“Good idea. A preemptive strike.” He took her arm. “You’ll get through this. You’re a fighter. You’ll win the battle.”
“Thanks.” Her smile beamed like a ray of sunlight, piercing the gloomy attic and sending his heart pounding. He found himself wondering what might have happened between them if the shadows of Eddie and Judy weren’t looming overhead.
At the bottom of the attic stairs, Reid closed the door and faced her. “Feeling better?”
“Yes. I think I know how to approach the neighbors. But first I have to pick up Lily. And I’ll see what I can come up with to satisfy the inspector about the ramp in case you have to follow through on that.”
Reid watched her walk away, his mind troubled. Every day he could feel his emotional roots burrowing deeper into the lives of Tori and Lily. His comfort level eased each morning when he woke and realized he was settling into small-town life.
But was he suitable for this kind of life? Was he deserving? Could he set aside the last several years and become a normal, family-oriented man? His heart wanted that, but his practical brain had serious doubts. There were things he’d done undercover that Tori could never know. Which meant he’d be keeping secrets again, the one thing she hated.
He’d be smart to keep his emotions intact. Approach the rest of his time here as another undercover operation. Stay focused on the task, keep emotions locked up and accomplish the mission.
For the first time, he found he didn’t want to live that way.
* * *
Tori pulled the cinnamon muffins from the oven Friday morning, gingerly plucking them from the pan and placing them in the silver weave basket. The sweet aroma boosted her confidence. The house would smell warm and welcoming when the ladies arrived.
She’d planned it all out on her way to pick up Lily the day the letter had arrived. First she had sent each woman a personal invitation on her new Camellia Hall stationery. Next came the menu. She would brew up a pot of the Smiley girls’ famous mint tea, bake the muffins, then give the women a tour of the house and outline her business plan to alleviate their concerns. She wasn’t too concerned about Virginia Bower, Janet Craig or Diane Fogle. They were probably not too upset. She suspected Naomi Foster was the instigator of the complaint, since she was new to Dover and probably unfamiliar with how things worked.
She carried the muffins into the front parlor, where she’d set up a table surrounded by comfy but elegant antique chairs. She wanted this to be a friendly, relaxed meeting. She’d made a small nosegay-style arrangement of pink and yellow roses from the yard in a silver mint julep cup. A glance at the grandfather clock near the door sent a surge of excitement along her veins. They should be here any moment.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Showtime. Offering up a prayer, she opened the door, smiling warmly. “Welcome to Camellia Hall.”
From the look on the women’s faces, she had her work cut out for her. She turned her smile up a notch and ushered the ladies inside.
* * *
Tori pulled another slice of pizza from the box that evening, hoping one more piece would infuse her with some energy. Dealing with the neighbors had left her drained and exhausted. She’d been relieved when they’d left. By the time she’d cleaned up, picked up Lily from school and run a few errands, she’d been too tired to think about fixing an evening meal. Reid had come to her rescue when he’d appeared at the house with a box of hot, mouthwatering pizza.
His thoughtfulness had touched her, and she’d suggested they eat in the private quarters instead of the breakfast room in the main house as they usually did. Tonight she needed the comfort of her own space, and Reid had earned the right to join them.
Several times he’d passed through the house while her guests were there, and he’d given her a thumbs-up. It had encouraged her and lifted her spirits each time. All in all, she felt the visit had gone well. She’d answered all their questions and eased their concerns about having a business in the neighborhood. She’d reassured them there would be no loud gatherings since it wouldn’t be a party venue, and pointed out that the guests would be gone during the day and only in the house at night to sleep. She pointed out how the parking area beside the garage was more than adequate to hold the guests’ vehicles, even when the inn was full.
But she was convinced it had been the tour of the old house that had won them over. They’d been surprised at how homey and comfortable the rooms were. Her confidence had been soaring as the women left. Diane had hung back, telling her she suspected Naomi had been reassured and would most likely withdraw her complaint.
“Have you heard back from the complaint committee?” Reid took a sip of his cola and reached for another slice of pizza.
Tori pulled her attention back to the sketches he’d done for the proposed ramp. “Not yet, but I have a good feeling about it.”
“So do I. You did a great job of charming them.”
“How do you know that?”
“I saw their faces. Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious. How could they not catch the excitement and change their minds?”
Her cheeks warmed at his sincere compliment. “I only wanted to make them understand and ease their concerns.”
“You did. Big-time.”
“Thanks.” She tapped the drawings. “Speaking of concerns, this ramp is perfect. It’ll satisfy the commission, but it won’t intrude on the integrity of the house.”
“It’ll be a bit more expensive to build, but it should make everyone happy.”
She sighed and ran a hand through the hair at her temple. “I hope so. I’ll take it to them tomorrow. My attorney has convinced those involved to make a decision in the next couple of days. I just can’t afford to waste any time. Every time I look at the calendar, I get a knot in my chest.”
“You’ll make it. The repair list gets smaller every day.”
“I know you’re working hard to get it all done. Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Sure you could.”
Tori glanced at the plans again. “How long will it take to build this ramp?”
