Her Handyman Hero

Lily tugged on his hand. “When I get back will you read me another story, Mr. Reid?”

He hunkered down, a rush of warm emotion circling his heart. “Sure thing. I’ll be right here.” He’d hoped tracking down his family would bring him peace. He’d never imagined that he would find it in the bright eyes of a five-year-old child. Except his niece belonged to Tori, and he had no connection to her at all. Yet.

Lily bounced on her toes with happiness. “You’re a good reader.”

He’d received his share of recognition during his years as an agent, but none had given him the satisfaction found in Lily’s sweet compliment. Eddie’s child was special. He would be so proud. He looked at Tori. He had to tell her who he was and why he was here. Once she heard the full story, she’d change her mind.

After the ladies left, Reid made his way to the living room in the private area. The furniture had been shoved toward the center of the room and drop cloths spread on the floor in front of the wall to be painted. A gray-haired man was hunkered down stirring a can of paint. He glanced up and smiled, coming to his feet.

“You must be Reid, the handyman Miss Tori took on. I’m Jimmy Ray Fuller.” He extended his hand.

“Fuller Painting Contractors. I saw the van. Nice to meet you. Will I be in the way working on the window sashes?”

“Not at all. I’ll come back and paint the trim later. So what brings you to our little town? Dover is off the beaten path.”

Reid placed his toolbox in front of the window before answering. The question made him uncomfortable. Probably because he’d chosen to hide his real reason for being in the small town. His cover-up stirred his conscience into a bitter swill. Something else new in his emotional library. He formed his answer around as much truth as possible.

“I left my old job and I wanted to start fresh. A small town seemed like a good fit for now.” When Jimmy Ray didn’t respond, Reid faced him and found him staring, a knowing glint in his pale blue eyes.

“You’re a former cop, aren’t you?”

Reid frowned. “How could you know that?”

“It takes one to know one.” He ran his hands over the paint roller to remove excess lint. “And I’m guessing you did a lot of undercover work, am I right?”

Reid could only nod. What was it about the people here—Tori, and now Jimmy Ray—that they could see right through him? When had he become so transparent? If he’d been this way on an assignment, he’d have been dead years ago. “DEA.”

Jimmy Ray nodded. “I was undercover with the Memphis PD. It took its toll. I left and came to Dover. The wife was from here.”

“And you became a painter. That’s a far cry from police work.”

“I needed something stress free, something I could start and finish and see results. Law enforcement never seemed to get better. It felt hopeless. I wasn’t making a difference.” He gestured to the walls. “With this job, I come in, do my job, the customers are happy and I don’t take the work home or lose sleep over it.”

“Sounds good. I suppose that’s what I’m looking for, too. A life that doesn’t keep dragging me down.”

“Well, if you stay on here you’ll come to enjoy it. Especially being around Miss Tori. That young woman has a gift for making people feel at home. She’s going to be a terrific hostess when this place opens up.”

He agreed, but he still had concerns. “Do you think that’ll happen? She says she’s having financial issues. I’m working for room and board.”

Jimmy Ray brushed the comment aside. “For now, but she’ll sort it out. I’m working for free. My version of a housewarming gift. I’m close with her family. Knew her since she was a baby and I want to see her succeed. She’s had it rough lately, and I admire her for taking on the little girl all alone. That child has given her a purpose that was lacking in her life.”

“I assume there’s no boyfriend in the picture?” The back of his neck suddenly burned. What was up with him?

“Are you fishing, Reid?” Jimmy chuckled. “She is a pretty lady. No, I don’t think she’s looking for any kind of relationship. After three failed attempts, I think she’s only focused on Lily.”

“She’s been married before?”

“No. Engaged. Three times. She called them all off.”

Jimmy went to work on the wall and Reid turned his attention to the window, locating the access pocket and starting the replacement of the inner workings. When the window slid up and down easily, he moved upstairs to work on the three windows up there. His thoughts were distracted by what Jimmy had shared. Why had Tori broken off three engagements? Was she that poor a judge of character? Or was she incapable of making a long-term commitment—and what might that mean in regard to Lily? Would she grow tired of being a parent and abandon his niece? Absurd. He refused to believe that. From what he’d seen, Tori was devoted to his niece, despite her own confession to feeling inadequate as a mother. Yet it did raise questions in his mind.

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