Alec sipped his morning coffee, not liking this situation at all.
Last night had been bitter cold, at least ten degrees below the prediction. He’d already checked on Tula and her dad, Mrs. Nettles and her healing pet, the mayor, and the Thompsons. They were all snug and warm, but he had no idea how Becca had fared.
A blanket of white clouds covered the sky, and he squinted through the rising steam from his cup to look down the street again. He’d been standing outside the mini-mart for over an hour now with his eyes on the Clan MacDonald’s inn, waiting for Becca to appear walking her dog.
When he’d left her house last night, he’d been unsure whether he’d made an irreversible mistake kissing her. She’d been startled but then had melted against him. That proved she felt the same attraction between them, but what about his promise to her brother?
The hearty aroma of his coffee filled his lungs, and he downed the rest. He didn’t know what to do about Rob’s request, but he didn’t like feeling as if he couldn’t touch her.
“Let’s go see what’s happening with your pal, Trixie.” Alec found his car keys, calling Brandy away from the clump of poplar trees beside the store.
He saw neither woman nor dog in the rear when he parked in the inn’s lot. On the front porch, everything looked as it had last night, including the new wreath with the red bows and silver bells. At the sound of his knock, Trixie barked inside. Brandy pressed forward against his leg. He waited, but no one opened the door.
After a few minutes he rapped a second time. Her dog’s barking grew frantic. He tried the knob just in case, but of course, found the door locked. He called, “Becca?”
Sill no response. Tension knotted in his chest.
He thumped down the steps and strode along the side of the house. A knock on the rear door roused only the barking terrier, not Becca. He surveyed the yard and spotted the open door of the well shed at the back of the property. Unsure who or what he might find, he crunched across the frozen grass and peered inside with caution.
The light from the single bulb flashed off a blond head bending over something in the corner. The tension leached out of him, and he rapped on the open door. “Good morning.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, Alec. Wait there, I’ll come out.”
“Okay,” he said. She sounded neither glad nor annoyed to see him. She was still talking to him, so maybe their kiss wasn’t going to set them back. Whether it would be a barrier going forward, he didn’t know.
She wound her way around the equipment, brushing smudges off her white down vest and rubbing her arms through the sleeves of a tartan shirt, Clan MacDonald’s plaid no doubt.
“It’s freezing out here.” He squelched the urge to tell her to put on warmer clothes. That would sound too bossy, even if it were true. He only now realized the frustration and hurt he’d caused her as kids.
“I can’t even feel my face.” She touched her lips. Red splashed her cheeks, and wisps of blond hair had come loose from a ponytail. Even so, she looked lovelier than ever, and he brushed the cobweb from her cheek.
Her blue eyes rounded. “What—?”
“Shh.” He slid his hand around the back of her head and bent close.
Stop! What are you doing?
Last night's kiss was already one too many. To hide his misguided intentions, he rubbed a thumb across her chin. “You had some dirt there.”
She raised a hand to her face, and he cast around for another topic. “Why didn’t you take Trixie down to the park?”
A groan swelled in his chest, taking up so much space he could hardly breathe. That was supposed to distract Becca?
“You mean for a walk?” She peered at him curiously. “I let her out in the yard.”
“Right. Probably a good idea.” He propped a hand on his hip and glanced into the pump house
“I thought so.”
Becca eyed him. “Why are you asking?”
“I didn’t see you,” he said without looking at her. He couldn’t tell her he’d scanned the gazebo area after Mrs. Nettles said that was where she’d been taking Trixie. That sounded stalker-ish. “I mean—”
He took a deep breath. “I was checking to make sure nobody had any problems from the freezing temps last night.” That much was true.
“You check on the entire town after a hard freeze?”
“Clyde, Mrs. Nettles, the Thompsons next door, a few others. That’s not everyone, and I told you the winter residents watch out for each other.”
“You did.” Her mouth softened.
He jammed a hand into a pocket and frowned. “What are you doing out here, anyway?”
“None of the faucets in the house work. When I tried the kitchen and bathroom sinks, a little drizzle came out and then the water stopped. I was looking to see if the pump had frozen, but I can’t tell anything. I don’t know what to look for.”
Alec doubted the machinery in the pump house was the culprit, but he examined the setup. “Did anyone replace the plumbing during the inn’s renovation?”
“No idea.”
He handed over his jacket and walked toward the house.
She pushed her arms into the sleeves. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going under the house to look at the situation. There used to be a grated opening in the bricked-in foundation. It’s behind the shrubs along the side.” He pushed branches out of the way and entered the narrow space behind the shrubs next to the house. “Someone should cut these back. I can hardly get through.”
