the question being asked. It was only normal for people to wonder when she showed up in her hometown with a little girl to raise. Thankfully, that didn’t happen often. Most everyone knew her and her family, and the reasons behind Lily’s presence had already been through the rumor mill, everyone’s curiosity satisfied.

She’d apologize to Reid in the morning...if he was still here. She hoped she hadn’t chased him away, because she really needed his help around here. Maybe she’d make the Smiley girls’ cinnamon rolls in the morning as a peace offering. She’d been meaning to try the recipe. She was hoping it would become one of the hallmarks of her business. Warm. Sweet. Comforting.

The very essence of what she wanted Camellia Hall to become.

* * *

The morning air was thick and muggy, suggesting a thunderstorm brewing for the afternoon. Reid crossed through the dew-damp grass, weighing his options on how best to approach Tori. He’d been unprepared for her fierce reaction to his question about Lily’s dad. His shock had shifted quickly to defensiveness. She was talking about his brother. Eddie might deserve his fair share of condemnation for his behavior, but Tori’s bitterness ran deep. It might ruin any chance he had to take Lily to see his brother.

When Tori had knocked on his door, he’d just finished talking to Eddie and assuring him Tori was a good mother to Lily. He’d felt certain he could convince her to take the little girl to see him soon. Now he might have to backtrack. Her reaction didn’t bode well for a family reunion.

Eddie was right. His little undercover operation had backfired big-time. He had made things worse. He had to tell Tori the truth before she found out some other way.

Inside the main house, Reid inhaled the welcoming aroma of fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls. Tori and Lily were nowhere to be found. Her car was still in the drive along with a contractor’s van, so she must still be in the living quarters. He took his time savoring the hot, dark liquid and the sticky sweet rolls. Another perk to living on the property. He hoped he could continue working here. He was growing attached to the place, and to Tori and Lily.

He’d slept soundly despite his troubled thoughts about Tori’s outburst, but his concern had been there to nag him when he’d awakened. He’d planned on talking to her today, hoping her reaction last night was simply because he’d caught her off guard. Something told him that wasn’t the case, however.

Sufficiently caffeinated, Reid hoisted his tools and started toward the living quarters. Before he could knock on the door, she opened it. Lily waved and smiled. Tori looked professional today, in a dark slender skirt and a light blue blouse. Lily, her hair held back with a wide band, wore striped pants and a little shirt with a princess on it. Both looked adorable.

“Good morning. Did you find the coffee and rolls okay?”

“I did.”

“I have to run some errands this morning after I drop Lily off at school, but I’ll be back around lunchtime. Jimmy Ray is painting the living room so you might have to work around him.”

“No problem.”

“Oh, and there’s sandwich fixings in the fridge for lunch, so help yourself.”

Lily tugged on his hand. “When I get back will you read me another story, Mr. Reid?”

He hunkered down, a rush of warm emotion circling his heart. “Sure thing. I’ll be right here.” He’d hoped tracking down his family would bring him peace. He’d never imagined that he would find it in the bright eyes of a five-year-old child. Except his niece belonged to Tori, and he had no connection to her at all. Yet.

Lily bounced on her toes with happiness. “You’re a good reader.”

He’d received his share of recognition during his years as an agent, but none had given him the satisfaction found in Lily’s sweet compliment. Eddie’s child was special. He would be so proud. He looked at Tori. He had to tell her who he was and why he was here. Once she heard the full story, she’d change her mind.

After the ladies left, Reid made his way to the living room in the private area. The furniture had been shoved toward the center of the room and drop cloths spread on the floor in front of the wall to be painted. A gray-haired man was hunkered down stirring a can of paint. He glanced up and smiled, coming to his feet.

“You must be Reid, the handyman Miss Tori took on. I’m Jimmy Ray Fuller.” He extended his hand.

“Fuller Painting Contractors. I saw the van. Nice to meet you. Will I be in the way working on the window sashes?”

“Not at all. I’ll come back and paint the trim later. So what brings you to our little town? Dover is off the beaten path.”

Reid placed his toolbox in front of the window before answering. The question made him uncomfortable. Probably because he’d chosen to hide his real reason for being in the small town. His cover-up stirred his conscience into a bitter swill. Something else new in his emotional library. He formed his answer around as much truth as possible.

“I left my old job and I wanted to start fresh. A small town seemed like a good fit for now.” When Jimmy Ray didn’t respond, Reid faced him and found him staring, a knowing glint in his pale blue eyes.

“You’re a former cop, aren’t you?”

Reid frowned. “How could you know that?”

“It takes one to know one.” He ran his hands over the paint roller to remove excess lint. “And I’m guessing you did a lot of undercover work, am I right?”

Reid could only nod. What was it about the people here—Tori, and now Jimmy Ray—that they could see right through him? When had he become so transparent? If he’d been this way on an assignment, he’d have been dead years ago. “DEA.”

Jimmy Ray nodded. “I was undercover with the Memphis PD. It took its toll. I left and came to Dover. The wife was from here.”

“And you became a painter. That’s a far cry from police work.”

“I needed something stress free, something I could start and finish and see results. Law enforcement never seemed to get better. It felt hopeless. I wasn’t making a difference.” He gestured to the walls. “With this job, I come in, do my job, the customers are happy and I don’t take the work home or lose sleep over it.”

“Sounds good. I suppose that’s what I’m looking for, too. A life that doesn’t keep dragging me down.”

“Well, if you stay on here you’ll come to enjoy it. Especially being around Miss Tori. That young woman has a gift for making people feel at home. She’s going to be a terrific hostess when this place opens up.”

He agreed, but he still had concerns. “Do you think that’ll happen? She says she’s having financial issues. I’m working for room and board.”

Jimmy Ray brushed the comment aside. “For now, but she’ll sort it out. I’m working for free. My version of a housewarming gift. I’m close with her family. Knew her since she was a baby and I want to see her succeed. She’s had it rough lately, and I admire her for taking on the little girl all alone. That child has given her a purpose that was lacking in her life.”

“I assume there’s no boyfriend in the picture?” The back of his neck suddenly burned. What was up with him?

“Are you fishing, Reid?” Jimmy chuckled. “She is a pretty lady. No, I don’t think she’s looking for any kind of relationship. After three failed attempts, I think she’s only focused on Lily.”

“She’s been married before?”

“No. Engaged. Three times. She called them all off.”

Jimmy went to work on the wall and Reid turned his attention to the window, locating the access pocket and starting the replacement of the inner workings. When the window slid up and down easily, he moved upstairs to work on the three windows up there. His thoughts were distracted by what Jimmy had shared. Why had Tori broken off three engagements? Was she that poor a judge of character? Or was she incapable of making a long-term commitment—and what might that mean in regard to Lily? Would she grow tired of being a parent and abandon his niece? Absurd. He refused to believe that. From what he’d seen, Tori was devoted to his niece, despite her own confession to feeling inadequate as a mother. Yet it did raise questions in his mind.