“A day.”
“Really? Good. I might hear from the commission in the next day or two. So you could start soon.”
“As soon as we get the go-ahead.”
Reid’s cell sounded, and after a quick glance he excused himself and moved across the room. “Hey, Phil. What’s up?”
Tori noticed Reid’s shoulders stiffen as he spoke on the phone, and her curiosity spiked. Bad news about his brother, perhaps?
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
When he returned to the table, his expression was dark and troubled. “Reid, what’s wrong?”
He eased into the chair, his jaw flexing. “I have to leave town.”
“What? Why?”
“That was my old boss. My last case is finally coming to court. I need to go to Dallas next week to testify.”
“How long will you be gone?” Time was precious. She couldn’t afford any delays.
“A few days, I think. But there’s no way of knowing for sure.”
Her gaze dropped to the ramp sketches. How was she going to get everything done without Reid?
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’ll get back as soon as possible. Promise. We’ll get the ramp done.”
“I know.” She knew he’d do everything he could, but she still worried.
Reid glanced over at the sofa where Lily and Buster were fast asleep. “Looks like our little girl has had enough for today.”
Our little girl. Is that how he thought of them, as a family? Best not to follow that line of thought. “Too much fun and too much pizza.” Tori stood. “I’d better get her to bed.”
“I’ll carry her.” Without waiting for a reply, he scooped the little child into his arms, holding her securely against his chest.
He laid Lily gently on the bed, and Tori fought the image forming in her mind of mother and father putting their little girl to bed. She tucked the sleeping girl in, placing a kiss on her sweet cheek, then looked up to find Reid staring at her. His coffee-colored eyes were soft and filled with a warm light. Her heart floated in her chest. He looked at her as if he cared.
Could he see into her heart? She wanted him to. Which was clearly a big mistake. When he finally looked away, his gaze landed on the sleeping Lily, his expression one of complete love. He loved his niece. She had no doubt. And Lily adored him. Did she have a right to keep them apart?
She’d accused Reid of lying for not telling her the whole truth from the first. But she was doing the same thing—sharing only part of the truth.
They really had more in common than she wanted to admit. Tori came around the bed and stopped at his side, looking lovingly at her daughter. She rested her hand on his arm. “She’s so beautiful when she’s asleep.”
“And quiet.”
Tori nodded with a smile. “She does like to talk.” They made their way silently back downstairs.
“I didn’t know five-year-olds knew that many words. Or had so much imagination.”
“You mean like dressing Buster up with a feather boa and a hat?”
“I have to admit I wasn’t expecting that when I brought the pizza inside. He looked pretty funny, though I don’t think he appreciated the outfit.”
He caught her gaze and smiled. Her breath caught. His smile stole the starch from her knees. It was wide and warm and utterly charming. There was a small crease on one side of his mouth that was completely adorable. She couldn’t look away. In all the weeks she’d known him, he had never smiled. A faint grin maybe, but never a full-on smile.
“Is everything all right?”
She nodded, smiling. “You should do that more often.”
“What?”
“Smile.”
He drew his finger across his chin, as if embarrassed. “I haven’t had much reason to smile the last few years.”
“Well, it’s quite a sight.”
“You think so?”
“I do.”
“Then I’ll try to find more reasons to display it.”
Tori looked into his eyes and saw a warmth and lightness she’d never seen before. Was it possible that being here with her and Lily had softened his hard edges? The notion boosted her spirits.
Reid rested his hand on the side of her face. “You are one of the biggest incentives. You make everyone around you want to smile.”
Suddenly he lowered his hand and stepped back. “I’d better go. Lots to do tomorrow.”
Dazed, she nodded and hurried to regroup. “Thanks for the pizza. That was nice.”
“I thought it was about time I gave you a break from feeding me.”
“I don’t mind. You’re easy to cook for. You’ll eat anything.”
He didn’t smile, only hurried out the door. Had he guessed her feelings toward him and was running for the hills? She couldn’t help recalling that first moment when they’d looked into each other’s eyes and she felt a connection—a link she’d never experienced before. She’d thought then that he could see straight through to her heart.
Maybe he actually could. And, if so, she’d better keep her emotions in check.
* * *
Reid slid behind the wheel of his truck Saturday morning at the crack of dawn. He was headed to meet up with Jimmy Ray at the Montgomery warehouse with the other volunteers for the flood house project. The early hour suited him since he hadn’t slept much last night. Putting Lily to bed had cracked open something deep inside, and he wasn’t sure what to do with the emotions. He’d watched in fascination as Tori had tucked her in and kissed her forehead. He’d had the oddest desire to do the same. A swell of overpowering love lodged in his throat, along with a fierce desire to protect this precious life at any cost.
Is this what being a father felt like?
He’d been unable to take his gaze from the look of complete love and devotion on Tori’s face. Her love for Lily shone like a light from within. She was an intriguing woman. He liked being part of her life here at the hall. What would it be like to stay and work side by side with her?
His fingers twitched as he recalled the silky feel of her skin under his palm when he’d touched her cheek last night.
