Her Handyman Hero

by Lorraine Beatty

  Maybe she should have agreed to the visit from the start, and then none of this would have happened. Eddie would be happy and Reid would have kept his promise. But her promise would have been broken. How would she have lived with herself, knowing she’d betrayed her friend?

  Why was there no simple solution that would please everyone? Why did both choices involve breaking someone’s trust?

  Later that afternoon, the mailman brought a new book for Lily. With a few minutes free, Tori and Lily sat on the front porch in the rockers to read it. With the freshly painted rockers and a porch swing at either end, the space beckoned visitors to stop and sit for a spell and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Her guests would love it, and she had Reid to thank.

  Lily settled in her lap. “Maybe Mr. Reid can read to me now.”

  Tori ignored the disappointment swirling inside. Reid was still keeping his distance. “He has some work to do. He can read it to you later.”

  Snuggled up in the rocker, Tori began the tale of a little girl who lived in a teeny tiny house with lots of teeny tiny friends.

  Heavy footsteps sounded on the porch floor as she finished the story. Reid stopped in front of them and leaned against the post. “Was that a good book?”

  Lily nodded vigorously. “The little girl in the story was named Lily. Like me.”

  “That’s pretty cool.” He spoke the words to his niece, but his gaze was riveted on her. “When you have some time, I’d like to talk to you.” At least he wasn’t avoiding them any longer.

  Her heart clenched. Was he going to tell her Eddie was claiming his child? She had no idea what she would do if that happened. Logically, all she had to do was take Lily to see her dad and it would all be settled. Why was she having so much trouble deciding what to do? Was Shelley right? Was she choosing to honor the wish of a dead friend over what might be best for her daughter?

  “Mr. Reid, can you read me the story again? Please?”

  Tori had to smile at the softening of Reid’s features at the request. The big strong man was no match for the sweet pleas of a little princess.

  “Sure, but first you need to go feed Buster. I noticed there was no water in his bowl.”

  She pouted but complied. “Okay, but I’m going to go fast.” She broke into a run across the porch and through the front door.

  “I talked to Eddie.”

  Tori held her breath. “And?”

  “He’s looking into his legal options. You have to know he’ll do whatever it takes to see his child. He doesn’t have time to wait for a decision.” He touched her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to do what he wants.”

  “I know. I’d hoped to avoid a legal battle.”

  “You have the solution. It’s in your power.”

  “I know but...”

  “I’m back.” Lily grabbed Reid’s hand and tugged him toward a rocker. He eased in it and reached for the book. Then he froze, his expression hard and fierce. “Tori. Take Lily inside. Call Seth and tell him to get over here now. Stay inside and don’t come out until I tell you.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  He was staring across the street. She looked in that direction, but all she saw was one of the neighbors standing by the lamppost.

  “Just do as I say. Please.”

  “Reid, you’re scaring me.”

  “Tori. Go. Now.”

  Her body chilled at the harsh tone of his voice. She’d never seen him like this before. Quickly she took Lily’s hand and hurried inside. “Lily, go to our rooms and you can play with my jewelry for a while.”

  “But Mr. Reid was going to read to me.”

  “I know, and he will, but right now I have to make a call. I’ll be right there.” She tapped her phone and called her brother, giving him Reid’s message.

  Seth uttered a growl. “Must be Archer.”

  “Who’s Archer?”

  “Never mind. Stay inside. I’m on my way.” He hung up, making her even more anxious.

  Unable to resist, she walked to the front window and looked out. Reid was striding across the street, straight for the man. The guy spun and ran off, and Reid broke into a run, propelling himself through the air and tackling the man to the ground. The man resisted, but he was no match for Reid’s strength. Reid forced the man onto his stomach, yanking his arms behind his back as Seth’s patrol car skidded to a halt at the curb. Seth got out and in one quick motion put handcuffs on the man. Together, Seth and Reid raised the man to his feet, and Seth put him in the back of the cruiser.

  After a few words with Reid, her brother got in the patrol car and drove off.

  Tori turned away, realizing her hands were shaking. Seeing Reid in action, doing what he was trained to do, was disturbing. He looked nothing like the man she knew. She wasn’t sure what to do with this new perspective. There were things about Reid she would never know.

  Heart racing, she waited inside the door for Reid to return. The grim look on his face scared her more than anything else. “What happened? Who was that man? What’s going on?”

  He took her arms in his hands and gently pulled her close. “It’s all right now. His name was Cal Archer, a drug dealer I took down a few years ago. He was supposed to be in jail, but got released on a technicality. He came looking for me.”

  “Why?” Stupid question. Reid was a former agent. He probably had lots of enemies. “How did Seth know about him?”

  “It’s not the first time I’d seen him. He was at the warehouse the day we were loading the trucks for the flood victims. I checked up on Archer and let Seth know. He’s been keeping an eye on you whenever I’m away.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “That’s the point. I didn’t want you to know.”

  “Thank you. Even when you’re not here, you’re watching out for us.”

