The New Guy In Town

“Okay. Then at least let me help you move the flowers back to your store in town. It will be faster,” he pointed out.

She wanted to say no. Even a spreadsheet nerd who crunched numbers for a living could see that. But she nodded and said, “Thanks.”

Together they got all the flowers on the flat hand cart, then locked up ribbons, tissue paper, cellophane and all the other supplies she kept here. She secured the credit card receipts and cash in her purse, then gave him a nod to head for the exit. Before they took a step, Blackwater Lake’s mayor walked into the lobby and straight over to Faith.

Mayor Loretta Goodson-McKnight was an attractive brunette somewhere in her late fifties, but it was asking for trouble to put even a ballpark number on a woman’s age. Today she looked a little older and that probably had something to do with the natural disaster she was dealing with. It was her job to coordinate resources and the emergency response. Judging by the expression on her face, whatever she had to say wasn’t good.

“Faith, I’ve got some bad news.” The mayor got straight to the point. “We just received word that there’s an evacuation order for everyone who lives near Crawford’s Crest.”

“That’s where my house is.”

“I know.” The woman’s voice softened and her expression was sympathetic. “I’m on my way to the staging area right now for an update from the fire captain and wanted to let you know myself.”

“And I appreciate it more than you know. I’ll just go to the house and grab a few things for us.”

The mayor shook her head. “They won’t let you through. The sheriff has blocked off the road. You can’t go home, honey.”

Faith blinked as the meaning of it all sank in and shock took over. “Oh my God. You mean I could really lose it—”

The woman started talking, telling her about everything being done—tankers dropping fire-retardant chemicals and water on the blaze. Firefighters were clearing the brush, trying to deprive the fire of fuel to burn and slow it down so they could surround it. But Sam saw the worry on her face and what she was leaving out. No one could control the wind that was fanning the flames, limiting the ability of ordinary men to save the structures in the fire’s path.

“All your neighbors are getting out. That’s a lot of people to find shelter for.”

Sam watched the color drain from Faith’s face and had the most absurd desire to pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be fine.

“Faith, honey, we’d rather keep evacuees in private homes as opposed to setting up temporary quarters in the high school gym. You know how people in this town pull together when there’s a crisis. My office has lined up volunteers and we’ve almost got everyone covered. You and Phoebe can stay at my house. It’s pretty full, but we have air mattresses and floor space in the living room.”

Apparently Sam’s male chromosomes, the ones that made him want to fix a problem rather than just stand by and listen, kicked into gear. That was the only explanation for what came out of his mouth. That and the fact that there was no way he would let them sleep on air mattresses, even if it was in the mayor’s living room.

He touched Faith’s arm. “You and Phoebe can stay with me.”

Chapter Two

Faith’s sassy inner flirt went absolutely silent and all she could do was stare at Sam for several moments. Then her mind just went numb. “I’m sorry. You want Phoebe and me to do what now?”

“Stay with me.” His concern seemed genuine but that didn’t mean it was.

Although the look was another winner for him. And the fact that she could even think that in a time of crisis was reason enough to decline the offer. “That’s very nice of you. But I wouldn’t want to cramp your style.”

“What style would that be?”

“You know.” She glanced at the mayor, not wanting to discuss his personal life in front of her. Plant lady–client privilege should be as sacred as the confessional.

“No, I don’t know.” He folded his arms over an impressive chest. The stance oozed challenge, daring her to elaborate.

“Okay then, I’ll spell it out. You’re a bachelor and you date a lot. I have a young daughter. It might not be the best arrangement for us.”

“As you know, I don’t have many third dates, which is the threshold, according to what I’ve heard, for connecting in a—” He looked at the mayor, who was taking in this conversation with more than a little interest. “More physical way.”

“So you’re saying you didn’t ‘connect’ with Kiki? Hard to believe since you had her room number at the lodge.” Hey, he opened that door by stretching the boundaries of discretion.

“A gentleman always respects a lady’s privacy. Especially about connecting—”

“Look, I’m not Phoebe,” Mayor Loretta said. “I’ve heard the word sex. In fact, believe it or not, I’ve actually experienced it a time or two.”

