Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (49 page)

“Why didn't you tell him?”

“If certain things get into my files, it can affect future promotions, and it doesn't sit well with the other guys if they know you're weak.”

She stopped and laid her hand on his chest, forcing him to look at her. “You're not weak. You're one of the strongest men I've ever met.”

He looked into her eyes, his heart swelling at the admiration displayed there. He shook his head. “You shame me, Ginger. You've carried a huge burden all alone, and still managed to remain kind and sweet, and raise a great kid in the process.”

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted. He stared at her mouth, wondering what she tasted like. How she would feel in his arms. His hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her closer. He gazed into her eyes and found no resistance in the green depths. Slowly, he lowered his head, his lips touching hers for a brief moment. She swayed toward him before opening her eyes. He inhaled a shaky breath and forced himself to step back. “Go to bed. You're a working woman. You need your rest.”

He watched her walk to the stairs and cross the deck before starting back to the boathouse. Something had shifted inside when he'd kissed her, leaving him confused and off balance. He had a feeling she'd felt it, too. One thing he knew for certain. One kiss from Ginger was not enough. It never would be.

* * *

The oven timer rang. Ginger inhaled the aroma of fresh blueberry muffins. Pulling the tin from the oven, she set them to cool while she finished getting ready for work. She'd offered to provide food for the workers at the Stanton house today.

“EJ. We're leaving for school in fifteen minutes.” A muffled noise was the only response.

Glancing out the large front window, her gaze came to rest on the gnarled oak tree where she'd seen Ty last night. He'd looked so alone, huddled in the Adirondack chair. Her heart had gone out to him. She understood the mental struggles after a life crisis. All she'd intended to do was listen, but as he'd shared his fears, she'd found herself wanting to encourage him to walk away from police work. She'd started to care for him, and the thought of him charging into danger every day filled her with fear.

The kiss had further confused her thoughts. She'd replayed the moment dozens of times since last night. His strong hands on her shoulders pulling her toward him, the look of longing and curiosity in his blue eyes. She'd been unable to breathe anticipating his lips on hers. His kiss had been soft, tender, like a whisper of things to come. Ty Durrant was stirring feelings she'd never thought she'd experience again. Feelings she didn't know what to do with.

Chapter Eight

T
y climbed down the ladder and headed to the garage for a cup of coffee. He was tired, sore and hungry. Mainly he was reliving that kiss. He was supposed to be thinking about his decision, but all he could think about was kissing Ginger again.

He rubbed his forehead, inhaling the cool morning air and taking a quick glance at the Stanton house. The roof was on, ready for felt paper and shingles, and the exterior walls were being covered in insulation board. The weather had cooperated. Now the interior work could get underway, and they could work through the night, if necessary. Which was looking more and more like a distinct possibility.

“Good morning.”

Ty turned around, nearly bumping into Ginger, who stood just outside the garage door. The sight of her made him smile. “Hello. I didn't expect to see you here.” She smiled back, turning his insides to warm syrup.

“It's my day to bring breakfast.” She held out a small tray with a variety of goodies. “I made the muffins and sausage balls. The homemade cinnamon rolls are Mrs. Ainsworth's.”

Ty took a blueberry muffin from the tray, peeled back the paper and took a big bite. He'd had Ginger's muffins before, and he knew how delicious they were. “You should sell these.”

“Do you think I could make enough to pay for my new transmission?”

“Definitely.”

She glanced toward the house. “How's it going?

“The roof is on, but we can always use more volunteers. We need help installing the windows and putting on the siding. Even folks willing to clean up would save time.”

“I never imagined it would be so difficult to find volunteers. I've already been through the members list. I talked to Jim about it, and he suggested I call Hope Chapel. Mr. Stanton's brother attends there, and they might be willing to help.”

“Good idea. Be sure to remind them that we don't always need skilled people, just extra hands.”

“That's good to know because many are worried they're not capable with tools.” She smiled again and started to walk away.

“Where you going?”

“You're not the only hungry man on this job.”

He watched her stroll toward the house, offering the tray of goodies to the crew. To a man, they all smiled when they looked at her.

After grabbing a large cup of coffee, Ty left the food table and headed across the yard. His gaze sought out Ginger, and he found her standing on the far side of the house talking to Shaw McKinney. Something in the way the carpenter was leaning toward her sent a finger of irritation down Ty's spine. Ginger was smiling. Shaw laughed and bent toward her. Ty set his jaw. Ginger nodded, laughing out loud at something Shaw said. The sound of her laughter landed with a thud in his chest.

Ginger waved at Shaw, then walked back toward him. Ty's gaze darted between Shaw, who was watching her walk away, and Ginger, who had a silly smile on her face. She stopped in front of him and held out the tray. “There's one more blueberry muffin if you're interested.”

