A Family For Easter
Lee Tobin McClain
Too different to fall in love?In Rescue River, anything can happen…When wealthy single mom Fiona Farmingham rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado, it’s purely in friendship. Insecure over her late husband’s betrayal, Fiona hides her attraction to the humble landscaper. Between them they have six children, two dogs—and a world of differences. But with half a dozen little matchmakers involved, can they find courage to reach for happiness once more?
Too different to fall in love?
In Rescue River, anything can happen...
When wealthy single mom Fiona Farmingham rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado, it’s purely in friendship. Insecure over her late husband’s betrayal, Fiona hides her attraction to the humble landscaper. Between them they have six children, two dogs—and a world of differences. But with half a dozen little matchmakers involved, can they find the courage to reach for happiness once more?
LEE TOBIN MCCLAIN read Gone with the Wind in the third grade and has been a hopeless romantic ever since. When she’s not writing angst-filled love stories with happy endings, she’s getting inspiration from her church singles group, her gymnastics-obsessed teenage daughter, and her rescue dog and cat. In her day job, Lee gets to encourage aspiring romance writers in Seton Hill University’s low-residency MFA program. Visit her at leetobinmcclain.com (http://www.leetobinmcclain.com).
Also By Lee Tobin McClain (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e)
Love Inspired
Rescue River
Engaged to the Single Mom
His Secret Child
Small-Town Nanny
The Soldier and the Single Mom
The Soldier’s Secret Child
A Family for Easter
Christmas Twins
Secret Christmas Twins
Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch
The Nanny’s Texas Christmas
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
A Family for Easter
Lee Tobin McClain
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08241-9
A FAMILY FOR EASTER
© 2018 Lee Tobin McClain
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
—John 3:16
“Dad!” Diego cried. “Lauren and Ryan and Maya and Poppy got a dog!”
“It’s a hound-pointer mix, like, this big.” Sofia held her hands a yardstick apart. “Come out and see!”
All three of Fiona’s older kids, plus Eduardo’s two, ran after the dog, leaving Fiona, Eduardo and Poppy to watch.
Eduardo blew out a sigh and tried not to notice the way the sun set fire to Fiona’s hair. Or the curve of her smile as she watched her kids play. Or the unconsciously warm and motherly way she made little sounds in her throat to soothe her youngest, who still rested her head on Fiona’s shoulder.
He didn’t want to notice what a deep-down good person Fiona was. But being around her during all his at-home moments made that reality impossible to ignore.
Maybe he needed to start looking for a new place to live. Before he did something crazy again, like tell her how much he liked being around her.
Dear Reader (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e),
Have you ever struggled with body image? I think most of us do at one time or another. I was a beanpole kid and teenager. It doesn’t seem fair that I morphed into “carrying a few extra pounds” without even a pause at the perfect weight.
Or wait...maybe that’s because perfection is an unattainable goal?
In A Family for Easter, Fiona struggles with her size, and her challenge is exacerbated by her mother’s criticism. Because she feels so imperfect, she isn’t open to receiving the love Eduardo offers. It takes caring friends and the realization that she’s passing her own body-image issues down to her daughter to make her see that she’s “fearfully and wonderfully made,” God’s perfect creation.
As you put on your Easter finery this year, my prayer is that you see yourself as God’s good creation, ready to focus on His joyous resurrection.
Happy Easter!
Lee
To my dad, because we always visited
his family at Easter, and because I know
he’s singing in the heavenly choir.
Contents
Cover (#u4c3bd09e-77bf-5586-95cf-99fd8411c0f3)
Back Cover Text (#u3e272fa9-7b3f-50cb-987c-69e0aaba21eb)
About the Author (#ud6048ae2-22ee-5014-9927-d9167afb0fc9)
Booklist (#u789e3d1b-5ddc-5067-b513-21422d33e95f)
Title Page (#u2475c9f8-b313-56d4-adf4-85aa5b8995a1)
Copyright (#u557d2f33-4f67-5acd-b500-9066c673b234)
Bible Verse (#u9af8e706-7280-5cf3-be68-a50f115557de)
Introduction (#u08656fe2-de40-57e6-8fc3-d7dc08eb622b)
Dear Reader (#ua04df2e5-b86e-5eb6-b7a5-edabffa1e93b)
Dedication (#ue1c9d99f-c0d3-5595-b4f0-dab97f8e65eb)
Chapter One (#ue77dcc40-94f7-5210-a5dd-06f154e92978)
Chapter Two (#u7efa94a5-22fa-59b3-8133-60125ecc348d)
Chapter Three (#uf591e4d3-bc65-5fe1-abf5-5ac3b1154aee)
Chapter Four (#u205869ff-6573-53d9-9f4b-1a58c6593166)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e)
Fiona Farmingham clutched the edge of Chez La Ferme’s elegant tablecloth and wished she were home on the couch with her kids, eating popcorn and watching movies. Wearing sweats and slippers rather than heels and a dress and shapewear.
Based on tonight, at least, dating was way overrated.
“You should come see me in Cleveland,” Henry said loudly, forking braised lamb shank into his mouth. “We have restaurants that would put this place to shame. Really fancy.”
She forced her face into something resembling a smile and pushed her roasted vegetables around her plate, not daring to look around at all the Rescue River customers and waitstaff Henry had probably just offended.
A throat cleared a couple of tables away, and she glanced up. A soccer-dad friend, Eduardo Delgado, was looking over his date’s shoulder, smiling at Fiona with what looked like sympathy.
Her tight shoulders relaxed a little. Eduardo’s warm, friendly face reminded her of school parent nights and carpools and kids’ league games. Her normal life.
She was a little surprised to see Eduardo, a single parent who worked as a groundsman at Hinton Enterprises, dining at their small Ohio town’s only upscale restaurant. He never even bought himself nachos or a hot dog at the school concession stand, always relying on a cooler from home for himself and his two kids instead. She’d thought that meant he was economizing, but maybe he was just into eating healthy.
“Did you hear me?” Henry scooted his chair closer. “I have a nice big house. Six bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. You should come visit!”
Like that was going to happen. She channeled her society-perfect mother, who could out-polite the Queen of England, even managing a small smile. “With my kids, it’s hard for me to get away.”
“Yeah, four kids, that’s a lot!” Henry shook his head and attacked his spring pea risotto with vigor. She turned her chair half away and pretended to hear a sound from the evening bag she hadn’t used since attending society events with her late husband three years ago. She pulled out her cell phone and studied its blank screen. “Henry, I’m so sorry, but I think my kids need me.” Not a lie; kids always needed their parents, hers in particular. Right now, though, it was she who needed her kids.
“I thought you said you had a sitter. I was hoping we could spend more time together.”
“Thanks, but no, thanks. I really do have to go.” Fiona tried to keep her voice low, even though half the restaurant’s patrons had surely heard their discussion.
Why, oh, why had she let her friends Daisy and Susan talk her into online dating? But they’d both approved Henry’s profile, and he’d sounded nice on the phone.
She knew why: because she thought her kids might benefit from having a man in their lives. And, maybe a tiny bit, because she wished for a male companion who would care for her, even love her, just as she was.
Fat chance of that, fat being the operative word.
“Look, Fiona.” He gulped his drink and wiped a napkin across his mouth. “I wouldn’t have sprung for this expensive dinner if I’d known...”
Fiona stood and grabbed her purse, thankful she’d driven there in her own car. “Henry, it’s been...interesting to meet you.”
“Hey! You can’t just leave in the middle of—”
“Actually, I can.” She fumbled for her wallet. Why had she thought, for one minute, that she should try a relationship again?
“Can I help you?” Their waitress, a college-aged girl Fiona knew slightly, touched her forearm. Her curious expression made Fiona’s stomach twist.
She swallowed and lifted her chin, her mother’s training once again coming to her aid. “Thanks, yes, Mia. Separate checks, please, and I’m sure this will cover mine.” She extracted two twenties and handed them to the waitress. Then she turned, keeping her eyes on the front door. If she didn’t look to the right or the left, she could avoid the pitying stares that were surely coming her way.
“Oh, Mrs. Farmingham,” Mia called after her, “that’s way too much. You just had an appetizer and salad, and you didn’t even order a drink!”
Let the world know I’m dieting, would you? “It’s fine, keep the change.”
“Just hang on a minute.” It sounded like Henry’s mouth was full. “How much was it?”
Father God, please just let me get home, and I’ll forget about dating and just be happy being a mom. I’ll delete my online profile. I’ll avoid the matchmakers at the Senior Towers. She hurried away from the sound of Henry’s bargaining with poor Mia, toward freedom.
Outside, the spring breeze cooled her cheeks. With just an hour of daylight left, the setting sun was nestled in the clouds, turning the sky pink and gold.
