Page 9 of Bridge to Safety

“It doesn’t. You have bad luck.” He crossed his arms. “What’s going on?”

“He scares the spit out of me. He wants to do all the renovations around here. I panicked and said you were helping me. Thank you for coming.”

“I spoke to the sheriff about your predicament.”

“And?” She arched a brow.

“He told me to keep an eye on you.” He smiled. “I guess helping around this place counts as that. If you don’t mind me bringing Rachel when I get off work, we’ll make a list of what needs to be done.”

“That isn’t necessary. As long as Duke realizes he isn’t needed…or wanted, I’ll be fine.” She hoped.

“I really don’t mind. Helping around here will teach Rachel some responsibility. See you at three-thirty? I’ll bring a pizza.”

What a strange thing to say about whoever Rachel was. Wife, girlfriend, either one wouldn’t be pleased with his comment.

“I don’t think Duke will pressure you too much now. If he does, zip me another text. It won’t take me long to get here.” His gaze searched her face, then he slid into his car and drove away.

The uneasiness she’d felt returned. While he’d been here, she felt safe. Now, she didn’t want to go back into the house. She smiled to see the truck carrying her new washer and dryer arrive. For a little while, she wouldn’t be alone with Duke. When the delivery men who were also installing the appliances left, she’d make up an errand to do if Duke tried sticking around.

By three-thirty both Duke and the delivery men were gone. In the laundry room stood a shiny new washer and dryer. Shiloh should’ve probably painted the room before having the appliances installed, but she’d move them when she got around to painting.

“Shiloh?” Rowan called from the front porch.

She hurried to greet him, stopping at the sight of a little girl holding his hand.

“Shiloh, this is my daughter, Rachel.”

Oh. She hadn’t expected a child. So, he was married, then. She shouldn’t have asked for his help. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Rowan, you’re far too busy to help me. I’m sure your wife—”

“She’s deceased.” He frowned. “Is it a problem for Rachel to be here?”

“Not at all.” She smiled. “I bet she can wield a mean paintbrush.”

~

The surprise he’d seen at first drained from Shiloh’s face. At first, Rowan had thought he’d overstepped a boundary by bringing his daughter with him. “That’s great. Mind if I use your restroom to change out of my uniform?” He nodded at the backpack in his free hand. “I always keep some regular clothes in my car.”

“Not at all. Rachel can help me unpack the paint rollers.”

“This isn’t a very pretty house.” Rachel wrinkled her nose.

Shiloh laughed. “No, it isn’t, but it can be. Will you help me make it pretty?”

His daughter sighed. “Okay, but it won’t be easy.”

Chuckling, Rowan headed down the small hall toward a bathroom stuck in the fifties right down to the pink tub and toilet. He quickly changed into his street clothes and put his uniform in the car before joining the other two, pizza in hand. He set the box on the counter. “Do you plan on redoing the bathroom?”

Shiloh glanced up from where she was prying open a can of yellow paint. “Yes, why?”

“I have an old claw-foot tub in my shed that was left behind when I bought the place. Since I don’t need it, could you use it? It would need resurfacing.”

Her eyes lit up. “I’ll buy it from you.”

“No need. Just pay for the resurfacing. I’ll be glad the lovely thing will have a home.” He rolled up his sleeves. “I’m going to start on those front steps before you break a leg.”

“But I didn’t buy any wood.”

“I picked some up on the way.” He snatched the hammer and nails from the table and headed outside. The entire porch needed replacing, but it wasn’t as bad as the steps.

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