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The small living room was cluttered but tidy. Pictures of Autumn were prevalent in the room, showcasing her growing up over the years. The spicy aroma of spaghetti sauce drifted in from the kitchen.
Tori relaxed as Susan led her to a table in the center of the kitchen. The house was welcoming and homey and fit Susan’s adorable little family perfectly.
“Any luck with the insurance agency?” Tori asked as Susan placed a glass of sweet tea in front of her.
“No. They aren’t budging. Listen, I appreciate your wanting to help, but I’m afraid there isn’t anything left to do. Autumn is a tough girl. She’ll be okay. I can hear her at night working on the things you taught her. Telling her dolls,‘Don’t give up!’Susan smiled, reaching across the table and squeezing Tori’s hands. “She’s gonna be okay.”
“What about if I came over here once a week and visited Autumn after school? She could show me her progress, and I could continue to give her things to work on by herself.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right, you spending your time working with Autumn when we can’t pay you.”
“It’s not just about the job. I like Autumn. Working with her is the best part of my week.”
“Alright, once a week,” Susan said, eyeing Tori carefully and extending her hand to shake on it. “And you’ll stay for dinner afterward.” She nodded with finality, stood and picked up a wooden spoon, then began stirring her spaghetti sauce while humming softly.
Chris slumped inhis chair, exhausted from a day’s work of busting out walls and floors. The stack of paperwork on his desk had doubled since he’d neglected it this morning, but getting his hands dirty had been just what he needed. He felt a little less anxious and had successfully pushed hisroommateout of his mind, if only for a little while.
“You still up for helping me tonight?” Dax asked, slouched down in the chair in front of him.
Chris had completely forgotten he’d agreed to help Dax put together a playset for his daughter, Autumn. Dax had promised a home-cooked meal and beer, a hard offer to refuse for a bachelor who mostly existed on freezer meals and takeout.
“Yeah, of course,” Chris said with more enthusiasm than he felt.
In truth, he wanted to get home and see what Tori was doing, but she was probably hiding out in the master bedroom. She’d made it clear she wanted to be left alone and as far away from his room as possible. She’d get her wish tonight. Tomorrow he’d figure out some way to show her how he felt. Damn, he was bad at this. He had no idea what he was doing. Working for the attention of a woman was out of his comfort zone.
CHAPTER NINE
“Can I getup now?” Autumn asked as she sat across from Tori on the front lawn.
“Just another minute. Put your hands in the bucket and let the sand glide through your fingers.”
Tori watched as Autumn hesitantly placed her hands in the bucket, took a deep breath, and scooped up just a tiny bit of sand in each. Playing in a sandbox might not seem like a big deal to most kids, but Autumn struggled with the grainy texture. If she could overcome her aversion, that was another opportunity for her to join the kids at school, which she desperately wanted.
“Baby girl!”
Autumn jumped up and flung herself into the arms of her dad, Dax.
“Daddy, Daddy, you’re home!” Autumn squealed.
Tori’s eyes fell from the happy reunion to the man standing behind Dax.
Chris.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to contain the annoyance in her voice.
Chris cleared his throat. “I’m helping build a playset.”
“Really, Daddy, really?” Autumn jumped up and down before losing her balance.
Dax caught her with two big, muscular arms and carried her on to the porch. “Yup, but first let’s go find your momma. I wanna give her kisses.”
Chris didn’t speak until the screen door slammed shut. “I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he said, placing his hands in the front pockets of his faded denim jeans.
She eyed him carefully, appreciating the way he filled out the torn and dirty denim. He wore a gray t-shirt that showcased his muscular and veined arms and highlighted the V-shape of his upper body. Even covered in rags, he was a glorious sight.
“It’s fine,” Tori said with more certainty than she felt. Was there no escaping this man? Every person she knew had some connection to him, making her feel there wasn’t a safe place or person to turn to in Sweetbriar.
“Tori! Chris! Come eat. Momma made spaghetti!” Autumn called, jumping in the doorway.
