Page 14 of Landing Love

“Mr. O’Donnell, they look absolutely delicious. You shouldn’t have.”

“Please call me Bill, and I couldn’t help myself. I saw them, and I had to bring them home.”

The way he was looking at her, as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world, made her feel restless and giddy. And guilty. Calm yourself. It’s only echoes of Roger.

“Might I use your bathroom to wash up?” he asked, looking altogether too pleased with himself.

“Of course. It’s right around the corner, behind the kitchen.”

The sound of running water from the tap she had installed made her smile. “Sandwich, Mary?”

“Don’t mind if I do. These look scrumptious.” Mary took the offered plate.

Moments later, Bill returned. He dwarfed the space with his height, as if the house was the wrong scale for him. And, in truth it was. This house was too small for anyone, really, but she would have to make do.

“Is that the tap you repaired?” His admiring gaze made her heart beat faster.

She nodded.

“It works perfectly. A plumber couldn’t have done it better. You are a wonder, Mrs. Prince.”

Good heavens. That lopsided smile of his was downright dangerous.

“If I’m to call you Bill, then you should call me Ann.” Perhaps it was overly familiar, but he was going to be at the house regularly to repair the roof. It seemed silly to stand on ceremony.

“As you wish, Ann.” He grinned as he took a sandwich and drained his glass of lemonade. “I got a good start today. I was able to redo the entire section that had the leak. You should be watertight now. I put the rest of the supplies under an oilcloth, and I’ll take the refuse to the dump on my way home.”

He poured himself more lemonade. “Once I’m done with the roof, I’ll take care of the damaged plaster on the ceiling.”

“I can’t thank you enough. It’s a real load off my mind to know there won’t be any more leaks.” Junior needed a proper roof over his head. If she couldn’t even protect him from the elements, what good was she as a mother? The gift Bill was giving her, giving them both, was too much, but she’d never been more grateful in her life. She’d have to send Miss Belmont a letter when she got home to let her know she didn’t need PBA funds anymore.

“It’s my pleasure. It warms my heart to know that you and little Junior here have a safe and sound home to live in. When are you moving in?” He took a bite of the sandwich.

“At the end of this month. I only have a few more weeks to get the place ready.” The remaining work seemed far less daunting after today’s progress.

“Do you have movers?”

“Not yet.”

“My friends and I could help, if you want.” He looked at her with that same goofy hopeful look he had when he first proposed fixing her roof.

“Oh no. That’s too much to ask. I couldn’t.” She turned to Mary in a panic, hoping she would understand that she couldn’t possibly accept, but Mary shrugged and smiled back.

“Of course, you’ll need to supply us all with sandwiches and lemonade, and perhaps some beer for when we’re done. After all, we need some compensation for our hard work.” He turned to his sister. “Mary, do you think Stephen would let me borrow the truck?”

“Yes, of course,” Mary answered.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll help you move on the thirty-first.”

But she couldn’t possibly agree to this. “Wait. I⁠—”

“Yes?” He focused those playful blue-green eyes on hers, raising the temperature in the room by several degrees.

She lost track of what she was going to say, lost in his gaze. All she wanted to do was drown herself in it. His eyes were so warm and kind and mischievous.

“Thank you,” she murmured, not entirely sure anymore what she was agreeing to, only knowing she wanted him to keep looking at her like that.

He reddened and looked down, and she snapped back to herself. So now he was going to help her move. How had she let that happen?