brushed, drawing their gazes together. Had he done that on purpose? He punched in his number. “Call anytime.”
“We haven’t discussed your pay.”
“There’ll be time for that later.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Dixiana Motor Lodge. Not far.”
Reid nodded and stepped past her, leaving a waft of his tantalizing aftershave in the air. She watched him as he walked away, his slow, easy gait in keeping with his controlled demeanor and his economy of words. She’d never met anyone who stirred so many questions. Nor someone who had caused her nervous system to quake so unexpectedly. A sudden shiver chased up her spine. Had she done the right thing in hiring him?
In the kitchen of the main house, Tori saw the gleaming new cabinet hardware Reid had installed. He’d even placed the old handles in a small box. At least he was considerate.
Picking up the box, she started toward the table where she’d been collecting items to take to the attic later. She glanced at the sunroom and blinked. The unfinished patch in the corner was painted. The evidence of her faux pas was gone. Had the handyman done that? How had he managed? More important, how thoughtful of him to have finished it. She’d have to thank him. His credentials shifted her opinion up a notch. He’d completed the task she’d requested neatly and had even gone the extra mile on the floor. Maybe she’d found the right man after all. She needed someone she could depend on if the house was going to open on time.
Floyd had come through again. He’d sent her a skilled worker to take on all the minor repairs. It was an added bonus that he was easy on the eyes. Which didn’t matter a wit. Handsome men were a dime a dozen. All she was interested in were his skills.
Despite that, she still wondered about the odd sense of connection that had passed through them earlier. Her imagination. That’s all it was. She’d merely been reacting to being rescued like a damsel in distress.
She was no damsel, and she didn’t need to be rescued. But she did need a man who could fix things.
Reid strode along the tastefully decorated hallway of the Hamilton Haven Nursing Facility in Hammond, Louisiana. It reflected the high level of care they provided and reassured him he’d selected the perfect place for his brother, and it was located only an hour from Dover, which made visiting easy.
Stopping at room 107, he tapped on the door before stepping into his brother’s room. The early-morning sunlight streamed through the window, and the scent of fresh linens brought into contrast the difference in Eddie’s living conditions since they’d reunited. Reid had tracked him to a small charity hospital in Baton Rouge. He was receiving adequate care for his conditions, but the room was dark and depressing and did little to ease his brother’s pain. Eddie had tried to talk him out of spending the money, but Reid insisted. He’d failed his brother in so many ways. The least he could do was make his final days as comfortable as possible. But nothing could make up for his neglect over the years. If he’d been a better, more understanding brother, Eddie might not be dying.
As Reid came in, Eddie greeted him with a feeble smile and raised his hand in greeting. Reid grasped it gently in his. “How’s it going, little brother?”
“Good. I have everything I need.” He shifted a little on the bed. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Everything all right?”
Reid had been heartsick when he’d found his brother suffering so. The doctors had told him Eddie had two, maybe three, months before his body gave out. That was six weeks ago, and time was running out. He had to make things right—give his brother the one thing he wanted more than anything else.
Reid took a seat in the recliner beside the bed, leaning forward with his arms on his knees. “I found her. I found your little girl.”
Eddie closed his eyes and nodded. “Thank you, Lord. Tell me about her.”
“Her name is Lily and she’s a little beauty. Long, dark brown hair and big brown eyes.”
“Like Mom’s?”
Reid paused. He’d never thought about that. “Yes, exactly like hers. And like us, I suppose.”
Eddie nodded thoughtfully. “Her mom had blue eyes. And what about the woman who has her? Is she unhinged like the neighbor said?”
Reid chose his words carefully. He didn’t want to upset his brother. “She’s energetic and a bit unfocused, but no, I don’t think she’s crazy.”
“Is she good to my girl?”
“As far as I can tell, but I’ve only seen them together for a few minutes.”
“Will she bring my girl to see me?”
“I haven’t asked her yet. It didn’t come up.”
“Why not?”
Reid stared at his hands a moment before responding. “I want to observe things for a while, get a handle on her and her relationship with Lily.”
“Why?”
Reid had never mentioned the possibility of gaining custody of Lily. “In case I need to step in and change things.”
“File for custody, you mean? Is Lily in danger?”
“No, but it wouldn’t hurt to know all the facts before I tell her about you. Besides, shouldn’t Lily be raised by a relative?”
“Maybe, but I won’t be around and you’re a single guy.”
Reid pressed his lips together. A single guy who’d spent most of his adult life with the dregs of humanity, which meant he was devoid of the nurturing abilities a child needed.
Eddie studied him a moment. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He’d forgotten how Eddie could see through him. He was beginning to wonder how he’d ever worked undercover if he was so transparent.
“There was a misunderstanding when I arrived.” He explained his unexpected rescue mission. “If she didn’t plan ahead for something like painting a floor, what if she fails to plan ahead for Lily?”
Eddie shrugged off the concern. “That could happen to anyone. So are you going to see her again?”
Reid nodded. “I’m going to be her handyman for the next few weeks.”
“And she agreed, knowing who you are?”
Reid sat down and clasped his hands together. “Not exactly.” He explained the rest of the mix-up.
“So you let her think you were the handyman her contractor sent?”
“For the time being. This way I can see how they actually interact together and make sure she’s taking good care of Lily. Once I’m confident she is, I’ll explain and she’ll be more likely to agree to let me bring Lily to see you.”
