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Three months ago, she would have leaped at the chance to work for Daniel Spencer and Top Notch DIY. It would have been a dream come true. So she had to force out the words, “Sorry, but
I don’t do that stuff anymore. I’m done with the rat race. I like it here in my own little cabin in the mountains. The simple life. No frills.” She hoped she sounded convincing, because most of it was true. She really did like the mountains. She just missed her work, her friends, and talking to someone other than herself.
“Fair enough,” he said as the screen went blank in front of him. “Hopefully, the app will help you put your simple life together just the way you want it. If you need extra tools, feel free to come down and borrow anything I’ve got.” He pointed up. “About the roof—”
She cut him off before he could offer the moon and the stars as well. The nicer he was, the harder it became to remember why she didn’t deserve nice things. “Thanks. I’ve got everything I need.”
Except someone to talk to. Someone to watch the sunrise and the sunset. Someone who made her laugh. Someone with unruly curls she could run her fingers through and dark chocolate eyes to gaze into.
No, no, no. Daniel seemed great, but so had her father when he’d offered her the commission for the website, saying it would be so good for her career. He’d been doing her such a big favor, giving the project to her instead of a big, professional company. Giving her a chance. So caring, so altruistic.
When really, he’d just wanted someone who wouldn’t ask a lot of questions. But he’d destroyed her career. Her name had been on that website. Her reputation had been damaged. Along with her heart.
She’d been blind to her father’s faults all her life. And she’d been blinded by Eric’s slick façade too. So how was she supposed to figure out if Daniel Spencer was really as great as he seemed—or if it was all just a big lie?
And if he did turn out to be great, that would be even worse in some ways, because then he should be with someone equally marvelous, rather than a woman who had the stink of a nasty con job all over her.
“Well, if you do find you’re missing something, feel free to stop by.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “As I’m sure you can tell, I’m building my own cabin too.”
“My place is a cabin,” she countered. “Yours is a lakefront mansion.”
“It didn’t start out that way. But I want my family to visit, so I need to make room for all of them.”
“You must have a pretty big family.” Up until now, she’d only thought of him as one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet. A big family that he loved was a whole other—far too sweet—addition to his appeal.
His smile brought the sunshine right in through the window. “One sister, Mom, Dad. Four foster brothers and all the family they bring with them.”
“You sound like you adore them.”
His shrug was carefree and boyish. “The Mavericks aren’t a bad bunch.”
“The Mavericks?”
“That’s what we called ourselves back in high school. Me and my foster brothers.”
“I like it.” She’d adored her friends too. But her family had moved so often that it was hard to keep in touch with everyone, and now it had become impossible to call any of them, because she could never return to her old life.
He nudged her arm with his elbow. “What about you? What about your family? How do they feel about you living all the way out here in”—he gestured to the holes in her floor and ceiling—“this?”
Her stomach took another nose dive, the way it did every time he asked one of his far too on-point questions. “I haven’t seen them for a while,” she said flatly. Drew and her father were lost to her.
“I’m sorry.” His gaze was kind, as though he truly felt her pain.
No matter how desperate she was for company, no matter how nice he seemed, talking about her family was a devastating reminder that she couldn’t trust her own instincts.
Standing abruptly, she said, “I should get back to work.”
He was forced to stand too, backing away as though he was reluctant to go. Although maybe that was just her projecting onto him, given that she hated the thought of his leaving. Not just because she didn’t want to be alone again—but because being with Daniel made her feel completely alive and energized. More than she’d ever felt in her life.
“Don’t fall off any more roofs,” he said. “You need someone here with you next time you head up there, and be sure to secure yourself too. I can help, if you’d like.”
“Thanks, but I finished tacking down the tarps just before I slipped.” She felt like an ungrateful wretch when he was being so nice, but if she didn’t let him go now, she was afraid she’d drag him back inside, ply him with coffee, and force him to talk to her for hours and hours. Instead, she’d have to make do with his videos. And, honestly, even those would be a sweet treat she didn’t deserve. Especially after meeting him…and liking him so much.
As the door closed behind him, she sank to the floor, leaning back against the wall of a house that felt emptier and quieter and colder than ever before. Because for a few minutes, when Daniel was there with her, it had felt like a real home.
* * *
Daniel was his mother’s son through and through—he couldn’t stop trying to aid lost souls. Through his company and with hammer in hand, he’d helped many single parents and youths-on-the-edge work through their issues and move toward a better future.