“What did he say to you?”

“Who?”

“Shaw. Was he bothering you?”

“No. We were just talking.”

Ty glanced over at the man who had his hands on his hips and an amused grin on his face. Shaw raised a two-finger salute. “You need to stay away from him. He's not the kind of guy you should encourage.”

“Encourage?”

Ty sent a glare in Shaw's direction. “He's got a reputation.”

“I'm sure he can't be that bad. I doubt your sister would hire someone who wasn't trustworthy. He was very nice. I liked him.”

“He's not nice. He's...” Words failed him. How could he make her see that the man wasn't the type she should get involved with. “He's not the kind to commit.”

“Who said I was looking for commitment?”

This wasn't going the way he intended. Ginger was glaring at him, her green eyes dark and stormy. Didn't she understand that he was just trying to protect her?

“I'm trying to tell you...”

“You're trying to tell me who I can and can't talk to?”

“No, I just don't want you to get hurt.”

“Well, for your information, I liked Shaw. He was sweet. You're my landlord, not my guardian. What I do and who I see are none of your business.”

Ginger stomped off, leaving Ty standing alone and uncomfortably aware that his exchange with Ginger had called attention to himself. Landlord? Is that how she thought of him? After that kiss last night, he'd thought they were something more. Fine. If she wanted to get tangled up with a guy like Shaw, it was none of his concern.

Turning on his heel, Ty strode back to the house. He filled his apron with roofing nails, hoisted a fifty-pound bundle of shingles onto his shoulder and started up the ladder. On the roof, he dropped the bundle and glanced down to the yard. Ginger was climbing into her car. He exhaled a tense breath, then went to work.

* * *

Ginger dropped her purse on her desk and sat down, still mad at Ty's overbearing behavior. Did he think one kiss gave him the right to tell her what to do?

April looked up from the other desk, eyebrows raised to her hairline. “What happened to you?”

“Shaw McKinney.”

A slow, dreamy smile softened April's features. “Yeah. He happens to all of us.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “Gorgeous.”

Ginger frowned. “I suppose, but that's not what I meant. I was talking to him at the site this morning, and Ty got all weird, talking about Shaw not being a nice guy, and that I should stay away from him.” Ginger leaned back in her chair, arms over her chest. “Where does he get off telling me who I can talk to? Shaw was simply asking about the volunteers, and he complimented me on my muffins.”

April laughed out loud. “Honey, don't you get it? Ty was jealous.”

“What?”

“I've seen the way he looks at you, and I see your face when you talk about him. There's something going on between you two.”

Ginger tried to hide the blush that burned her cheeks. “There's nothing going on.”

“Uh-huh.” April crossed her arms over her chest. “Has he kissed you yet?”

A small squeak escaped Ginger's mouth. “That is really none of your business.”

“I knew it. Good for him.” April leaned toward her, a smirk on her lips. “You can try and deny it, but I'm telling you, Ty was watching you smile at Shaw, and his blood started to boil. In his own twisted male way, he was trying to protect you.”

Ginger thought that over. “He did say something about not wanting me to get hurt.”

April nodded and pointed a finger at her. “If I was you, I'd be tickled to death that he was so upset. There's something real sweet about a man wanting to protect the woman he cares about.”

Ginger mulled that over the rest of the day. Was that what he'd been doing? The idea sent a bubble of lightness in her chest. She'd tried to dismiss it as just a friendly peck, even though she'd sensed something more. If he was jealous, then that meant he had feelings for her. Maybe this attraction she'd felt between them was more personal than she'd thought.

* * *

Ty trudged across the deck that evening, bone-tired. A twinge of anxiety made him pause with his hand on the doorknob. He'd avoided Ginger this afternoon, leaving as soon as she'd arrived from work, to return to the job site and get a few more hours of work done.

But he couldn't avoid her indefinitely. Might as well face the music. No doubt Ginger would have a few more choice words for him about his behavior this morning. He couldn't blame her. He'd acted like an idiot. Opening the door, he stepped inside, a sharp pain in his left thigh wringing a soft gasp from his throat. So much for being in shape.

“Are you all right?”

He glanced over at Ginger, who stood near the sink. The concern in her gaze sent a warm sensation through his heart. “Yeah. I guess I overdid it today. I know one thing for sure. I don't want a career in construction.”

“Tyster.” EJ hurried forward and stopped in front of him, tilting his head back to smile up at him. “We're having tacos tonight.”

“My favorite.”

EJ frowned. “That's what you said about Mom's chicken, too.”

“Well, that's because I like everything your mom makes.” He smiled at Ginger, hoping to score a few points. She didn't smile back. Resigned, he started toward the sink to wash his hands, EJ sticking close at his side.