“Right. Because you’re married.” Faith’s cheeks were burning with embarrassment. “Here’s the thing—Phoebe is young and impressionable. Witnessing a parade of women going in and out of Sam’s house would raise a lot of questions that I’m not prepared to answer right now.”

“I think I can survive without female companionship while the evacuation order is in effect. We’re only talking a day or two. Right?”

The mayor nodded. “That’s the best guess right now. But fire is unpredictable.”

“I’m grateful for the offer, Sam. Really. But it would probably be best if we stay with Loretta and Tom.”

“Even though I have multiple bedrooms with actual beds? Not air mattresses on the floor.”

The mayor looked puzzled. “Of course you’re welcome, Faith, but it sounds as if you’d be more comfortable at Sam’s until the danger is over.”

Faith was comfortable teasing and tormenting him when he bought flowers from her. Being in his house didn’t sound comfortable at all. “Phoebe has to be my first priority so—”

“Look, Faith, your aunt Cathy was my best friend,” Loretta said. “When she was losing her cancer battle she made me promise to watch over you and Phoebe for her. And I swore I would make sure you were being taken care of. In this situation I have to say the best place for you is with Sam.”

“Selfishly,” he said, “you’d be doing me a favor.”

“Really?” She didn’t actually buy into that and was humoring him.

“I’m new in town and trying to fit in. Folks here take care of their own. It’s a hallmark of Blackwater Lake. So let me be neighborly in order to win them over.”

“He’s got a point,” the mayor agreed.

“And it’s not an inconvenience.” Sam gave her a look that probably melted female resistance like a Popsicle in the summer sun. “I’m sure the firefighters will get things under control pretty fast.”

“And I really need to get an update on their progress.” Loretta looked at her watch.

Faith felt ganged up on and wanted to dig in but there was no mistaking the worry and weariness in the other woman’s face. She wouldn’t add to it. “All right. If you think it’s best, Loretta. Sam can earn points for being a good citizen.”

“Good. That’s settled.” Loretta looked relieved. “I have to run.”

Faith deliberately watched the mayor hurry to the lobby’s double glass doors and quickly leave the building. She would have watched anything to put off having to face being alone with Sam Hart. It shouldn’t feel different from all the other times she’d talked to him, but it did. Because she was going to move in with him.

Would Kiki be jealous? It was easier to think about that than the nerves she was currently rocking. Activity was the best defense so she went back to shutting down the flower cart.

“Okay, then,” she said. “I’m going to load up the van and take all this stuff back to my shop. Then I’ll pick up Phoebe from summer camp.”

“Do you want me to pick her up? Save time?” Sam asked.

“She’s going to be scared so it would be best if I do it. Besides, you’re a stranger and not on the list of people authorized to get her. She doesn’t know you and that could cause more anxiety.”

“Of course.” He nodded and took a business card from his wallet. After writing something on the back he handed it over. “This is my address. I’ll follow you to the shop and help unload the van.”

“But—”

He held up a finger to stop her words. “I’m not sure what your deal is—whether you don’t want help or just not from me. But this is about being neighborly so don’t compromise my image.”

“Okay. When you put it like that...”

After locking down the cart, Faith wheeled the flowers to her van parked in the lot behind the Hart financial building. She opened the vehicle’s sliding door and stepped inside, then let Sam hand the vases and flowers in so she could secure them.

With his hands on the portable cart, he said, “I’ll put this back inside, then meet you at the shop.”

Part of her wanted to be snarky about him taking charge. The other part was glad he did. Because she probably wasn’t thinking all that clearly, what with her house in danger of going up in flames.

So all she said was “Thanks.”

Faith drove to downtown Blackwater Lake as fast as the speed limit allowed and pulled the van into the parking area behind her primary shop on Main Street. She hopped out of the driver’s side and by the time the rear door of Every Bloomin’ Thing was propped open, Sam had driven into the lot and was getting out of his pricey luxury SUV. That was fast. Had he observed the speed limit?

At this moment she was too happy help had arrived to care. It meant she could get to her daughter faster. She reached into the van and started to grab a vase of flowers.