  “You and Lily are important to me.”

  “I’d better go check on her.” He walked with her to the private quarters, following her into the living room, where Lily was busy with the sparkly jewelry. “Does this sort of thing happen a lot? Criminals coming back to take revenge?”

  “No. Rarely, if ever. It’s not like on TV.”

  He was trying to reassure her, but the idea had been planted and she couldn’t shake it off. He pulled her around to face him, one hand resting against her cheek. “I would never put you or Lily in any danger.”

  “I know.” She laid her hand on his. Reid was a noble man, a man who would sacrifice his own life for those he loved or was responsible for. Of that she had no doubt.

  His touch chased away much of her fear. Between Reid and her brother, she’d never felt safer. Nothing bad could touch them.

  But what about their safety? She’d never seriously considered the risks Reid and her brother took. Dover was a quiet town with a low crime rate. But Reid had worked in a world where his life was on the line every second. The thought pressed hard against her lungs. What would she do if something happened to Reid?

  What she saw today with the apprehension of Archer was a clear sign she should put her barriers back in place. Or maybe she was simply a coward and afraid to risk her heart.

  * * *

  Reid wiped the excess grout from the last floor tile and sat back on his heels. His final repair was done. His to-do list was complete. Camellia Hall was ready to welcome guests. Oh, he knew something else would need fixing tomorrow—it was the nature of a house as old as this—but he wouldn’t be here to take care of it.

  He was out of work.

  The soft opening of the Camellia Hall Bed-and-Breakfast was next week. Tori had invited family and a few close friends to come and spend the night to test out the menu and the hospitality so she could work through any bugs in her system. The official opening wouldn’t be for another week after that.

  The tightness in his chest twisted another notch. He�
�d expected to feel excited about the opening. He’d worked hard to get everything done, and he had a vested interest in seeing this business up and running. Mostly he’d looked forward to seeing Tori’s joy as her dream became reality.

  Only that was not how he’d been feeling. Instead, he’d been growing more and more restless. He’d grown too comfortable in Dover with Tori and Lily. He’d allowed himself to think about a different life, a normal future. But since the apprehension of Archer, everything had changed.

  The things in the little town and the house that had filled him with peace now felt like a vine slowly wrapping around his body, choking off his air and making it impossible for him to break free. The idea gave birth to a fear he’d never known before, and one he didn’t fully understand.

  First thing Saturday morning Reid drove down to Hammond to see Eddie. His thoughts were as jumbled and cloudy as ever. He had to decide about his future. Where would he go from here? If Eddie wasn’t sick, he’d buy that cabin for them to live in.

  A future with Tori and Lily became less likely every day. Deep down he knew Tori would always see him as Eddie’s brother—a man who could suddenly walk away. He knew she cared for him, but she would never take down the barrier between them, which left him with only one option. Time to move on. But the thought of returning to undercover work filled him with dread. He’d never intended to go back. But he had no plan for moving forward.

  For the time being, he would spend every spare moment with Eddie. The doctors had said hospice care was imminent.

  His brother was asleep when he slipped into his room. Just as well. Reid had a lot of thinking to do. When the phone rang, he quickly silenced it before answering. When he hung up, his chest had tightened a few more turns.

  Eddie stirred and looked at him. “Hey. I was thinking about you.”

  “That so?”

  “I think you’re burdened.”

  For a man confined to a hospital bed and with few visitors, he saw a great deal. “What makes you say that?”

  “I recognize the signs. I’ve experienced every one of them, and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”

  Reid pulled the chair up to the bedside. “So enlighten me.” He enjoyed these fatherly conversations with his brother. In many ways, though Eddie’s life was shortened, he’d gained more wisdom than Reid ever would.

  “You’ve changed. A lot. Before going to Dover and finding Lily and Tori, your life was fueled by anger and justice. Now it’s fueled by love for my little girl and her lovely guardian. Am I right?”

  Reid rubbed his forehead. “Yes, but I’m not cut out for family life. I couldn’t give them what they need. She’s a forever kind of woman, and I’m not a forever kind of guy.” But it was too late. He knew the truth. He was lying to himself.

  “Not true. I see the change in you, brother. You have all you need. You love them. You need them. Tori has changed you. You can’t deny that.”

  “No. I won’t. When I first arrived at Camellia Hall, I didn’t think I’d ever feel anything again. Undercover work killed any normal emotions I might have had.”

  “But she changed all of that?”

  Reid nodded. “I didn’t have a prayer. She got under my skin and there was no getting her out. She’s strong and determined and resilient and warm and caring, and she makes everyone feel special. She makes me think I can be more, that I could be a normal person in spite of my past.” He smiled. “And Lily, well, she stole my heart from the first moment I saw her.”

  “Sounds like a horrible situation.”

  Reid bristled until he realized Eddie was teasing. “It’s been an experience. But it’s over now, and time for me to move on.”

  “Why?”