She took deep breaths of the rich, fragrant farm-town air and reminded herself that she’d been through far worse than a bad date and had survived.
Behind her, she heard the restaurant door opening and the sound of voices, including Henry’s calling for her to wait.
She quickened her pace and stumbled a little. Slow down. This is embarrassing enough without you falling on your face. She reached her SUV, and the sight of her kids’ car seats, the snack bags scattered across the floor, reminded her once again of her priorities.
Her kids were what was important. Not a man. Men ridiculed and cheated on women like her.
She was opening the door when Henry caught up with her. “Hey, come on, what did I say wrong?” He grabbed her arm. “I like big gals!”
Seriously bad pickup line, buddy. She jerked away and started to climb into the driver’s seat. Not as easy in a dress and heels as in her usual mom uniform of jeans and sneakers, but she managed.
He didn’t let go of her forearm, and his fingertips pushed deeper into her skin. “What are you waiting for?” he asked, leaning in, standing on tiptoe. “You’re not getting any younger, and in a cow town like this, you’re never going to meet anyone— Hey!” Suddenly, his hand was off her. There was a low rough exchange of words, and then Henry was gone.
In his place stood Eduardo Delgado, the sunset glowing golden behind him. “Everything okay, Fiona? I got worried when he followed you out.”
She let her head rest on the steering wheel for just a few seconds. “Thank you. I... He didn’t want to leave me alone.”
“He will now.” A smile tweaked up the corners of Eduardo’s mouth as he gestured toward Henry, sliding into a silver Jaguar and slamming the door behind himself. The car started with a powerful roar and then backed out too fast, tires squealing. A moment later, Henry was gone.
“Wow. What did you say to him?”
“I explained how we treat women here in Rescue River. He decided he didn’t fit in.”
A surprised chuckle escaped her. Eduardo without his kids was...different.
She wondered if he’d heard that comment about big gals. She hoped not. Not because she especially cared what Eduardo thought. It was just...mortifying. “Thanks for taking time out of your date to rescue me.”
“It’s no problem. My date was a bust, too.” His mouth twisted a little to one side as he leaned back against her open car door. He was a big man, his muscles visible even in his suit jacket. Which made sense, given the kind of work he did.
“Where is your date?” she asked, looking around the parking lot.
“She left. Bad match.”
Fiona lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re online dating, too.”
“No. No way. But I did some work at the Senior Towers, and...” He looked down at the ground, shaking his head as a grin tugged at the side of his mouth.
“You let the ladies get to you!” Fiona laughed outright. “Nonna D’Angelo, right? She’s relentless.”
“They triple-teamed me. Nonna and Miss Minnie and Lou Ann Miller. Apparently, their matchmaking business is taking off, and they needed more men to participate.”
“And you started at Chez La Ferme?”
“That’s how they do it. They worked with the restaurant to cut first-time couples a special deal.” He was studying her curiously. “How well did you know your date?”
“Not at all. This was our first meeting.” She wrinkled her nose. “And our last.”
They smiled at each other, that eye-rolling sympathetic smile of fellow sufferers.
Eduardo’s phone pinged, and he pulled it out of his pocket and studied the face of it. Then he spun away and raced toward the other side of the parking lot.
“What’s wrong?” She climbed out of the SUV.
“Fire at my place!” he called over his shoulder.
“Oh, no! What can I do to help?” She ran a few steps toward him, then stopped. If he needed her, she should take her own car.
“Sitter says kids are okay!” he called as he climbed into a truck with the logo Delgado Landscaping on the side.
An unrelated thought—I didn’t know he ran his own landscaping business in addition to working for Hinton Enterprises—distracted her. Par for the course. “Fiona brain,” her brother had called it. She shook her head, refocused in time to see Eduardo pulling out of the parking lot, his phone to his ear.
Fiona started her car and pulled out. She’d run home and check on the kids, get them into bed and see if the sitter could stay late. Then she’d go check on Eduardo. Even though he’d said his kids were fine, a fire could be devastating. They might need some help she could offer.
* * *
Eduardo slammed on the brakes in front of his rented duplex. No flames, but there were flashing lights, caustic smoke and men’s voices registered as he looked around, fixated on just one thing: finding his kids.
“Papa!” Sofia called.
Eduardo turned toward the voice. When he saw Sofia and Diego running toward him, he knelt, opened his arms and clutched them to him, his throat tight.
His children had been at risk. He could have lost them.
Through his own negligence, just like with their mother. He had no plans to get involved with someone else, so why had he left his children with a sitter so he could go on a silly date?
He felt a hand on his shoulder. “They’ve had a scare, but they were never in danger,” said Lou Ann Miller, his babysitter. In her late seventies, she was sharper and more agile than a lot of people half her age.
Her words calmed him and he stood, keeping a hand on each child’s shoulder. “You’re all right, Lou Ann? What happened?”
“We’re all fine, and the fire seems to be contained to the bathroom,” she said. “But no thanks to a smoke alarm, and you really ought to talk to your landlord about that.”
“I was the one who smelled the smoke,” Diego announced.
“And I ran out in the hall and saw fire!” Sofia leaned close to Eduardo. “It was scary, Papa. Miss Lou Ann made us run across the street to the Silvases’ house and call 911.”
“And she broke the door of the new neighbors to get them out!” Diego’s voice sounded impressed. “She used a hammer!”
Eduardo’s heartbeat was returning to normal, and he looked up at Lou Ann.
“They weren’t answering the door, and since it’s a duplex...” She shrugged apologetically. “I broke a window and reached in to unlock their door. They’d fallen asleep and didn’t hear the doorbell or the knocking.”
He looked at her quizzically. “They were sleeping heavily this early in the evening?”
“Very,” she said, meeting his eyes with meaning in her own. “Pretty much passed out.”
From what Eduardo had seen of the new neighbors, drinking or drugs had probably been involved. “They’re okay?”
She nodded. “The fire turned out to be small and the firefighters contained it quickly. They interviewed me and the kids already, but they’ll probably want to talk to you as well.”
“Of course.” As he made arrangements for Lou Ann to take the kids to her house and gave them more hugs and praise, his mind chewed on one pressing problem.
He had to get his kids into a safer home.
He’d chosen this place because it was inexpensive, in a decent neighborhood with a good-sized yard. When would he learn that his instincts were terrible when it came to keeping his family safe? Hadn’t Elizabeth’s death proved that?
A busy hour later, Eduardo sat on a concrete wall outside his wet, smoking home. They were fortunate that it was unseasonably warm for mid-March. As he watched firefighters and a police inspector finish examining the smoke and water damage, he tried to think about what to do next.
The firefighters had kept the flames from spreading to the shared attic, limiting the damage to just the Delgados’ bathroom. Apparently, when the men had pulled the ceiling down, they’d found insulation smoldering around an exhaust fan.
Eduardo clenched his fists, then consciously took a couple of deep breaths. The most important thing was that no one had been injured.
Police Chief Dion Coleman, who lived the next street over and seemed to know everything happening in the town, sat down beside him. “You okay, man?”
“Not really.” Eduardo looked blankly as neighbors gathered near the fire truck in the deepening twilight. On the other side of the yard, their landlord was still talking to an inspector, gesticulating wildly.
“I spoke with one of the firefighters, and he says damage looks minimal. You could probably move back in within a couple of weeks, and insurance would pay—”
“No.” Even the thought of taking his kids back inside the duplex appalled Eduardo. “We’ll be looking for somewhere else to live. Somewhere safe.”
“I understand.” Dion leaned forward, elbows on his knees, weaving his fingers together. “Rental market around here is tight, though. Where are your kids now?”
“Lou Ann Miller took them in for the night.” Eduardo gestured down the street toward the older woman’s house. “She was babysitting when it happened. I’m going to crash on her couch later, too, if I can even sleep.”
“This kind of thing can prey on your mind,” Dion said. “But you know the good Lord’s got you in His hand, right? Your kids, too.”
“Right.” Eduardo didn’t want to go into his fear that if Lou Ann and the kids hadn’t been awake and alert, the Lord might not have seen fit to save them. Not to mention the fact that the Lord hadn’t had Elizabeth in His hands when she’d struggled with cancer.
Or maybe it was just Eduardo himself who excelled at letting his family down.
Dion stood. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.” And he was gone.
Eduardo rubbed a hand across his face, and all of a sudden, Fiona Farmingham was in the spot Dion had vacated beside Eduardo on the concrete wall. “Eduardo, is there anything I can do to help?”
He squinted at her pretty features framed by long wavy red hair. “What are you doing here?”
“I was worried. After I got my kids settled, I came over to see if there was anything I could do.”
“You have a sitter?” he asked inanely. He was still trying to process everything that had happened tonight. His brain seemed to be running at reduced speed.