“Wait. I’m coming.” Becca lifted an arm to hold back the hedge.
“You’ll get scratched up.” Alec broke off more twigs.
“I want to see what you’re doing.”
“I’ll tell you afterwards.” He kept walking and found the entry spot. Becca stopped beside him as he pried off the grate. The scent of dirt filled his lungs as soon as he crawled through the opening. About six feet in, he found the problem and inched out again.
“Why are you shaking your head?” Becca crouched next to him. “Is it that bad?”
“You have a leaking pipe at an old joint.” He headed back to the yard.
She followed single file behind him. “How can it be leaking?”
“The temperature is already rising from the low last night.” He stepped out onto the grass. “I’m going home to get some tools.”
“Can you fix it?” She chewed her lip.
“I can try.”
“My guests are due to arrive today.” She twisted her hands. “Should I call—”
“Give me a chance, first.” He held up his hands to interrupt. “This happened a few times after a hard freeze when my family lived here.” He strode down the walk toward his car. “I’ve personally seen a plumber resolve this problem.”
“Really?” She peered at him. “We never had pipes freezing at our cabin.”
“Your dad probably put in better insulation.” Alec clasped her shoulders briefly. “Let me go home and get my propane torch.”
“Like a welder uses? That will have a flame.” She frowned. “Please let’s not start another fire.”
“I have to thaw the frozen pipes and drain the water before I can make the repair. I’ll be back before you can start missing me.”
“Promise?” Her frown deepened.
“Only if you beg,” he said, trying to lighten the mood. She gaped at him. “Don’t worry. I was teasing.”
* * *
Becca clutched Alec’s jacket and watched his truck disappear, glad he was ready to help her with yet another disaster. There hadn’t been time to discuss the kiss or anything else about last night. Confiding in him last night had been the right thing to do and a huge relief. She practically floated two feet off the ground without that burden. Why had she thought she’d be too embarrassed to ever tell anyone?
Everyone makes mistakes. This was their high school’s most-likely-to-succeed Alec Stewart talking? Would he fill in the blanks? Would he kiss her again? Would the next one be just as swoon-worthy?
Every sensation from last night flashed back in detail. They’d been in perfect harmony, like two pianos playing a duet—until he’d stiffened and let go. For some unknown reason.
At least, he’d left his jacket before driving off. She desperately needed the extra warmth and lifted the collar, his scent feeling her senses and making her feel as toasty as if he had his arms around her.
She tidied up the kitchen, made sure Trixie had water, and set out serving plates and wine glasses for the guests arriving later.
“The temperature’s warming up.” Alec stepped inside fifteen minutes later.
“Let’s hope so. You left your jacket.” She gestured to the coat pegs behind the door.
“You needed something warm on your arms. I’m surprised you didn’t get hypothermia.” He patted each of the dogs and commanded them to sit.
“I don’t think I was outside long enough, but yeah. I should probably have purchased a coat after we dropped Mrs. Nettles off at the vet, but I was starving.”
Alec’s brandy-brown eyes held hers. “We were both hungry.”
Little pulses of heat raced along her nerves at the double meaning. She’d only been in town a few days, and she didn’t know how he could affect her so strongly. Maybe she should accept the attraction for what it was without overanalyzing?
He blinked. “I better get to work.”
“What can I do?” She trailed him outside.
“Stay inside and keep the dogs out of trouble.” From the same toolbox he’d had at the Nugget, he removed a hand-held propane torch and a box of kitchen matches.
She scanned his expression with a frown. “You said you saw another plumber do this?”
“I did.” He descended the back steps.
“But you didn’t actually make the repair yourself.”
“Have faith. You won’t have water until this break is fixed. Last night the standing water in the pipes froze and pushed two sections of pipe apart where the old repair failed. You don’t have time to wait for the rest of the ice to thaw on its own, so I will use the torch to melt the rest and then solder the old joint back together.” He studied her face. “Okay?”
Resigned, she nodded. “Be careful.”
He crossed his heart.
The door closed behind him. She went through the inn, plumping embroidered pillows and straightening the local interest books on the coffee table, anything to keep from watching the clock. After she did all the housekeeping she could think of, she returned to the kitchen. This morning she hadn’t even had a toaster pastry. She could use some food, and she was sure Alec could, too.
A little more than an hour passed before Alec came inside and turned on the kitchen faucet. The faucet sputtered, and water splashed into the sink. He grinned. “Look at that!”
She brushed dirt off his shirt. “You’re a lifesaver.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “I like that: Alec Stewart, lifesaver. Better test the bathrooms before awarding me a medal.”
