Ryans smile flickered. He thinks he already knows what that is.
And youre not so sure anymore.
I never considered any other line of work. He shrugged. I dont know. Maybe Im looking for a different challenge. Or maybe Im just trying to get out from under my big brothers shadows.
She didnt know what to say. Shed always thought Ryan Flanagan one of those lucky beings who are born confident, laughing and sure of himself. Now it looked as if he had doubts, too.
She felt for hima sudden empathy that startled and disturbed her. She didnt want to feel for anyone but her daughter. She had far too much responsibility in her life right now to leave room for anything else.
Luckily he didnt seem to expect an answer from her. He touched her arm lightly, and she felt the warmth of that touch right through the fabric of her sweater.
Hey, Ill work it out. But thanks for listening. Ill be glad to return the favor, any time.
She managed to smile, to nod. Ryan meant well, but she didnt have any intention of sharing her inner thoughts with anyone, least of all him. Hed come too far into her life already.
Now what exactly was he doing back here again? Ryan didnt have a good answer to that question as he approached Lauras building the next day. If those moments with Laura by her car the night before had taught him anything, it was that she spelled danger to a man like him.
He ought to stay as far away as possible from Laura McKay, with her fierce sense of responsibility and her prickly determination to do everything herself. Instead here he was, putting his head in the front door that stood ajar, probably to air the place out.
Anybody home? He tapped on the frame.
Mandys head jerked up. Had she responded to the sound or the vibration? He wasnt sure. She had a childs toy broom and dustpan, and shed obviously been mimicking her mothers work.
Hi, Mandy.
She broke into a smile and carefully finger-spelled his name.
Good job.
Whats a good job? Laura came in from the kitchen, carrying a bucket. Hi, Ryan.
Mandy finger-spelled my name when I came in.
A smile blazed across Lauras face. That is a good job. She set the bucket on the floor and hugged the little girl, and for a moment the love in her eyes seemed strong enough to light the world.
It was a warning, that love. It announced in no uncertain terms that he couldnt wander into their lives and then wander out again. Laura and Mandy needed more than that.
Im just helping out, he told his conscience firmly. Nothing else.
Youre making progress. He glanced around the large rectangular room that was cleared now of debris. The fireplace that covered most of one wall had obviously just been cleaned, revealing the mellow, rosy tone of the bricks.
Not enough. Laura followed the direction of his gaze, but her level brows drew down, as if she saw all that remained to be done instead of what shed accomplished already. The fire put me days behind my schedule.
I can spare some time to help on my off days, if you want.
The corners of her wide mouth tucked in, as if she didnt want to give anything away. Thats not necessary. I can
I know. You can do it yourself. That doesnt mean an extra pair of hands wouldnt make it go faster.
She evaded his eyes, and he suspected she was searching for a good excuse. Or at least, a change of subject.
Maybe so. Her tone was noncommittal. Tell me, have you talked to your folks yet about the new job?
Shed opted for the change of subject. And he must have been suffering from a mental lapse when hed told her about that. Why on earth would he talk to her about something he hadnt even told his family?
Not yet, but I have to. He couldnt suppress a grin.
I just heard that I passed the test. Ive been called for an interview.
And once again, hed told her something hed told no one else.
She came closer, as if she needed to study his face seriously. Are you happy about it?
Was he? A good question. I guess. The arson squad would be a challenge, if I got it. Lots of brainwork. He grimaced. To tell the truth, Im better at physical challenges than mental ones.
Maybe that was the problem. He liked the physical risks of firefighting, maybe too much. Hed told Laura about Dads heart attack, but he hadnt told her all of it. Not about the part hed played.
Just tell them. She put her hand lightly on his arm.
They might surprise you. And if theyre upset, at least it will be out in the open. You cant deal with it as long as they dont know.
Youre pretty good in the advice department, you know that?
She smiled slightly, shaking her head. I should have learned something from all the mistakes Ive made.