The thought of testifying in court intruded on his mind, killing the tender emotions. All this domesticity at Camellia Hall was giving him ideas he shouldn’t entertain. Yet he was reluctant to return to the hard-edged world of law enforcement. Testifying would dredge up all the things he’d hoped to put behind him when he quit.
But he had Tori and Lily and Camellia Hall to come back to. The idea filled him with more peace and joy than he’d known since he’d been a kid and his parents had been alive. But the big question still loomed: Was he capable of such a drastic change?
* * *
Reid had never seen anything like the turnout at the Montgomery Electrical warehouse. Volunteers by the dozens had come together to fill six vans, one for each flooded home, with everything they would need to start over. From furniture to salt and pepper shakers, nothing had been overlooked.
The Montgomerys were providing not only the space to store all the donated items, but the vehicles to deliver them. He’d arrived early to help divide and load furniture into the back of each van. Now he was packing the small appliances for each family into a large carton, but his gaze was on Tori as she worked alongside her family. He’d met them all today, the brothers and their wives and children. Her sister, Bethany, expecting her first child, and Francie, the matriarch, who beamed with pride as she worked alongside her children. Even the grandkids were helping out. The ones old enough were writing labels on boxes and packing light items. The smaller children, including Lily, were being entertained in the main office.
Tori’s family was an interesting bunch. Warm, friendly and eager to help. They reminded him of his family when they had volunteered for various projects at church or in the community. He’d forgotten about those times. Eddie, despite his Swiss cheese memory, frequently nudged him to remember the happy times and not the way it had all ended.
But the end is what had defined his adult life. The pain, the loss, the horror of it had been his driving force, justice his only goal. Now he wanted more. He wanted that normal family life again. Quiet evenings on the front porch and Sunday dinners at the in-laws.
His gaze sought Tori, as it had every few minutes since she’d arrived. She was working with one of her sisters-in-law, Julie, if he remembered correctly, sorting through the mountain of clothing for the proper size for each family member. She glowed. She was born to help others, to make them feel welcome. She would be a phenomenal hostess for the bed-and-breakfast, and she was a wonderful mother to Lily. He wished he could make her see that. She still felt as if she would fail her daughter, and her efforts to be the mother her friend would have been was only putting stress on her that she didn’t need. She simply needed to trust her instincts.
The sound of her unmistakable laughter drew his gaze to her again. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her generous smile. Happiness made her sparkle. As if sensing his scrutiny, she caught his gaze. He grinned and nodded. Every other woman in the place faded into the background. He’d never known a woman like her. She was stressed to the max about getting her B and B open on time despite the unexpected obstacles that had cropped up, but she still found time to collect and organize the items for the victims. She was amazing. Too amazing for a man like him.
A warmth spread across his chest as he placed the last item in the box. He’d spent much of his free time working on the homes and seeing them all to completion. Nothing had given him this kind of satisfaction before. Helping clean and rebuild the flood houses had restored his faith in people and in the Lord’
s grace. The generosity of this small town never ceased to amaze him, and it increased his desire to stay.
But he only wanted to stay if Tori and Lily were part of the picture, and he didn’t see that happening.
Sealing up the carton, Reid wrote the name of the family on the top before carrying it outside and stowing it in the back of the nearly full van. Two of the trucks had already left to deliver their goods. Other volunteers would be waiting to unload, place the furnishings and put away the household goods. By the end of the day, all six families would have everything they needed to reclaim their lives.
Reid spotted the man as he headed back inside the warehouse. He stood at the edge of the parking lot, leaning against the back of a Montgomery company truck. At first he assumed it was one of the regular employees, but something about the arrogant stance drew a closer look. His heart chilled.
Archer.
What was he doing here? How had he found him? No one but his old boss knew where he’d gone after his last case. He took a step toward the man, but a pickup pulled into the parking lot, blocking his way. When he looked again the man was gone. But it was Archer. He was positive.
Fury sent his blood roaring in his ears. He had to find out why Archer was loose and get him out of Dover. He hadn’t anticipated his past threatening his future. He had no idea how Archer had learned his real name. Safeguards were in place to prevent this very thing.
A quick call to his old boss revealed Archer had been released on a technicality, but the authorities had a new arrest warrant for another crime. At least now he had a good reason to apprehend the man next time he showed up.
Inside the warehouse, Reid scanned the area for Seth Montgomery. They’d bonded quickly over their similar professions, and he was going to need his help. If Archer showed up again, he’d be prepared with backup.
Chapter Nine
The soft veil of fall twilight settled over Camellia Hall. The days were getting shorter, and the pending time change would shorten the days even further, bringing darkness before the evening meal.
Tori let the rhythmic to-and-fro of the old glider ease her fatigue. It had been a long day. Loading the trucks and sorting all the household goods had left her sore and achy, but also filled with a sense of accomplishment. She’d considered helping with the moving-in process, but decided she’d better save some of her strength for her own project. If it weren’t for Reid’s help, she didn’t think she’d be looking at opening the place in only a couple of weeks. Several guests had already booked, though she wasn’t so concerned at this point with filling the rooms.
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