“Good idea. In the meantime, you can have lunch.” She pulled a grilled cheese sandwich from the oven and set the plate on the breakfast counter. “You have to let me pay you for this.”
“We settled that already, and I’m taking you up on your offer.” He raised a very sexy questioning eyebrow.
Butterflies flitted around in her stomach, and she forced herself to focus. “What offer?”
“You said you’d introduce me to the outdoor executives. Are you taking that back?”
“Oh, that offer.” The butterflies flew off. She had to stop thinking about his kiss. “Go ahead and eat while it’s hot.”
She laid a napkin beside his plate. “I’ll check the other faucets.”
A circuit of the upstairs baths revealed all had running water. She thanked her lucky stars and Alec. Downstairs again, she gave him a thumbs-up. “Everything’s good.”
“Speaking of good, this sandwich is, too.” He wiped his mouth and glanced at her place setting. “You’re not eating?”
“I was waiting. It seemed unfair to eat while you were slaving away under the house.” She tapped the metal lid of the cookie tin. “Be sure and save room for dessert.”
“There’s dessert, too?” He chewed another bite of sandwich, obviously famished. “I’m impressed.”
“Don’t get excited. It’s just gingerbread cookies. We can have some with coffee. I don’t know about you, but I need sugar and caffeine. Bad.”
“Well.” Humor glinted in his warm brown eyes. “We can’t have you going into withdrawal.”
“That’s a distinct possibility if I don’t get a brew soon.” She smiled. Alec’s teasing seemed fun now instead of patronizing. Had she misinterpreted at first? “Uh-oh.” She peered into the open coffee cannister. “I’m almost out.”
“Then save the rest for your guests.”
“I can buy a new bag at the mini-mart.” She spooned the remaining grounds into the machine and added water. The oven squeaked, and she lifted out a plate with two sandwiches already prepared. “You want another grilled cheese?”
“I could use one, thanks.”
She served him one and put the last on her own plate. They ate a few minutes in companionable silence. At one time she’d thought she knew more than enough about Alec Stewart, but the more time they spent together, the more curious she grew. She knew nothing about how he’d spent the last twelve years. Not that she had a right to know more but—
“You have a question for me?”
She rose and took a water from the fridge. “You think you can read my mind, huh?”
“You’re known for asking questions, and you haven’t kicked me out yet. You’re even feeding me.” His lips twitched.
“You put in a lot of work.” And he would not take a monetary payment. The job he’d done would have cost hundreds of dollars from anyone else. She moved the cookie tin his way. “I did have a question, but then I realized the topic might be too personal.”
Alec braced his crossed arms on the counter. “Ask me. I can handle it.”
He could, could he? All right, he’d find out. She straightened. “Does you dad know how you turned out?”
“How I turned out?” His brows dove together. “I’m not an omelet.”
“Bad choice of words, but you went to a very expensive college. Not the usual career path of a plumber.”
“You need to be knowledgeable to be a plumber, too, you know.” He set his sandwich down and wiped his hands. “You can’t depend on instinct. Same goes for being a fishing guide.”
She propped her elbow on the counter and her chin in her hand. “You know what I’ve been doing all these years, but I know nothing about your life.”
“Don’t forget you told Rob never to mention me to you.”
Naturally, Alec would know that.
She pulled off a bite of her sandwich, catching the string of melted cheese in her fingers. “When I ran into you at the Nugget a few days ago, I was still thinking of you as the jerky kid who gave me a hard time.” She lifted her shoulders. “Sorry, but that’s the truth.”
He laid a warm hand on her arm. “I hope you’ve changed your opinion.”
She stared at his strong, tanned fingers. Even through the layer of her sweater her nerves melted, which unfortunately sent her thoughts straight to their kiss. She picked up her water bottle. “Yeah, I think so.”
Alec finished his second sandwich and reached for a cookie. “Any other questions?”
“Not right now.” She bounced up and poured them both a mug of coffee. His answers and his closeness tugged at her, but she didn’t know how to react, since officially she wanted a break from romance.
“Another cookie?” She held the lid above the round tin.
“I’m fine.” He strode to the window with his mug while she loaded the dishwasher.
“Do you think the pipes will freeze again?”
“Depends on the weather. Speaking of which, if you want to go to the store, you should leave now.” He pointed through the window.
A veil of falling snow obscured the yard. In fact, she couldn’t even distinguish the mountain behind the lilac fence at the rear of the property. Images of snow piling up against her doors set her heart pounding. She wasn’t sure she was up to facing another emergency.
“I need to leave.” He set the mug in the sink. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Do you have to go?”