LITMIR.BIZ

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      Shelby’s tension deflated like a punctured balloon. Matt wasn’t here to see her at all. She should have been relieved, but instead she swallowed a large gulp of disappointment. “She’s not here at the moment, but I expect her home anytime. You’re welcome to wait.”

      Matt’s jaw worked side to side a moment, as if gauging his next words.

      “How long are you staying?”

      She blinked. That wasn’t the question she’d anticipated. Apparently he was going to get right to the point. Fine. She could take it. Raising her chin, she crossed her arms over her chest and faced him. Matt’s blue gaze pierced through her. Blue eyes exactly like Cassidy’s. Now she knew why they’d seemed so familiar. “Six weeks or so. My schedule is flexible.”

      Matt planted his hands on his hips. A smirk curved one corner of his mouth upward. “Six whole weeks. You sure you won’t get bored so far from the big city? We pull in the sidewalk around seven, remember?”

      “Yes. I remember.” Her heart burned. He was throwing her words from long ago back in her face.

      “I’m sure you do. So, what brings you back to the small-town life?”

      She ignored the flash of pain his sarcasm inflicted. “I had time accrued that I needed to use, and I wanted to spend time with Gramma.”

      “Can the corporate world survive without you?”

      She lifted her chin. He was really getting under her skin with his sour attitude. “It’s the wireless age, Matt. I can do my work from anywhere. Have laptop will travel. Clouds and smart phones are our friends. You do have those things here in your small town, don’t you?”

      “I know all about working from home.”

      “Really? So the world of hammers and nails is high tech now?” Her condescending words sent a hot rush of remorse along her nerves. She hadn’t meant to handle their meeting this way, as if she were eighteen and scared and confused. She’d wanted to face him as a highly successful, competent woman of the world.

      “I don’t work at the store anymore, Shelby. That’s my father’s job.”

      There was a low, threatening undercurrent to his tone that scraped against her nerves. She ignored it. “So you have your own handyman business now? I saw the van when you drove up.”

      Matt’s eyes darkened, and he shifted his weight slightly as if trying to control himself. “I only do that part-time. You know how we small-town guys are. We work as little as possible so we have more time to hunt and fish. We’re not very ambitious.”

      Shelby cringed at hearing her own words taunting her. So much for putting on a front. Being face-to-face with him hurt more than she’d ever imagined. “Matt, please...”

      The sound of a car pulling in the drive meant Gramma was back. Her chance to escape. “I’ll let Gramma know you’re here.” Quickly she moved through the hall and into the kitchen, meeting Ellen as she opened the door. “Why didn’t you tell me Matt Durrant lived next door to you?”

      Ellen blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d care.”

      “I don’t. I mean, it was a surprise, that’s all.”

      Gramma came into the kitchen, a puzzled frown marring her brow. “What difference could that make to you?”

      “Because we were—” She hesitated, gauging her words. “We knew each other in school.”

      Gramma shook her head. “I don’t understand. What does that have to do with anything?”

      Shelby exhaled an exasperated grunt. There was no way she could make Gramma understand without going into the grim details of her past relationship with Matt, and she wasn’t ready to deal with that right now. “Never mind. He’s here. He wants to talk to you.”

      “Well, why didn’t you say so?” Gramma set her purse and a small sack of groceries on the counter, then strode toward the living room. Shelby followed slowly behind, stopping at the archway and leaning against the side. The more distance between her and Matt the better.

      “Hello, Matt. You wanted to talk to me?”

      Shelby listened as Matt quickly outlined the situation. Apparently he was in dire need of a babysitter. Something about all-day classes and needing help after school. What that had to do with a handyman business she didn’t know. She had to wonder where the mother was. Out of town perhaps?

      “Oh dear, I don’t know. I’m so busy with my church work and the hospital. I hate to turn you down but...” Ellen turned to Shelby and smiled. “I have it. Shelby and I can both watch them. We’ll be like a tag team. When I’m volunteering she can fill in. It’s the perfect solution.”

      Shelby couldn’t believe her ears. It took her a full second to find her voice. “What? No. I can’t. I mean—” She glanced over at Matt, who looked as horrified by the idea as she did.

      “No. I mean, I wouldn’t dream of imposing on your granddaughter while she’s visiting. I’m sure I can work something out.”

      Ellen waved off his concerns. “What are neighbors for? When do we start?”

      Matt shifted his weight. “Tomorrow afternoon, but...” Gramma’s landline suddenly rang, breaking the tension in the room. “Oh, I’d better get that. That’ll be fine, Matt. I’m free in the afternoon. Send the children over here when they get off the bus.” Ellen waved at Matt and hurried toward the other room, leaving Shelby alone with Matt again.

      Shelby searched for something to say. “Matt, I—”

      “You met my kids.” His tone was flat and cool.

      Shelby nodded, mentally scurrying to regain her footing at his abrupt change of subject. “They’re adorable. I like their dog, too.” She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of them. “They were very well-behaved. Cassidy politely refused my offer of cookies because she didn’t know me. You and your wife should be proud. You’ve done a wonderful job with them.”

      Matt paled. His eyes turned dark and cold. “My wife died three years ago.”

      She gasped. “Oh, Matt. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.” He pinned her with a cold blue glare.

      “My kids have been through a lot. They’re emotionally vulnerable and they tend to give their hearts too easily. I don’t want those hearts broken by a stranger passing through town.”

      Stranger? Was that how he thought of her now? Before she could respond, he turned and walked to the door.

      He stopped, looking over his shoulder. “Do we understand each other?”

      There was a warning in his tone that was impossible to miss—stay away from my children. She nodded, stunned and dazed. The door closed behind him with a sharp pop, like a bullet to her heart.

      * * *

      Matt strode across the driveway. He shouldn’t have gone to Ellen’s. He should have called. He thought he’d been prepared to face Shelby again, but he’d been wrong. From the moment she’d opened the door he’d been rattled. She looked even more amazing up close, as fresh and lovely as he’d remembered. Her nearness had released a kaleidoscope of memories he didn’t want to explore. There was so much he’d wanted to say, to ask, but nothing would change the past. Nothing would explain away the wound she’d inflicted.

      At the edge of the driveway, he stopped, casting his eyes upward briefly. Ellen’s solution to his babysitting problem had blindsided him. He had wanted to turn her down flat, shout that he didn’t want Shelby close to his kids. The last thing he needed was for his kids to form an attachment to Shelby, because when she left, and she would leave, the kids would lose another close relationship. He wouldn’t let that happen. But he’d been trapped. Ellen was his only option.

      If only Katie were here. She’d know how

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