“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