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“We got started early,” he said. “Hope we didn’t wake you guys up. Some of the men have to work this afternoon.”
“No, it’s fine. We were up,” she said. “In fact, the kids were ready to come out and offer their assistance the minute you pulled up. It’s exciting for them.”
“For us, too.”
Diego and Ryan dodged in front of a pair of guys lifting a couch, and both Fiona and Eduardo spoke simultaneously with words of caution.
“Hey, careful there.”
“Stay out of the men’s way.”
The men set the couch down in front of the carriage house’s little porch and conferred, pointing at the door, obviously discussing how to get the couch inside.
“Come over here and meet my buddies,” Eduardo said and started over toward the two men.
Fiona followed, feeling self-conscious in her Saturday-morning finest. She’d considered changing into better clothes, but that would have evoked notice from her kids. And she had to get used to the idea of being herself around Eduardo, who was, after all, renting her carriage house, not taking her out on a fancy date.
The men greeted her and one of them lifted an eyebrow and grinned, then said to Eduardo, “I see why you liked this place.”
Eduardo opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Fiona gave the man a wide vacuous smile. “Tim! I remember you. I’ve done some of the food banks with your wife.”
“Right.” The man’s expression changed to bland friendliness.
“I’m Tony,” said another man. “Pleased to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but mine’s pretty dirty. I think I’ve seen you at the soccer field.”
“That’s right, you’re Hailey and Kaylee’s dad, aren’t you?” The presence of another parent eased her discomfort.
“Hey, you guys letting me do all the work? How’s that fair?” A young woman, pretty and muscular and dressed in Hinton groundskeeper garb, put down a box and marched over. “That’s what you get, working with a bunch of guys,” she said to Fiona with mock-disgust. “I’m Angie, and I’m guessing you and I could finish this move-in in half the time while these guys stand around shooting the breeze.” She gave Eduardo a friendly nudge.
Fiona’s senses went on high alert. Was Angie Eduardo’s girlfriend?
And what business was that of Fiona’s? Why did she care?
Angie grabbed the other two men’s arms. “Come on, I don’t know about you, but he’s paying me by the hour. And not to stand around.”
“Fine, fine.” The others grumbled and left.
Which left her alone with Eduardo.
“Sorry about Tim,” he said.
“I know him. It’s not your fault. Look, how about if your kids come play at our house? They’d be out of your hair, and my kids would love it.”
“That would be a huge help,” he said gratefully. “Just while we’re moving the big stuff. But, Fiona,” he added as she started to turn, “I don’t expect you to babysit my kids on a regular basis. It’s a nice offer for today, but in the future, I’ll either return the favor or keep the kids over here. That’s not part of the contract.”
“Um, okay.” She felt unaccountably hurt. Was that what this was? A contract?
* * *
Late in the afternoon, Eduardo stretched as he watched the truck drive away. Between his friends and his coworkers, they’d finished the move on schedule. Not only that, but the beds were all set up and the furniture in place. Someone had even unpacked some of his kitchen boxes so there were dishes, pots and silverware ready to use. He sent up a prayer of thanks for the good people in his life.
Fiona being one of them now. She’d kept his kids busy and happy all day, fed them lunch and snacks, shown them kids’ room decorating ideas on her computer. He had to be careful not to take advantage of her kindness, because she was obviously a caregiver to the core and great with kids. He grabbed his phone and called for pizza, enough for all of them.
Forty-five minutes later, he texted Fiona.
Pizza’s on me. Come on over and bring your kids.
The kids consumed the pizza in record time, and the older four ran upstairs for the great task of room arrangement. Eduardo got the TV set up, and Fiona settled Maya and Poppy in front of a movie.
It was all very homey and too, too comfortable. Having Fiona and her kids here made Eduardo realize how lonely he’d been.
The problem was that in his loneliness there was the dangerous possibility he’d lead this wonderful woman on, make her think he was interested in a relationship when he wasn’t. Or shouldn’t be, anyway. He cast about for something to talk about, something serious and businesslike and impersonal.
