Sweet Nothings Read Free Page B

napkins, then tossed a wave at the latest arrival to her van. “But you were wearing an apron and baking cookies when I first saw you. That strikes me more as someone who’s settled nicely into his life. Has a routine and probably a dog or two. Won’t you miss it?”

    Joanie grinned again at the giant of a man in front of her who was trying hard to look as if she hadn’t nailed him so perfectly. Standing there, pretending he had no issues stepping outside his comfort zone. He was a homebody if ever she’d seen one. A routine, a pattern. He likely took every woman he asked out to the same restaurant for their first dates. The man didn’t take weeks-long trips away from his life.
    Getting here and realizing his rental plans had been thwarted had to be twisting his stomach into knots. But he did a good job of hiding it.
    “I don’t have dogs,” he finally answered. “And I’m perfectly fine spending a few weeks here. It’s a great town.”
    The cold wind whipped up her skirt and she fought a shiver, but heated up as she watched his long-enough-to-dig-your-fingers-into hair whip in the gust of air. She couldn’t help but think he grew cuter the more he denied her charges.
    “As long as you can find a place to stay, right? That change in plans must be bugging you.”
    His dark eyes narrowed slightly, and she almost giggled at the perturbed look. He was fun to tease.
    “Wait.” She held up a hand, a thought hitting her like a lightning bolt, then glanced down the road at his truck and the magnetic sign she now noticed slapped on the side of the door: D ALTON C ONSTRUCTION. “You’re looking for work here? You don’t have anything lined up already?”
    He shook his head. “Just got into town last night. Once I get settled I’ll begin checking out the potential. We specialize in renovations, but we do new construction and general contractor work, too. The latter, mostly out of our two branch offices. I’m hoping a mix of work might be available here.”
    Could the solution be that simple? It almost seemed too easy.
    But she had to ask.
    “How about if I give you a job?” she carefully suggested, mentally crossing her fingers. “ And a place to live?”
    It wouldn’t be the best place in the world to live, but it would be free. Surely that would get her a nice discount on the work.
    “What… exactly did you have in mind?” He spoke the words carefully, and Joanie couldn’t help but picture the big man moving into her small space in the house she rented two streets over. That hadn’t been the idea, but at his slow-worded question, the picture popped to the forefront. The way he seemed to take in her whole body at once gave her the notion he was thinking the same thing.
    She tried to laugh off the thought, but the sound got stuck in her throat. The man was still making her nervous, and the sudden idea of him being so close, even living at her grandmother’s house, set her body on edge. Did she really want him underfoot as she cleaned out years’ worth of living?
    But what other choice did she have?
    If she didn’t come up with the money, GiGi would move in with her. Then she’d be forced to spend more time taking care of the woman than she did her own business.
    As harsh as that felt, Joanie had no apologies for her feelings. Her relationship with GiGi had been cemented years ago. They were family, but pretty much in name only. The two of them simply could not get along.
    She pushed the thoughts away, refusing to dwell on the past. She may not want GiGi to move in with her, but she could make sure the woman was taken care of.
    “My grandmother’s house needs some renovations and I can’t afford the full cost of the work,” she finally said, then shrugged one shoulderand glanced toward the customers waiting in line, shame overtaking her that she was asking a virtual stranger for what felt like a favor. “I can get a loan from the bank, but not for the full amount. I thought…”
    She paused,