“Let me unload and you can put everything away. Since you know where it all goes that will probably be faster,” he said.

He was right and she nodded. A short time later everything was secured inside. They walked out the back door of the shop then she turned the key in the deadbolt to lock it up.

“I’m going to get Phoebe now,” she told him.

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No.”

The negative was automatic. If Loretta or almost anyone else in town had offered she would have accepted the moral support without question. But today she was afraid. Her home was in danger. That was bad enough, but she’d flirted with a different kind of danger when she’d flirted with Sam. It never occurred to her that she would ever be living with him, even for a short time. Damage control started right now.

“You’ve already done enough, Sam. Besides, I need to talk to her alone, prepare her before she meets you.”

“Why? Do you think I scare small children?” He put his hands on his hips. “I have a niece who’s not quite three and she isn’t afraid of me.”

“It’s not that. I don’t think it’s a good idea to hit her with too much all at once.” She shrugged. “Bad enough I have to break the news that her house could go up in flames, but then she meets a strange man and is going to stay in his house...”

His gaze narrowed. “Are you talking about Phoebe being nervous? Or you?”

“I’m an adult. I understand what’s happening. She’s just a kid and I want to reassure her that everything’s all right.”

“You know best,” he said. “And you’ve got my card and cell number. Call if you need anything at all.”

“Thanks.”

Faith put a foot on the van’s running board and slid inside, then closed the door. She turned her key in the ignition and drove slowly away, glancing quickly in her rearview mirror. Sam was standing there, almost protectively, watching her leave. Her heart did that fluttering thing, which didn’t make her feel any better about accepting his offer of shelter.

Evacuating to the mayor’s house or with old Brewster Smith and his wife, Aggie, would feel comfortable and normal. But Sam Hart was a bachelor. Even worse, she was attracted to him.

* * *

Sam had been watching out the front window for Faith so he opened the door before she could ring the doorbell. The little girl standing on the front porch beside her had to be Phoebe. Her Mini-Me had the same blond hair and freckles on her nose.

“Hi,” he said to both of them, then smiled down at the little girl. “You must be Phoebe.”

Long straight bangs caught in the thick eyelashes framing big, brown eyes that were wide with apprehension. “How did you know?”

“Your mother told me about you.” Poor kid. No matter how the truth had been censored, she had to know that her home was in danger. That was scary for an adult let alone a child. “Come on in.”

Sam pulled the door open wider and stepped back to let them pass. The little girl clutched her mother’s hand tightly as she looked around wide-eyed.

“Wow. This is big.” She was looking up at the chandelier in the two-story entryway. For the moment, awe distracted her from fear and worry.

He could keep the distraction going for a while because this was a big house. Glancing at Faith, he saw that she looked the tiniest bit impressed, too, and that didn’t bother him a bit. “Would you like to see the rest of the place?”

Faith looked at her daughter who nodded eagerly. “Okay.”

“Follow me.” Sam noticed she was carrying a couple of bulging bags.

“Since we couldn’t go home, I had to pick up some clothes and toiletries for us,” Faith explained.

He held out his hand. “Let me take those for you.”

“That’s okay. I’ve got it.”

“I can see that. But guys are supposed to carry things for girls.”

“Why?” Phoebe asked. “Is that a rule?”

“No. But boys are usually bigger and stronger and it’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”

“Oh.” The little girl thought about that and frowned. “At summer camp the girls carry stuff and the boys let us.”

“Girls have to be able to take care of themselves,” Faith explained. “It’s called being self-reliant.”

“And that’s a good thing,” Sam allowed. “But in certain situations, like now for instance, what with you being guests in my home, it’s appropriate for a man to help a lady.”

“And sometimes a lady just wants to tell a man to take a flying leap because she’s perfectly capable of carrying her own things.”

“Can I look at your house?” Phoebe was staring up at them, clearly impatient and not the least bit interested in the undercurrents of the adult standoff.

“We can,” he said. “Follow me.”

“You can carry this if you want.” Phoebe held out a pink backpack with two female cartoon characters on it, one in a sparkly turquoise dress.

