Authors: Louise Behiel
Silence prevailed although he kept a close eye on Gray as he dropped a post in the hole.
“What do you think he’ll do next?” Andie turned her attention next door. “I think he’s going to move the machine and dig another hole.” Jamie crossed to the railing and rested his elbows, fisted hands above his ears.
Gray slid the machine across the lawn, took some measurements and put it in place. The motor started and the auger began to lower. Jamie’s attention was riveted next door.
When silence returned, Andie asked him, “Should we go and see what he’s doing?”
Jamie’s face light up, delight clear in his eyes.
“Let’s eat dinner and then we’ll go check it out.”
Jamie didn’t need words to show his disappointment.
“You want to go right now, don’t you, big guy?” Dina asked, then turned to Andie. “Take him over for a look while I finish setting dinner on the table and getting Chloe and Billy washed.” She cocked her head toward the house. “Bonnie’s still on the phone so you’ve got a few minutes.”
Seeing the hope in Jamie’s eyes, Andie ran her hand over his head. “Okay, let’s go have a peek, but only for a minute, okay?” She waited for Jamie to look at her. “He’s obviously working and we shouldn’t disturb him for long.”
He nodded, then waited for her, fidgeting with impatience. You may not be saying many words young man, but you are definitely communicating more.
After putting up with Dina’s winks and knowing there’d be more teasing later, she took Jamie’s hand and led the way.
***
Gray’s senses went on alert as soon as Andie and the boy stepped into his yard, even if the gas-powered digger drowned out any possibility of conversation.
Shutting it off, he turned toward them, removing his safety glasses. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Oh yeah. The young man and I”, she swung up their linked hands, “wanted a closer look at what you’re doing.”
“Oh, okay. Just don’t get too close to the auger when it’s running, since it can spit out rocks.” He hunkered down to Jamie’s height. “Want to see how it works?”
When Jamie nodded, Gray rose and took the boy’s other hand. “Come on.” Standing next to the machine Gray explained everything he thought might interest the little guy.
After laying out his plans to both Andie and the boy, Gray left Jamie stirring a pail of pre-mixed concrete.
“That’s pretty hard work for a little guy.”
“Yes, but it’ll keep him busy for a little while.”
Her smile almost stole his breath. What was it about this woman? She was more than pretty enough, especially with the sun highlighting the gold in her hair and her eyes reflecting every emotion she felt. Still, more than her appearance made him want to pull her close and keep her safe.
Which was irritating since he didn’t like aspects of her relaxed attitude with her kids. Manners weren’t that hard to teach them. After all, he’d learned.
“How’s he been?”
“Jamie’s been fine.”
“Has he said anything else?”
Andie watched the boy’s concentration as he worked the concrete. Or tried to. “Not a word. It’s as if he’s never spoken.”
“Is that okay?”
“What’s okay?” She shrugged. “His life has had enough upsets it makes it hard to know what’s normal. I assume since he’s spoken once, he’ll do it again. When he chooses.”
“It’s good he’s interested in something else, isn’t it? Away from you? I mean....” He could feel his cheeks warm after his gaffe. Smooth move. Good thing you’re not trying to seduce the woman, Mills.
“He’s gradually allowing more distance between us.” She looked up at Gray, caught his gaze. “Usually if you’re around.”
His disbelief must have shown on his face, since she smiled.
“I’m no good with kids.”
“Jamie doesn’t know that and I’d rather you didn’t tell him.” She smirked.
“He’s just interested in machinery.”
“I don’t see any machinery around him now, unless the stick counts.”
“Sticks count.”
“Only if you’re nearby.”
“Simply coincidence.” He didn’t want her thinking he was good with kids, because he wasn’t. Building relationships took something he didn’t have. The whole family thing didn’t work for him, period. With Pops, he made out okay but Ma drove him crazy. Always had. Which explained why he worked and lived in Calgary rather than Vancouver.
“I think you don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“Not likely.”
They stood in silence watching Jamie concentrate on his task. Completely focused on the pail of cement, he chewed his upper lip as he strained to move the stick through the thick goop. “If you had some time, we might be able to help Jamie.”
“How so?”
“A trip over here to ‘help’ you could serve as a wonderful reward for being on his own.”
“You’d bribe him?”
“Weren’t you ever bribed as a kid?”
“Never.” He couldn’t even imagine it. “My mother had a much more effective technique.”
Andie waited.
“Guilt.”
“She was an expert?” Arched eyebrows eloquently spoke her opinion of that particular method.
“Absolutely. She could have shamed the Middle East into peace. The Prime Minister is missing a key negotiating tactic by ignoring my mother.”
“Wow. She sounds good.”
“Black belt.”
“I should meet her. Maybe I could take lessons.” Andie grinned.
“Nah.” He shook his head. “You wouldn’t want to.”
No way did he want anybody he knew meeting his mother. Uncomfortable, he looked away and noticed Billy and Chloe standing on her deck.
“We’re hungry” complained Billy. “Can we eat now?”
“Give me a second guys, okay?”
She searched his eyes, looking for something. If she thought she could fix that problem she was going to be shocked. He was real happy with his relationship with his mother – as long as they stayed five hundred miles apart.
“Someday you’ll have to tell me why I wouldn’t want to meet your mom.” She flashed him a grin. “Thanks for spending time with Jamie. If you’ve got a few minutes one evening, I’d appreciate it if he could come over and help you again.”
“That’s fine as long as you remember I’m not very good with kids. You wouldn’t want to leave him for too long.”
“Not to worry.” She extended her hand and called Jamie. “Time for dinner.”
Gray watched them walk away before putting on his safety glasses. He noticed the gentle sway of her hips and how tightly Jamie held her hand. He waved when the boy looked back over his shoulder.
