Protected Hearts

Tina glanced at the latest delivery and then at Emma.

She had to get those estimates now, before the shop literally grew through the roof.

By the time they had sorted out the day’s orders and deliveries, it was growing late. It was dark when she drove home. Again, Emma saw candlelight flickering next door. But rather than instilling fear, this time it triggered guilt. Seth must be her new neighbor—no one burgled the same place two nights in a row. Which meant she hadn’t been very neighborly. Especially since he appeared to still be without power.

She ought to make the effort, cook something for dinner, take it over.

Keeping to her routine, she put the dogs out back—after making certain the gate was firmly closed. Of course, if Sundance smelled something, he’d find a way out. She could have put them in the dog run, a chain-link enclosure with a roof, which they couldn’t escape from. But she didn’t like to limit them to the small space. She watched her dogs carefully, herding them back inside before Sundance could wander.

As soon as they were in the kitchen, she turned all the locks on the back door with a shiver of relief. Her resolve weakening, she opened the refrigerator. She could defrost some chicken. There were enough ingredients in her pantry to assemble some sort of dish to offer her new neighbor. But she thought of the flickering candlelight, the fear she’d felt the previous evening. Closing her eyes, she sank back against the counter.

And her resolve disappeared altogether.

Over the next week Seth distributed more of his business cards than he’d expected to. Still, he was surprised by the phone call from Michael Carlson, setting up today’s meeting. Carlson owned the largest construction company in the region.

Sitting across the desk from him, Michael was gracious but forthright with his proposition. “I get a lot of calls from people who need work done, but the job’s not big enough to dedicate a crew to it. I’d like to have someone reliable who I can refer. Luke over at the hardware store gave me a call, told me about you.”

“In a small town like this I’m surprised you don’t have a list of independent contractors.”

“I do.” Michael smiled ruefully. “I’ve hired the best of them to head my crews. There are still plenty of one man outfits, plumbers, painters, electricians. But not a general contractor I feel good about recommending.”

“Then you’re going to need some references.”

“I’d like to see some of your work.”

Seth nodded. “That’s reasonable. Fact is I haven’t done much contracting in several years.”

“You’re just getting back into it?”

“Getting back to my roots, so to speak. Remodeling paid my way through school.”

“What did you study?”

“Architecture. Which is what I’ve been doing since I graduated.” Seth braced himself, expecting Michael to grill him.

“That’s a great asset for a contractor. Do you have some older jobs I can check out?”

Seth had prepared a list, which he handed to Michael. “The majority are in Dallas. But you’ll find phone numbers there for contacts with several major construction firms.”

“I have to say this is very impressive.” Michael lowered the paper and Seth could see the question in his eyes. Why was Seth going backward on his career path? “Perhaps I should be recruiting you to head one of my crews.”

“I’d rather work on my own.”

Michael met his gaze, his own measuring. “I can respect that. It was hard for me to learn to delegate—especially since I started this business by myself with only a tool belt.”

Seth glanced around the luxurious office. “You’ve done well.”

“I’ve been blessed,” Michael replied simply. “I moved to Rosewood myself not that many years ago. I found the people to be welcoming, genuine. I hope you feel that way.”

“I haven’t been here all that long,” Seth hedged.

“Took me a while, too.” Michael glanced down at the paper. “I’ll make a few calls and get back to you. When would you be ready to take referrals?”

“Any time.”

“You’re all settled in then?”

Seth thought of his near-empty house. “I’m getting there.”

“Good. It doesn’t take much to figure out things in Rosewood, but if you need a hand, call.”

“You haven’t checked my references yet.”

“That’s business. But when you’re new in town sometimes you need a neighbor more than work.”

Seth blinked. “That’s a far cry from how things are done in Dallas.”

Michael chuckled. “I guess so. Before Rosewood I lived in a different town, but it was just as small. So I guess it’s second nature. Welcome.” He extended his hand.

Accepting the handshake, Seth sensed Michael’s sincerity. He was glad to have met this man. If he still believed in signs of good fortune, he would have thought this was one.

A week later, Emma still hadn’t made a solitary neighborly gesture toward Seth McAllister. And that wasn’t like her.

She hadn’t made a decision about enlarging the shop, either. And the situation was past dire. Try It On had just been commissioned to make new choir robes.

Emma was delighted at the chance to update and redesign the robes—the Community Church had a wonderful choir. She was already sketching out ideas in her head. Which was a good thing since her draft board was now buried under the last delivery. She’d considered taking the drafting table home, but that would only complicate matters. The fabric and tools she needed were here at the shop.

Luckily, Cindy had again volunteered to help, this time to organize the overflow. She held up a bolt of fuzzy pink fabric. “Where do you want me to put this?”

The space where the fake fur had been was now filled with another bolt of material. “I swear they multiply at night after I leave.” Emma rubbed her forehead. “For now, on the cutting table.”

“That’s already stacked a mile high.”

Emma sighed. “When did everything get so out of control?”

“It’s not so much out of control—it’s that you’re out of room. Face it, Emma, push has come to shove. Why don’t you call Michael? He’ll give you a fair bid and he won’t run over budget with a bunch of unexpected costs.”

Michael was a friend from church and Emma knew Cindy was right about him. He would be more than fair. “I wish I were more flexible, open to change—it would make this easier.”

“We are who we are,” Cindy replied.

“How did you become so wise?”

“I had plenty of practice doing dumb things. I guess after a while some of it had to sink in.”

Emma finally smiled. Cindy was kind, generous, full of life and fun. But definitely not dumb. “Uh-huh.”

“So, are you going to call Michael?”