A man who was interested in a woman would follow up on a comment like that. But hed just told himself how wrong it would be to get interested in her, hadnt he? Whatever he said next had to be noncommittal.
Well, given the way rumors fly around the department, Id better come clean before they hear it from someone else.
Laura didnt move, but she seemed to draw back a little. Her smile faded. She got the message.
She turned her attention to the bucket, wringing a sponge out as if it were a very important action. Speaking of the department, Id say youve more than done your duty here. The fire damage is cleaned up, and Im back on target with my renovation.
It was a nice, polite dismissal. Well, that was what he wanted, wasnt it? He couldnt get involved with her. He couldnt let Mandy start to depend on him. Everyone knew he wasnt dependable when it came to relationships.
He took a breath. For some reason, he couldnt seem to find the words to agree with her. Ill just check that back door to be sure the new lock is in right, and then Ill be on my way.
She nodded, her smile stiff.
Right. He headed for the kitchen before he could say something he shouldnt.
Fifteen minutes later he was still fiddling with a perfectly good lock. Maybe he ought to face the fact that he didnt want to leave.
This isnt about what you want, dummy. Its about whats the right thing to do.
His head came up at the sound of voices in the other room. Apparently Laura had company.
Mr. Potter. Laura didnt sound happy to be interrupted yet again.
Bradley, please. I thought you were going to call me Bradley.
Bradley Potter. Nice, well-off, the last son of one of Suffolks founding families. Brad was a successful businessman, good-looking, single. Laura ought to be friendlier to someone like that.
Another list of changes? She didnt sound particularly friendly at the moment. He heard the rustle of papers. But Ive already complied with the requirements from the historic preservation committee.
Im so sorry. Bradleys tone exuded sympathy. I wish I didnt have to bring you bad news, but Im sure you understand that we have to be very careful about any renovations that go on in the historic district.
I know that. Laura snapped the words.
Maybe hed better get in there before she got into a fight with one of the most influential men in town. He strolled into the room, enjoying the look of surprise on Brads face at the sight of him.
Hey, Brad. What are you up to?
Ryan. What are you doing here? Brad nodded stiffly, his immaculate dress shirt and flannel pants incongruous in what was essentially a construction site.
Still, he was a lot better for Laura and Mandy than a commitment-phobic firefighter.
Just checking up on some of the repairs after the fire. You did know that Ms. McKay had a fire out in the back, didnt you?
I heard. Brad turned toward Laura. Im so sorry for all the trouble youve been having. He nodded toward the papers in her hand. And that I have to add to your problems at a time like this.
Mandy came to lean against Ryan, and he put one hand on her shoulder. Maybe the child sensed the tension in the room and had picked him for a friend. Laura certainly looked as if shed gotten some bad news.
So how exactly are you adding to Ms. McKays problems? Stay out of it, he told himself. But he didnt seem to be listening.
Laura looked up from the papers, her face pale and tight. The historic preservation committee has landed me with a new set of requirements. Two pages worth of things they didnt tell me on the initial inspection.
As I was saying to Laura, the preservation committee is especially careful of any renovation in the historic district. Brads tone was as smooth as silk. He must have practiced that statement a few times. I might personally think theyre being a little unreasonable, but I have to do as the committee tells me.
Let me have a look at what theyre asking. He reached for the papers.
But before he could reach them, Brad took them from Lauras hands. This is just a work sheet. Ill have a more official list drawn up and drop it off for you.
Thank you. Her voice was tight.
Brad seemed to hesitate, glancing from Ryan to Laura. Look, I know these changes seem unduly harsh. Why dont I have a word with the committee members unofficially, before this goes to its final format? Maybe I can get them to ease up on some of their requirements.
Would you? Lauras smile blazed, and Brad blinked as if the sun had just come out.
Of course. His voice warmed suddenly. Of course I would.
Hadnt he been telling himself that Brad Potter was just the sort of man for Laura? He shouldnt feel like punching the guy just because Laura was looking at him as if he were some sort of hero.