“It's all ready.”

Ty took a seat at the small table in the eating area, stealing quick glances at Ginger, but he couldn't gauge her mood from her expression. Thankfully, EJ dominated the conversation for most of the meal. When the boy went to his room to play, Ty helped clean up, then sat back down at the table, releasing a groan as his sore muscles complained. He rubbed his shoulder, rotating it a few times to loosen up.

“Let me help.”

Ginger's soft voice stilled him; her hands on his shoulders sent a rush of heat through his veins. Slowly, she began to massage his shoulders and neck. Her hands were strong and sure, finding the knots and working them loose. “You've done this before.”

“I had to learn some techniques to help John.”

Ty decided it was time to make things right. Reaching up, he took her wrists in his hands and gently pulled her arms down across his chest until her face was beside his. “I was a jerk this morning. Forgive me?”

“I'll think about it.”

Ty closed his eyes as her breath caressed his cheek. “I was jealous.”

“I figured that out.”

He released her hands, turning to look at her. “Are you upset?” The smile she gave him sent his heart soaring. “I shouldn't have carried that bundle of shingles to the roof. I was trying to impress you, and you didn't even see me. Dumb, huh?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms over her chest, but there was a smile on her lips. “But I was impressed.”

Happiness bubbled up inside his chest like a kid's first Christmas. Now he could sleep and dream of a green-eyed beauty who warmed his heart.

* * *

Ty inched his truck forward a few more feet. The line to pick up EJ from school was moving slowly today. He shifted in the seat, realizing that his shoulders didn't ache today, thanks to Ginger's skilled hands. Now if he could find more skilled hands to help at the Stantons', he'd be a lot more hopeful. He appreciated the members who had stepped up to volunteer. Each one had come with willing hands and loving hearts, reminding him how much Dover and its citizens meant to him. But they needed more help if they were going to have the job done on schedule.

Ty pulled the truck to a stop beside the school's side door, waiting as EJ climbed in, dumped his backpack on the floor and fastened his seat belt.

“How'd it go today, buddy?” Ty steered the vehicle to the end of the drive and around the cafeteria building, following the painted arrows on the asphalt to the exit. He looked forward to picking EJ up each day. They spent the afternoons together fishing, tossing a football or hiking the trails along the lake when the weather permitted. The boy was bright and curious, with a great sense of humor.

“Awesome. Tyster, do you like being a cop?”

Ty glanced over at him. The inquisitive brown eyes were watching him intently. “Yes. I do. Why do you ask?”

“Willy Sanders's dad came to the school today. He's a cop. I think cops are cool.”

“You do?” A knot formed in Ty's chest. Ginger would not be pleased with his new interest. “Why's that?”

“They help people.”

“They try. It's part of their job. Do you know what the policeman's motto is?” EJ shook his head. “To protect and serve.”

“Is that why they have guns? To protect people?”

“Right.”

“What's the serve part mean?”

“That's the helping part. Like after an accident or with an argument, things like that.”

“The cops helped me and my mom after my dad got shot.”

Ty inhaled slowly. This was a topic EJ should discuss with his mother. But he didn't want to discourage the boy from talking, either. “I'm glad to hear that.”

“They came and talked to Mom, then they made us go stand with other people so we'd be safe. There were lots of policemen and firemen, and all kinds of trucks and stuff.”

“That must have been scary.”

EJ nodded. “My daddy took a ride in the ambulance.”

“I know.” EJ rode quietly for a while, and Ty assumed he was remembering the day his father was shot.

“Tyster? Do you have a gun and a badge?”

“Yes.”

“Why don't you wear 'em? Cops wear guns. Willy's dad had a gun and a badge and handcuffs.”

“I don't have my gun or badge right now because I'm on leave of absence.”

“What's that mean?”

Unwilling to talk about the details of his shooting with the boy, Ty searched for a simple explanation. “I got injured on the job a few months ago, and I have to get better before I can go back to work.”

EJ mulled that over a moment. “We all got to hold Willy's dad's badge. It was really heavy.”

The simple statement landed like a stone in Ty's chest. The weight of that small badge had become heavier than he'd ever imagined.

He glanced at EJ, who was staring out the window. Should he encourage him to talk or let the subject rest? Maybe he should tell Ginger about the conversation. But then he'd be betraying EJ's trust. The boy was fishing for something. He just didn't know what. Maybe it was best he didn't interfere. If EJ brought up the subject again, then he'd mention it to Ginger.

* * *

Ginger pushed the start button on the dishwasher, then picked up the dishrag and wiped down the counter, draping it over the side of the sink when she finished. Cleanup had been quicker tonight. Ty had returned to the job site. She missed him. The cabin felt strange without his energetic presence.