“Yes, and I talked to her. She’s fine with staying later, and she put the kids to bed. But you have bigger things on your mind. Is there anything you and the kids need?”
He lifted his hands, palms up. “No. I’m just trying to figure out what to do. I have to find a new place to live.”
“It’s a total loss?”
“No, not much damage. But this happened because of an electrical issue.” He slammed his fist into his hand, shaking his head. “I knew there were maintenance problems, that the landlord wasn’t keeping the place up. I should have moved us out months ago.”
Hesitantly, she put a hand on his arm. “That must make you really mad. But the kids are okay. And you’re okay.” She squeezed his arm lightly and then pulled her hand back. “You can figure out who’s to blame later, even think about legal action. For now, you need to decide about the day-to-day stuff, what to do.”
Her voice was husky, calm, soothing. A little of the tension left his shoulders, chased away by the strange feeling that he had someone at his side, shoulder to shoulder. “Yeah. That’s right.”
She nodded briskly. “Your kids are settled for the night? And you have a place to sleep?”
“Lou Ann Miller’s house,” he said, nodding.
“Do you need clothes, toiletries, pajamas?”
“I don’t think so. I think they’re going to let me back in pretty soon, take me around and let me gather up some stuff. There’ll be an investigation, but it’s pretty clear the problem started with some faulty wiring in the bathroom exhaust fan. The smoke alarm malfunctioned, too, apparently.” He shook his head. “I’ve got to find a new place to live.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment, and then she nodded as if she’d made a decision. “You could stay in my carriage house.”
“What?” He cocked his head at her and frowned.
“It’s a complete three-bedroom little home. Used to be where people kept their carriages, and then it was a spare garage, but the previous owners modified it into a space that could work as an office or a rental. I was using it for... Doesn’t matter.” She waved her hand. “I’ve been planning to advertise for a tenant, anyway.”
Eduardo looked at Fiona. Her eyes held concern and the desire to help. The woman was kind and good, but he didn’t feel comfortable with the spur-of-the-moment offer. “I don’t see... We probably can’t make that work,” he said. “You have your own plans for the place. And anyway, I’m looking for something really safe, up to code, after what happened here.”
She glared at him. “Do you think I’d offer you a place that was dangerous or unsound?”
Oh, man, now he’d upset this kind woman who was only trying to help. “Of course not. I’m sorry. I’m a mess.”
“Understandable.” She stood up, something like insecurity creeping into her eyes. “I’m sure you have other options, but if you want to talk more about the place, I’ll be at church tomorrow.”
She bent down, put her arms around his shoulders for an awkward hug and then disappeared into the darkness.
Exhausted as he was by the events of the evening, Eduardo was awake enough to feel a particular warmth where she’d touched him.
Chapter Two (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e)
The next day, Fiona and her four kids walked—or in Ryan’s and Maya’s case, ran—out of the little white clapboard church on the edge of Rescue River.
“Careful!” Fiona called. “Stay on the sidewalk!” But she couldn’t help smiling at her middle two children’s joy. Maya’s exuberance didn’t surprise her—at seven, Maya was her wild child—but Ryan, though only two years older, tended to be way too serious. It was good to see him run and play.
Beside Fiona, ten-year-old Lauren walked with more decorum, as befitted the dignity of the eldest child. Little Poppy nudged in between Fiona and Lauren and then reached up to grab their hands. “Swing me,” she ordered with the confidence of a three-year-old, and Fiona and Lauren held her hands tight while she jumped up, swinging her legs.
“Hey,” Ryan called back to them, “there’s Diego and Sofia!”
Fiona’s heart gave a tiny little leap as she looked ahead and saw Eduardo and his two kids walking in the same direction Fiona was heading. She always parked near the church’s little play area, and today Eduardo’s truck was next to her SUV.
Had he decided to take her up on her offer of the carriage house?
She’d seen Eduardo dressed up once before, on his date at Chez La Ferme, but he looked happier and more comfortable today, in his dark suit and open-collared blue shirt, laughing with his kids.
“Sofia! Hey!” Lauren dropped Poppy’s hand and ran toward the Delgados. Ryan followed suit. They played on the same coed soccer team with Sofia and Diego, and the four children were becoming friends.
A moment later, all of them were on the grass next to their vehicles. Ryan, Diego and Maya darted back and forth, burning off energy by throwing around the cotton-ball lambs they’d made in Sunday school.
“Is that sacrilegious, to play with the Easter lamb?” Fiona asked, half joking.
“Is it, Dad?” Diego clutched his lamb to his chest, his expression anxious.
Eduardo looked amused. “Not really. In some cultures, kids raise a lamb for Easter. I’m sure they play with it.”
“That would be fun!” Maya danced over to Fiona. “Can we get a lamb, Mom?”
“No.” Fiona tried to tuck Maya’s hair back into its ponytail holder without much success. “But we’re thinking about a dog when summer comes, and you kids can all help pick it out.”
“Yes!” Maya pumped her arm in the air and ran back to the game of toss-the-lamb.
Fiona glanced over at Eduardo. “I don’t think the kids would like what happens to the pet lamb at Easter.”
“Easter dinner?” He winced. “Good point.”
“Mom, can me and Sofia swing Poppy?” Lauren asked.
Poppy threw her arms around Lauren. “Please, Mommy? I wanna swing with LaLa!”
“If you’re careful. Not too high.”
“I know, Mom. Come on, Sofia.” Lauren picked Poppy up easily and carried her toward the swing set. At ten, she was tall and broad-shouldered, often mistaken for a teenager.
“Poppy’s cute,” Eduardo said, looking a little wistful. “I remember those days.”
“They go by too fast.” Fiona didn’t want to think about how she wasn’t going to get another baby, how Poppy was her last. So, she watched as Lauren set her little sister on a swing, giving her a stern lecture about holding on tight. Lauren liked to show off her childcare skills, and Sofia was a new audience.
Which was fine. To a pair of ten-year-olds, a toddler seemed like a doll, and Poppy was glad to play that role if it got her some big-girl attention.
Fiona and Eduardo stood together, watching their happy kids. Was the question of the carriage house hanging between them, making things awkward, or was it just her being silly?
She focused her attention on a robin pecking at the newly turned earth, pulling out a fat earthworm.
It was a beautiful spring day and the service had been uplifting, and there was no need to feel uncomfortable with family friends. If he didn’t want to take her up on her offer, that was perfectly fine. He probably had lots of friends to reach out to.
“If you were serious about renting to us,” Eduardo said to Fiona, “could we stop over and check out the carriage house sometime soon? I’ve been online and in the paper, and there’s not much out there to rent. I have an appointment to look at a trailer out on County Line Road, but it’s a little more isolated than I’m comfortable with.”
“Sure!” Fiona heard the enthusiasm in her own voice and toned it down. “Come out this afternoon, if you’d like. And you know, I also have a landscaping project I need done. Maybe you could take a look.”
“Are they coming over?” Maya had overheard, and a big smile broke out on her face.
“Maybe,” Fiona said.
“They might come over!” Maya rushed over to the big girls with her important news, followed by Diego and Ryan.
“They’re obviously on board,” Fiona said. “In fact, you’re welcome to come for some lunch. I have plenty of hot dogs and burgers—”
“No, thank you,” Eduardo interrupted, a shadow crossing his face. “That’s a nice invitation, but we have other plans.”
Heat rose in Fiona’s face, and she was sure it showed in her cheeks. The disadvantage of being a fair-skinned redhead.
The rebuff was so definite. He didn’t want to come. “I just thought... It’s always hard to figure out what to do for lunch after church, at least it is for me, and so if you needed...” Stop talking. He doesn’t want to be your friend.
“As far as helping with your landscaping...” He trailed off.
“It was just an idea. I know you have a lot going on.”
He looked at the ground and then met her eyes with a forthright gaze. “You didn’t suggest it to be charitable?”
“Charitable? What you do mean?”
“I just thought... Since we’re going to struggle a little, given what’s happened, maybe you were trying to help. And that’s not necessary.” His chin lifted.
“I’m sorry to say that didn’t even occur to me,” she admitted. “I’ve been meaning to look for a landscaper, but I haven’t gotten around to it. When I saw from your truck that you do landscaping, it seemed providential. If you’re not interested, it’s no problem.”
He opened his mouth to answer. But the kids had been conferring over by the swings, and before he could say anything, they ran over in a group.
“Are Sofia and Diego coming over?” Ryan was obviously the designated speaker.
Fiona glanced up at Eduardo, eyebrow lifted. His call.
“Yes, I think so,” he said. “A little later.”
“Well, we were wondering...” Ryan glanced at his big sister.
“We figured out a plan.” A winning smile broke across Lauren’s face. “Can Sofia ride with us?”
