Her voice floated over the fence. “Hold still, Jake, I’ve almost got it. You’re going to be the prettiest dog in the whole wide world.”
When he’d arrived this morning, she’d been sitting outside looking bored, playing with a doll. Thinking maybe Jake could keep her company while he painted, he’d asked her to run and see if it would be all right with her mom, and she’d agreed. Nick had seen her and her daughter around town a few times in the past couple of weeks. The little girl always gave him a shy little wave, while Sara shared a cautious smile, as if not sure whether seeing him was a good thing or not. He could relate.
His sneaky landlady had somehow managed to ferret out the fact that he was taking therapy twice a week with a clinic downtown, and asked him if he would mind doing a bit of handyman stuff on her rentals while he was recuperating, offering him a discount on his house and silence about his career. He didn’t care about the first, the second however, was another story.
Smart woman.
He was pretty sure she was trying to set him up with his sexy neighbor. He could have told her not to bother, neither party was interested, but something stopped him.
His progress slowed when he heard the child confiding to the dog. “I wish Mommy would cheer up, Jake. She thinks I miss home, but I don’t. Daddy was mad at us.” She dropped her head, and swiped at her eyes and nose, her focus on the grass between her sneakers. “Him and mommy got into fights, all the time.” Sadness radiated from her small frame.
Nick frowned.
She rubbed long strokes down the dog’s broad back. “I’m glad we left. I like it here, this place is pretty cool. Grace is my mommy’s friend, she has the diner downtown. And there’s Ms. Campbell at the craft store, and her kid Chris. He’s ok—for a boy. And you know Mrs. Garrett, she lives next door. She makes the best cookies.” Jake’s tail swished in the tall grass. “Hey, wanna go and see her? We can show her your new hat.” His pink tongue snaked out and licked her cheek as she leaned over to give him a hug. “I love you too, boy.”
Nick let his brush drop into the tray. He stood and rested his arms on top the fence, stretching tight muscles. Startled, Jake took notice, and barked as if a hundred cats were racing past.
“Settle down, it’s just me, goofball.” Jake jumped up, racing over to rest his paws on the fence, his tongue lolling out. “Watch the wet paint, you’re going to make a mess.”
“He’s been real good,” Jessica said in a timid voice, keeping a worried eye on the dog.
“Yeah, he’s a pretty smart boy. Sometimes he just forgets to pay attention, that’s all. You’ll have to help me teach him to be careful not to go out on the road, or he might get hurt.”
She inched a couple of steps away, patting her leg to get Jake’s attention, “Yes sir, I will. Is it okay if we go to Aunty Tess’s for cookies?”
“I don’t see why not. You’d better…” Too late, they were already off and running. Jake loping down the sidewalk alongside the little girl, pink hat bouncing off the side of his head.
Nick stared after them, rubbing an unexpected tug in his chest. The conversation he’d overheard between child and dog had disturbed him. He knew all about the pain and bewilderment of a parent’s betrayal—had lived through it himself—and hated the thought of such a sweet little girl going through that kind of a hell.
Guess he’d better have another chat with Sara. He didn’t want her concerned where her child had disappeared to. Jessica was chattering like a magpie through the open kitchen window next-door. The spicy scent of cinnamon and ginger tickled his taste buds to life, making him wish he’d followed them over.
The front steps groaned under his weight. He’d just lifted his hand to knock on the door when it flew open. Seeing his raised hand, Sara let out a strangled little cry and flung herself backwards, smacking her head against the heavy steel with an audible whump.
Disconcerted, he lowered his arm and stepped forward to help. When she cowered, he backed away in order to give her some space. “Hey, take it easy. I wasn’t trying to scare you. I just thought I’d stop by and let you know Jessica is next door and properly introduce myself, since we got off on the wrong foot the other day.”
Yeah, like today is going so much better, dummy.
Sara’s posture slumped in relief as they heard her daughter’s laughter floating along the breeze-ruffled leaves. “Oh…okay then. Normally she’s so responsible about asking if she can go out of the yard, I worried when I couldn’t see her anymore.”
