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“You coming to the library for crafts?” Anna has managed to climb onto the railing by the steps and then higher onto a ledge that runs behind it.
“Isn’t that for children?” I glance around for her parents. They’re wrangling her siblings into a minivan.
“Sure, but grownups help, too.” She sniffs and puts her arms out to balance as she walks along the wall. “You could help. I bet you’re great at Christmas crafts.”
“You’d lose that bet. Hey, it’s icy out. How about you get down before you–”
She squeals, and her feet go out from under her as she tumbles backward.
I jump up two steps and catch her before she crashes into the concrete steps. “Shit!”
She squeaks again, then bursts into laughter. “Again!”
“Kid, you could’ve died.” I set her firmly on her feet and glare down at her. “Don’t do that again.”
“What? That was epic!” She fist-pumps.
“Anna!” Liza runs up and drops to her knees, pulling the girl into her arms. “Are you all right?”
“I’m good. The new guy caught me.” Anna hitches her thumb at me.
“Thank you!” Liza turns her eyes to me, her gaze open and warm. “Thank you so much. That could’ve been really bad.” She holds Anna at arm’s length. “You sure you aren’t hurt?”
“I’m sure.”
“Anna?” her harried mother calls from the passenger side of the minivan. “Get on in here before you freeze!”
“Bye!” Anna skips away, then stops. “I’ll see you at the library tomorrow afternoon. Don’t worry. I’ll save the good glitter for us before my brother can eat it all.” She keeps skipping into the minivan.
“Thank you again.” Liza stands. “I mean it. Anna is kind of a mess, but she’s such a sweet child. I’m Liza, by the way.”
“It was nothing.” I hold out my hand. “Crane.”
She takes it, and I swear my whole body warms at her touch. With a wry smile, she says, “Oh, I know your name, your star sign, your address, and pretty much everything about you. Word travels fast around here.”
“Everything?” I ask, still holding her hand.
“You’re a Leo, right?”
I chuckle. “I am.”
“See what I mean?” She steps a little closer, our hands still clasped. “Well, I know we’re all glad to have you here.”
“Glad to be here.”
“Mom said you’ll be taking over the old Smith place.”
“Yep, I didn’t bring much with me, so it’s good it came furnished. But I’ll be honest with you, it needs a lot of work.”
“If you need help, I’m right next door.”
“Is that so?” I play dumb. “I didn’t realize.”
“Yep. Mine’s the Craftsman house with the yellow shutters.”
“Great. I’m going to start airing stuff out and painting tomorrow. Feel free to stop by whenever you like.”
“Okay.” She looks down at where our hands are still joined. “I think you’ll need that hand back if you intend to get any work done.”