Winter could be ugly this far north, but summer evenings were long and lovely. Since there were at least a couple of hours of daylight left, he might as well put them to good use.
Hours later, running the washcloth over tired muscles, Gray had to admit he might have pushed too hard tonight. The good news was he’d finished digging all the holes. He’d return the auger to the rental shop in the morning on his way to work. The bad news was that he ached in muscles he didn’t know he had.
After rinsing off under the hot stream he toweled dry and threw on sweat pants. Time for a cold beer, the late news and then he’d hit the hay.
Relaxed back on the old sofa, his trip through the channels was interrupted by the doorbell, Gray swung his feet off the coffee table. Remote in hand, he answered the door.
“Hello Mr. Kapinski. You’re out late tonight.” His elderly neighbor was usually sound asleep by now.
“Some things can’t wait.” The old man shoved a clipboard under Gray’s nose. “I’m going around the neighborhood collecting signatures. We can’t let the place be run down by a bunch of hoodlums.” He hitched his skinny, pale thumb over his shoulder toward one sixteen.
Gray took the petition and read it over. “You’re concerned about Ms. Bowen?”
The old man nodded decisively. “Yes sir. We can’t let people like them live around here. They’ll pull down the property values with their riff raff. And heaven only knows what else is going on.”
“What riff raff, Mr. Kapinski? Andie has a bunch of kids living with her.”
“Those kids have families who’ll come visiting, sure as shooting. Before you know it, we’re going to have motorcycle gangs roaring up and down the street.”
“That’s not very likely, since none of the kids are old enough to drive yet.” He felt a prickling in his scalp and his shoulders tensed from the unfairness of the allegations.
A deep frown notched the grey brows, pulling them down. “No time like the present to nip the problem in the bud, I always say. If we stick together and let her know her kind ain’t welcome around here, she’ll move on.”
Somehow Gray doubted Andie could be forced to do anything. “I’m still not sure what you’re hoping to accomplish with a petition. Ms. Bowen bought a house and moved in with her foster children. There’s no law against that.”
“There should be. We don’t want kids like hers running around here. Who knows what they’ll do? Those kinds of kids aren’t well behaved. We want to get rid of them before any problems crop up.”
Gray knew he had to grab hold of his escalating temper. “Mr. Kapinski, I understand your fears, but have you met those kids? The two youngest have barely started school. I’ve spent a little time with the older two and they seem like fine kids. A little rambunctious, but what kids that age aren’t?”
“A body doesn’t need to meet the kids to know their background leaves a lot to be desired. Blood will tell, I always say.” He nodded sharply, lips pursed.
Gray reined his temper in, tamped it down. Kapinski was a fool, but an old one and he deserved respect for that reason if nothing else.
“I’m afraid I don’t agree with you, sir. Those kids got a rough deal and Andie’s trying to give them a chance. I don’t see any harm in it. And there’s absolutely no risk to the neighborhood.”
The old man’s head tipped slightly to one side. His neck seemed too scrawny to hold him. “On a first name basis with her, are you? Guess I know why you won’t sign.” He took the petition and slid it under his arm, and shook a bony index finger at ray. “Just you remember this is a decent neighborhood. You haven’t been any trouble but you haven’t been here very long. You don’t know how we do things.” He narrowed his eyes in a rheumy kind of glare. “We don’t cotton with a bunch of immoral goings-on. If you’re going to carry on with that woman, we don’t want to know about it.”
Gray pulled himself up to his full height. His blood was bubbling. “If you weren’t such an old fool, I’d make you apologize for that remark. Ms. Bowen has done nothing to cause you to assume anything about her.” He pointed toward the street. “I’d suggest you get off my property. I won’t sign your petition and I’ll help her fight if you try anything else.”
Taking a deep breath, Gray pushed a hand through his hair and around the back of his neck as he watched the old coot cross the street. Just what he needed – caught in the middle of a neighborhood battle between a sexy neighbor and a slippered old man.
Back in the living room he drained his beer, then slammed the bottle to the table. Damnit. This was supposed to be a quiet community. If that old fool kept it up, they’d have city council involved and the press poking around in no time flat. Andie’s work might be shut down.
He looked around, seeing the improvements he’d made to this room. For more than a year, he’d considered every renovation with an eye to its resale potential. But he’d never considered the impact her little family might have on selling the place.
It went without saying, some things took precedence over others. While he’d always be able to sell if the price was right, a political stink could jeopardize everything Andie had worked for. He couldn’t allow that to happen without a fight. Those kids deserved more.
***
“Gray? What’s up?” Andie slid open the screen door and stepped outside. “Everything okay?”
“I’m not sure.” His voice was grim. His face was hard – as if it had been carved from the Rockies, and fire burned from his eyes. She wished she knew him well enough to read it.
Resting her hands on the back of a chair, she motioned him forward. “Talk to me, Gray. Tell me what’s wrong.”
He dropped into the chair beside her and leaned forward, forearms resting on his thighs, white-knuckled fists between his knees. Tension was palpable around him.
“Gray? You’re starting to frighten me.”
When he raised his gaze to hers she saw controlled rage before he shuttered his emotions. For the first time she felt cold fear skitter down her spine.
“I had a visitor last night – one of the locals. Mr. Kapinski.” He straightened and took a deep breath. “He brought me a petition to sign, Andie.”
“A petition? He didn’t. No way.”
His gaze kept sliding to the side. It had to be serious since he wouldn’t look her in the eye.
“You’re right, it’s about you.” She could see his Adam’s apple dip as he swallowed. “More accurately, it’s about the kids.”
“The kids?” Fear rose and nearly gagged her.