held up his hand. “For a free room, the least I can do is clean it.”
He took a step toward her. “Is Lily all right? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard her crying and... Does she get that way often? Missing her mother, I mean.”
Tori rested a hand at her throat. “It’s been a long time since her last spell. Thankfully, they’re becoming fewer and fewer. Her mother and I tried to prepare her for the loss, but she’s so little she doesn’t really understand. How do you explain to a five-year-old that her mom is gone forever? I feel so helpless and inadequate.”
He searched for something to say. He hated to see her so full of doubt, but comforting a distraught woman was out of his comfort zone. “I thought you handled it exactly right.”
She shook her head. “I wish I could do more for her. It’s moments like this that make me wonder if Judy did the right thing in giving me custody.”
Reid impulsively touched her arm, wanting to reassure her. “I think she made a good choice. You’re the perfect guardian for little Lily.”
She looked at him with appreciation in her cobalt eyes, but evidently her self-doubt still lingered. Now was not the time to reveal his identity. “I’d better get back to the pocket doors.”
“Thank you.” She straightened and offered a slight smile. “Oh, would you take a look at the faucet in the upstairs bath in the living quarters tomorrow? The water flow is a trickle. Oh, and Jimmy Ray will be here, too. He’s going to start painting the living quarters.”
“I’ll look at it first thing in the morning. And if it’s all right I’ll move into the apartment this evening.”
“That’s fine. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’ll do that.”
Reid worked on the door a while longer, until it was obvious he needed something more than his hands to clear out the insulation. He’d have to pick up a hook and rent a Shop-Vac. Beyond that, he had some research to do. And an explanation and an apology to prepare.
Seeing Tori so insecure had been unsettling. Didn’t she see how strong and capable she was? Her love and affection for his niece couldn’t be questioned.
He couldn’t continue this subterfuge. It would hurt all of them.
Because there was something vulnerable about his new boss. Outwardly she took charge like an engineer on a mission, but inside she was filled with doubts. He suspected someone had hurt her deeply. And the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Tori any more.
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