LITMIR.BIZ

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school clothes come August, a luxury he hadn’t been able to afford last year due to the economy’s plummet and the limited span of construction needed in Claremont.

      Entering the trailer, he glanced around and saw no sign of his little girl. Savvy, however, stood a few feet from the door.

      “Hey, Titus.”

      “Hey, Savvy. I’m done for today. Savannah been okay?” What he wanted to ask was if she seemed happy, if she smiled, or if she at least joined in to play with the girls.

      “Of course. She’s precious.”

      Not as much information as he wanted. This morning’s call from the latest child psychologist had informed him that the woman didn’t know what else to do for Savannah and that she believed Savannah would work her own way out of the depression. But, like all the others, she hadn’t told Titus anything about when or how that’d happen.

      “I appreciate you watching her today, but we should probably be getting home now.”

      Savvy’s eyes held a hint of sympathy, the same type of look he’d received often since Nan left. “Rose and Daisy enjoy playing with her. You bring her anytime. In fact, they’d love it if she came every day this summer while you’re working here. It helps me out when they have company because it keeps them entertained.”

      He wondered how much entertainment Savannah could provide if she was as solemn as she was at home, but it would help him to bring her on-site, so he said, “Thanks, I will. And let Brodie know I finished clearing the site for the first cabin.” He paused for a moment, suddenly aware that they weren’t the only ones in the room. He’d been so interested in learning about Savannah’s day that he hadn’t noticed the woman sitting on the sofa in the living area. But now he couldn’t take his eyes away. She had long, auburn hair that fell in subtle curls past her shoulders. Though she was seated, Titus could tell she had petite features and wasn’t very tall, and she had eyes as vividly green as the forest in the spring.

      Titus was around pretty women often in Claremont. Typically, he barely noticed more than their names. All of the women from town knew him as Savannah’s father and, more importantly, Nan’s husband. And as the man whose wife walked out on him three years ago. This lady didn’t know him, so she obviously didn’t see him that way, and yet there was something in her manner of looking at him—almost as if she could see directly to his soul and that she “got” what he’d been through. “Hello,” he said.

      She shifted on the sofa, as though his greeting made her a little uncomfortable, which only intrigued him more. Then she moistened her lips and said, “Hi.”

      “Oh,” Savvy said, showing her palms as she began her apology, “I’m so sorry. I forgot a proper introduction. Isabella, this is Titus Jameson. He owns Jameson Construction in Claremont, and he’s the best builder around. Titus, this is Isabella Gray.”

      “Nice to meet you,” he said, with an inexplicable desire to know more about the stranger. “And if you want the truth, I’m the only builder around.” He’d hoped to elicit some response, but she merely stared at him, green eyes studying him with such inquisitiveness that Titus wondered how much she already knew. But Savvy had introduced him as though she hadn’t mentioned Titus.

      Then why did he see so much compassion and a hint of confusion in the stunning lady’s eyes?

      “Daddy?” Savannah entered the room carrying a piece of construction paper. “I made this for you.” She held it toward him, a crayon drawing centering the page.

      “Hey, sweetie.” He took the paper, and his mouth tensed before he managed a slight smile. “That’s a good picture.” He pointed to the tall stick figure on the page. “Is that me?”

      She nodded.

      “And that’s you?” he asked, indicating the smaller figure with dark hair down her back.

      Another nod.

      “And that says...” He hesitated, pointing to the letters across the top—MY FAMLE.

      “My family,” Savannah said softly.

      He tenderly brought his arm around her, pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “That’s a nice picture,” he said, his heart breaking at the lonely image on the page.

      She didn’t smile but moved her head against his shoulder in agreement.

      Titus suspected Savvy knew how the drawing affected him and—he glanced at Isabella again and saw that she looked as sad as he felt—it seemed Isabella also understood. How, he didn’t know, but the concern was evident on her face.

      Titus wanted to talk to her, to find out why she seemed to care so much and also to determine why, when they’d barely met, he was drawn to her more than any woman in the past three years.

      It’d been a long time, but Titus knew this feeling, remembered it well. Had missed it but also felt guilty having it.

      Attraction.

      * * *

      Isabella watched the touching interaction between father and daughter and finally got the chance to see Savannah’s face, the younger face of her dear friend, and she knew she couldn’t go through with her promise.

      How could she tell this man everything Nan had said about him and then also tell him that she’d never muttered a single word about their little girl? A little girl who reminded Isabella so much of herself at that age. Lost. Confused. Abandoned by someone who should’ve stayed, who should’ve loved forever.

      Isabella barely contained her tears as she watched Titus and Savannah leave. But she held it together. She had to. Because while she may have come here to tell Titus what Nan had said, she had a different reason for being here now.

      That little girl needed help. And Isabella knew how she felt, probably more than anyone else.

      After they left the trailer, she said to Savvy, “I’m interested in the position.” And, she silently added, I want to help the little girl Nan left behind.

      * * *

      After telling Savvy she wanted to apply for the job yesterday afternoon, Isabella had promised to bring her résumé by today and then she’d driven through Claremont, as tiny as Brodie Evans had depicted. A town square centered everything and seemed to be the place to go last night, with lots of people shopping and visiting, children playing around the fountain, elderly couples chatting on wrought iron benches.

      She’d needed something to cheer her up after leaving Willow’s Haven. Although she’d decided God had sent her here to help with the child home and Savannah, she’d still been so brokenhearted and confused.

      Nan hadn’t told her everything, and Isabella couldn’t figure out why. How had her friend left that precious little girl behind? Or that man, a hard worker and such a sweet daddy? And, have mercy, undeniably breathtaking, too. Nan certainly never told her that. Isabella hadn’t been able to get the images of him off her mind.

      Titus, all muscled and impressive, reminding her how it felt to experience instant attraction for a man. Titus, dropping to one knee to talk to his sensitive little girl. And Titus, looking at Isabella as though he could see into her heart, as though he might actually understand the pain of her past.

      She thought of his daughter, Nan’s daughter. Savannah had looked as forlorn as Isabella had been at that age. Nan had known how much that hurt Isabella, not having a mom around. Isabella had told her. She’d confessed everything about her childhood. She’d thought Nan was the first true friend she’d ever had and that they’d shared everything.

      Isabella had. Why hadn’t Nan? If Isabella had known that Savannah was here, she’d have made Nan get in touch with Titus so Savannah could have seen her mom one more time.

      Last night, she had seen so many children with their parents on the square. True depictions of family. And she’d thought of Savannah’s drawing, the two figures so alone in the center of a plain white

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