While he worked, she turned the watch in her hands, tracing the smooth links. Then her eyes caught the engraving on the back:Graham Walker, with a year—thisyear.
Graham. Not Matthew?
Her stomach twisted. This wasn’t an old heirloom that belonged to his father, not with the current year engraved on it. Why would a plumber introduce himself under a different name? Why would a plumber own a watch that cost enough to buy a car? A luxury model.
Cindy’s warnings echoed in her head.
People who want something don’t always announce it. Sometimes they start by finding the heart and coming in that way. He already knows we’re in financial trouble.
Matt’s voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts. “Pass me that wrench?”
She startled, placed the watch carefully on some towels on the counter, and handed him the tool. He tightened something inside the tank, jiggled the float, and in a moment the incessant trickle stopped.
“Fixed,” he announced with satisfaction.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” He rose, rinsed his hands in the sink, and dried them on the guest towel like a man who belonged. Then he picked up the watch, sliding it back on his wrist with ease.
Her mind buzzed with questions.Graham Walker? Why lie about your first name?
“How can I ever thank you?” she asked lightly, praying he wouldn’t hear the nervous edge.
His eyes warmed, then lit with something almost boyish. “Dinner.”
She blinked. “Of course I’ll make you dinner. Just name your favorite dish and I bet I can…” Her voice faded as he shook his head.
“I, uh, I actually meant I’d like to take you to a nice dinner in town, MJ,” he said, the color in his cheeks telling her that was not easy for him to ask.
Her mouth opened, closed, opened again. Well, she had promised Cindy to find out more. What could be more natural than asking personal questions over dinner?
Which made it adate.
“That’s…unexpected,” she managed.
“I don’t mean to presume,” he said quickly, hands sliding into his pockets. “But I enjoy your company and if ever there was a woman who needed to relax in a nice restaurant, it’s you.”
She laughed despite herself. “That’s true.”
“And I saved you from toilet disaster.”
“So I should be treatingyouto dinner,” she countered.
“Having dinner with you would be my treat,” he said.
People who want something don’t always announce it. Sometimes they start by finding the heart and coming in that way.
She ignored the repeating voice in her head and looked up at him, searching his light brown eyes for any hint of subterfuge, finding nothing but kindness and warmth.
And a different name on his watch.
Shehadto find out more about him. “I’d like that, Matt,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
His smile lit the room. “Tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night,” she echoed.
“Then let’s finish drying this room, huh?” He looked down quickly, almost as if the exchange embarrassed him or…worried him?
