A Place to Belong

Donny didn’t look too happy about the assignment but he flashed a toothy grimace at Kitty and left.

“Come up and I’ll show you.”

“How did you get up there?”

“The washer.”

Jace looked dubious. “No ladder?”

All the blood was starting to run to her head. She must look like a beet by now. A beet with stringy blond hair loaded with cobwebs and insulation.

“Oh, come on, scaredy cat. You can do it.”

His mouth curved. “Catch me if I fall?”

Impossible, considering she was above and he was below so she laughed. “Absolutely.”

After pocketing his gloves, he handed up his tool belt and stepped upon the washer. When he stood, Kitty’s hair grazed his face. He blew it out of the way. And just that simple little connection made her pulse jump. She retreated from the opening.

His hands appeared first, strong and capable. Then as if he was chinning himself in a gym, he pulled his upper body through the opening.

Kitty’s pulse fluttered again. For a trim guy, Jace Carter was incredibly strong.

Dust flew around him as he stood. Balancing with booted feet on separate rafters, he placed a fist on either hip. “A ladder would have been easier.”

Kitty tossed her hair, laughing at him. “A challenge is good for you.”

“I’ll remember you said that when we’re both in traction.”

Kitty laughed again. She felt almost giddy today. It must be spring and the excitement of the coming Land Run Celebration. She glanced at Jace standing there, stance wide, as he stared around at the attic interior. Kitty knew what attraction felt like, though she’d long repressed the emotion out of dedication to Dave. But Annie’s comments had her noticing Jace Carter. If she was attracted to him, she didn’t want to be, though she had to admit the zip in her blood felt good.

“The birds must be getting in through that vent under the eave,” she said, pointing.

“They probably ripped through the screen.”

“Can a little bitty bird do that?”

“Sure. Shelter is a powerful incentive.”

To prove the fact, wings fluttered around the gap leading to the outside but the bird quickly flew away when Kitty moved in that direction. She picked her way toward the wall, taking care not to step off the rafters. A step down would put her in contact with the ceiling of the laundry room. She doubted the Sheetrock would hold her weight.

“Wouldn’t hurt to put a floor up here.” Jace stepped gingerly, too, his contractor’s eyes studying the wiring as he moved.

“Too expensive. I don’t come up here often.”

“Once is all it takes.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Grim reaper.”

His mouth curved, and she was tempted to do something else silly just to watch his eyes light up and the corners crinkle with merriment. Sometimes he was too solemn.

“Let’s check the nests first, make sure there are no eggs yet.”

Kitty caught her lip between her teeth. “What will we do if there are? I don’t want to break up someone’s happy home.”

She expected Jace to tease. Instead, his smile was soft. “Let’s look first, then worry.”

“Good advice.” Kitty started for the closest nest, a bundle of dried grass and twigs.

“Can you reach it?” He started toward her.

She tiptoed. “Maybe.”

Straining to see inside the nest, she peeked inside. A wild flap of wings rushed her face. “Oh!”

She jerked back, lost her balance, and fell at an angle across the rafters to slam her shoulder into the side of the house.

Jace was there before the dust cleared. He crouched beside her. “Are you okay?”

A little shaky, she sat up and dusted off her now dirty blouse. “Embarrassed. It was just a bird.”

“An unexpected bird. I would have done the same thing.”

“Probably not, but you’re sweet to say so.” She rotated her shoulder.

“Come on, let’s get you up and assess the damage.”

He took her by the arm, and once again she was aware of the strength in those battered carpenter’s hands. Together they stood, Kitty teetering a bit as she sought for balance and to quiet her racing pulse.

Jace hooked an arm around her waist and stood like a solid wall, letting her lean on him, waiting for her to settle. Through the dust of the attic, she caught the scent of soap, aftershave and warm man, scents she’d tried to forget about in the years since Dave’s death. A woman missed those manly smells.

“Okay now?” That quiet voice of his soothed something inside her.

Kitty nodded, acutely aware of how close they were, of how solid he was, and of how small and delicate she felt next to him.

Jace cleared his throat and slowly released his hold. She clung to his shoulder a moment longer. “Jace.”

He broke contact gently but firmly and stepped back two rafters. His face was tense. “You shouldn’t come up here. It’s not safe. You’re bleeding.”

Kitty glanced in surprise at her bloodied palm. “It’s only a scrape.”

“You should put something on that.” He turned his back as though the sight of her blood bothered him. “Go on down. I’ll take care of this.”

He moved away and went to the damaged vent. Kitty watched his stiff back for a moment longer and then she slid through the attic opening into the laundry room.

Chapter Five

Jace wanted to kick himself.