It didn’t take long for him to think of a safe topic. “Stay here,” he said, “I found something in one of the closets.”
A moment later he was back at the dining room table with a box in hand. “This was on the shelf in the room you said you were using for an office. Up high, pushed back. I took a peek and realized it might be important. Don’t worry, I didn’t read anything.”
Fiona reached for the box with an expression of extreme distaste. “Is that what I think it is?” she murmured as she opened the lid.
Inside was a mess of receipts and envelopes and papers. “Ugh,” she said as she shuffled through the papers aimlessly, then closed the lid. “Thanks for finding it.”
“Sounds like you’d rather it had stayed lost.”
“No,” she said, “it’s a good reminder, in case I ever get serious about starting another business. I can just pull this out and all those ideas will go away.”
“That’s from your business?” Eduardo tried to keep any kind of judgment out of his voice, but in truth, the jumble of paperwork horrified him. He thought of his own carefully organized spreadsheets, his neatly labeled file folders, the app he used to keep track of small receipts.
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I... Well, like I mentioned, I’m not too great at math. Or at being organized. So I kept putting off getting the money side of things straightened out. That was one of the factors that led to the dog-walking business failing.”
He nodded. “A lot of people hire a bookkeeper if numbers aren’t their thing.”
“I tried. She quit!” Fiona rolled her eyes. “I had too many kids, too much going on. I got overwhelmed and botched the details.”
“Don’t get down on yourself,” he said, putting a hand over hers. “It’s hard enough running a business with two kids, and I can’t imagine doing it with four.” Then, when his hand wanted to squeeze hers tighter, he pulled it back. None of that, he told himself sternly.
“Mama?” Poppy came over and leaned against Fiona’s leg, and Fiona pulled her up onto her lap.
“How’s it going, kiddo? Where’s Maya?”
“She went upstairs.” Poppy stuck her thumb in her mouth, which seemed like a young thing for a three-year-old to do. But she was awfully cute. And she provided a good distraction, wiping the sadness off Fiona’s face.
“I remember when Sofia was that age,” he said. “And then Diego. They grow up so fast.”
“I know. I want to cling on to my baby as long as I can. But she’s getting big.” As proof of that, Poppy wiggled hard to get down and started to slide to the floor.
Eduardo reached over and caught her, hands around her upper arms. “Careful there, young lady,” he said, steadying her.
She wiggled away and grabbed Fiona’s leg, looking back fearfully at Eduardo.
“I’m sorry.” He looked from Poppy to Fiona. “I didn’t realize...”
“She’s not much used to men, that’s all.” She pulled Poppy up onto her lap. “Mr. Delgado is a very nice man.”
Poppy shook her head. “Not nice.”
Oh, great. Now Fiona would think there was something wrong with him. Because kids and dogs always know, right?
Fiona tapped Poppy’s lips gently and shook her head. “We use kind words,” she said and then reached out to Eduardo and patted his forearm. “She wasn’t around her father much at all, and... Well, we were in a lot of turmoil shortly after she was born. It’s had its impact.”
“I understand. Diego went through a phase where he was nervous around strangers.”
“I thought she’d have outgrown it by now.” Fiona looked out the window, seeming to see something disturbing through the deepening twilight. Absently, she stroked Poppy’s head until it rested against her chest. The little girl’s eyes were barely able to stay open.
Eduardo wanted nothing more than to comfort Fiona, but that wasn’t his place...was it?
He’d been fortunate enough to have a good marriage, with a wonderful woman. But he hadn’t been able to keep her safe.
Yes, it had been bad timing. When the small landscaper he’d been working for had gone bankrupt, the minimal medical coverage he’d had for his family had been gone. It had taken time to get replacement coverage. To get a new job, too, what with a sick wife and two little kids. Once he’d finally found work, his new job had provided great benefits, even covering Elizabeth’s preexisting condition. But the three-month gap had meant spotty treatment at a crucial stage of Elizabeth’s illness, and although a couple of doctors had told him it wouldn’t have made a difference, he knew better.
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