CHAPTER 10

For the second time that day, Maisie grabbed the shovel she’d propped against the wall in her pantry. Gripping it firmly, she walked to the front door, halting when she heard the familiar roar of a Ford engine rolling to a stop in her driveway. She opened the front door and peeked out, even though it wasn’t necessary. She knew who it was—Daniel.

Shit.

She leaned the shovel against the wall, hustled to the kitchen table, lifted his belt off the chair, and hustled back to the door just in time to hear him knock. She whipped the door open, shoved the belt in his face and said, “Good afternoon, Daniel. Or evening. Or whatever. Here’s the belt you left last night. I have things to do, so I’ll say goodnight.”

Daniel rammed his boot between the door and the jamb, stopping Maisie from pushing it all the way closed again. “Why are you acting so strange tonight, Maisie?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He pushed the door open, stuck his head inside the house, and glanced around. “You have another man here tonight, don’t you? Is that why you’re pushing me away?”

He was needy. Too needy. And she didn’t do needy. “Nope, no one else is here. Just me.”

Daniel shook his head, indicating he didn’t believe her, then cupped a hand over his mouth and said, “Hello? Is anyone here?”

“You’re being stupid, Daniel. I’m alone. It’s been a long day. I’m tired. Please go.”

He ignored her request, stepped inside the house, pulled out a paper sack he’d been hiding behind his back, and dangled it in front of her face. “I brought your favorite. Don’t you want it?”

The smell was unmistakable. She accepted the offering, unrolled the top of the sack, and looked inside. He had brought her favorite—French fries from Flipping Fresh Burger, the best burger joint in Salt Lake City.

“It was sweet of you to think of me, but I really am tired tonight, Daniel. I’m sorry. And, as you can see now, no one else is here. You have to go. Mmmkay?”

Daniel trailed a finger up her arm. “Oh, come on, Maisie. Let me stay. Please?”

Nothing was going as planned, and she couldn’t help but envision the back and forth banter continuing like this for the rest of the night. He’d always been a talker, and now that he’d entered the house, it was clear he wasn’t leaving. She chomped down on a fry and weighed her options, knowing there was really only one. “I have time for a quickie. You can’t stay the night, and you have to take your belt this time. This is the only offer you’re going to get. Understand?”

He nodded, and it was settled. Twenty minutes later, he was the happiest man in the city, whistling a tune as he waltzed out the door. He pulled her hand to his mouth, kissing it like he’d suddenly acquired manners in the last few minutes. “Until tomorrow?”

“Don’t push it, Daniel. And if you’ve left anything behind this time, you may as well kiss it goodbye. It won’t be here waiting for you next time.”

He smiled. “So, there will be a next time then?”

She shook her head, closed the door, and reached for the shovel one last time. There was a fire pit several houses down, and right now it demanded her immediate attention.