A Place to Belong

“Don’t say that, you’ll be here all day.” Sassy’s jaunty grin matched her bobbing brown ponytail. “Want some coffee while you wait?”

“Oh, might as well. And one of those decadent sticky rolls that are so bad for me.”

“Got it.” The waitress sashayed away, dodging chairs, checking tables, and offering comments as she went.

“You’re out and about early this morning, Kitty.” Sloan casually stirred his coffee.

“The Land Run committee meeting.” Clutching a small, flat handbag, Kitty propped her arms on the tabletop. The tiny purse chain clinked against worn Formica. “I’m picking up the doughnuts.”

The Land Run Committee was made up of business people and interested citizens who put together all the details of the two-day historical celebration. Jace had never joined the official committee but he helped out where he could.

“Annie and I will be there,” Sloan said. “Have you talked to Margo this week?”

Local businesswoman Margo Starks chaired the Land Run Committee along with the mayor. Jace found the woman intimidating but she got the job done.

“Not since the last meeting. Why?”

“She told Annie the vendor list is filling up. The Old West Gunfighters and the trick rider group confirmed.”

“Oh, good. Both of those are highlights.”

“And…” Sloan paused for effect. “Both groups asked about staying at your motel again.”

Kitty clapped her hands. “You’re just full of good news this morning, Sloan Hawkins.”

“Which means I need to get to those repairs sooner rather than later,” Jace said. Kitty needed the extra income that came with the Land Run Celebration but that required all the motel units be in top shape. Which they were not.

Kitty’s blue gaze turned on him. “Will you have time?”

“Sure.” He’d make time. She was a hero’s widow.

His conscience tweaked just the slightest. Dave Wainright wasn’t the only reason he found time for the Widow Wainright.

“Will your friend be helping you? He told me about that place in Florida the two of you renovated.”

Jace hoped his face didn’t register the shock. He’d never been to Florida in his life and to his knowledge Donny knew nothing about building, particularly the special kind of restoration Jace did.

“I can’t speak for Donny, but the work will get done in time. Don’t worry.”

“Oh, I’m not worried. If you tell me you’ll do something, you always do.” She turned her smile on Sloan. “Redemption’s blessed to have someone like Jace.”

Sloan cast an amused glance at Jace. “Can’t argue that. His expert eye saved me a bundle on Aunt Lydia’s chimney. I was going to tear the thing down.”

“It’s not about the money,” Jace said.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s the history.” Sloan sipped at his coffee, then grinned from Jace to Kitty. “Get him talking about restoration and he’s a chatterbox.”

Jace grinned sheepishly. Sloan was right. He felt good about making old things new again, and he believed the most dilapidated building could be rehabilitated into something beautiful.

“Why tear down something that’s impossible to get back? All that history and character gone forever.”

“Which is why Kitty’s right. Redemption needs you, my friend.”

“I hope you’ll still say that after you get my bill.”

They all laughed, but Jace reached for his napkin, more for something to do than out of need. Compliments made him nervous. What if he couldn’t live up to them? Especially now that Donny was in town.

Kitty leaned forward and, above the smells of coffee and bacon, Jace caught the soft scent of roses. “Which reminds me, I almost forgot to tell you. The closet door in Unit 4 won’t close. I know you’re busy, but when you get time—”

“I’ll run by this afternoon.”

Sloan made a funny noise. “Listen, kids,” he said. “I’d love to stay—but duty calls. Duty and a gorgeous blonde. Annie and the kids are expecting fresh raisin bread with their breakfasts and I see Hank putting loaves in the case now.”

Kitty glanced at the clock above the cash register. “You’d better hurry if you plan to make the Land Run meeting.”

“Right.” Sloan pushed back and rose, directing his parting remarks to Jace. “Let me know what you think about the attic repair.”

Jace nodded. “Call you tonight.”

And he was left alone with Kitty.

Jace was on the premises. Again.

Pleasure curled in Kitty’s chest. Even from her position in the attic of the laundry room, she could hear his quiet voice talking to someone. He had such a nice voice. Soothing. Kind. She liked to hear Jace talk.

Like yesterday in the Sugar Shack, she’d practically had to pry words from him until she’d asked about the renovations on the old bank and he’d opened up. She’d sat back, nibbled the gooey cinnamon roll and listened to that soothing voice.

Now she could hear it again, somewhere outside the motel units.

She stuck her head through the open hole leading down onto the washer. “Jace!”

The rumbling voices stopped. “Kitty? Where are you?”

“Laundry room.”

In seconds, the door opened and sunlight spilled over the washing machine like melting butter. Spring was fully upon them and Kitty reveled in the new awakenings of life. However, spring also meant birds trapped in the attic and she was determined to discourage their nests early on.

“What are you doing up there?” Jace’s head was tilted back. He wore an amused expression above his usual neatly pressed jeans and shirt. In one work-gloved hand, he carried a leather tool belt.

Next to him was his friend, Donny Babcock. She’d only met Donny a few times since he’d sat in her office and told her far more about his life than she wanted to know. He was nice enough, she supposed. A little pushy maybe but if Jace liked him, he must be okay.

“Birds.” She slapped a hand at a cobweb stuck to her hair. “Phew. I’ll need to go through the washer myself when I finish this job.”

“Want me to have a look?”

“No, that’s all right. I can do it, although I feel bad about destroying all the hard work some poor little pair of birds has done to build a nest. Do you have any extra boards on you? Maybe if I find their entrance points and cover them, the birds can’t get in here in the first place.”

“Let me come up and have a look.” He turned to Donny. “You can unload the materials over at Unit 7 while I take care of this.”