Page 37 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

‘And Manny? Have you always worked together?’

She stopped halfway through taping the roll of carpet. Her shoulders went up to her ears, that flicker of armor returning.

‘Manny and I are a long story. Let’s just say we have a good relationship. We balance each other out.’

Yeah, but did Manny feel the same way?

I pushed away the thought and went back to work, trying not to picture how his arms could easily circle her small waist. How he could wrap her up like a giant to keep her safe. Hell, she probably didn’t even need to cut up the carpet. I bet the Rock himself could haul the whole thing out without even breaking a sweat.

‘That’s good,’ I mumbled. ‘You deserve someone you can rely on. Who believes in what you’re doing.’

She rolled up the last bit of carpet and turned to face me. The lines around her eyes pinched into cute little Vs.

‘Not that it’s any of your business, but Manny and I are friends. That’s all.’ She shoved the utility knife back into her tool belt. ‘When I bought my first project on Westfort, I discovered it had foundation issues. Diego recommended Manny and he came to look at the property. He wasn’t out of his car ten minutes when he found the problem.’

Torran pointed to the corner of the room and started to roll up the yellowed carpet pad, motioning for me to do the same.

‘When he gave me his estimate, he didn’t ask to talk to my husband, brother or boyfriend. He knew I ran the worksite and treated me like an equal. I gave him the job on the spot. We worked together a few more times and then Lauren approached us about that episode for Hearth and Home. Partnering with him is the best decision I’ve ever made. In this business when problems can pop up every day, it’s handy to have someone like him around.’

She continued to roll back the pad, huffing along as she went.

‘I’m not deluded. I know I can’t work on these sites all by myself, conquer every problem. It helps to have a second set of eyes. A partner with whom I can share ideas and dreams. My dad even respects Manny, which is saying something.’

Her voice caught on the mention of her father. She was an amazing woman. Why couldn’t Miles Wright see that?

‘I know your dad’s always been tough on you, but he must be proud of what you’re doing with all these houses.’

‘You saw him today.’ Her gorgeous mouth puckered. ‘Not sure “proud” would be the word he’d use, especially since he caught his adult daughter making out like a teenager.’

I smiled but refused to apologize. If I could get her to look at me that way again, like she wanted to see, touch every inch of me, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

‘Since Mom’s been gone, it’s gotten worse between us. She’s not here to be the buffer. Tessa tries but…’ She broke off and went back to focusing on the carpet, ripping up an edge in the corner of the room.

I could never figure out Torran’s dad. When she ran hurdles in high school and tore past the other girls, the crowd cheered but her dad always had a criticism. When she made honor roll, her mom would beam at her while her dad mumbled under his breath about taking harder classes. It pained me to see that so many years later she was still fighting the same damn battles with him.

‘So tell me more about Tessa,’ I said, sensing she needed a change of subject. ‘You said you’re living with her right now?’

‘Yes, just until things can get back to normal for her and her girls.’

‘What happened between her and Billy?’

She quirked an eyebrow.

‘Yes, Diego may have said something to me about it. But to his credit, he didn’t give me many details.’

‘He broke her heart. The girls’ too.’ Her words came out clipped and rough. ‘He’s an asshole, who not only abandoned his wife but his two children, all while our mother was dying.’

‘I’m sorry. Tessa doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.’

‘No one does,’ she snapped.

Her comeback struck again at how much I’d hurt her. There’d never be a good time to tell her the truth but we were alone now and I saw my opening.

‘Torran, I—’

‘About earlier,’ she spoke over me. ‘It shouldn’t have happened.’ She kept her focus on rolling up the carpet. ‘We had a weak moment and it’s over. Let’s focus on what needs to be done here. No more distractions. No more…’

‘Touching,’ I laughed, trying to get her to loosen up. She gave me a stony look in return.