Steve patted her shoulder. “If you need anything at all, you let us know.” He was a big man with large muscles and a kind smile.
“Thank you.” Claire moved aside so they could enter.
Nathan, as tall as his mother, ducked past her without a word. Lisa gave her a shy smile, and Matthew stared at her for a moment with his round green eyes and sweet expression. “You have grass in your hair,” he declared before following his family.
Claire reached up and ran her fingers through her hair, mortified to imagine how she must look. She shut the door and took two steps when there was another knock. She quickly opened the door to find her aunt’s best friend, Sandy Wellington and her husband, Dave.
“Hello, Sandy, Dave.”
Sandy grasped her hand. Her short dark, graying hair curled becomingly to frame her round face. “Dear, we came to see that you’re all right.”
Dave stepped over the threshold. His silver hair was swept away from his forehead and he wore dark slacks and a blue oxford button-down shirt. “Sandy was beside herself when we heard the news.”
“I’m okay. Really.” She could see the doubt in Sandy’s blue eyes. Claire smiled reassuringly. “Please, come in.”
The Wellingtons were kind and thoughtful people. They had also been instrumental in helping Claire on the way to realizing her dream of The Zone.
She took a quick peek outside to make sure there weren’t any other visitors before shutting the door.
The women and children had congregated at the edge of the kitchen, while the men had ignored the water to inspect the damage. Peggy Jordan shooed her children away, instructing them to go busy themselves. The oldest two went to the Ping-Pong table while Matthew sat in a beanbag chair to play with the puppy.
Claire’s gaze landed on Nick. He leaned casually against the counter that separated the living room from the kitchen. Lori stood close by, smiling up at him. Something unfamiliar twisted in Claire’s chest.
She started forward, trying to discern what she felt. The corner of Nick’s mouth lifted at something Lori said. Claire’s steps faltered. She realized with sickening clarity that she was jealous.
Nick only half-listened to the animated brunette in the pink blouse. His attention kept straying to Claire. Every time someone new entered, she acted as if she were unaccustomed to people caring about her, worrying over her. Why in the world wouldn’t they? It was obvious these people were fond of her.
The Jordan family was friendly and he’d appreciated the way Steve had assessed him and then greeted him with a firm handshake. Mr. Wellington was honest in his wariness, had asked point-blank what his intentions were toward Claire, as if he were her father or favorite uncle.
He respected the man’s forthrightness and had answered truthfully that he was passing through and had no designs on Claire—only that he wanted to make sure she was safe before he headed out again. His honesty had earned him a quick nod of approval and a pleased smile from Mrs. Wellington before they moved on to look at the damage with Officer Bob, who acted the tour guide.
The brunette—Lori, was it?—said something mildly amusing and he gave an obligatory smile. She put her hand on his arm, her fingers cool and inviting. He shifted out of her reach but smiled again to soften the rejection to her obvious interest. She was Claire’s friend, after all. “How long have you known Claire?”
Lori sighed, clearly getting his hint. “For a while now.” Her gaze turned speculative. “She’s a hard person to get to know. Lots of walls up.”
Nick raised a brow. He didn’t see walls. He saw lots of open doors that invited trouble. He saw a woman protecting a puppy, protecting kids. “She seems pretty outgoing to me.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. She’s definitely not the shy and retiring type. She’s very sweet and giving, it’s…” She pursued her lips in thought. “She doesn’t talk much about herself. More concerned about others. Which is something I don’t encounter often in my line of work.”
“And what line of work would that be.”
“I’m a hairdresser. Cheaper than a psychologist and you get nice hair.”
He smirked and glanced at Claire. She looked tired, but her smile came quickly as she talked with the children before moving to where the adults had gathered in the kitchen. Mrs. Wellington had found a mop and was sopping up the waterlogged floor. Claire frowned before she bustled in and herded everyone into the living room. Then she traipsed right back into the kitchen, grabbed some sodas out of the refrigerator and began handing them out.
Not only did she need a protector, she needed a keeper. Someone to carry part of the burden she insisted on taking. He rolled his suddenly tense shoulders.
No way should that person be him.
Chapter Four
“Claire, dear. Stop fussing. We should be the ones serving you.” Sandy took the soda cans from Claire’s hands and put them on the counter.
“Thank you.” Claire allowed Sandy to steer her away from the kitchen.
“You need rest. There’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“But I really need to make some calls. Find out how soon someone can come to fix this mess,” Claire protested.
Lori stepped up to flank her on the other side. “I can make your calls for you.”
“That’s sweet of you, Lori. But no.” Claire’s gaze darted between the two well-meaning women. “Really, you two. I can take care of things myself. I prefer it this way.”
Lori shook her head, her brown hair swishing softly. “See. I told you,” she addressed Nick. “Walls.”
Claire’s cheeks flamed. They’d been talking about her?
A soft, affable smile played at the corners of his mouth. His gaze traveled over her face, searched her eyes. She could feel the magnetism that made him so self-assured, so compelling. She blinked and quickly looked away before she succumbed to the pull he had on her.
“Lori, be nice,” Sandy admonished gently, then she turned back to Claire. “What can we do to help you?”
Claire shook her head. “I don’t know. Nothing at the moment, but if I think of something, I’ll let you know.”
Sandy frowned. “You really don’t have to do everything on your own.”
But she did. She couldn’t rely on anyone. Wouldn’t allow herself to. As long as she didn’t have expectations of others, she wouldn’t be disappointed.
Of course, she couldn’t voice that thought, she didn’t want to hurt their feelings. So instead she smiled politely and changed the subject. “How are Allie and Garrett? Will they be coming to visit soon?” Allie and Garrett were the Wellington’s fraternal twins. They’d gone off to college last fall.
Sandy patted her arm with a knowing sigh. “Yes, they will be here this summer. I have an idea. Why don’t you come home with us? You could stay in Allie’s old room.”
Claire dropped her chin. “Oh, no. I couldn’t impose.”
“It wouldn’t be an imposition at all,” Dave said as he stepped to his wife’s side.
“Or you could come to our house,” offered Peggy, as she and Steve joined the circle around Claire.
“That’s sweet, but really…” she trailed off as panic flared. Things were spinning out of her control. Everyone meant well but she didn’t want to need them. Didn’t want to have to rely on anyone for anything.
Bob came around the group and stood beside Nick. The two