Her Handyman Hero

Reid cocked his head when he heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. It sounded like crying. Then he realized—Lily was sobbing.

He hesitated, then made his way down the hallway to the kitchen door. He stopped, catching his breath at what he saw. His employer and her little girl were seated at the round breakfast table. Lily was sobbing uncontrollably as Tori cradled her in her lap, making comforting noises.

“But Miss Shelley said Emily was going away. I don’t want her to go. Mommy went away.”

“Emily isn’t going away, sweetheart. She’s going to her grandma’s, the same way you go to visit yours. She’ll be back in a few days.”

“But Mrs. Fisher said Mommy went away. Will Mommy be back, too?”

Reid watched the tears flow down Tori’s cheek as she brushed the dark hair from Lily’s face. “No, sweetie. Remember we talked about how sick Mommy was and how her body was too tired to keep working?”

Lily nodded. “She’s in heaven with Jesus and she’s happy.”

“That’s right. And now you’re here with me and I’m very happy to have you and we’ll be a family. Just you and me.”

“And our bee bees?”

Tori smiled. “Yes, and our guests. You’ll be a big help to me. You can help me make them feel very special, and they’ll want to come see us again and again.”

Lily snuggled close to Tori, her little fists hugged up against her chin while Tori stroked her hair.

Reid moved quietly back from the door, his chest twisted into a hot, uncomfortable knot. But the area around his heart felt strangely soft. If he’d had any doubts about Tori taking care of Lily, they were put to rest now. She loved the little girl. Wasn’t that all that mattered?

He rubbed his forehead. He’d tell her today before he left. Before he moved in. Once she knew who he was, he might be fired—again.

“Reid.”

He spun around to see Tori, with Lily in her arms, staring at him, both of their eyes moist and cheeks pink from tears. A rush of protectiveness slammed into him. He cleared his throat. “I was coming to report on the pocket door.” He didn’t want Tori to think he’d been spying on them.

“Can you fix it?”

“Maybe. It’s jammed with insulation, but if the hardware isn’t damaged it should be a simple matter to oil it and get it sliding smoothly again.”

“That’s a relief. It’s a feature guests love.”

Tell her. He stared at her.

“Was there something else?”

“I’d like to talk to you when you have a moment.”

“All right, but it’ll have to be later. I need to spend time with Lily, and I have some paperwork that has to be submitted first thing tomorrow.”

“No problem.”

Tori kissed her child’s cheek before setting her on the floor. “Lily, you go on to your room. I’ll be right there.” She handed him a key. “I meant to give you this earlier. I’m afraid the apartment might be a mess.”

He held up his hand. “For a free room, the least I can do is clean it.”

He took a step toward her. “Is Lily all right? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard her crying and... Does she get that way often? Missing her mother, I mean.”

Tori rested a hand at her throat. “It’s been a long time since her last spell. Thankfully, they’re becoming fewer and fewer. Her mother and I tried to prepare her for the loss, but she’s so little she doesn’t really understand. How do you explain to a five-year-old that her mom is gone forever? I feel so helpless and inadequate.”

He searched for something to say. He hated to see her so full of doubt, but comforting a distraught woman was out of his comfort zone. “I thought you handled it exactly right.”

She shook her head. “I wish I could do more for her. It’s moments like this that make me wonder if Judy did the right thing in giving me custody.”

Reid impulsively touched her arm, wanting to reassure her. “I think she made a good choice. You’re the perfect guardian for little Lily.”

She looked at him with appreciation in her cobalt eyes, but evidently her self-doubt still lingered. Now was not the time to reveal his identity. “I’d better get back to the pocket doors.”

“Thank you.” She straightened and offered a slight smile. “Oh, would you take a look at the faucet in the upstairs bath in the living quarters tomorrow? The water flow is a trickle. Oh, and Jimmy Ray will be here, too. He’s going to start painting the living quarters.”

“I’ll look at it first thing in the morning. And if it’s all right I’ll move into the apartment this evening.”

“That’s fine. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I’ll do that.”

Reid worked on the door a while longer, until it was obvious he needed something more than his hands to clear out the insulation. He’d have to pick up a hook and rent a Shop-Vac. Beyond that, he had some research to do. And an explanation and an apology to prepare.

Seeing Tori so insecure had been unsettling. Didn’t she see how strong and capable she was? Her love and affection for his niece couldn’t be questioned.

He couldn’t continue this subterfuge. It would hurt all of them.

Because there was something vulnerable about his new boss. Outwardly she took charge like an engineer on a mission, but inside she was filled with doubts. He suspected someone had hurt her deeply. And the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Tori any more.