Laura hadnt seen much of the Flanagans for several days, and nothing at all of Ryan. She ran the paint roller smoothly along the downstairs wall, admiring the rich burgundy shed decided on after researching the original colors.
The floor refinishing had gone beautifully, and now that she could get the paint on the walls, this area was really shaping up. It would be perfect for a small shop catering to the visitors in the historic district or a lovely living room for a buyer who wanted a private home.
Nolie Flanagan had enthused about the color when shed stopped by earlier. Shed come with an invitation for Mandy to visit the farm and see the animals.
Laura had been evasive. Mandy would love to see the animals, of course, but she couldnt help thinking it was better not to get too involved with the Flanagan family. She didnt want to be anyones object of charity, no matter how sincere they were.
She frowned at the fresh paint. She ought to be honest with herself, at least. The truth was that she should stay away from them because she found herself far too attracted to Ryans easy smile for her peace of mind.
All she could concentrate on right now was Mandys welfare. There was no room in her life for anything else. She was happy Ryan hadnt been around. So why did she feel so out of sorts?
She glanced at her watch. The plasterers were supposed to be here by now to do the third-floor walls. That was one thing she hadnt felt competent to tackle herself. She put down the roller and stretched. Maybe shed better take a break and call the plasterer.
Five minutes later she returned the phone to the cradle carefully, because if she didnt, she just might throw the receiver against the wall. She clutched her hair with her hands, heedless of the paint she was probably spreading around, and squeezed her eyes closed. What else could possibly go wrong?
Whats the matter? The voice came like an echo of her thoughts.
She swung around, blinking back tears. She wouldnt give in to that weakness, especially not in front of Ryan.
Hi. I didnt hear you come in. And why did she always have to look like a total wreck whenever Ryan saw her?
He crossed the room toward her, his gaze fixed on her face. Somethings wrong. What?
She shook her head, appalled at how glad she was to see him. Plasterers. They were supposed to show up today. Instead theyre suddenly so busy that they cant possibly squeeze me in for at least a couple of weeks.
You cant wait a couple of weeks?
Impossible. I have to get this done. She could hear her voice veering out of control, and she couldnt seem to help it. If Im not finished by the time my prospective buyer comes, shell go elsewhere. And Mandys surgery
She stopped, fighting for control. She wasnt going to spill all her troubles to Ryan, no matter how sympathetic he was.
And then he touched her shoulder gently, and all her resolve disappeared. She choked on a sob, and he pulled her against him.
Dont. She tried ineffectually to move away.
Youll get paint on your shirt.
Itll clean. His arms were strong around her, demanding nothing, just offering support. He stroked her back in gentle circles, reminding her of the way she comforted Mandy. Just relax. You dont have to be a superhero all the time.
She wanted to protest that she did, but it was so comforting to stand in his embrace, feeling the tension easing out of her at his touch. His lips brushed her temple.
That touch brought her to her senses. She sucked in a breath and drew back, still in the circle of his arms. Sorry. I dont usually do that.
Youre allowed. His gaze probed. Let me get this straight. You need the money from the sale of the property to pay for Mandys surgery.
She nodded, pulling herself free and turning away from that intent gaze. The insurance we have doesnt cover a cochlear implant.
If you waited on the surgery until youre in better shape financially
No. Again her tone veered upward, and she fought to control it. Were not going to wait. The longer Mandy goes without the implant, the harder it will be. She starts school in September. I have to give her every chance at a hearing life. I have to.
Okay. He probably hoped that calm tone of his would soothe her. Seems like the first step is to get a plasterer in here, ASAP.
She was glad hed given her an excuse to be annoyed with him. I never thought of that.
He grinned. Sarcasm will get you nowhere, lady. It just so happens one of my high-school buddies recently took over his fathers plastering business. Ill call him.
Hell probably be booked solid. They all are. It had taken her weeks to find someone, and Ryan proposed to do it with a single call.
Trust me, hell fit you in. I know too much about him for him to say no to me.
Hope flickered in spite of her doubts. That would be wonderful.