Free Husband for Hire by Susan Crosby

could.
    Hints. He needed hints. A heartbreak of some kind, obviously. Something that had set her on her current path of working too much and too hard. Of running away from something. If she stopped, shewould have to face it. And this was something she really didn’t want to face. What?
    The dog figurines were tied in somehow, too, he was sure of it.
    He rubbed his hands over his face. The only thing he knew for sure was the fact she’d just gotten even more interesting.

Chapter Six
    E arly the next morning Gavin drove the short distance to Becca’s place. Shana pulled into a visitor parking space right next to him. After ten years of wandering the world, she’d settled down, was all grown up now. The fact she’d shown up so early said a lot about how responsible she’d become.
    He’d hesitated to recommend her to Becca. Shana wasn’t a trained or experienced decorator. To his knowledge she’d only helped decorate Dixie’s salon and spa, and her apartment. But both had impressed him, and Becca needed someone right now.
    â€œI hope you’re hungry,” he said as they moved toward the elevator. “I brought breakfast for three.”
    â€œI could eat, thanks. I dropped Emma off withAggie, but didn’t have time for breakfast myself.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “So, this job turned out to be more than you originally signed up for?”
    â€œBy my choice. As you pointed out, I had nothing else to do, so I volunteered.”
    â€œI’m glad and grateful you took the job, Gavin. Julia was thrilled, too.”
    Gavin pushed the up button for the elevator. “She’s interesting. Becca, I mean.”
    â€œApparently.”
    He glanced at her in question.
    â€œYou’re already wearing a wedding ring.” Her Callahan-green eyes, which all three siblings had inherited, fixed on him with curiosity and humor.
    The fact that neither he nor Becca remembered to take off the rings was something the oft-referenced Freud would’ve had something to say about, Gavin thought.
    â€œWe both are wearing rings. Just getting used to it.” Another lie. He’d actually forgotten he had it on.
    The door to the fourth floor whooshed opened. “I want details,” she said, following him down the hall.
    â€œI’m sure you’ve been asked for discretion in your own jobs for At Your Service.” He looked at her in time to see her nod. “Same here. I’ll let Becca decide what to tell you.”
    A few seconds later they were inside the loft andintroductions made. Gavin headed directly to the kitchen to set out breakfast for everyone, grateful for the reprieve of Shana’s presence. After last night’s discussion, Becca seemed normal, but then, they had company.
    While they ate, Becca and Shana conferred about the plan. When they were done eating, he loaded their plates into the dishwasher, listening to them discuss the budget and Shana’s fee, getting that business out of the way.
    â€œIt’s seven-thirty,” he said, breaking into their conversation as they moved away from the task at hand.
    â€œAlready?” Becca grabbed her briefcase and started out the door. “Shana, thank you so much for this. You have no idea the pressure you’ve taken off me.”
    â€œI’m happy to do it.”
    â€œDo you have a second, Gavin?” Becca asked, indicating he should come into the hall with her.
    He followed.
    â€œYou’ve barely looked at me,” she said when the door shut behind them and they walked toward the elevator.
    â€œI figured you would want to spend your time talking with Shana.”
    â€œThat’s all?”
    He didn’t like the way her eyes probed his, searching for more. He punched the down button for her. “I figure you’d be sorry that you told me what you did last night.”
    The elevator door opened. She stepped inside but held her hand across the door.