“It would be my pleasure,” he said, taking it from her. “This way.”

He led them straight ahead to the kitchen and family room, with its leather corner group and two-story river rock fireplace.

“That’s the biggest TV I ever saw,” Phoebe said.

Sam looked down at her and realized that when you were small, everything must look gigantic. “I’ll show you how to turn it on later.”

Faith cleared her throat loudly and, when she had his attention, shook her head. “Sensitive electronic remote controls and an eight-year-old are not a good combination.”

“She thinks I’m still a baby.” The little girl made a face. “I’m not.”

“I can see that. Maybe your mom would be okay with it if there’s an orientation.”

Phoebe frowned. “What’s that?”

“I’ll show you how to use it and you can practice for a while with me supervising. Your mom might be okay with that.”

“I don’t think so. Mom doesn’t let me do very much. She’s a little overprotective.”

“Hey,” Faith said. “I’m standing right here. And I’m not overprotective. Where did you hear that?”

“I don’t know. Around. And anyway, in the car you told me not to touch anything in his house,” the child said. “And that’s kind of hard unless I stand in the corner.”

Sam looked from one to the other and said, “I’ve never been the rose between two thorns.”

“How long have you been waiting to drop that into a conversation with me?” One corner of Faith’s beautiful mouth quirked up.

“I thought you’d like that one, plant lady. And, moving on—”

He showed them the rest of the downstairs, with its spacious home office and media room. On the second floor he took them past the master where he slept to the wing with three other bedrooms and a large open space set up as another entertainment area.

“How big is this house?” Faith asked.

“A little over five thousand square feet.”

“No one else lives here with you?” Phoebe asked, wonder in her voice.

“You do now.” He looked at her mom. “Told you I had lots of space. Do you want to pick out a room?”

“Yes!” Phoebe raced down the hall and disappeared around a corner.

Faith went after her and Sam realized he’d never had the opportunity to look at her from the back. She was always facing him with a counter in between them. She had quite a superior rear view and now he knew what he’d been missing all this time.

He caught up with them in the room that overlooked the front lawn with a spectacular view of Blackwater Lake beyond it. There was a queen-size bed, walk-in closet and bathroom.

“There’s a bed in here even though no one lives here?” Phoebe asked.

“Yes.” He’d never thought about that. Furnishing the whole house seemed like a good idea when you didn’t want it to be a big, empty shell.

“I think you and I can share this room, Phoebs,” her mother said.

“But no one is using that other room. The green one. Sam said so.”

“I know, sweetie. But I know you. It seems like a good idea right now but when the sun goes down you’re not going to want to be in there by yourself.”

“I promise I will,” Phoebe begged.

“I have an idea.” Sam looked at Faith. “Not taking sides here, but how about if she tries sleeping in the green room. If you change your mind, you can always crawl in with your mom.”

“You’re okay with that?” Faith asked.

“Of course. There are five bedrooms in this house. I have one. The other four are up for grabs.”

Faith was wearing an uncertain expression as she nodded. “I promise when we’re able to go home, we’ll leave the rooms in the same condition we found them.”

“Don’t sweat it. I have a cleaning service.” He set the pink backpack just inside the door of the green room.

“Okay.” She smiled. “I’m grateful for your hospitality.”

“Don’t do that,” he said.

“What? Thank you? It’s the polite thing to do.”

“Mommy always tells me to say thank you,” Phoebe chimed in, then disappeared.

“I meant don’t be nice to me,” he told Faith. “It’s just weird.”

She laughed and for a few moments the tension in her expression disappeared. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Mommy! There’s a pool!”

“Phoebe?” She set her bags inside the doorway then called out, “Where are you?”

“In the big family room upstairs.” The reply was muffled because she was around a corner and down the hall.

Sam put his palm to the small of Faith’s back as they walked in the direction the little girl had gone. Touching her wasn’t the dumbest thing he’d ever done, but it ranked fairly high up on the list. Awareness tingled in his fingers and crackled through his entire body. The whole point of opening his home to evacuees was to be neighborly. But touching her opened up something else, too. What had she called it? Oh, yes. Connecting in a physical way. The idea of that was entirely too appealing.

