Family by Design

“The invitation is still open,” she said without turning.

But Nick wasn’t thinking only about the food. Becca smelled even better than the stew she was stirring. It wouldn’t take much to imagine what a happy little domestic scene this could be. He could see himself after a hard day’s work, stepping closer and slipping his arms around her. He’d pull her next to him. She’d protest with a laugh, then he’d nuzzle her neck and she’d turn in his arms, that sexy look in her—

“Raylene said you’re staying at your parents’ house while you’re here.”

“Huh?” Nick blinked and the vision vanished. Becca hadn’t moved an inch. What the hell was he thinking? He needed to leave. Get outside and get some fresh air. He took a small step back, then another. “Oh, yeah. My parents. For a while. And I’d better get going before someone starts looking for me.”

After tapping her wooden spoon on the edge of the pot and putting on a lid, Becca turned around. “I’m in your debt again and can only say thank you. That’s not right.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He shifted his toolbox to the other hand, shocked by his own crazy imagination. One more reason to stay away from her whenever possible. “If you have any questions about Ann-Marie’s list, give her a call. She said she’d be happy to help.”

Becca nodded.

Nick started for the living room, spied Danny watching TV, and turned back. “Would it be okay if I showed Danny my truck? I think he’d get a kick out of all the tools and stuff in it.”

At the mention of her son, she offered a grateful smile. “Of course. Just make sure he puts his coat on.”

Nick waited while Danny buttoned up in an almost-too-small coat. As the two of them walked down the porch steps, Nick promised himself that this would be it. He had rescued Becca on a lonely country road, had her flat tire fixed, her oil changed and her car checked over for any other problems. He’d given her a list of places to move and repaired her washing machine. He’d even taken a special liking to her son.

But no more.

Tomorrow he’d be at the job site for the new housing development, getting everything set up for Monday’s full day. There wouldn’t be time to help Becca. A good thing, too, because every time he did something for her, the past crept closer, and he forgot about the most important part—she had dumped him, and not in a nice way. He couldn’t forget about that. Not and get his house.