Attempting a smile, which came out looking more like an over-stretched elastic band, she thrust out her hand. “I’m Sara, Sara Reed. I think I forgot to introduce myself the other day. I guess I’ve overreacted, huh? It’s a mother thing.”
Nick took her dainty hand into his calloused one. Awareness shot heat through his veins. She had what his mother used to call piano hands, with long delicate fingers and fine bones. He didn’t want to let it go.
“I thought I should stop by and let you know she’d gone over there. She did ask. I didn’t see any harm,” he said, disappointed when she pulled her hand away.
“No, that’s fine. She goes over to Tess’s all the time. She just should have cleared it with me first. Could I offer you a cup of coffee, Mr. Kelley? I’ve just made a fresh pot.”
He hesitated, not wanting to get involved, but something about her tugged at him. Shadows lurked at the back of her eyes, hinting of secrets he itched to uncover. “I’d love some, thank you. And it’s, Nick.” Now if he could just get his mind off watching those cute hips and amazing ass, he’d be fine.
“Well, Nick, have a seat.” She gestured towards a set of white wicker furniture tucked into a corner of the deck before going inside for the refreshments.
Okay, keep it simple stupid. She needs a friend.
“Have you and your daughter lived in Tidal Falls very long?” he asked, when she came back through the doorway carrying steaming mugs of black coffee. He noted the slight hesitation in her step, and how her lips tightened before she smoothed them out and continued towards him. She set a large, chipped cup in front of him before taking a chair on the opposite side of the little table. By the rich, bold fragrance, he knew it’d be strong enough to stand a spoon up. Just the way he liked it.
“No, not too long. And yourself, Mr. Kelley? You don’t seem the type to spend your days lolling around. What is it you do for a living, besides frightening the neighbors that is?” A teasing smile lit up her face, causing a cute dimple to appear in her cheek. He liked that dimple.
He didn’t want to talk about his own story. “I’m just taking a little breather. Picked a spot on the map, and here I am. It’s a big change from city life.” The little town appealed to him, he liked the slow easy pace compared to the craziness of Boston.
“What city are you from? Jess and I took a trip to Seattle a couple of weeks ago. We went to the Woodland Parks Zoo for Mother’s Day.”
“Every kid loves the zoo,” he replied, a little gruffness in his tone. He pictured mother and daughter wandering around the exhibits. Nick would’ve loved the opportunity to do something like that with his own child. He never had.
He avoided giving her an answer, strangely loathe to bring his past into the conversation. “So tell me, is there a Mr. Reed in the picture?” He waited, his chest uncomfortably tight, feet planted hard to the floor. He had to resist the urge to lean forward to catch her answer.
“My husband is…gone.” Her voice, losing its smoothness, came out a little higher pitched, and she fiddled with a loose piece of wicker on the arm of her chair as if her life depended on it, her eyes meeting his before sliding away.
Hmm, what’s up with that?
His interest rose as he watched her almost defensive posture. Years of training kicked in. He wasn’t liking the picture forming in his head.
The breeze teased shoulder length strands of honey colored hair, and she absently brushed them behind her ear. His gaze followed the path of her hand as it trailed
down her neck to toy with the collar of her blouse.
He cleared his throat, fidgeting with his own collar, “You’ll be seeing a little more of me around, I’m afraid. Mrs. Garrett found out I know a little carpentry and asked if I would mind doing some work on her rentals, like those creaky stairs of yours. I’ll try to keep out of your way but if there’s anything I can help you with, just let me know.” Where did that come from? He didn’t need any more complications in his life. He had enough of his own to deal with.
“Thank you, Mr. Kelley, but we’re fine.” She smiled.
That was relief he was feeling, right? “Hey now, after sharing a cup of coffee with me you can surely break down and call me, Nick. Come on, let’s hear it.” He teased her.
She burst out laughing. “Nick, it is then.”
