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

in the process of draining his orange juice and choked on it. His aunt, Chase and Baron’s mother, was the one who had suggested Eddie visit East Hope and help the local PD catch the burglar breaking into homes. She never mentioned Amy.

“What are you saying?” Eddie asked warily.

“I’m saying that Mom played you like a fine-tuned guitar, detective. The more she heard about the housekeeper and her little girl, the more she got that gleam in her eyes.”

Yeah, the same calculating gleam she’d worn for weeks as she plotted on bringing Baron and Kara together, then more recently, Faith and Ken.

“She must have decided that you and the housekeeper are her next project.”

“I have absolutely nothing in common with this woman.”

“Actually you do. A lot. Do you know what she does for a living?”

“No. What?”

“That is for you to find out, detective.” Chase laughed. “Happy courting.”

“You’re an ass.” His cousin’s mocking laugh rang in Eddie’s ears even after he hung up. He was still contemplating his predicament and searching for quick exit strategy when the patio door slid open and Amy stepped out. She wore a tight smile, which set off warning bells in his head. Had she heard the conversation between him and Chase? Even if she had, she wouldn’t have known they were discussing her.

“Raelynn is up. She’s eating breakfast inside,” she said, wiping her hands on her shorts repeatedly, a sign of nervousness.

Eddie nodded then got up and picked up his plate and utensils. “I’m done here too.”

“I’ll take those inside,” she offered quickly.

“Amy, I don’t expect you to pick up after me or wait on me.”

“Okay. Just, let me do it this once.”

She didn’t want him to go inside the house. He couldn’t see the child, but he somehow knew Amy’s twitchiness had something to do with her. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Where are you going?” she asked when he stepped away from the table.

His cocked a brow. “To the garage. Unless you object.”

“Uh, no. What is in the garage?”

“A toolbox. I plan to fix the boat.”

“Oh, that’s great. There’s a side door that opens into the garage.” She pointed toward the east side of the house, which meant he wouldn’t have to go inside the house.

Irritated, Eddie paused before passing her. “You know, eventually I’ll have to meet her,” he said, lowering his voice.

She gave him a shaky smile. “Uh, how did you know?”

“I know kids. Some are great with strangers, others are not.”

“If only it were that simple,” she said then a panicked look crossed her pretty face. “Thanks for understanding.”

Eddie nodded. He’d met chronically shy children in his line of work but he had no idea what caused them to be so insecure or how to deal with them. His plan to keep to himself seemed even more attractive than before.

CHAPTER 3

Amy watched Eddie walk away. Behind his tough guy act beat the heart of an intuitive, nice guy. Rigid and anal, but nice. She collected the plates from the table and reentered the house.

“Is he gone, Mommy?” Raelynn asked.

“No, sweetheart. Do you remember the last time Mr. Baron and Ms. Kara were here?”

“Yeah, we went to Eagle Island.” Raelynn shoved pieces of pancake into her tiny mouth. Every day, she looked more and more like her father. The little reminders—the blonde hair, the arched eyebrows, the stubborn tilt of her head—were bittersweet.

“Remember the boat stopped working?”

Raelynn nodded, forking more pancake.

“Well, Mr. Fitzgerald is going to fix it.”

Her daughter’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I miss the boat. Is he really Mr. Baron’s cousin?”

“Yes. He’s going to stay with us for a few weeks.”

Shadows appeared in her blue eyes and her lower lip stuck out. She swiped syrup from her plate with her chubby fingers and licked them. “Why?”

“Because this is his summer home too and he’s here on vacation.”

“Why?”

“People work hard, sweetie, but once in a while they take a break and rest. So they travel somewhere nice, like here, and rest.”

“Where’s he from?” Raelynn lifted the plate and brought it to her face.

“Los Angeles, just like Mr. Baron and Ms. Kara.” Amy stared at her daughter and shook her head. “Raelynn Kincaid. What did I say about licking syrup off your plate?”

Her daughter peeked from behind the plate and giggled. “The bad manners goonies will glue my tongue to the plate.”

“That’s right. So what are you supposed to do when you are done eating?”

“Put my plate in the sink and wash it with water, not my tongue,” she recited it like a poem then gave Amy a lost puppy look. “Sorry I forgot, Mommy.”

Oh, she didn’t play fair. Amy walked to her side and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Put it in the sink.”

Her daughter slid down the stool and walked to the sink. “Can I help with the dishes, Mommy? Please? I promise not to make a mess.”

Empty promise.

“Sure, sweetheart,” Amy said. She looked outside and caught Eddie walking down the dock. He was graceful for such a big man, his loose hipped swagger mesmerizing. He stepped off the dock and onto the boat, which was still on its lift.

“Mommy?”

She dragged her gaze away from Eddie to her daughter. Raelynn had stepped up on the stool by the sink and her short, chubby arms were elbow deep in the soapy water.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“You have a funny look on your face. Is it because of Mr. Fiss…Fiss?”

“Just call him Mr. Eddie.” Yes, Amy. Why are you staring at your houseguest? She didn’t understand why she always gravitated toward serious, quiet guys. They were nothing but trouble. Emotionally unavailable. Married to their jobs. “I’m looking at the boat and hoping we can take it out soon. I’ve missed it.”

“Me too. Do you really think Mr. Eddie will fix it?”

“Absolutely.” He looked like the unstoppable type.

“Does he fix boats in Los Angeles? Mr. Baron and Ms. Kara clean pictures, you write books, Aunt Lauren sells houses, Grampa and Granma teach. When I grow up I’m going to be a