Chapter Three

Reid’s encouraging comment earlier kept replaying in Tori’s mind. He’d felt she’d done a good job in calming Lily and comforting her. She wished she felt as confident. She second-guessed her handling of Lily every moment. Her mom assured her all mothers felt this way, but Tori wasn’t convinced. The women in her family all seemed like supermoms. Linc’s wife, Gemma, raised two children and ran a successful event-planning business. Gil’s wife, Julie, was the mother to three—Gil’s daughter, Abby, and three-month-old twins. Her sister, Beth, owned her own dance studio, raised her stepdaughter and taught classes while pregnant. Even her brother Seth’s new bride worked full-time, studied for her degree and took care of Seth’s son, Jack. Sometimes she wondered if she would ever measure up.

They tried to reassure her that she was doing a fine job, but for some reason, Reid’s encouragement meant more than all the others combined. What was wrong with her that the simple compliment from a stranger held more sway than those from her family?

All she needed to do was focus on getting the business open on time. With Reid close by to handle the long list of repairs, she was free to start concentrating on the details. Decor, menu, schedule and, of course, there was the paperwork and documentation. Things she hadn’t considered when she’d bought the old home.

Opening a bed-and-breakfast wasn’t a simple matter of inviting people to come and stay at your house. The state regulations were overwhelming: business licenses, restaurant license, liquor permit, even if she would only be offering wine. And with each requirement came an inspection. Being listed on the National Register had brought with it another to-do list. She was grateful Floyd was aware of the guidelines and had consulted with Laura Holbrook, a local restoration specialist, to make sure everything was acceptable.

Strange thing was that all her previous jobs were proving to be a blessing. She’d worked in her mother’s Real Estate office as a sales agent, the family Electrical business as an accountant and she’d owned her own flower shop briefly and even tried her hand at interior design. Now, all that experience would give the skills she needed to run the B and B.

Glancing out her bedroom window, she saw the light in the apartment, reminding her she now had a boarder. Reid had moved in this evening. She felt bad she hadn’t been able to clean up the place and figured she could at least provide him with fresh linens.

After a quick check on Lily to make sure she was sleeping soundly, Tori gathered a set of clean sheets and towels and carried them to the apartment. The sweet strains of a Chopin nocturne seeped through the door as she approached. Classical music? Not what she’d expect from a stoic guy like Reid.

He opened the door quickly when she knocked, his dark eyes locking onto hers and sending a quiver down her spine. He wore a faded T-shirt and dark warm-up pants that only emphasized the muscular chest. Her mouth went dry and her palms dampened. Oh, my. What was wrong with her? She’d never had this kind of reaction to a man before. Coming here was a dumb idea. His dark eyes suddenly softened, and his mouth arched on one side. Not exactly a smile, but more of a slight lifting.

“Evening.”

She cleared her throat and thrust the items toward him. “I thought you might need these.”

“Thanks, but that wasn’t necessary.”

She glanced around the small space. He’d removed the dust covers and rearranged a few pieces of furniture. A worn duffel bag and a small satchel were on the bed in the alcove. “I forgot to mention you can have weekends off, unless of course some major catastrophe comes up.”

“Good. I have a standing appointment on Sundays I can’t miss.”

She wanted to ask what it was but resisted. He probably had a girlfriend someplace. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Not a thing.”

He took a step toward her, and she became acutely aware of his height. When he’d set her down from the board the other day, her head had rested right below his chin. She remembered thinking how perfectly she fit in his arms. Her cheeks flamed when a glint appeared in his dark eyes. Had he guessed what she was thinking? She forced a smile, searching for something to say to break the awareness arcing between them. She couldn’t stop looking at him, and each time she did she wanted to smile like a kid with a crush on the boy next door. “I thought I’d make you a list of the things that need fixing in case I’m not around. Then you can scratch them off as you finish them.”

“Good idea.”

Their eyes locked again and she became aware of his scrutiny. Her heartbeat skipped. What was he looking for? She broke contact and moved to the door. “Oh, don’t forget our deal includes meals, so I usually fix breakfast at seven. Help yourself to whatever is on hand for lunch. Supper may vary, but normally we eat around six or so.”

He followed her, stopping close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. Her gaze zeroed in on his chest, watching as it rose and fell with each deep, steady breath. She turned her attention to his voice. He was saying something.

“I’m not much on breakfast, but coffee would be good.”

“There’s always a pot ready.” He rested his hands on his hips and she had the feeling he wanted to say more. He had mentioned he wanted to talk to her about something.

“How’s Lily? No more tears?”

“No, she’s been her usual happy self since then.”

He hesitated a moment. “What about Lily’s father? Where is he?”

