Chapter 3

What exactly happened to you? Kamzy’s question echoed in Jordan’s mind, threatening to wake up all the bad memories.

She shoved them down. She needed a job, and she needed to keep this discussion focused on that.

“It’s not relevant,” she said, keeping her voice calm. “Tell me about the boys. What do they like to do?”

He studied her, then nodded. “Sure. Victor, that’s the six-year-old, he likes to fish and ride his bike and help me in the shop. Though it’s more hindrance than help, at this stage.”

“Of course, but that’s good for him, working with you.” She paused. “Your younger son?”

“JJ is still a baby—well, he’s three—and he just likes to follow his brother around, mostly. Likes to get dirty, likes animals.”

“Sounds standard, aside from Victor’s mutism,” she said. “Anything in particular you want them to get out of this summer?”

He looked surprised that she’d asked. “There is, actually,” he said slowly. “I’d like them to get into reading.”

She smiled, and their eyes met and held for just a moment too long. Books and reading had been one of their unexpected connections during high school. Jordan had been happy to learn that Kamzy, who didn’t take any advanced classes, was an avid reader. He loved history and knew all about the background of the local area, from the battles that had been fought nearby to the robber barons who’d spent summers enjoying the mountains and rivers. She’d been a big fan of historical novels, and they’d had spirited talks about the merits of fiction versus nonfiction. They’d exchanged a few books. They’d packed a lot of literary activity into their short relationship, she realized now.

Was that what was going through Kamzy’s head, too? “I can work with them on reading,” she said, brushing her hands together, brushing away the memories. “Believe me, I’ll love it. I’m a book blogger, and I spend a lot of time thinking about books, children’s books included. We’ll go to the library every week.”

Suddenly, she realized that she was assuming he’d offer her the job. And that she’d accept it.

Should he offer Jordan the job?

Kamzy wanted to give the boys the best summer possible. Jordan had relevant experience, and she was supportive of his goal to get the boys into books and reading.

On the other hand, there was something disturbing about her. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

A truck approached on the highway, and Jordan stiffened. Her dog, Tierra, licked her hand.

“It’s just my kids,” he said as the vehicle pulled into the driveway. “Come on out and meet them.”

Victor and JJ came running toward him, shouting their usual boisterous greeting.

Then they saw Jordan

“Who’s that?” JJ asked.

Victor pressed his lips together and started past Kamzy into the house.

“Just a minute.” Kamzy caught his son by the shoulders and turned him around. “I need to thank Brendan’s mom, and then I want you to meet someone. Stay here.”

Victor’s face tightened.

Kamzy jogged out to the truck, thanked the woman who’d gladly taken his boys for the morning and realized he needed to chat a bit to be polite. Only when he heard the sound of barking and a shout did he make his excuses and manage to escape.

The minute he turned around, he saw that there was a situation.

Jordan had plunked herself down in front of the door. Victor was trying to get around her and into the house. Her little dog was barking madly.

It looked like Victor was about to cry.

Okay. This wasn’t going to work.

Jordan handed Victor the dog’s leash. “Could you hold him a minute?” she asked, her voice carrying across the yard. She stood gracefully, walked over to JJ, and knelt in front of him, talking and smiling.

Kamzy quickened his pace. “You need to take care of your own dog,” he said as he approached Jordan and JJ. “Don’t dump him on my son.”

She handed JJ something and nodded toward Victor and the dog. JJ ran to them.

Then Jordan stood, directly in his path. “Hang on a minute, Kamzy,” she said. “Tierra, my pup, is the gentlest dog you’ll ever meet. I thought he might be a way to connect with Victor.”

“I told you, Victor is scared of dogs. Some of them, anyway.” Scared of a lot of things, these days.

She glanced back toward the boys, and he did, too. They were both kneeling in front of the little dog. JJ was dangling a toy, which the little dog grabbed and tugged at.

Both boys were smiling.

“I can’t work for you if you don’t trust me,” she said. She was petite, almost a foot shorter than Kamzy, but she’d straightened her back. “And if you won’t let him be around dogs, no wonder he’s afraid. You need to stop doing that.”

She looked indignant and protective. And pretty. Very, very pretty.

Which was its own problem. She’d said he needed to trust her, but Kamzy didn’t trust women, had no intention of risking his kids’ happiness by getting involved with one.

But he did want his kids to be happy, and it looked like her plan had worked, since both boys were now laughing and playing with her dog.

He knew Jordan’s background. He had zero other applicants, and he needed to get back to the work piling up at the shop. “I apologize,” he said. “You’re right. If you’re still interested, I’d like to offer you the job.”

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