Page 10 of Hearts on the Mend

“I think it’s a bigger job than she suspects. But Ruth’s been here for so long, I don’t think she sees all the work that needs to get done.”

I park behind the cranberry Jeep in the driveway. There’s a Maltese Cross sticker on the rear windshield, and the left side of the bumper is duct-taped together.

My dad climbs out first and heads for the door, but I hang back. Ruth LeBlanc is terrifying. There’s a reason she was the editor of the Merritt Point Herald for years before Ethan’s fiancée, Sloane, took it over.

That aside, I don’t feel like breaking an old lady’s heart today, but there’s not a chance I’m taking the job. Whatever it is. And I’m sure my dad won’t be happy about it either, but I’ve never been the golden child of the Murphy crew.

“Hello there,” my dad says as the front door of the house swings open.

I can’t see who he’s talking to. It can’t be Ruth, since she’s living in Florida full-time now.

He gestures for me to join him, and I reluctantly step out onto the icy driveway, my back still tender from physical therapy. I stuff my hands into my pockets and skirt the patch of black ice with my work boots.

“Ruthie called, asking for help. I’ve got just the guy for the job,” my dad announces.

Great. Let’s keep setting unrealistic expectations.

Then he steps aside, and I see the peek of pink in the woman’s hair.

Fuck.

Chapter 4

Cassie

Igrip the doorway, keeping myself upright, as soon as my eyes land on him.

We never shared names.

Didn’t need to.

Shit, shit, shit.

A navy baseball cap is tugged down low over his brow, his light-brown hair curling around his ears and against the nape of his neck. His wide shoulders fill out the olive-green flannel he’s wearing over a pair of jeans and work boots. No coat, even in January.

It’s not until he finally peeks up and meets my eyes that my knees buckle.

“You good?” the older man asks me. His father, maybe? I can see a resemblance…

“Mm-hmm.” I nod, trying to pull myself together. I’m not sure if I’m blushing or about to pass out from shock. Honestly, it could go either way.

I can handle this. I’m a grown-ass adult with a child. I pay taxes. I keep people alive for a living. This only needs to be a quick conversation. I’ll politely say No thanks to the help, and nothing more needs to happen.

But he’s here in Merritt Point after specifically telling me he avoids coming back as much as possible.

Except he is now.

And I’m here now.

Shit.

“Come in. Sorry,” I say, forcing a wobbly smile. “My aunt mentioned you were coming today. I just arrived last night. Long drive.”

“Where from?” the older man asks.

My hookup? One-night stand? Ugh, no. Worse than that. The gorgeous man who fucked me so well I contemplated leaving my number behind at the hotel fills the doorway. He pauses at the threshold and takes in the condition of the house, but doesn’t budge.

He won’t look me in the eye.