He liked that husky laugh of hers. Rising, he stepped around the little table, frowning at her sudden tension as her hand tightened on the arm of her chair. “Good, I'll drop by tomorrow, take a few measurements and start getting the supplies together, if that’s okay. Do you have any problem with my coming and going out of your yard?”
“No, that’s fine. I'll warn Jessica to keep out of your way.”
“I like the company, it's no trouble if she wants to come out and help.” He surprised himself by meaning it.
***
Sara admired his long, athletic legs encased in boot cut jeans as he strode away. Her gaze rose past his drool-worthy butt and broad back covered in a tight black t-shirt. His short dark hair glinted with auburn lights in the morning sun and left the back of his strong neck uncovered, revealing copper tanned skin.
Wonder if it’s the same color all over.
Embarrassed at where her thoughts were going, she rested her head back against the wicker chair, and appreciated how the sunlight turned the leaves above her into shimmering shades of burgundy. She’d missed this the last few years, gazing upon the world with an artist’s eye—she’d thought Tom had all but drummed that out of her.
Picking up her cup from the resin table, she admired the furniture she and Jess had found a couple of weeks ago. They’d been walking to the market when they’d come upon the cast-offs sitting by the curb, a for free sign taped to the back of the settee. She was trying to figure a way to get the pieces home, when Tess’s nephew Ty happened along in a shiny white pick-up. Noticing them, he pulled over. With a soft whirr, the driver’s window rolled down and a tanned arm rested on the sill as his friendly face leaned out, “Morning ladies, looks as if today’s my lucky day.”
Ty Garrett was a regular visitor at his aunt’s home, and at six feet with shaggy blond hair and blue eyes, he was a very attractive man. He’d made no secret of his interest in Sara, often joining them in the mornings for a quick coffee before heading off to work. He owned a restoration business, specializing in preserving landmark buildings in the area. Right now he was rebuilding the Twilight Theatre, an old brick building at the bottom of Main Street. It was reclaiming its gracious heritage, thanks to Ty’s efforts.
“Actually it must be ours.” She’d smiled up at him, squinting a little in the bright light. “We were working on how to get this home when you miraculously appeared.”
He’d turned off the idling truck and opened his door to hop out. Going around back, he opened the tailgate with a flourish. “My white steed,” gesturing towards the pick-up which made Jessica giggle, “and myself, are at your service, my ladies.”
He bowed and then clutched at his back, which sent Jess into another peal of laughter. He’d loaded the furniture into his truck and driven them home, placing it on Sara’s old porch—where it looked every bit as perfect as she’d pictured it.
Toying with a loose piece of wicker, Sara wondered what Tess was up to. If she wanted stuff done on her properties, Ty would most likely have been happy to do it for her. She was good at picking up strays. They were proof of that. Maybe Mr. Kelley—Nick—was down on his luck and she was helping him out. She liked that better than the other scenario she could come up with.
Matchmaking.
Her and Grace were infamous for their matchmaking endeavors. She wanted nothing to do with that, no matter how nice the man looked.
Jessica came skipping up the walkway, the dog following close behind. “Hi, Mom, we were over at Aunty Tess’s house. She made cookies.”
Sara tried to maintain a serious face, but it was hard. Jake had one of her gardening hats flopping off the side of his head, and Jessica had chocolate streaks on the side of her mouth. “Young lady, what did I tell you about leaving the yard?”
“I know, Mommy, but it was only for a minute, and Jake’s daddy said we could.” Her hazel eyes pleaded. She looked so worried she’d done something wrong that Sara capitulated, holding her arms out for a hug.
As she held her baby in close to her body, she breathed in the sweet smell of strawberry shampoo and green grass. All too soon, Jess pulled away and went running inside, screen door slapping shut behind her. Jake padded over for his share of some loving, settling at her feet with a heavy groan. She bent over and rubbed his sides, frowning when she felt a raised welt along his right hip. It was under his fur, so not recent, but still. Nick had mentioned he and Jake had been through a lot. So were the injuries connected, then? What had caused them? It bothered her to think of either of them lying hurt somewhere, needing aid.