“And can I ride with Diego?” Ryan asked. “Please, Mom? I like their truck.”
“That won’t work.” Fiona looked over at Eduardo. “They’re coming over later in the afternoon. Right?”
“We have a stop to make,” Eduardo said, putting a hand on Diego’s shoulder and another on Sofia’s.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot,” Sofia said. “We’re going to the cemetery.”
“How come?” Ryan asked.
“Our mom is there,” Diego explained.
“Well, her grave is,” Sofia clarified. “Mama’s in heaven.”
“I know she’s in heaven. I’m not a dummy.” Diego’s face reddened, and he opened his mouth as if to say more. But Eduardo squeezed his shoulder and, when Diego looked up, shook his head.
Diego’s shoulders slumped.
“Our dad’s in heaven, too.” Ryan bumped against Diego’s arm in a friendly way and then dug up a pebble with his toe, booting it down the sidewalk. That was Ryan, kindhearted and empathetic. “C’mon!”
Diego pulled away from his father and jogged alongside Ryan, kicking a stone of his own.
“If she’s in heaven,” Maya said, looking up at Sofia and Eduardo, “then why are you going to the cemetery?”
Fiona blew out a breath and squatted down beside her inquisitive seven-year-old. “Every family does things differently. A lot of people like to put flowers on a loved one’s grave.”
“I’ll show you,” Sofia said, tugging the truck key out of her father’s hand. She clicked open the vehicle and pulled a pot of hyacinths from the passenger side. “Today, we’re gonna put these on Mama’s grave.”
“They’re pretty.” Maya stood on tiptoe to sniff the fragrant blossoms. “I never saw a cemetery.”
Fiona didn’t correct her. Of course, Maya had been at her father’s funeral, together with the other kids, including Poppy, who’d been just two months old.
“Some of the graves have tricycles on them, or teddy bears,” Sofia announced. “That’s kids who died.”
“Sofia.” Eduardo gestured toward Poppy, obviously urging silence in front of a little one.
“Sorry,” Sofia whispered and then squatted down on her haunches, holding out the flowers to Poppy. “Want to smell?”
Poppy did and then giggled as the flowers tickled her nose. Distraction accomplished.
“Can we go with them?” Lauren asked unexpectedly.
Fiona opened her mouth and then closed it again. She knew it was important to deal with kids’ questions about death, but really? “We don’t want to intrude,” she said, putting a hand on Lauren’s shoulder. “It’s their private family time.”
“We don’t care,” Diego said as he passed by, chasing the rock he was kicking. “We go all the time.”
They did? Fiona couldn’t help glancing at Eduardo curiously. He must still be grieving hard for his wife.
“We go once every month,” Sofia corrected her little brother.
“Why don’t we go to our daddy’s grave, Mom?” Maya asked.
“Because our daddy was bad,” Lauren said before Fiona could put together a response.
Poppy tugged at Fiona’s hand. “Was our daddy bad?”
Pain and concern twisted Fiona’s stomach, along with anger at Reggie. He’d hurt her, badly, but even worse was how he’d hurt his children.
Nonetheless, she knew what she had to do: keep her own feelings inside and be positive about the children’s father, lest they grow up worrying that they themselves carried something bad inside them. “He was your daddy who loved you and there was lots that was good about him,” she said, making sure her voice was loud enough for all the kids to hear. “But his grave is back in Illinois, where we used to live.”
“Our mom was the best,” Diego said. “Daddy has a picture.” He tugged the keys out of his sister’s hands and showed the photo attached to the ring.
Fiona squinted down at it, and Lauren and Maya leaned in to see as well. A petite dark-haired woman held a baby, with a little girl who must be Sofia leaning into her. Eduardo stood behind the woman, arms protectively around his whole family.
“She’s really pretty,” Maya said.
“Was pretty,” Lauren corrected in her automatic big-sister mode, then reddened and looked over at Sofia. “I’m sorry your mom died.”
Sofia nodded and leaned back against her father, who knelt and put an arm around her. Taking back the key ring from Diego, he held it so Sofia could see. “She was very pretty. Just a tiny little thing, but strong. You look a lot like her.”
“I don’t,” Diego said, obviously parroting what he’d heard before. “I look more like you.”
“Your mother loved both of you very much.” Eduardo squeezed Sofia’s shoulders, let her go and then patted Diego on the back. “She loved to cook for you, and play with you, and read to you. We’ll talk about her at the cemetery, like we always do.”
Fiona’s throat tightened. Helping kids through the loss of a parent was an ongoing challenge.
“Do we have a picture of our daddy?” Maya asked. “Because...” She looked up at Fiona, her face uncertain. “I don’t really remember what he looks like.”
“Back home in our albums, stupid,” Lauren said.
“We don’t call each other stupid,” Fiona said automatically. “And, speaking of back home, we should get going and leave the Delgados to do what they were planning to do.” Maya still looked unhappy—rare for her—so Fiona stooped down and grasped her hands. “Do you want to look at our albums when we go home? There are some good pictures of you and Daddy.”
“Okay.” Maya nodded, her momentary distress gone.
“Are we still having hot dogs?” Ryan asked. “I’m starving!”
“Yes. Come on, everyone in the car.” Fiona clicked open the door locks and then looked at Eduardo. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He nodded, his eyes unreadable. “And I’m sorry for yours as well.”
As Fiona drove home, her mind kept going back to Eduardo’s family picture. Obviously, he wasn’t over his tiny, beautiful, loving wife.
She had no right to feel jealous just because she’d struck out in the marriage game. It was nothing more than what her mother had always predicted—at her size, and not being the brightest woman around, attracting any man at all had been unlikely. The chances of him being a good, responsible, trustworthy person? Just about nil.
She had more than she deserved in her four wonderful children, and she was content with her life now, as it was.
* * *
Later that Sunday afternoon, Eduardo pulled up in front of Fiona’s house, stopped the truck and waited. He knew exactly what his kids were going to say.
“That’s their house?” Sofia asked. “It looks like it’s from a movie!”
“It’s cool,” Diego said. “Is that where we’d live?”
“No. Mrs. Farmingham is looking to rent the carriage house, out back. I haven’t seen it, but I’m sure it’s nothing fancy.”
Diego shrugged, then poked his sister in the side. “C’mon, let’s go! There’s Ryan!”
“Wait.” Eduardo turned in his seat to face both of his kids. “We need to remember some things.”
“I know. Good manners.” Diego had his hand on the door handle.
“Like what?” he prompted.
“Wipe your feet, and say please and thank you, and be quiet inside the house.” Sofia recited the list with an eye roll that previewed the teen she would soon become.
“Good.” From the glove box, Eduardo pulled out two bags of mazapán, a round and chewy Mexican candy one of his aunts always sent them in quantity. He handed a bag to each child. “These are to share with everyone after we check with Mrs. Farmingham. She and I are going to be talking about work before we check out the carriage house, so I need you to be self-reliant. You can interrupt us if it’s an emergency.”
“Like fire or blood,” Diego said, and Eduardo let out a short laugh. He should never have said that to the kids, but one night when he’d been working on the books for his landscaping business, he’d ordered his whining kids to watch TV and only disturb him under those circumstances.
Of course, that’s what they remembered. “Right,” he said, “or anything else that you think is important. You both have good judgment.”
“Can we go now?” Sofia asked, and Eduardo looked at the house and saw that Fiona had come out onto the porch, holding Poppy on her hip. The other three kids were already on the stairs.
“Go ahead,” he said, taking his time about gathering up his tablet and a couple of plant catalogs.
He climbed out slowly. Fiona stood listening to his kids, and he saw her smile and nod. Sofia and Diego distributed pieces of candy all around and gave the rest of the bags to Fiona; then all of the kids took off for the big side yard.
Fiona was wearing jeans and a puffy kind of blouse, light green, that made her red hair glow. Behind her, the old two-story Victorian mansion rose in splendor.
It was exactly the kind of house he’d have bought himself if he’d had the money. The yellow paint with green trim was nice, but best of all were the wraparound porches, one on the first floor and one on the second. A couple of redbrick chimneys indicated fireplaces inside and a turret at the top, with windows all around, would make a great playroom for kids.
Or a relaxing spot for parents to kick back and watch the sunset.
He straightened his shoulders and glanced down at his Delgado Landscaping shirt. He’d debated wearing just ordinary casual clothes, but that would have misrepresented the relationship.
He was aiming to rent a place from her and maybe to do some work for her, too. She was a potential client and landlord, not a friend.
He walked briskly up the sidewalk and held out a hand to shake hers. “Hey, Fiona. Thanks for letting us see the carriage house. And for considering me for a landscaping job, too.”
She lifted an eyebrow and shook his hand. “Of course.”