They found the little girl looking out the window at the backyard. The pool was big, one could say proportional to the rest of the property. He’d put it in for swimming laps and staying in shape. Also for summer parties and entertaining. And he was particularly proud of the built-in barbecue area and outdoor kitchen. There was also a covered patio and the yard was meticulously landscaped.

“Do you want to go outside?” Sam asked.

“Yes!” Phoebe didn’t wait for further invitation. She took off ahead of them.

“Does she always speak in exclamation points?” he asked.

“Only when she gets her choice of bedroom and there’s a pool outside.”

Shoulder to shoulder, he and Faith followed, but this time Sam made it a point not to touch her. No one could say he didn’t learn from his mistakes.

They met Phoebe at the family room’s French doors, where she waited impatiently for him to unlock and open them. Outside, he watched the little girl stop and stare, taking everything in. It wasn’t long before she moved closer to the water.

“Don’t fall in,” Faith warned.

Sam positioned himself close enough to pluck her out if necessary. “I have arm floaties for my niece if you want them.”

“I can swim,” Phoebe informed him. “My camp is at the lake and they taught me how.”

“Good.”

“Can I go swimming?” she asked.

“That’s up to your mom.”

“As long as there’s an adult outside with you.” Faith held up a hand, obviously aware protest was coming. “I know you’re not a baby and can swim but water safety starts with never swimming alone.”

“Your mom is right,” Sam agreed.

“Okay. They told us that at camp, too.” The little girl moved closer to him and looked up. “I like you, Sam.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Squirt.”

“None of my friends have a pool,” she continued.

“What am I? Chopped liver? I thought I was your friend,” he protested.

“You are. So,” she continued, “does that mean I can go swimming anytime I want? As long as there’s an adult there with me?”

“Whoa, kiddo,” Faith said. “Remember we’re only here temporarily. One day. Maybe two. Just until the fire is contained and it’s safe to go home.”

“You told me that a million times, Mom.” She went over to explore the outdoor kitchen.

“You know, Faith, she’s welcome to come swimming anytime,” Sam offered.

Faith glanced at her daughter, who was opening drawers and the outdoor refrigerator and too far away to hear. “Please don’t make promises to my child that you don’t intend to keep.”

“I have every intention of keeping that promise.”

“Maybe right this minute,” she said. “But life will go back to normal and there will be female visitors. Two strikes and out. Breakup bouquets and peonies. A promise to a little girl could get in the way of that lifestyle and your women.”

“So much for you being nice to me.”

“I wasn’t being mean. Just stating a fact.” She looked past him and frowned. “Phoebe Catherine, I told you not to touch anything. Stop right now.”

Sam watched her walk away and realized several things, starting with the fact that Phoebe’s father didn’t seem to be in the picture. One could presume that Faith had been let down big-time by a man. The self-reliant message was a big clue, as was the warning to keep his promise to her child or she’d come after him like a pack of wolves. She hadn’t actually said that but the expression in her eyes had conveyed the message loud and clear.

But she needed to realize a few things, too. There weren’t as many women in his life as she thought and he made sure none of them had expectations. He wasn’t a bad guy and wanted Faith to know it. He was very careful not to make promises he couldn’t keep. Starting with commitment.

Very soon he was going to set her straight about all of the above.

Chapter Three

Faith left work early the next day and headed to the fire staging area for a volunteer shift. At the base of the mountain she saw auxiliary fire trucks parked, and soot-covered, exhausted men slumped against them. Not far away there was a tarp, and underneath it were picnic benches and a propane steam table where food was being kept warm. After parking her van she got out and instantly was hit by a gust of hot wind that whipped her hair around. She slid a scrunchie from the pocket of her jeans and pulled the strands off her face into a ponytail, then walked over to the food area.

Delanie Carlson, who owned the local pub, Bar None, transferred a case of water bottles to a large insulated chest then poured a bag of ice in to cool them down quickly. At a stove stirring food she saw Lucy Bishop, chef and co-owner of the Harvest Café. Both women were good friends.