“Oh you poor boy, you need a bed for those old bones, don’t you? We’ll have to see what we can do. You’re such a sweetheart, yes you are.” His ears perked up, and his wavy tail swished the floor.
She didn’t like the reaction thoughts of her new neighbor caused. Picturing him earlier, sitting across from her. Smiling at her. Her pulse fluttered. The very last thing she needed was to get mixed up in someone else’s problems. She had more than enough of her own and appreciated her luck in having found this quaint town. They’d traveled across the country in search of a safe haven as far from her estranged husband as they could get. She didn’t want to even think what would happen if he managed to find them.
CHAPTER THREE
For spring, it’d been unseasonably warm the last few days. Nick pulled a cloth from his back pocket and glancing up at the bright sun, swiped his forehead. His plan was to repair the back deck on Sara’s house today. He envied Jake, lying in a cool patch of shade. Oh well, it was his own fault. He’d offered to do the job, and truthfully, he was glad. It gave him less time to stew over his past.
“Can I help?”
Startled, Nick swung the hammer prematurely, almost nailing his thumb to the board. After a little creative cussing beneath his breath, he turned to see Jessica standing a few feet away. Always so solemn, a miniature replica of her momma.
“Sure kid, can you hold this tape measure for me? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
Jessica gripped the measure and walked to the other end of the post where he pointed. “I’m not in school right now,” she mumbled, carefully holding the tape against the wood.
He scanned her expression, and then looked away. “That’s good. Yep, right there.” He took the pencil from behind his ear and jotted down the measurement on a scrap of paper. “Why’s that?”
“It’s spring break, there is no school,” she stammered, walking back to him, the tape whistling as it re-spooled into its case. “Besides, we’re hiding.”
His pulse picked up the pace, competing with the spiraling tape. “You’re hiding? Like from the bogey man or what?”
“No silly.” She giggled. “Me and my mom's playing a long game of hide and seek with my dad. She says it's an adventure.” Jess’s bottom lip jutted as she shuffled her sparkly pink shoes in the grass, staining the toes green.
So there was more to the story. He’d been afraid of that. Nick had been an only child himself—thank Christ, with how messed up his home life had been. School had always been nothing more than a trial, filled with too many embarrassing questions. He knew the teachers were worried, but the carefully worded queries, “How did you
fall, son?” or his personal favorite, “Would you like us to talk to your parents?” only served to widen the gulf between him and the other kids who were more than happy to pick at the scabs of anger and embarrassment he wore like a mantle. Now it sounded as if this little girl and her mother might be going through something similar. It pissed him off.
Jake ran up and stole the gloves from his back pocket and proceeded to kill them, growling and shaking his head, the leather dangling lifeless from between his sharp teeth. The two of them stood together smiling while they watched the goofy dog. A rare feeling of serenity slid over Nick. Most of his friends were single like himself, so he was surprised with how comfortable he felt with half-pint here.
He turned when Sara called out from the back porch, “Hey, you guys. How about taking a break for a cold glass of lemonade?”
She looked pretty, decked out in a bright yellow T-shirt that lovingly outlined her full breasts. White denim shorts hugged her hips and led the way down to a set of perfect shaped legs. His stomach clenched when he got to her bare toes painted a heart-stopping flame red.
Turning away, he said, “Sure, leave it on the step. We’ll be over after we get this piece nailed together.” How in the Sam hell had he gotten himself into this mess? He had a feeling Mrs. G was finding him make work projects at the Reed house. He knew what she was up to, but hadn’t the heart to turn her down. He needed his head examined.
“Jess isn't getting in your way, is she?” Her warm voice coming from over his shoulder made him jump for the second time this morning. He was going to give himself a blackened thumb yet.
“Mo-om, I'm helping Nick.”
“It’s Mr. Kelley to you, young lady. If he doesn't mind, that’s fine. I don't want you interfering with his work though.”
Tidal Falls (Wounded Hearts Book 1) Page 2