Heat rose in the back of his neck. Why did he feel so awkward with her?
And her hand—which, he noticed, he was still grasping in his, and he let it go like a hot potato—wasn’t the well-manicured, callus-free one he’d expected, but strong, with plain short-cut nails.
Long delicate fingers, too.
“So,” he began.
“Would you like something—” she started at the same time.
They both laughed awkwardly. “Ladies first,” he said and then wondered if that had sounded stupid.
“Um, okay.” Her cheeks went pink. “What was I... Oh, yeah. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, soda, iced tea?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks. And thanks for letting the kids come along. It’s a big help.”
“Sure. They’re all having fun.” She gestured across the yard.
The kids were running toward a play set situated near a tidy little outbuilding that must be the carriage house. Poppy couldn’t keep up and called out to the others. Sofia turned, went back to the little girl and picked her up.
His heart did a funny little twist at the sight of his daughter holding a toddler. Sofia would love to have a little sister. He and Elizabeth had hoped for that, planned for it.
Plans don’t always work out. “Does somebody live in your carriage house now?” he asked to distract himself.
“No. I was using it for my dog-walking business, but now...” She shrugged, looking away. “I just want to rent it out.”
“You’re not thinking of trying another business?”
“Well...I’d like to. But...no. Not for now.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
Clear enough. None of my business. “Why don’t you show me what you’re thinking of doing in the yard first, since that’ll take more time. I can look at the carriage house after.”
“Okay, sure.” She wiped her hands down the sides of her jeans. As she headed to the side yard, he fell into step beside her. It was nice that she was so tall. Easy for them to walk in step.
Unbidden, a memory of Elizabeth, scolding him for his tendency to outpace her, came to mind.
Fiona was talking, and he forced himself to focus. “So over here,” she said, “I’m thinking about digging up this whole section and planting vegetables. Corn and tomatoes and squash and peppers. I’d like to maybe slope it south? To catch the sun?”
“That makes sense.” He looked around the yard, measured it in his mind, pictured some ways it could look. “You thinking about raised beds?”
“Yes, if it’s possible.”
He nodded. “I think we could put in three small terraces. It would look good.” He bent down, pinched up some soil and squeezed it between his thumb and forefinger. Thick and hard; too much clay. “You’re going to need some soil amendments. In future years you can compost, if you’re into that, but you’ll probably have to shell out for commercial stuff this year. Peat moss, humus, maybe some mushroom compost. It’ll cost you.”
“That’s not a problem,” she said, and then a blush rose up her cheeks again and she looked away. “I...inherited some money. Nothing I earned myself.”
He’d known she was wealthy. A lot of his customers were. As a professional, he could look at it as a good thing. “Hey, it’s great you can afford to do that. It’ll get your garden off to a strong start. Mind if I take some measurements?”
“That would be great. And here’s the key to the carriage house. Go ahead and look around when you’re done.”
She checked on the kids while he measured and sketched. By the time they’d gotten around to the other side of the yard and discussed fruit trees and blueberry bushes, they were more at ease with each other. And when the kids came running up, thirsty, he helped her get drinks for everyone and accepted one himself.
While Fiona bandaged Ryan’s scraped knee and helped Poppy change into a clean outfit—some kind of a mud puddle accident—Eduardo went out onto the porch and tried to get started on an estimate.
He found himself thinking about Fiona instead.
Specifically, about her past.
It was common knowledge in town that Fiona had been married to a wealthy man. And that her husband had turned out to have a double life, but Eduardo didn’t know any of the details. Now he found himself curious and sympathetic. How did you explain something like that to your kids? How did you deal with it yourself?
And why on earth would anyone who was married to Fiona have felt the need for someone else?
Eduardo did another walk-around, checked a couple of measurements and looked up costs online. By the time he’d finished, the afternoon sun was sinking toward the horizon.
Dinnertime. He needed to take a look at the carriage house, collect his kids and go back to the motel where they were staying. He’d finalize the estimate tonight and email it all to her, and mull over renting the carriage house if it seemed suitable. It would mean a late night, but the job would be great for his bottom line, and the fact that he could work on it basically from home, if the rental worked out, meant that he could get to it quickly.
Sofia was running across the lawn and he called to her. “Get your brother,” he said. “I’m going to take a quick look at the carriage house and then go inside to talk to Mrs. Farmingham. After that, we’ll head home.”
“But we’re having fun!”
“Sofia...” He lifted an eyebrow. She was just starting to question his authority, and he understood it was a stage. But she needed rules and boundaries, and she needed to obey.
“I...” She seemed to read the firmness in his eyes. “Okay.” She gave him a little hug and then ran toward her brother.
Eduardo looked after her, bemused. How long would she keep giving him spontaneous hugs?
He walked through the carriage house. It was small but pretty and sturdy, well built. He checked the smoke alarms and found them all working. Three small bedrooms, a kitchen with space for a table, a sunny front room with hardwood floors.
If Fiona was charging a reasonable price, this place would be perfect.
He went to the front door of Fiona’s house, tapped on it, and when there was no answer, he walked inside. “Fiona?”
He heard her voice from the kitchen, so he headed in that direction. “Hey, I’m about done—” He broke off, realizing she was on a video call.
The image on her big laptop computer screen was blurry, an older woman, but the voice was perfectly clear. “You really need to watch what you’re eating, honey.”
“Mom, we’ve talked about this.” Fiona’s voice was strained.
“But you’ve gained so much weight, and at your height...”
“Heard and understood, Mother. I’ll get the kids.” Fiona turned away, stepped out of the computer camera’s range and buried her head in her hands. Her shoulders started to shake.
Eduardo backed away—nobody wanted a witness to their breakdown—but despite the fact that the old house had been beautifully renovated, you couldn’t eliminate creaky floors. He felt the loose board beneath his feet at the same moment he heard a loud squeak.
Fiona looked up and saw him, and her face contorted even more. “Get out,” she whispered through tears. “Just get out.”
Chapter Three (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e)
“He has to hate me.” Fiona pushed up the sleeves of her sweatshirt and picked up the pace, glancing over at her friends Susan and Daisy. She’d tried to back out of their planned morning walk, but they must have heard something in her voice, because they’d come over anyway and insisted that she join them. And they were right: it did feel good to get out and move in the fresh spring air.
“I doubt he hates you,” Daisy said. “Okay, it sounds like it was awkward, and maybe you hurt his feelings, but Eduardo’s an understanding guy.” She looked slyly over at Fiona. “Handsome, too.”
“Daisy!” Susan fake-punched her. “Remember what Pastor Ricky said last week. We need to focus on what’s inside people, not what’s outside. Although,” she said, her voice thoughtful, “Eduardo is one of the best-looking workers at Hinton Enterprises. Almost as handsome as the boss.”
“Biased much?” Daisy teased. “Sam’s my brother, and I love him, but even I think judging a beauty contest between Eduardo and Sam would be a tough job.”
“Would you guys stop?” Fiona dug in her pocket for a ponytail holder. “How Eduardo looks is the least of my worries. I kicked him out in a mean way after he’d come over to my house to make a landscaping estimate. I didn’t even show him the carriage house. I’m an idiot.” Her cheeks heated at the memory of looking up during her meltdown to see Eduardo’s concerned face, of blurting out something, anything, to make him go away.
She’d regretted it only moments later, but by then he’d collected his kids and left. “I wasn’t just rude to him. I disappointed and confused his kids, too. They were expecting to look at the carriage house. I’m sure he’s decided to rent something else, now that he realizes what a loon I am.”
“You’re not a loon,” Susan said. “You’re a human being with emotions.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Daisy added. “We all make mistakes.”
“I guess.”
Daisy squeezed her arm and Susan patted her back, and the tightness in Fiona’s chest relaxed just a little bit. A woman out weeding her garden called a greeting, and two mothers with babies in strollers waved from the other side of the street. In a fenced front yard, a toddler squatted to pet a puppy while his father talked on the phone.
Life went on.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m the queen of saying the wrong thing, and most people forgive me for it,” Susan added. “I’m sure Eduardo will forgive you if you apologize nicely.”
“I can’t apologize. I’m too embarrassed that he heard my mom calling me fat.” Fiona could barely squeak the words out in front of her friends. “I mean, it’s out there for everyone to see, but still...”
“You’re not even close to fat!” Daisy sounded indignant.
“That’s ridiculous,” Susan said. “When you came to town, everyone talked about how you looked like a model. I was totally jealous when Sam’s old mother-in-law tried to fix him up with you.”
“I remember.” Fiona thought back to that Fourth of July picnic almost two years ago. “I was such a mess then. Reggie had died earlier that year, and then I found out about his second family. I’d just moved here, and the kids were really struggling.” She sighed. “But at least I was thin.”
