“Can I take my new book out to the glider?”
“Of course.” Lily had been overjoyed to receive a new book, and she loved to read in the old double-glider swing.
“Will you watch me?”
“Of course.” Settling onto the back porch in one of the old wicker rockers, she smiled as her daughter skipped across the grass and climbed into the glider. Since arriving in Dover, Lily had developed a need to have Tori near or at least watching over her at all times. Tori loved watching the child play. She was endlessly entertaining, and Tori delighted in everything the little girl did. However, sitting and watching her made working difficult. She’d transferred several items to her tablet so she could oversee Lily’s playtime and still get work done. The amount of paperwork involved in opening a bed-and-breakfast was staggering. Every time she submitted one completed document, three others would be required.
The squeak of the gate told her someone was there. She looked up as Reid came up onto the porch, his solid footsteps sounding on the wooden floor. He stood with one foot on the porch floor, one hand grasping the post, an expectant look on his angular face. His presence sent a wave of awareness along her nerves. He was an impossible man to ignore. When he stepped into a room he sucked all the air and energy right out of it. Very peculiar. She stuffed the weird notions away and stood. “Thank you for coming.”
“No problem. I had an appointment this morning. What’s up today?”
“Nothing, I’m afraid. I’ve been going over my financial situation, and I’m unable to afford to hire any extra help. I’m sorry. I offered you the handyman job before I’d looked at my bank balance. Things should turn around in a few weeks, but until then I’m tapped out.” She smiled, hoping to lighten the news. Reid’s dark eyes narrowed, and his brows drew together. Her heart skipped a beat. Even a deep frown couldn’t mar his chiseled features.
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to the challenge.”
“And I could use the help. By the way, thank you for finishing the floor. I didn’t notice it until you’d left yesterday.”
“The paint was quick to dry. Half hour tops.”
How had she not known that? Probably because she’d failed to read the information on the paint can. He must think her a real ditz. She touched her ear. “So I could have walked out of the corner and not smeared the floor?”
He shrugged.
Was that a smirk she saw move his lips? She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, thank you again for rescuing me and for completing my paint job.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned to go, but the post under his hand shifted loose. “Was this on your repair list?”
“One of them.” Her lists grew longer every day.
“Hey, Mr. Reid.”
Tori saw her daughter waving frantically. She climbed out of the double-glider swing and raced across the yard, stopping in front of Reid. “This is my new book. You want to read it to me?”
Tori watched the big man carefully. Would he refuse? Or would he acquiesce to the little charmer’s request? She stifled a grin when Reid shot a panicked glance in her direction. Before she could respond, Lily tugged on Reid’s finger and urged him to sit on the step.
“I’ll turn the pages, okay?”
Slowly Reid lowered his tall frame to the wooden step. Lily flashed a big smile as she handed him the book, then burrowed under his arm, balancing her elbow on his thigh. Tori watched the broad shoulders ease and the hard line of his jaw soften. No one could resist her Lily.
The sound of his deep, soft voice sent a warm tremor through her heart. Behind that dark cloak of mystery he wore was the heart of a kind man. She’d like to know more about him.
What was she thinking? There was no time for any kind of relationship. She had her hands full raising Lily and running her business.
She glanced at the pair on the steps. Lily snuggled close as Reid spoke the words softly. It would be nice to have someone to share her life, her work.
She shoved the thought aside. Her track record in the romance department was abysmal, and she vowed to avoid all personal relationships going forward. And fantasizing about them, too, for good measure.
* * *
Reid read the simple words of the book—a story about a baby squirrel separated from his mother—all the while aware of the sweet child snuggled against him. His brother’s little girl. The thought settled deep inside, stirring up unfamiliar emotions. A tiny hand reached out and awkwardly turned to the next page. Lily grinned up at him, then settled back down. He focused and went on with the story. “‘Why are you out all alone, little squirrel?’ asked the big black bird.”
“No, Mr. Reid. You have to say it different. Like this.”
Lily lowered her chin and repeated the words in a deep voice, drawing a soft chuckle from his chest that he hadn’t expected.
“The bird is a meanie. So you have to talk like a meanie when you read him.”
Her sincerity was both amusing and amazing. He knew nothing about kids. But he knew this little girl, Eddie’s child, was undoubtedly smart beyond her years.
He managed to finish the book with the appropriate voice changes and received a kiss on the cheek from Lily that left a fuzzy, warm sensation in the center of his chest. Before standing, he watched her skip back to the swing.
Miss Montgomery was leaning against the railing watching Lily, and the look of love on her face brought a soft glow to her skin. He had no doubts about her affection for his niece, but there was more to consider. She’d admitted financial trouble. That gave him concern. He needed a little time to get a good read on the situation. He needed the handyman job to keep him close by. It was the perfect cover.
His conscience pinged. Eddie was right. He shouldn’t be lying to her, and he’d tell her the truth soon. He’d rather have a better understanding before he came clean, though. A couple days, at least.
“Miss Montgomery, I have a suggestion if you’ll hear me out. I don’t mind helping out around here until things improve for you. We can settle up when you’re able.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. Besides, why would you want to work for free?”
Reid rubbed his temple. A plausible story quickly formed in his mind, only to be overlaid with his brother’s reprimand. Eddie was right again. He’d been working undercover for so long that lying came more easily than telling the truth. He needed to get a handle on this right now, and keep as close to the truth as possible without revealing his true relationship with Lily. “The fact is, I left my last job. I needed a change. I thought a small town would be a good place to start. The work I’d do around here would allow me to sharpen my rusty handyman skills.”
“What did you do before?”
Reid chose his words carefully. “I was in law enforcement.”
“Oh. My brother is a police officer here in Dover. I know how stressful it can be. I can understand your need for a new direction. I felt the same way when I became Lily’s guardian. But I’m finding changing course harder than I expected. I thought buying this place would be the answer. I wasn’t prepared for all the unexpected problems.”
“You bought this place because of Lily?”
She nodded. “I had to make a living, and I thought that opening a bed-and-breakfast would allow me to provide for her and still spend time with her. Unfortunately, it’s not working out the way I’d hoped.”
She needed him, and he pressed his advantage. “Miss Montgomery, I meant what I said. I’d be happy to help around here for a few weeks.”
She