“He’s beautiful, mister.”
Sara sighed at the envy in her daughter’s tone, picturing previous conversations they’d had in the past. Jess had a way with animals, they seemed to sense how much she loved them. Too bad her father had never allowed her one of her own.
“Yes, he is. He’s also very smart.” Nick fondled Jake between the ears as he smiled at Jessica. “He likes little girls, too. Maybe one day if your momma says it’s okay, he can play with you for a while in your yard.” He turned his gaze on her and the glint in his eye had nothing to do with kids and dogs, and everything to do with getting to know her better.
“We’ll see. For now, you better go get some clothes on kiddo, it’s almost time for school.”
“Oo…kay, bye, Jake. Bye, mister. Bye…”
“Now, young lady.” Leaning over, she gave her a light swat on the butt at the same time kissing her daughter’s downy cheek. “Scoot.”
Jessica shrieked and the dog woofed as he stood up, ears perked forward.
Nick held his hand up in a stop motion, at the same time issuing the command, “Stay.” Jake sat on his haunches, looking to Nick for his next command. “Sorry, he’s trained to protect. It’s instinct.”
“No problem, he listens well.”
“Yeah, well, we’ve been together for a while now. We trust each other.” Nick dropped his hand and rubbed Jake’s side. “I’d better get going, he needs a run. It was nice to meet you—Sara.”
Heat rushed up her neck at the way he said her name. “Mr. Kelley. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
Tess gave her a big wink behind the man’s broad back as they turned to walk away.
“See you later, Tess.” Sara scrunched her nose at her, and pushed the door closed, cringing at the Medusa image staring back at her from the hallway mirror.
Re-engaging the deadbolt, she headed for a much-needed cup of morning coffee, stopping along the way to straighten the mussed-up hall runner. If it took an overgrown moose of a dog to bring some cheer back into her daughter’s world, it was well worth a little bit of chaos.
The aromatic smell of strong coffee from the preset machine greeted her as she turned into her cute little kitchen. Sara reached for her favorite mug and poured herself a large cup, leaning against the countertop to survey the changes she and Jess had made to the room.
With Tess’s blessings, they’d gotten rid of the outdated wallpaper and window hangings. Now the walls were a soft butter yellow. White gingham curtains with colorful butterflies flirting along the edges dressed up the herb-lined windows. In the breakfast nook sat a white wooden table and chair set found at one of the many yard sales they’d attended since arriving in town. An assortment of spring flowers, poppies, daisies, and daffodils, all picked from their own yard finished the look.
In the time they’d been here, they’d made a home for themselves. Jessica was coming out of her shell and becoming the exuberant little seven-year-old, she should be. As far as Sara was concerned that made the strain of the past few months fade away. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if Tom’s goons managed to track them down, but shelved that worry for the moment. Right now, she knew of a little girl that needed the tickle monster to pay her a visit.
* * *
Cutting across the quiet, tree-lined street to his little bungalow after a strenuous five-mile run, Nick noticed Sara’s neighbor, their landlady Mrs. Garrett, picking her newspaper out from the bush the paperboy had managed to hit. She gave him a little wave and turned when another neighbor, an old man, leaned over his fence to offer her a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Where was he, Mayberry?
He’d grown up in Bay Village—a rough neighborhood in Boston. You kept your eyes to yourself there or faced the consequences—about as different from this place as you could get.
Entering his kitchen through the back door, he breathed in a sigh of relief at the coolness against his overheated skin. He did a few deep bends and stretches to work out the kinks. Then, after first making sure Jake had water in his bowl, he moved down the hall, pulling off his shirt with a wince and letting it drop along the way. A shower would feel great right about now.
Back in the day, he could have managed a run like that without even breaking a sweat. Now, not so much. After the accident his therapist had warned him he needed to learn some patience. These things take time, yada, yada. At least he’d managed to get himself off the pharmaceutical train. That was something. For the first while, after he’d returned stateside, they’d kept him so full of dope, he wasn’t sure which way was up. He knew it was for his own good, the scars across his back proved that, but he’d hated losing those days. Again. Everything from just before it happened, to his weeks of recovery—all of it a blur.
Fingering the jagged scar at his left temple he decided maybe that was a good thing. Turning away from the dissatisfied guy staring at him in the mirror, Nick dropped his sweats and climbed into the tub. Turning the water as hot as he could stand it, he let it pour down his head and back, groaning as it relieved stressed muscles.
Soaping up, he ran his hands through his hair, then over his chest and stomach. Thinking about his prickly new neighbor, Sara, he smiled. She’d been surprised to see him standing there with Mrs. Garrett this morning. He grinned, remembering her obvious discomfort. Her hair all mussed up, dressed in an old pink robe, her cheeks a matching color. He’d been trying to figure out a way to meet her ever since he’d moved in.
Good dog.
She reminded him of a spitting kitten with those flashing gold eyes and mussed-up sandy colored hair. That robe of hers had done nothing to hide her generous curves. The belt cinched tight under her breasts had highlighted their fullness, along with rounded hips and long slim legs he’d caught glimpses of as she fidgeted. Her voice, husky from sleep, had been a siren’s call, making him think of her soft and tumbled in a bed.
His soaped hands slid lower, cradling the hardened length of him. It been too long since he’d been with a female. That’s all this was, his body’s natural needs. He didn’t do family. Not anymore. A rough sound escaped as his body re-heated. He threw his head back under the streaming water, and his hand began to move faster and faster, searching for release. His mind’s eye brought her into the shower with him.
Wet.
Soapy.
Sexy.
And that’s all it took. His shoulders shook with the force of his release, his free hand grabbing onto the wet wall just as his knees loosened.
She was going to be trouble.
Chapter Two
Nick crouched painting the bottom slats along Mrs. Garrett’s split board fence, grateful for the slight breeze. Jake whined and he lifted his head over the top rail to see what the problem was. Jessica was tying the ribbons of a floppy pink hat she’d placed on the dog’s furry head. Nick smiled as Jake sighed in resignation, dropping his head on his paws while she fiddled a little more, and then sat back to admire her handiwork.
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 always 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 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, you 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 met his for a swift instant 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. “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 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’d 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.
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