“Listen to yourself!” Susan scolded. “Would you trade where you are now for where you were back then, just to wear a smaller pants size? I mean, look at me.” She patted her rounded stomach. “I’ve got baby weight I need to lose, sure, but I wouldn’t trade it for the figure I used to have, no way.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.” Daisy sounded just a little wistful. “And Sam wouldn’t, either. He claims Sam Junior is the perfect child, and you’re the perfect wife for producing him.”
Susan snorted. “If he said I was perfect, he’s delusional.”
They reached Rescue River’s small downtown and walked down Main Street. Early on a Monday morning, pedestrian traffic was light and most businesses were still closed. There was Mr. Love, though, sweeping the sidewalk in front of Love’s Hardware, whistling a quiet tune. At eightysomething, he had more energy than most twenty-year-olds.
“Hey, Mr. Love,” Daisy called.
The stooped dark-skinned man stopped sweeping and looked slightly to the left of them, leaning on his broom. “Who’s that now? Is that you, Daisy Hinton?”
They came to a halt to chat with the man whose visual impairment didn’t stop him from doing anything and everything.
“Me, and Susan, and Fiona Farmingham. Do you know Fiona, Mr. Love?”
“Oh, we’ve met,” the old man said before Fiona could answer. “I’m blessed to get a morning greeting from the three prettiest ladies in Rescue River. Excepting my Minnie, of course.”
Daisy arched an eyebrow at Fiona and Susan. “Are you two finally out in the open?” she asked Mr. Love.
“Thinking about shopping for an engagement ring. At my age!” He shook his head, a big smile creasing his face. “God’s been smiling on me in my golden years.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Daisy gave him a gentle hug while Susan and Fiona offered their congratulations.
“Don’t rush into congratulating me. She hasn’t said yes.” Mr. Love put a hand on Daisy’s arm. “You listen to what I’m saying now. Life’s short. Too short for avoiding love due to fear.”
Daisy’s cheeks went pink. “You’re not giving me advice on my love life, are you?”
“My name is Love, after all,” he said with a chuckle. “And at my age, I think I can claim a little wisdom. Now, you ladies get on. I know you’ve got more exercising to do on this fine day.”
As they walked on through the downtown, the old man’s words echoed in Fiona’s mind. Was she avoiding love due to fear?
Well...yeah. She was. But in her case, she had every reason to.
“Fiona! Listen to me.” Susan glared at her.
“Sorry, I was spacing out,” Fiona said. “What did I miss?”
“I was saying that it’s important for those of us raising girls, especially, to help them grow up with a healthy body image.”
“That’s true,” Fiona said, thinking of Susan’s stepdaughter, Mindy, as well as her own three. “I wouldn’t want to do to my girls what my mom does to me on a regular basis.”
“Kids learn by example as much as by words,” Susan said. “I’ve learned that during ten years of teaching elementary school. If you put yourself down in front of them, or if you’re always on some crazy diet, they’ll notice.”
“Exactly,” Daisy said. “Besides, some men like women who enjoy their food. Dion says—” She broke off, blushing.
Susan cocked her head. “Is there something you want to tell us, about you and the police chief?” she asked Daisy.
“No. Anyway, today isn’t about me.” Daisy turned away from Susan and looked at Fiona. “What are you going to do about Eduardo?”
What was she going to do? She couldn’t let the discomfort between them fester—if for no other reason than that they’d see each other at kids’ events all the time. “I guess I could text him an apology.”
“Text him? Really?” Daisy stepped in front of Fiona, making her stop. Susan came to her side, blocking Fiona’s way.
“Call him?” Fiona asked weakly.
“God didn’t give us a spirit of fear,” Daisy said.
“And how about if you’re offering a gift at the altar, and you remember someone is mad at you?” Susan added.
“Yes!” Daisy nodded vigorously. “The Bible doesn’t say text them or call them. It says go to them.”
“But that’s because they didn’t have that technology back then...” Fiona trailed off as her friends crossed their arms and shook their heads at the same time.
“Do I have to apologize in person?”
At that, Daisy and Susan turned to continue walking, each grabbing one of Fiona’s arms. “Come on,” Susan said. “We’ll help you figure out what to say.”
* * *
The next afternoon, Eduardo noticed two of the younger workers putting equipment away without doing the daily maintenance.
It would be easier to finish the jobs himself, but then the new guys wouldn’t learn. “Tommy. Duke.” He gestured toward the machinery the men had just put away. “You’re not done.”
“Man, don’t you ever lighten up?” Duke grumbled good-naturedly as he grabbed a cloth and knelt beside the mower’s grassy blades.
“He’s got nothing else to do,” Tommy joked. “He needs a social life. Good work there, my man,” he added to Duke.
“That skid-steer loader you brought in needs its fluid levels checked,” Eduardo said mildly.
“Sorry, man.” Tommy turned toward the small vehicle and started the daily inspection. “I’m in a hurry. I’ve got to go get cleaned up and take my woman out on the town.”
“On a Tuesday?”
“Anniversary,” Tommy explained. “My aunt’s taking the kids.”
A warm band tightened around Eduardo’s heart. He remembered the days when he’d scrambled to get a sitter, had scrimped and saved to take Elizabeth out for a special occasion. She’d argued against the expense, but she’d always given in and they’d had fun, usually ending the evening with dancing.
“Need the place swept out?” Tommy asked Eduardo.
“Nah, go on. Have fun. I’ll finish up.”
“Thanks!”
As the two men left, a text message buzzed, and Eduardo pulled his phone out of his pocket.
It’s Fiona. Can you meet me at the Chatterbox?
Instead of answering, he started pushing a broom across the floor of the storage shed. What did she want to talk to him about? If she wanted to see the estimate on her landscaping job—even after she’d booted him out of her home—he supposed he should give it. But at the café? Why not at her house?
He pushed debris into a heap and looked for a dustpan. Another message buzzed.
My treat. I want to apologize.
No need to apologize, he texted back. But I can meet you and give you your estimate if you’d like.
Great. Half an hour?
See you there.
He pocketed his phone and tamped down the small surge of excitement in his chest. He liked Fiona, found her attractive, if the truth be told, but he wasn’t sure about renting her carriage house. What if she decided to use it as an office again? Or decided to kick them out for reasons he couldn’t understand, as she’d done the other night?
On the other hand, the situation at their little motel was deteriorating. After Diego and Sofia had spent several noisy hours kicking around a soccer ball outside yesterday, the manager had let Eduardo know that they couldn’t stay much longer. “We just aren’t set up for kids,” the man had said apologetically. “Couple more days, fine, but I’d like to see you move on soon.”
Which meant he needed to find another place today or tomorrow; easier said than done in the limited rental market of Rescue River.
Again, the thought of Fiona’s carriage house came to mind.
Thirty minutes and one speed-shower later, Eduardo reached the Chatterbox. The place wasn’t crowded midafternoon, and Fiona wasn’t there yet.
He sat down at a table where he could watch the door, waving to a few coworkers from Hinton who were at the counter eating.
A moment later, Fiona flew into the restaurant, her purse swinging. He stood and she hurried over. “I’m sorry I was late!”
He glanced at the clock above the door as he moved to pull out her chair. From the corner of his eye, he saw the Hinton workers nudging each other. One of them gave Eduardo a thumbs-up.
Heat rose in the back of his neck as he sat down across from her. “You’re not late. I was early. Are you hungry?”
“I am, but I’m not going to get anything. Just coffee. You go ahead, though. It’s my treat.”
Not in this universe.
“Are you ready to order?” Their waiter arrived with an order pad.
“Coffee for both of us, and a piece of cherry pie for me,” Eduardo said.
“Ice cream?”
“Absolutely,” he said and looked at Fiona. “You’re sure you don’t want to join me?”
She bit her lip. “Well... No. No, thank you.”
After their server walked away, Eduardo pulled out his tablet. “I have your estimate right here.”
“Wait.” Fiona touched his arm and then pulled her hand back. “I invited you here so I could apologize. I’m sorry I was so rude when you were at my house the other day.”
“No need to apologize. We all have bad days.” The question was did she make a practice of it? If she did, he probably shouldn’t rely on renting her place.
“I was having a difficult conversation with my mother,” she went on, “but that’s no excuse. It wasn’t your fault.”
Ah. Mother-daughter issues. “No problem. Don’t give it another thought. Should we talk about the estimate?”
“Yes, and the carriage house rental, too.”
“Okay, sure.” But he wasn’t sure. He didn’t think he wanted to move his family onto Fiona’s property. She was a lovely lady, and kind, but was she reliable?
Unfortunately, though, he had no viable alternative.