  “Eddie, Tori will never change her mind about bringing Lily to see you. I’ve tried everything, but I’m afraid she’ll always see me as—”

  “The brother of the man who hurt her friend.”

  “Yeah. But it was Archer showing up that made me see how impossible a normal life would be for me. My past will always be hanging over us. I’ll always be a lightning rod for the men I put away. I won’t expose Tori and Lily to that.”

  Eddie waved a finger. “Not true. You’re fabricating excuses.”

  “No, I’m not.” He ran a hand down the back of his neck. “I thought when I found you and Lily I would find peace, but it doesn’t feel like I’d expected.”

  Eddie held up a shaky hand. “First off, you won’t find true peace in a family. Not even one with Tori and Lily. That kind of peace only comes from the Lord. We’ve talked about this.”

  “I know.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  Reid braced himself. His brother wouldn’t like what he was going to say. “I’ve been asked to return to the DEA. I’m going to accept. It’s time I moved on.”

  “You’re making a mistake. The same one I made. Don’t do it. You’ll always regret it.” Eddie reached for his hand. “Don’t be afraid of the emotions you feel. That was my mistake. When Judy told me she was pregnant, I was terrified. I didn’t know how to be a dad. I remembered what a wonderful man our father was, and I could never measure up to him. Signing on for a lifetime commitment to Judy and the baby was terrifying. So I ran. Don’t run from Tori. Don’t go back to your old life. You’re not that man anymore. And don’t be afraid to step into a new one. Have you talked to Tori about this?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t be surprised if she gets upset.”

  Reid shook his head. “I think she’ll be relieved.” The thought hurt more than he’d expected. He wanted to think she’d miss him when he was gone. And what about Lily? How could he ever fill the spot in his heart she had filled?

  “Reid, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to force Tori to bring Lily here. Tell her I won’t take any legal action, but I’m not signing my little girl away as if she doesn’t matter.” He sighed. “It’ll all be settled soon enough.”

  * * *

  Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, reflecting Tori’s good mood. Next week at this time she’d be welcoming a few friends and family into the house as her first guests for a dry run, to check for little glitches and iron out any missteps in hospitality before accepting real guests. And everything was ready. Thanks to Reid, the yard looked like a park, and the camellia bushes were budding as if in anticipation of the new life the old house would enjoy.

  Even the repair list was complete. She hadn’t added a single item in two days. Reid had gone to Hammond to be with Eddie. She understood his desire to spend as much time with his brother as possible, but a part of her missed him when he was gone. The house never felt as vibrant without him. Having his male energy in the house gave it a sense of permanence, of stability.

  As if reading her mind, Reid’s truck pulled into the drive. She couldn’t stop the big smile that overtook her in anticipation of seeing him again. It was nice to have him home. Did he think of Camellia Hall as home? He’d grown more and more comfortable here. One of the most enjoyable times of her day was when the three of them gathered around the table to share the evening meal.

  She glanced up as he came through the door, an exuberant Buster trotting beside him.

  He smiled, his brown eyes seeking hers. “Hi.”

  “Good morning.”

  “How’s Eddie?” Despite her personal stance toward Reid’s brother, she fully sympathized with his emotional turmoil. She knew the agony of watching a loved one slowly slip away, and she wished she had some comforting words for him.

  “Holding his own for now. He wanted me to tell you he’s changed his mind about taking legal action where Lily is concern, but neither will he agree to sign away his rights to Lily.”

  “Oh. I see.” She was relieved Eddie wasn’t going to demand he see his daughter, and she wasn’t surprised he didn’t want to sign away his rights. But
that left her in legal limbo.

  “Do you? In a few weeks this will all be a moot point, won’t it?”

  Like a stab to her heart, his words cut open the depth of her selfishness. Reid was losing the only family he had left, and she was adding to his burden.

  “Forgive me. I’ve handled this whole thing badly. I wish Judy hadn’t put me in this position.”

  Reid’s eyes softened. “I understand. So does Eddie. We’re all just trying to do what’s right for everyone.” He pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket, one she recognized as his to-do list. “I meant to leave this with you before I left. Anything new to add?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. We’ve had a repair-free couple of days. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  His expression sobered. His dark eyes filled with regret. “Then I guess it’s time for me to move on.”

  Her mind rejected the idea. “What do you mean? I thought you might stay on and maybe...”

  Maybe what? Love me and Lily, help me run the B and B? That wasn’t something they had discussed. It was all in her fanciful imagination.

  “I’m going back to work, Tori. I have a new undercover assignment in Houston. I’ll be leaving tomorrow so I can be briefed on the situation.”

  Reid. Gone. She hadn’t expected the disappointment to be so sharp. But her fear for him pushed it aside. “No. You can’t go back.”

  “It’s done. The deal was I’d stay until the opening. The list is complete, so there’s no reason for me to hang around.”

  “No, I mean you can’t go back to that life. It’s too dangerous.”

  “It’s what I do.”

  “No. That’s what you used to do. You’re not that person anymore.”

  “What are you talking about?” Had Eddie been talking to her?