All the delays in construction had already caused her to miss her original deadline of mid-September to snag the visitors who came for the big Founder’s Day festival. Her next goal was simply to open, and then focus on bookings for Dover’s huge Christmas Glory Lights display, which attracted more and more visitors every year.
The sound of Reid’s truck pulling into the drive brought a smile to her face. He must have stayed till the very end. She’d been constantly distracted by him all day. Watching him was more interesting than sorting baby clothes and labeling boxes. The only curious thing had happened late in the morning, when he had come inside with an angry scowl marring his angular features. He’d spoken to Seth, then they had both walked outside. She had no idea what was going on, but the look on Reid’s face still bothered her. Was that what he looked like when he was undercover? Fierce? Dangerous? Threatening?
Her pulse quickened as he came through the gate and across the lawn to join her.
He was a handsome man. A kind man. A man she could fall in love with—if things were different.
His gait was stiffer than normal. Like her, he’d probably overdone it today. “You must be worn-out.”
He nodded, leaning against the support post of the glider. “There was talk of waiting to clean up until tomorrow, but we decided we’d rather get it all done now.”
“Good plan. Have a seat.”
Gingerly he stepped onto the wooden platform, causing the swing to shift, then settled into the seat across from her. The swing was small and their knees kept touching. She tried to ignore the rush of warmth surging along her nerves.
“It was a good day. Seeing the faces of those families as we brought the donations into their homes made all the hard work worthwhile.”
“I would have liked to see that.”
“Mr. Reid! You’re back.” Lily raced across the lawn. “You didn’t eat supper with us. How come?” She climbed into the glider and then onto his lap—something she’d never done before. Tori’s eyes grew moist. The sight was so sweet. Her daughter truly loved this man.
“I was helping the people whose homes were flooded.”
“That’s what Mommy was doing, huh, Mommy?”
Tori’s breath stuck in her throat. She bit her lip, fighting back tears. It was the first time Lily had called her Mommy. Her chest swelled with a warmth and love so intense it hurt, but part of her wondered if the child was already forgetting her real mother. It took two attempts before she could find her voice. “Yes.” She stole a glance at Reid. His eyes were warm with understanding. He knew how special this moment was.
“Your mommy was a big help today.”
“I want to help.”
Tori tried to find her voice, but it was still squeezed tight with emotion. Reid came to her rescue.
“Okay. Next time we have a big project, we’ll let you know.”
“Good.” Buster placed his paws on the glider platform and looked expectantly at Lily.
“I think Buster wants to play.” Lily scooted off Reid’s lap and charged out into the grass, giggling as the dog chased her.
Tori drew a shaky breath, burying her face in her hands. How could one word hold such powerful, life-altering emotion? She didn’t think it possible that her love for Lily could be any greater, but being called Mommy took her heart to a new place. Deeper, higher, richer than she’d ever imagined.
The glider shifted as Reid moved over to her side of the swing. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, uncertain whether to smile or cry again. “She called me Mommy.”
“Well, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but I never thought, I mean, I don’t want her to forget...” She swallowed, wiping fresh tears from her eyes.
“Don’t overthink this, Tori. She loves you. It’s only natural she’d call you Mommy eventually.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders, and she rested her head against him.
“I didn’t expect it to feel so overwhelming. I’m humbled and elated and scared and so happy.”
“This is a big turning point in your life. I’m glad I got to share it with you.”
The look in his brown eyes suggested he’d like to share more with her. She wanted that, too. But how could they when they were on opposite sides? “I really need to get Lily to bed.” She tore her gaze from his and started to climb out of the swing. It shook and she staggered.
“Wait. Let me go first and I’ll help you.”
Before she could protest, he eased out onto the grass and extended his hand, flashing his heart-stopping smile again. She took his hand, his fingers closing around hers gently, and stepped forward. Her toe caught on the slats and she lurched forward. Strong arms grabbed her around the waist instantly, and she was lifted into them briefly before being set on the ground. He didn’t release her, instead holding her close and staring into her eyes.
Like before, when he’d rescued her from the sunroom, she experienced an odd cord of connection. Only this time she understood what it was. He was going to kiss her, and she didn’t want to stop him. She’d wondered about this moment for too long. But she couldn’t let it happen.
“Thanks.” She stepped away from him. The closeness warmed her through and through, and she needed space to catch her breath and dispel the fog of attraction that always clouded her mind when he was near.
“I’d better get Lily to bed. It’s been a busy day for her, too.”
He walked with her across the lawn, and she wished she could have him at her side always. Her cell phone rang and she slipped it from her pocket, inhaling sharply when she saw the name on the screen. She glanced at Reid.
“What is it?”