He pulled out the tablet computer and started explaining his estimate for the landscaping job, crunching numbers, talking measurements, offering possibilities and alternatives based on price. Usually, the client was right with him on this kind of thing, but Fiona didn’t seem to be paying attention. Was it because she was so wealthy she didn’t care what she spent? Or was she not liking what he was proposing?
The third time she spaced out, he confronted her. “Look, would you rather I just give you the bottom line? Or are you uninterested? If you don’t want to hire me, you can say it right out.”
“Oh, no, it’s not that!” Her hands twisted together in a washing motion. “I’m sorry, Eduardo. I just...” She trailed off.
“I’m in business. I know I’m not right for every potential client.”
“I’m very interested. I’m just not good with numbers.” She looked embarrassed.
Funny, he hadn’t pegged Fiona as the ditzy careless type, but that was how she was acting. “No problem,” he lied. He started from the beginning and went through it again, more slowly.
All the same, he lost her.
Something tickled at his brain, and before he could stop himself, he blurted it out. “Do you have something like dyslexia?”
“No!” She looked shocked. “Why would you even say that?”
“Sorry, crazy idea. It’s just...” He trailed off and then shook his head. “I’m out of line. I shouldn’t have said anything. I apologize.”
She drew in a breath and visibly composed herself. “It’s okay.”
But it clearly wasn’t, so he blundered on. “I just noticed... You’re obviously a smart woman. But talking to you about math is a little bit like talking to my son, Diego, about letters and reading. He has dyslexia.”
She let out a short harsh laugh. “I wish there was that kind of explanation for my weaknesses.”
Compassion squeezed his heart as he studied her. She was wealthy and carefree on the surface, but there were layers upon layers to uncover in her, that much was clear.
Also, it was clear that he was a little too interested in exploring those layers.
“Here you go, sir.” The waiter placed a large piece of cherry pie in front of him. Gooey, rich with fruit, the ice cream melting down the sides of the large triangle.
Fiona eyed it. “Wow, that looks delicious.”
“Want a taste?” Without waiting for an answer, he cut her a small slice and slid it onto her saucer.
“I shouldn’t, but...twist my arm.” She took a tiny bite and her eyes widened. “This is fabulous!”
He felt absurdly happy to have given her something that brought her pleasure, however small.
“Let me look at the figures while you eat,” she said. “Maybe I can get it through my thick skull.”
He scrolled to the cover sheet and handed her the tablet. “That’s the overview of what I’d recommend. I should’ve started with that, anyway, rather than bombarding you with a million details and choices.”
She took another tiny bite of pie and smiled. “So good. Thank you.” And then she focused on the tablet, frowning, asking the occasional question.
As he finished his pie, she nodded decisively. “I like what you’ve recommended. I’d be interested in hiring you if you’re still willing.”
“I’m willing and honored.” Then his neck heated. Honored? That wasn’t the kind of thing he’d normally say to a new client.
An elderly couple who’d been sitting at a table in the corner of the restaurant stood and headed toward the door. The white-haired woman used a walker, and the African American man who followed her held her shoulder. And they seemed to be arguing.
“Is that Mr. Love from the hardware store?” Eduardo asked, glad for a change of topic.
Fiona twisted to see, and then her face broke out in a smile. “Yes, and he’s with Miss Minnie Falcon. I wonder...” She trailed off as the couple neared.
“I don’t want to hear one more word about it,” the woman said.
“Now, Minnie, don’t shut me down cold. Hear me out.”
Fiona stood and reached out a hand as the older couple started to pass by. “Miss Minnie. Mr. Love. It’s nice to see you.”
Eduardo stood, too, interested to see that Fiona was acquainted with the pair. He was grasping for signs that she was a good person to work for and rent from, and he needed to weigh the situation carefully. His kids deserved that.
“Well, well, is that Miss Fiona Farmingham?” Mr. Love asked.
“Yes, it is, and I’m with Eduardo Delgado, who works at Hinton. Do you both know him?”
“I certainly do,” Mr. Love said. “I believe you stopped in two weeks ago for some crabgrass treatment, didn’t you?”
“I’m impressed that you remember.” Eduardo stepped closer, which brought him close enough to Fiona to notice that she was wearing perfume.
“Not all senior citizens are forgetful,” the older woman said, her voice tart.
“Now, now, Minnie,” Mr. Love soothed. “That’s not what the young man meant.”
“I was just surprised he remembered my order better than I did when he has so many customers,” Eduardo said truthfully.
“Miss Minnie, have you met Eduardo Delgado?” Fiona asked, the tiniest hint of a smile in her voice. “He works at Hinton Enterprises.”
“And he does some work at the Senior Towers. We’ve met,” Miss Minnie said, “but the two of us can’t stop to chat. We’ve seen quite enough of each other today, and our ride is waiting outside.”
Mr. Love grasped Fiona’s hand, then Eduardo’s, smiling apologetically as Miss Minnie hurried him away.
Fiona sat back down, watching the two seniors depart. “I guess the marriage proposal didn’t go well.”
“They’re contemplating marriage?” Wow. Amazing that two elderly people had that much faith in the future.
“Love is ageless, or so they say.” She turned back to face him. “I don’t suppose you were able to look at my carriage house the other day.”
“I did take a look. It seems like a great place.” He tried to keep his ambivalence from showing in his voice.
“It’s cute. I love the front porch.” She shrugged. “It’s not much. It’s small, but it’s solid and clean.”
“You’d mentioned before that you were using it for your business. Won’t you need it for that again? Are you sure you want a tenant?”
“I might give entrepreneurship another go if...well, if I can get someone to help with the numbers part.” She laughed self-deprecatingly, gesturing toward the tablet that had confused her. “But that won’t happen for months. If ever.”
“Then...I think we’ll give the place a try.”
“Great!” She smiled at him. “You can move in anytime. We’ll deal with the lease then.”
That smile was dazzling. Way too dazzling. “I have references if you’d like to check them.”
She waved a hand. “I don’t need references. I know you.”
“Yeah, but you don’t know whether I pay my bills.”
She blushed. “I’m really not much of a businesswoman, am I?”
“Nothing wrong with being trusting.”
Her expression darkened. “Believe me, there is.”
The stories he’d heard about her husband came immediately to mind. How could a man have two separate families, deceiving both of them? What a jerk. Hard to fathom anyone so lacking in honor and morals.
The waiter brought their check, and Eduardo took it and reached for his wallet.
“I’ll take that,” she said. “It’s on me.” She fumbled in her purse.
“Fiona, I’m paying.”
“No, really, it’s no problem. I have plenty—”
Heat rose up the back of his neck. “I may not be at your level of affluence,” he gritted out, “but I’m not going to let a lady pay the check.” He extracted a bill and handed it to the server.
They both watched him walk away, not looking at each other.
“I’m sorry, Eduardo,” she said after a moment, quietly. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
And of course, she hadn’t. It was just that he needed to keep in mind their relationship: landlord/tenant. Employer/employee. They lived on different planets, economically speaking.
And even if that barrier hadn’t existed, he needed to remember how vulnerable Fiona was. She’d been hurt badly. She didn’t need any more problems in her life.
Especially not a problem like him. Because despite her wealth—yeah, and her beauty, too—Fiona seemed like a woman who needed protection and support. And if he hadn’t been able to provide that to Elizabeth, he definitely couldn’t provide it to Fiona and her four kids.
Chapter Four (#u5c785a29-f9c6-535c-879b-5d6caaac1d1e)
“Hey, Mom, they’re here already!” Ryan burst into the kitchen, where Fiona was making Saturday-morning pancakes. “And they’re carrying stuff inside. Can we help them move in?”
Maya slid off her chair and headed toward the window. Lauren shoved away her plate. “Can we, Mom?”
Fiona glanced up at the clock. Eight o’clock, a full hour before she’d expected Eduardo and his mover-friends to arrive. Briefly, she regretted her makeup-free face, ancient concert T-shirt and ripped jeans.
She went to stand behind Maya, looking out into the sunny yard. Sure enough, a midsize rental truck sat in front of the carriage house beside Eduardo’s overloaded pickup. A couple of unfamiliar cars were parked along the edge of the alley road, and six or seven people milled around, along with Sofia and Diego.
Two men opened the back of the rental truck while another fumbled with the hinges of the carriage house’s front door. Eduardo climbed into the back of the truck, then emerged a moment later holding a long metal ramp. He set it down, leaped nimbly to the ground and moved it so it made a walkway from the back of the truck. Diego and Sofia pulled boxes from the piled-high back of Eduardo’s pickup.
Standing easily a head taller than the other men, Eduardo called out instructions as he moved to take a too-heavy box from Diego and steady a tall plant Sofia was carrying.
Even from here, Fiona could see his wide smile. Her mouth suddenly felt dry.
“Can we go out, Mom?” Now all three of her older kids clustered around the window.