All her defenses shot into place. Her fingers curled into fists. Her jaw worked side to side as she tried to temper her response. She took a step backward. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. He has no place in Lily’s life. Judy never wanted him mentioned to Lily. Ever.” She turned to leave but Reid took her arm.

“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 to enjoy it. Especially being around Miss Tori. That young woman has a gift for making people feel at home. She’s going to be a terrific hostess when this place opens up.”

He agreed, but he still had concerns. “Do you think that’ll happen? She says she’s having financial issues. I’m working for room and board.”

Jimmy Ray brushed the comment aside. “For now, but she’ll sort it out. I’m working for free. My version of a housewarming gift. I’m close with her family. Knew her since she was a baby and I want to see her succeed. She’s had it rough lately, and I admire her for taking on the little girl all alone. That child has given her a purpose that was lacking in her life.”

“I assume there’s no boyfriend in the picture?” The back of his neck suddenly burned. What was up with him?

“Are you fishing, Reid?” Jimmy chuckled. “She is a pretty lady. No, I don’t think she’s looking for any kind of relationship. After three failed attempts, I think she’s only focused on Lily.”

“She’s been married before?”

“No. Engaged. Three times. She called them all off.”

Jimmy went to work on the wall and Reid turned his attention to the window, locating the access pocket and starting the replacement of the inner workings. When the window slid up and down easily, he moved upstairs to work on the three windows up there. His thoughts were distracted by what Jimmy had shared. Why had Tori broken off three engagements? Was she that poor a judge of character? Or was she incapable of making a long-term commitment—and what might that mean in regard to Lily? Would she grow tired of being a parent and abandon his niece? Absurd. He refused to believe that. From what he’d seen, Tori was devoted to his niece, despite her own confession to feeling inadequate as a mother. Yet it did raise questions in his mind.

He’d promised himself he’d talk to Tori soon about his real identity, but now he wondered if he needed to observe the situation awhile longer. A day or so. But no more than that, because it wasn’t fair to her or Lily.

With the sashes repaired, Reid gathered his tools and headed downstairs. He opened the door and caught sight of a man entering the main hall at the same time he heard Tori’s voice in the kitchen.

“Floyd, how nice to see you.”

Reid froze. Floyd. Her contractor.

“Thought I’d drop by and see how you were doing.”

Instinct told him to run. He could make it out the back way before Floyd saw him. He took a quiet step toward the back door. Tori was speaking excitedly to the man.

“Wonderful, thanks you to. Reid has proved invaluable. He’s fixing all the doors that were stuck, and today he’s working on the windows.”

Caught like the rat. One look from Floyd and his cover would be blown.

His shoulders sagged. He should have told Tori sooner. He’d never wanted her to find out like this. He wanted to tell her when the time was right, on his own terms. Not when he’d be exposed like a criminal. He eased back away from the door. He could slip out through the French doors. His conscience clawed at his mind. This was wrong on so many levels, but if his identity was revealed now, Tori would probably fire him on the spot, and he needed time to prepare her for the truth. Safely behind the wheel of his truck, he cranked the engine and pulled away.

Coward.

Strange how he’d faced situations like this every day when he was undercover. Slipping away to avoid detection had kept him alive. But this felt different. He’d never been ashamed of what he did on the job, but the hot, smothering shame he was experiencing now was unbearable.

Tomorrow. He’d come clean tomorrow. If he approached her in the right way, he knew he could make her see his side of things.

His cell phone rang, the caller’s name displayed on the dashboard screen. Eddie. Reid exhaled a troubled sigh. For a moment he considered ignoring the call, but he couldn’t risk it. He pressed the accept button. “Hey, bro. Everything okay down there?”

“I’m good. I wanted to know if you’d told Tori who you are?”

The whole world was working against him today. “No, not yet. I’ve been busy making repairs.”

“Reid, don’t wait any longer. Please. I want to see my little girl, and I don’t know how much time I have left.”

Reid’s eyes stung. “I know, little brother. I promise I’ll settle this soon.” He debated whether to tell Eddie about Tori’s reaction to his inquiry. He didn’t have the luxury of waiting for the right time or softening blows. “Eddie, I asked her about Lily’s dad the other night and she became very angry. Does she have reason to be so bitter toward you?”

The long silence made Reid regret his question.

“Probably. I ran out on Judy when she told me she was pregnant. I never called her after that or asked about the baby. Yeah, she would have been angry. Judy had a temper and she was capable of carrying a grudge.”

“Apparently, that carried over to Tori.”

“Are you saying Tori won’t let Lily come see me?”

Reid set his jaw. “No. I’ll handle it. You lay back and take care of yourself. I’ll work it all out. I promise.”

Reid had just made a promise to his brother that he had no way of keeping. He had to get on top of this situation before it all exploded in his face.