“My attorney.” She accepted the call as butterflies took flight in her stomach. She listened, her pulse racing as he spoke. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She ended the call and looked at Reid. His brown eyes reflected his concern. She placed her hands on his chest, needing something to steady the floating-on-air sensation swirling inside her mind. “It’s done. The inspector signed off on the house, and he withdrew his demand for a ramp. The funds will be released in a few days.” She couldn’t stop smiling. Overwhelmed with joy, she threw her arms around Reid’s neck and gave him a fierce hug.
“Congratulations.”
She lifted her face to say thank-you, but the friendly embrace changed and became something more. Her fingers lightly touched his bottom lip, then grazed the day-old stubble on his angular jaw. She looked into his brown eyes, darkened now to a simmering black. A small voice warned her to stop, but she ignored it. She wanted to kiss him, and she had a feeling once she did nothing would ever be the same. She whispered his name and he captured her mouth, his lips warm and tender. His kiss was filled with promise. Being in his arms felt right and safe and secure.
He ended the kiss, and she was grateful for the strength of his arms again as he held her close. Her knees were shaky and weak.
Suddenly uneasy about the moment, she stepped back, glancing around for Lily. Apparently, she’d gone inside, and the only witness to their kiss was a curious Buster, who sat at the foot of the porch steps. “I’d better go in. Lily...” She lost her words. She smiled at Reid, then turned and hurried into the house, every nerve in her body tingling. She stopped in the kitchen and placed cool palms against her warm cheeks.
Had she made a mistake in kissing Reid? Maybe, but she couldn’t deny she’d never felt this way with the others. None of her fiancés had sent tingles to her toes or caused her bones to melt. Maybe they’d only been placeholders until Reid could come into her life.
But Reid was the wrong man. Wasn’t he?
Then why did she keep seeing him on the fringes of her dreams? Why did she automatically include him in her plans for the future? Like a fast-growing wisteria vine, Reid had wound his way into everything at Camellia Hall. And she feared he’d done the same with her heart.
* * *
Reid awoke with a start, shivering as the tendrils of his dream slowly untangled from his subconscious mind. Buster jumped up on the bed and burrowed under Reid’s arm. “Hey, buddy.” He scratched behind the mutt’s ears, welcoming the company. Did the dog sense his turmoil?
Everything had changed today, and he was struggling to make sense of it. Which probably explained the nightmare that had awakened him at two in the morning. He’d been back undercover, blending in with the dark figures of that world. A fight broke out and he was pulled into the fray. A gun went off. He clutched his stomach, and the smirking face of Archer loomed over him as he started to fall.
The dream was in stark contrast to the one that had lulled him to sleep. That one had wrapped around him in softness and promise as he held Tori in his arms and kissed her, finding a sense of belonging he hadn’t known since he was a child.
She’d lifted her arms and he’d bent down to give her a hug, but the moment her arms were around his neck everything changed. All he could see was the sweet curve of her jaw, the tempting lips and the cobalt eyes that held a smoky promise. She met him halfway, her fingers sliding up his neck to touch his hair. He could hold her in his embrace for the rest of his life.
Buster shifted and rested his head on Reid’s chest, as if offering even more comfort.
But the shadows of his nightmare lingered, refusing to relinquish their hold. He’d never anticipated his old life bleeding into this new one. There were dozens of criminals who would like to get revenge on him for shutting down their operations and sending them to jail. What if another one came to town? He’d always be looking over his shoulder, constantly worrying about Tori’s and Lily’s safety.
Kissing Tori had shown him the future he wanted, and her response had given him a sliver of hope that she might want it, too. But how could he in good conscience ask her to share a life that held the threat of danger every moment? Logically he knew he was exaggerating the situation. The bad-guy-out-for-revenge scenario was common in the movies and TV shows but rarely happened in real life.
But he’d have to tell her. If he didn’t, he’d be guilty of withholding important information the same way he had when he’d first come to Camellia Hall. He was still trying to make up for that mistake. He couldn’t add another.
“What are we going to do, Buster?” The dog whined.
He’d been instructed to be in Dallas on Tuesday, and he was already dreading it. Going back into that life would be like stepping into a foreign country. He’d cut those ties, shut the door and never looked back. But he had a job to finish. One last obligation.
On the other hand, given his confused emotions regarding Tori, time away from Dover would help him see things more clearly.
* * *
Tori set her cup of salted caramel mocha and the plate of maple pecan bars on the table at the Square Cup coffee shop. She and Shelley were stealing a few hours together sans daughters who were at a movie with Shelley’s mother. They’d chosen a quiet table outside, on the edge of the patio, to enjoy the warm fall weather and the lazy pace of a quiet Sunday afternoon.
“I can’t believe we both had time to get away.” Shelley took a seat and exhaled a breath. “I’m in desperate need of some girl time.”
“Me, too. I need to step back and sort things out. It’s hard to do when Lily wants me watching her all the time.”
“She’ll get over that before long.”
