Free Man with a Past by Kay Stockham Page B

gaze jerked to Wilson’s, and heat crawled up his neck when he noted the old man’s censure.
    â€œBut don’t be abusin’ our hospitality and takin’ advantage, Joe. Ashley acts tough on the outside but inside she’s soft. Takes stuff to heart and tries not to show it. Don’t be messin’ with her like you did Hal’s girl. Otherwise, you’ll be answering to me. Got that, boy?”
    Â 
    A SHLEY DIDN’T REALIZE she hadn’t shown Joe to his room until she’d stripped down for the second time that day. She groaned at the thought, sucked in her stomach and fastened the shorts at her waist. She’d never lost all the pregnancy weight and her clothes were tighter than she liked. But she was as determined to lose the extra pounds as she was to complete the renovations on her house, and those cost money she didn’t have to spend on clothes she could breathe in.
    She gathered up her wet jeans and T-shirt and tossed the items over the shower rod along with the others, shaking her head at the growing mound.
    She left her bedroom and trudged down the back stairs to the kitchen, her feet dragging as she thought of the weeks and months of nonstop work ahead.
    You wanted this, remember?
    But when would she have time to put herself out there? Make friends so Max would have friends? She’d budgeted carefully and had enough cash to see her through the repairs, but little else. If she couldn’t open before the tourist-vacation season began when everyone traipsed through the little town on their way south to beaches and overcrowded resort parks, she’d be forced to take an outside job. And that left her without daycare. Who would watch Max all day every day? Wilson couldn’t handle Max on his own for long.
    Distracted, she turned and ran into Joe. Or rather, into Joe’s damp shirt that was presently molded to the incredibly wide, warm chest she’d discovered as she’d helped him onto the porch.
    â€œSorry, I—didn’t see you.”
    How she could miss him was anybody’s guess though.
    Joe’s rough hands were gentle as they gripped her upper arms to steady her, and Ashley stared up into his dark blue eyes, surprised at the sensations coursing through her. And not so surprised at all.
    A deep, secret part of her wanted Joe to pull her to his chest and hold her, just for a second. One big, comforting hug that would mean nothing and yet allow her to regroup after such a trying day, month. Year.
    But of course that couldn’t happen. Not if she wanted to maintain a professional relationship.
    â€œNo problem.”
    She wet her suddenly dry lips. “I forgot to show you to your room.”
    â€œI changed in the utility room.”
    She forced her thoughts back to reality. “It is a problem. I left you standing in the kitchen after you jumped off the roof to—” His words caught up with her and she sputtered to a confused halt. “You changed?” she asked, eyeing his shirt again.
    Somewhat sheepish, Joe indicated a duffel bag lying on the rug by the utility room door. “I forgot and left it on the porch earlier when I saw your kitchen flooding. My clothes are a little damp, but better than what I had on.”
    â€œYou must be cold.”
    â€œNot quite.”
    The muttered comment brought her attention to his face and she froze at the masculine gleam she saw in his eyes. No, he didn’t look cold. He looked hot. Very hot. Heat emanated from his body so much so his damp clothes ought to have steam rising from them the way he stared at her.
    A tingle shot through her and Ashley suddenly realized she hadn’t stepped away from him. Joe still held her, his thumbs lightly smoothing over the tender insides of her arms. Back and forth, slowly.
    Swallowing, she stepped away, acutely aware of him as he looked her over from her head down to her bare feet. Her toes curled against the wideplank floors and she wished