Page 53 of Come to Me

She watched him, still uncertain about what he wanted. Just her forgiveness? Or was he wanting the fling they’d agreed to before he blew it all up?

Patrick let out a shaky breath, his gaze locked with hers “At the very least, let me make it up to you."

Micki felt the tension in her body begin to ease, but she wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet. "How, exactly, do you plan to do that?"

“I could help with Fourth of July preparations. I may not be much of a handyman, but I'm a quick learner, and I'd be more than happy to put in the work."

Micki tried to stop the mental image of Patrick, shirtless, fumbling his way through resort tasks. "I appreciate the offer, but our Fourth of July celebration is no small affair. It takes lot of work to pull it off."

"I’m at your service." His eyes twinkled with a renewed sense of determination. "Whatever you need, I'm here to help."

After his hurtful words and sudden retreat, she found it difficult to fully trust his sincerity. Yet, the vulnerability etched across his features was hard to ignore.

"Alright," she relented, maintaining skepticism. "If you're serious about helping, there's plenty that needs to be done." She mentally ran through the long list of tasks that needed handling.

"We need to test the lake water. Sand is being delivered in a day, and it will need to be put along the beaches," she began.

“Tell me how, and I’ll do it.”

“We need cabins to be serviced to make sure they’re ready for the guest coming that weekend.”

“Give me a clipboard and I’ll do it.”

She couldn’t stop her lips from twitching up at the image of him with a clipboard. “There is shopping and cooking and decorating.”

“Which needs to be done first?”

Despite her lingering doubts, Micki couldn't help but be impressed by his eagerness. "Start with the family cabins. Make sure the floors are swept, the beds are made, and clean towels are available. I’ll get you the keys.”

"Consider it done. What else?"

“How about we start with that and see how it goes.”

He grinned. “You don’t think I can manage it?”

“I think you grew up with a maid.”

“I did, but since I moved out on my own, I’ve done my own cleaning and cooking.”

That surprised her.

“Let me change and I’ll meet you at the first cabin.”

“Alright.” She watched as he descended the ladder, doing her best to keep his eagerness to help from softening her to him. For all she knew, he’d once again feel overwhelmed by country life and tell her to take a hike again.

Micki finished the roof patch and climbed down. She grabbed the family cabin keys from the kitchen where her mother was busy baking.

“Where you off to now?” Lori asked as she put a tray of chocolate chip cookies in the oven.

“Dealing with the family cabins.” Micki headed out the back and down to a storage shed under the deck where she pulled out cleaning tools and products. She found Patrick at the first cabin in jeans and a T-shirt that fit way too nicely across his chest. She tried to ignore his pecs as she handed him the keys. “Sorry, no clipboard, but there are paper and pens in the cabins. You can make note of what is needed. Here are cleaning supplies.” She set them on the front stoop.

“Consider it done.” He took the keys, his fingers brushing hers. Like memory yarn, her body sizzled.

“Mom will have cookies and drinks at four. We can see how far you get.”

He set the broom in front of him, leaning on it toward her. “Oh, ye of little faith.”

She shrugged.

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