“I know. She’s actually much better since Reid has been here, especially since he brought Buster home.” Thinking about the dog pulled her back to the swing last evening and Reid’s kiss. She’d relived the moment a dozen times during the night. She shouldn’t have let it happen, but her internal scolding was pointless. She could no more have stopped him than she could stop breathing. Her insides warmed as she remembered the feel of his arms around her, his lips tender and firm on hers. She’d wondered about his kiss from the moment he’d plucked her off the plank and held her close.
“Hey.” Shelley leaned forward, waving her hand in front of Tori’s face. “Where did you go?”
Maybe she needed another perspective on things instead of running around her mind in circles. “I was thinking about something that happened yesterday.”
Shelley peered closer. “Oh? Like what?”
She toyed with her coffee mug. “I kissed Reid. Well, he kissed me, but I guess I kissed him back.”
A happy smile appeared on her friend’s face. “It’s about time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, please. The attraction between you two is like watching bolts of lightning light up the sky. The only ones unaware of it are you and Reid. So, what was it like?”
She’d had no idea her feelings were so obvious. No sense in denying it now, though. “Nice.”
Shelley shook her head. “What? A man like that, and you say he kisses nice? Nope. He’d be a one-and-done, never-anything-like-it-in-my-life kind of kisser.”
Tori blushed. It was true, but she wasn’t ready to admit it, even to herself. It would remain her shameful secret. “I shouldn’t have let it happen.”
“Why not? You like him, don’t you?”
“Yes, but that’s the problem. I’ve always been too easily attracted to handsome, compelling men. Look how things went with Steve.”
Shelley waved her hand. “Oh, please. That first fiancé of yours was nothing more than mutual attraction. He charmed you like he did all the other women he met.”
“Which didn’t stop, even after he gave me a ring.”
“Right, and what about David? He was so obsessive, so controlling that you were afraid to speak your mind. I was so relieved when you ended that relationship.”
“Which brings us to Will. The fraud, the liar, the con artist and manipulator.”
“I know. He had us all fooled.” Shelley took a bite of her pastry. “Wait. Are you thinking Reid is like Will? No way. Never.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough. I’ve seen how helpful he is around the place and the town. I’ve seen him with Lily and I’ve seen how he looks at you. He’s as real and honest as it gets.”
“Need I remind you he lied to me the moment he arrived here? And he’s the brother of the man who abandoned my friend.”
“I remember, but he hasn’t lied since then, has he? Tori, you have to stop trying to put Reid into the same slot as his brother. It’s not fair.”
Life wasn’t fair. She started to point that out to her friend, but Shelley reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“I think it’s time for a mini-intervention. You need to stop pushing Reid away. He’s not his brother, and you have to stop trying to be Judy. Lily needs you to be her mom, and you can’t do that if you’re not being true to yourself. Judy isn’t here. You are. Lily has called you Mommy. Now let that reassure you that you’re doing a good job, and relax and enjoy your child. Trust me when I tell you—kids grow up so fast. Emily’s older brother is going to be nine. My little boy is gone. Don’t waste any more time on what-ifs and trying to live up to the expectations of someone else’s ideals.”
It was good advice, and she should take it. Truth be told, she had already started letting go of the way Judy had done things in favor of her own way. So far she’d seen no ill effects from the changes. In fact, Lily was responding well to a more structured way of doing things.
“Lily asked again why she didn’t have a daddy.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I distracted her with something else.”
“Tori, you’re just making things harder. You might be able to distract her at age five, but what about when she’s fifteen?”
Tori shook her head, then took a sip of her coffee. She didn’t want to think that far ahead.
&n
bsp; “Were you and Judy friends for a long time?”
“Since eighth grade. We went to college together, but she transferred after her freshman year so we lost touch for a while. She sent me a Christmas card, and we started the friendship up again.”
“What was she like then?”
“Nice, fun to be with. She had a troubled home life. Her dad ran out on her when she was ten. She would get so angry when she spoke of him.”
“Like she did when she talked about Lily’s father?”
“Yes.” Why had she not made the connection sooner? Had Judy mentally combined her hurt and anger at her father with Eddie’s desertion? It would account for her intense emotions whenever he was mentioned. Add to that her cancer treatments and knowing she was losing the battle. She probably wasn’t thinking rationally at all. But did that absolve Tori from keeping her end of the bargain?
Every day her situation with Reid and Eddie grew more complicated and confusing.
* * *
The aroma of fresh coffee drew Reid to the kitchen. Tori’s coffee was the highlight of his morning—that and eating breakfast with his adorable little niece. Lily was perched on one of the kitchen stools eating cereal. He smiled and gently stroked her silky hair. “That looks good.” Lily usually expounded on the food she was eating, telling him how Tori had made it and how yummy it was. Today she didn’t respond at all. Concerned, he took a seat beside her. “What’s up, Lily? Something on your mind?”
She nodded, her bottom lip puckered out. “I want my mommy to come back.”
Reid’s chest tightened. He was not the right person to have this discussion. He was way out of his depth. “I know, but she can’t, Lily. You know that.”
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