Poppy banged her sippy cup on the table and pointed at her empty plate. “More pancakes first!”
Fiona clapped her hands. “Back to your seats, everyone.” She hurried to the stove to flip pancakes that had gotten just a shade too brown. “We’ll give the Delgados a chance to get started moving in. Once we’ve finished breakfast...”
The kids all started shoveling pancakes into their mouths.
“...and cleaned up, we’ll stroll over there and see how they’re doing. It looks like they have a lot of helpers, so maybe Sofia and Diego could come play here while the men work.” She brought the last plate of pancakes to the table and sat down. She considered pouring herself a bowl of low-calorie cereal, but the pancakes smelled way too good.
Half an hour later, she followed the kids over to the carriage house. As they greeted Sofia and Diego, Eduardo approached her. Though the morning was still cool, sweat had gathered on his brow.
“We got started early,” he said. “Hope we didn’t wake you guys up. Some of the men have to work this afternoon.”
“No, it’s fine. We were up,” she said. “In fact, the kids were ready to come out and offer their assistance the minute you pulled up. It’s exciting for them.”
“For us, too.”
Diego and Ryan dodged in front of a pair of guys lifting a couch, and both Fiona and Eduardo spoke simultaneously with words of caution.
“Hey, careful there.”
“Stay out of the men’s way.”
The men set the couch down in front of the carriage house’s little porch and conferred, pointing at the door, obviously discussing how to get the couch inside.
“Come over here and meet my buddies,” Eduardo said and started over toward the two men.
Fiona followed, feeling self-conscious in her Saturday-morning finest. She’d considered changing into better clothes, but that would have evoked notice from her kids. And she had to get used to the idea of being herself around Eduardo, who was, after all, renting her carriage house, not taking her out on a fancy date.
The men greeted her and one of them lifted an eyebrow and grinned, then said to Eduardo, “I see why you liked this place.”
Eduardo opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Fiona gave the man a wide vacuous smile. “Tim! I remember you. I’ve done some of the food banks with your wife.”
“Right.” The man’s expression changed to bland friendliness.
“I’m Tony,” said another man. “Pleased to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but mine’s pretty dirty. I think I’ve seen you at the soccer field.”
“That’s right, you’re Hailey and Kaylee’s dad, aren’t you?” The presence of another parent eased her discomfort.
“Hey, you guys letting me do all the work? How’s that fair?” A young woman, pretty and muscular and dressed in Hinton groundskeeper garb, put down a box and marched over. “That’s what you get, working with a bunch of guys,” she said to Fiona with mock-disgust. “I’m Angie, and I’m guessing you and I could finish this move-in in half the time while these guys stand around shooting the breeze.” She gave Eduardo a friendly nudge.
Fiona’s senses went on high alert. Was Angie Eduardo’s girlfriend?
And what business was that of Fiona’s? Why did she care?
Angie grabbed the other two men’s arms. “Come on, I don’t know about you, but he’s paying me by the hour. And not to stand around.”
“Fine, fine.” The others grumbled and left.
Which left her alone with Eduardo.
“Sorry about Tim,” he said.
“I know him. It’s not your fault. Look, how about if your kids come play at our house? They’d be out of your hair, and my kids would love it.”
“That would be a huge help,” he said gratefully. “Just while we’re moving the big stuff. But, Fiona,” he added as she started to turn, “I don’t expect you to babysit my kids on a regular basis. It’s a nice offer for today, but in the future, I’ll either return the favor or keep the kids over here. That’s not part of the contract.”
“Um, okay.” She felt unaccountably hurt. Was that what this was? A contract?
* * *
Late in the afternoon, Eduardo stretched as he watched the truck drive away. Between his friends and his coworkers, they’d finished the move on schedule. Not only that, but the beds were all set up and the furniture in place. Someone had even unpacked some of his kitchen boxes so there were dishes, pots and silverware ready to use. He sent up a prayer of thanks for the good people in his life.
Fiona being one of them now. She’d kept his kids busy and happy all day, fed them lunch and snacks, shown them kids’ room decorating ideas on her computer. He had to be careful not to take advantage of her kindness, because she was obviously a caregiver to the core and great with kids. He grabbed his phone and called for pizza, enough for all of them.
Forty-five minutes later, he texted Fiona.
Pizza’s on me. Come on over and bring your kids.
The kids consumed the pizza in record time, and the older four ran upstairs for the great task of room arrangement. Eduardo got the TV set up, and Fiona settled Maya and Poppy in front of a movie.
It was all very homey and too, too comfortable. Having Fiona and her kids here made Eduardo realize how lonely he’d been.
The problem was that in his loneliness there was the dangerous possibility he’d lead this wonderful woman on, make her think he was interested in a relationship when he wasn’t. Or shouldn’t be, anyway. He cast about for something to talk about, something serious and businesslike and impersonal.
It didn’t take long for him to think of a safe topic. “Stay here,” he said, “I found something in one of the closets.”
A moment later he was back at the dining room table with a box in hand. “This was on the shelf in the room you said you were using for an office. Up high, pushed back. I took a peek and realized it might be important. Don’t worry, I didn’t read anything.”
Fiona reached for the box with an expression of extreme distaste. “Is that what I think it is?” she murmured as she opened the lid.
Inside was a mess of receipts and envelopes and papers. “Ugh,” she said as she shuffled through the papers aimlessly, then closed the lid. “Thanks for finding it.”
“Sounds like you’d rather it had stayed lost.”
“No,” she said, “it’s a good reminder, in case I ever get serious about starting another business. I can just pull this out and all those ideas will go away.”
“That’s from your business?” Eduardo tried to keep any kind of judgment out of his voice, but in truth, the jumble of paperwork horrified him. He thought of his own carefully organized spreadsheets, his neatly labeled file folders, the app he used to keep track of small receipts.
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I... Well, like I mentioned, I’m not too great at math. Or at being organized. So I kept putting off getting the money side of things straightened out. That was one of the factors that led to the dog-walking business failing.”
He nodded. “A lot of people hire a bookkeeper if numbers aren’t their thing.”
“I tried. She quit!” Fiona rolled her eyes. “I had too many kids, too much going on. I got overwhelmed and botched the details.”
“Don’t get down on yourself,” he said, putting a hand over hers. “It’s hard enough running a business with two kids, and I can’t imagine doing it with four.” Then, when his hand wanted to squeeze hers tighter, he pulled it back. None of that, he told himself sternly.
“Mama?” Poppy came over and leaned against Fiona’s leg, and Fiona pulled her up onto her lap.
“How’s it going, kiddo? Where’s Maya?”
“She went upstairs.” Poppy stuck her thumb in her mouth, which seemed like a young thing for a three-year-old to do. But she was awfully cute. And she provided a good distraction, wiping the sadness off Fiona’s face.
“I remember when Sofia was that age,” he said. “And then Diego. They grow up so fast.”
“I know. I want to cling on to my baby as long as I can. But she’s getting big.” As proof of that, Poppy wiggled hard to get down and started to slide to the floor.
Eduardo reached over and caught her, hands around her upper arms. “Careful there, young lady,” he said, steadying her.
She wiggled away and grabbed Fiona’s leg, looking back fearfully at Eduardo.
“I’m sorry.” He looked from Poppy to Fiona. “I didn’t realize...”
“She’s not much used to men, that’s all.” She pulled Poppy up onto her lap. “Mr. Delgado is a very nice man.”
Poppy shook her head. “Not nice.”
Oh, great. Now Fiona would think there was something wrong with him. Because kids and dogs always know, right?
Fiona tapped Poppy’s lips gently and shook her head. “We use kind words,” she said and then reached out to Eduardo and patted his forearm. “She wasn’t around her father much at all, and... Well, we were in a lot of turmoil shortly after she was born. It’s had its impact.”
“I understand. Diego went through a phase where he was nervous around strangers.”
“I thought she’d have outgrown it by now.” Fiona looked out the window, seeming to see something disturbing through the deepening twilight. Absently, she stroked Poppy’s head until it rested against her chest. The little girl’s eyes were barely able to stay open.
Eduardo wanted nothing more than to comfort Fiona, but that wasn’t his place...was it?
He’d been fortunate enough to have a good marriage, with a wonderful woman. But he hadn’t been able to keep her safe.
Yes, it had been bad timing. When the small landscaper he’d been working for had gone bankrupt, the minimal medical coverage he’d had for his family had been gone. It had taken time to get replacement coverage. To get a new job, too, what with a sick wife and two little kids. Once he’d finally found work, his new job had provided great benefits, even covering Elizabeth’s preexisting condition. But the three-month gap had meant spotty treatment at a crucial stage of Elizabeth’s illness, and although a couple of doctors had told him it wouldn’t have made a difference, he knew better.
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