Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (new ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“Eddie is single.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “I know.”

“And gorgeous.”

“Uh, if you like the type.”

Lauren laughed. “Type?”

Amy grinned, remembering their conversation. “Silent, intense, everything and everyone in its place.”

“You got all that in…what? A few hours?”

Amy shrugged.

“So you’re not interested in a little holiday fling?”

The thought of her with Eddie Fitzgerald was…mind boggling. “No. Way. I have enough to deal with without taking that on. Besides, I’ll be lucky if he spends time in the same room with us. Raelynn won’t even meet him.”

“Poor darling. It can’t be easy for her. Was she like that with Baron?”

“Yeah, but having Kara made a difference. Anyway, I have an idea on how to fix things. It will depend on Eddie, and whether or not he’s good with children.”

“I hope he is. I offered to show him around,” Lauren said, a sheepish expression on her face.

Amy couldn’t explain the sudden hollow feeling in her stomach. “And?”

“He took my card and said he’ll call.”

“I’m sure he will,” Amy said weakly.

Lauren grinned. “We’ll see. Later.”

Amy walked her to the door, waved as she walked away, and then she went in search of Raelynn.

***

Eddie was aware of being watched. He wasn’t sure whether it was Amy, the daughter or the realtor. He couldn’t believe the woman wanted to sell him a home. He should have told her he wasn’t interested instead of taking her card and agreeing to see a few local listings. He wasn’t into remote getaways like his cousins. He belonged in L.A., putting bad guys behind bars.

Eddie finished with the motor and sat back. The sun was high in the sky and even though he was under the canopy, he was hot, sweaty and thirsty. At least he knew exactly what the engine needed, which meant a trip to a supply store.

Footsteps on the dock drew his attention. Amy walked toward him carrying a tray with a pitcher and a glass. Her daughter stayed behind her, so all Eddie saw was a yellow lifejacket and green shorts and curly blonde hair. Usually kids adored him, if nieces and nephew counted, but this one…he sensed her fear. Of him or men in general, he didn’t know. By the time they reached him, he had pulled his shirt back on and was ready to charm her.

“We thought you might be thirsty,” Amy said.

“Thanks.” He didn’t get up even when she placed the tray on the boat. His position meant he was eye-level with her daughter, who wrapped an arm around her mother’s leg and peered at him, a thumb in her mouth. He pretended not to notice her scrutiny.

“So what’s the verdict?” Amy asked, one hand on her hip, the other going to her daughter’s head.

“The propeller, the oil filter and a few worn out bolts need to be replaced. The oil needs changing too. I’ll drive out to Sandpoint and pick up parts later today or tomorrow.”

“That’s good. Do you want to take a break and have a freshly squeezed glass of lemonade chilled to perfection?”

The glass and the pitcher had cute little red and yellow flowers, and he imagined putting smudges all over them. “I think I’ll wash my hands before I touch anything.”

“Oh we don’t mind, do we, sweetheart?” Raelynn didn’t respond, but Amy appeared not to notice. She kept her daughter in their conversation as she sat on the nearest beach chair. There were several of them, even one smaller, but Raelynn didn’t sit. Instead, she stay glued to her mother’s side, thumb still in her mouth, eyes on him. “Besides, there’s nothing on this boat that can clean him up, is there?”

Raelynn shook her head.

“There you have it, Fitzgerald. You are officially the messiest mechanic we’ve ever seen.”

“I’m not.” He wiped his fingers across his forehead and a giggle came from the child.

“You just made your face worse,” Amy said.

He’d gotten a giggle, and that was what mattered. He wiped his nose, deliberately adding more smudges. “Is that better?”

More giggles from Raelynn, the thumb slipping out of her mouth.

“I think you forgot your cheek,” Amy said, catching on.

“Where?”

“Right there.” Amy leaned forward to touch his face.

He leaned back. There was no way he was letting her touch him. He’d made the mistake of letting her touch him earlier and filed it under ‘never to be repeated.’ The woman screwed with his head enough without adding physical contact.

“I got it.” He pretended to clean his cheeks, deliberately smearing them with black, oily goo, then made eye contact with Raelynn, who was giggling uncontrollably.

She was a beautiful child. She might not look like Amy now, but anyone could tell they were related. They had the same brilliant blue eyes and stubborn tilt of their chins.

As though aware of his scrutiny, Raelynn slid her thumb back into her mouth and hid behind her mother’s chair. After a few seconds, she peeked at him. Eddie didn’t smile, but he and the little girl stared at each other. He had no idea what was going in her head, but at least she wasn’t screaming.

“I think I’ll have some lemonade now,” he said, keeping his voice neutral.

“Would you like to meet the person who made it? All I did was cut the lemons.” She glanced over her shoulder though she didn’t try to urge her daughter to come out of her hiding place. “Well, sweetheart?”

Raelynn shook her head, her curls bouncing.

Amy smiled and touched her daughter’s cheek, then gave Eddie an apologetic little smile. “I guess she’s not ready to play.”

“Maybe the lemonade connoisseur doesn’t like greasy hands,” Eddie added, wiping his hand on his shirt.

“Eew,” Raelynn managed to say around her thumb, but she still didn’t move from behind his mother’s chair.

Eddie chuckled.

Amy shook her head at his antics, then poured him some lemonade. Their fingers touched as she passed him the glass and they both froze. The smile she gave him was tinged with a hint of mischief, as if she knew the effect she had on him. Or maybe it was all