LITMIR.BIZ

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and fix the water damage inside. He’d been due to start the job last week. He’d put her off with a hundred excuses and finally, just stopped answering her phone calls.

      “I’m sorry, Miss Reilly. I have to be straight with you,” he began. It’s about time, Rachel thought.

      “A big renovation job ahead of yours got backed up and I’m down two men on my crew. I’m not going to get over to your place before, say…three, maybe four weeks.”

      “Three or four weeks? That’s impossible. You said the work would done by then.”

      “Sorry about that, but it can’t be helped. Excuse me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

      Rachel gave out a long frustrated sigh. It was annoying enough to be totally dissed by her contractor. Then to be put on hold while he weaseled out of the job seemed too much to bear.

      But he was a man, what could you expect? Even the seemingly nice ones couldn’t be trusted. That’s the lesson she’d learned.

      Charlie would be different. She’d make sure of it. He’d be the one man in a million a woman could trust and depend on. She gave him a loving glance as he squealed and tossed his dog. Rachel moved to pick it up, but Jack was faster. He quickly retrieved the stuffed animal, carefully brushed if off with his large hand and gently offered it to the baby again.

      Charlie grabbed it and Jack sat back with a big silly grin.

      “Great reflexes. You’re going to be some athlete. A pitcher or maybe a full back?” Jack’s deep soft tone was both admiring and serious.

      Charlie stared at Jack, then tossed the dog again, this time even harder. Jack tilted his head back and laughed. He picked up the toy once more and gave it back to Charlie.

      “He’ll make you do that all day if you don’t watch out,” Rachel warned.

      Jack looked up at her, smiling. “I don’t mind. He’s got a great arm. You’ll have to get him into Little League right away.”

      Rachel laughed. “Absolutely. I think he has to learn walk first though. I don’t think he can try out if he has to crawl around the bases.”

      Jack Sawyer smiled briefly but didn’t reply. Rachel hadn’t meant to be sarcastic, but it was typical of a guy to make that sort of comment. Men were so competitive. Always trying to force boys into sports. She wouldn’t be like that with Charlie. He’d only play sports if he wanted to. It didn’t matter to her one way or the other.

      “Miss Reilly? You still there?” George Nolan came back on the line.

      “I’m still here, Mr. Nolan.”

      “I’m sorry about this delay. But it can’t be helped. If you can find another outfit to do the job for you, I won’t hold you to our agreement. Believe me.”

      “But Mr. Nolan, can’t you fit the work in somehow between the other—”

      “I’m sorry. Got to run. There’s a lot going on here.” Rachel heard lots of hammering and sawing in the background. Still, she doubted George Nolan was desperately needed by his work crew. The noise level did give him an easy out, though.

      There was clearly nothing she could do. She promised to let him know if she still wanted him to do the work and said goodbye. Then she angrily hung up with phone, slamming it into the cradle.

      She turned to her customer, still playing toss the dog with Charlie.

      He glanced up at her, his dark eyes sympathetic and she knew he had overheard every word. “Bad news?”

      Rachel shook her head. She hesitated answering him. It didn’t seem professional to tell this customer her whole life story. What did he care about her contractor problems?

      But his expression was so sympathetic and the look in his brown eyes willed her to just…vent.

      “Yes, it was bad news. I hired a contractor to work on the cottage behind this house. It needs a new roof and there’s water damage that needs repair. He was supposed to start last week and kept putting me off. Now he tells me he’s backed up with another project and can’t start for another month. I don’t know if I can even find anyone now to do it before the winter. And he did have the lowest price. I really need to rent that space out. It’s part of my plan.”

      “Your plan?”

      “I was counting on the income to cover some expenses when I bought this place. Just until I get some momentum with the store.”

      “Oh, I see.” Jack nodded with a thoughtful expression. “And where do you and Charlie live, upstairs?”

      “That’s right. There’s an apartment on the upper floors.” Rachel had that part of the building renovated before she moved in. The duplex was a very charming space, more than double the size of her apartment in the city.

      Jack didn’t say anything and Rachel felt suddenly self conscious. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bore you with all this stuff. I’ll figure it out somehow.”

      He looked down at Charlie again. The baby smiled up at him and gurgled.

      “Maybe I can help. I do that type of work myself.”

      “You do?” Rachel wasn’t entirely surprised. She’d guessed he was in some blue collar job by the way he was dressed. If he could really take on this work, it would definitely be her lucky day.

      “Could you take a look now and let me know what you think?”

      He nodded. “Sure, lead the way.”

      Rachel picked up Charlie and grabbed her key ring from under the counter. She led Jack out a side door at the rear of the shop, which opened at the back of the porch, and then down a few steps to the gravel drive. They walked across the sloping lawn. Jack dipped his head as he passed beneath some trees. They looked like apple or cherry, but he couldn’t be sure. He imagined they brightened the property in the spring, when they blossomed.

      “It’s pretty back here,” he said.

      “It’s very quiet. And private. I’m going to make a big garden over there by the fence…if I ever get a chance.”

      He glanced at her and smiled. She had plans, this woman. He had to grant her that.

      “I’m sure you will,” he said.

      They came to the cottage at the back of the property and Jack walked around it slowly, then climbed a ladder propped against the building. He examined the roof, pushing aside a blue tarpaulin that was covering the leaky patch. He felt around with his hands and pulled off a few rotten roof shingles.

      Rachel stood back in the shade and watched him work. He’d shrugged off his sweatshirt at some point en route through her backyard and the thin black fabric of his T-shirt outlined every rippling muscle in his shoulders and back. Rachel knew she was staring—and drooling, just a little—but with his back turned, she allowed herself the tiny indulgence.

      The cottage was as old as the house but far more run down. It hadn’t been used for years but had loads of potential. Julia Martinelli, the Realtor who had sold Rachel the house, had promised that the space could bring in a very good rent once it was renovated. Rachel had bought the house, depending on the extra income to keep her financially afloat. Business so far had been promising, but she still wasn’t making any profit. She didn’t want to panic. But the truth was, she seemed to need the cottage income more and more each week.

      Julia was the first person Rachel had met when she came to town, nearly six months ago. She’d found Rachel the house, helped her set up her business and had quickly become one of Rachel’s dearest friends, most trusted advisor and Charlie’s favorite aunt. Rachel had never had a best friend like her before and she was sure she’d have made it this far in her new life without Julia’s friendship and support. And her zany humor.

      She couldn’t wait to tell Julia about Jack Sawyer. It was going to be a two latte coffee break,

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