Healing Their Hearts

Nicki Latimer never expected to be back in her tiny Mississippi hometown—much less running a store with a baby on her hip. But when her father falls ill, Nicki will do anything to save the family business…even putting her dreams on hold. And she’s found just the person to help her. Ethan Stone is strong and reliable, but also haunted by his past as a war photographer. He’s convinced he could never be the man Nicki thinks he is. But with Ethan by her side, Nicki’s dreams of love and family are closer than she thinks.

Home to Dover: A small town with a big heart

“I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss…?”

The woman’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She tucked a strand of her wavy hair behind one ear. “Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Nichelle Latimer.”

She grasped his hand. Her fingers were small and delicate and sent an awareness like a sudden sugar rush through his system.

“My family owns this store.”

Questions popped into his mind. Why wasn’t her family here helping? She must have sensed his curiosity because she tugged her hand away.

“Which way to the stockroom?”

She pointed toward the back. Ethan nodded and attempted a smile, but he couldn’t quite manage it. Sometimes he thought he’d forgotten how to smile.

He turned and walked toward the rear of the building. Nichelle. It was a lovely name for a lovely woman. But the guarded look in her eyes suggested she was protecting herself from something.

The lady had secrets.

But then, so did he.

LORRAINE BEATTY

was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, but has been blessed to be able to live in Germany, Connecticut and Baton Rouge. She now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and six grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and has written for trade books, newspapers and company newsletters. She is a member of RWA and ACFW and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

His Small-Town Family

Lorraine Beatty

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

To my brother Ken Carswell. I miss you every day.

Acknowledgment

A special thank-you to Dr. Ronda Wells

for her medical help with Sadie’s fever.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Nicki, how long do you think you can keep this up? Running the store, taking care of a new baby, then going home at night to help your parents. You’re wearing yourself out.”

Nichelle Latimer could feel the disapproving eyes of her friend Debi Gordon on her back as she straightened the display of spiral notebooks in her family’s office-supply store. They’d been friends since junior high, and Nicki knew the concern was sincere. Just not welcome at the moment.

“I don’t have a choice. I’m the only one who can help right now. Mom has to focus on Dad’s recovery. He’s doing well after his kidney transplant. He doesn’t need to worry about the store.”

But Nicki was very worried. Since coming home to Dover, Mississippi, six months ago, she had willingly stepped in to help run Latimer’s Office Supply. The work had kept her busy and focused on something other than the death of her husband and the legal and emotional trauma he’d left behind. It hadn’t taken long to realize that business was slow and customers few and far between. But it wasn’t until she’d returned to work after having her daughter, Sadie, and assumed management of the store that she’d realized the extent of the problem. If something didn’t change soon, Latimer’s Office Supply would be out of business.

The old brass bell over the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a much-needed customer. Nicki gave her friend a quick hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Debi gave her a skeptical frown before turning to leave. “Call me if you need me.”

Nicki dealt with the customer, then reached for her cell phone to check on Sadie. She missed her so much. It was the first time she’d let her mother babysit, and that was only because she needed time alone to examine the store’s accounting files.

As she did, her heart sank. If she didn’t find a way to increase business soon, her parents would be ruined. They were counting on her. What she needed was a full-time employee, someone she could depend on. She’d placed a Help Wanted sign in the front window three days ago, but no one had even inquired. Strange, considering the bad economy. Surely someone needed a job. As soon as the store was closed, she’d draft an ad for the Dover Dispatch.

An hour later, the bell over the front door of Latimer’s jingled again. Nicki glanced at the clock in her small office in the back of the building. There was still an entire afternoon to get through before she could close up and go home to Sadie. Weariness threatened to drag her down. She closed her eyes and sent up a prayer for strength. Not that God would hear her feeble plea. He’d stopped listening to her years ago when she’d turned her back on Him and stepped into a nightmare.

Walking out onto the sales floor, she put on a smile for the incoming customer. Her gaze landed on a tall, dark-haired man standing inside the door. She didn’t recognize him. In a town the size of Dover, strangers stood out, and this man wasn’t likely to be overlooked. With his broad shoulders, the dark stubble shadowing his angular face and his piercing dark eyes, he looked hard—dangerous, even. His dark chocolate hair lay in appealingly tousled waves, making his deep-set, black-coffee eyes even more noticeable. Those eyes narrowed slightly. He’d noticed her staring. She forced her gaze from his and to the object he held in his hand. Her Help Wanted sign.

“May I help you?”

The man smiled. Sort of. One corner of his mouth moved, which brought a faint light into his eyes. A small scar below his left cheek added intrigue.

He held up the sign. “Is the position still available?”

“Yes, it is. Are you interested?”

He handed her the sign. “Possibly. I’d like to know a little about the job.” His intense gaze skimmed her length before looking her in the eyes again.

A rush of warmth filled her cheeks when she saw a glint of appreciation in his brown eyes. Mentally, she shook herself for such a ridiculous thought. She must be more tired than she realized. She swallowed and cleared her throat. “Stock work, to begin with. I’m going to be reworking the entire layout of the store, so there will also be a lot of physical labor.”

A quick inventory of his well-developed chest, the muscles straining the sleeves of his shirt and the strong thighs encased in faded jeans confirmed he was more than capable of moving the displays. The man had slipped his hands into his front pockets, with his head slightly tilted, his dark eyes narrowed. She realized with a jolt that she was assessing him as he had her earlier. “Um, then if it works out, I’ll need someone to work the sales floor.”

The man nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Are you looking for full time or part time, Mr....?”

“Stone. Ethan Stone. Either, but full time would be preferred.” The corner of his mouth moved again, distracting her and revealing a deep crease in his cheek and tiny crinkles at the corners of his eyes.

“Do you have any retail experience?”

“I paid my way through school working at a big-box store. I did time in nearly every department.”

A man who worked his way through school showed determination, but something about him didn’t seem right. While he looked scruffy and hard, his words and his posture were that of an educated man. Not some down-on-his-luck drifter looking for a minimum-wage job. Too many years with her deceitful late husband raised her defenses. Why would an educated man want a job as a stock boy? She crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a feeling you’re seriously overqualified for the job, Mr. Stone.”

He raised his eyebrows, his dark eyes questioning. “Can anyone be overqualified for honest work?”

The glint she’d seen in his eyes was now a full-blown twinkle. Was he baiting her or manipulating her? She raised her chin. “You’re not from around here.”

“No, ma’am. I got into town yesterday afternoon.”

His deep voice rolled along her nerves. “Where are you from?”

He shrugged and lifted the corner of his mouth a bit more. “Here and there.”

“Where have you worked before?”

“Several places. Mainly out of the country.”

He wasn’t giving her much incentive to hire him. She opened her mouth to tell him she didn’t think he would be a good fit for the job, but before she could speak, he took a step forward. She tensed, then relaxed when she saw his eyes soften, and the crooked grin lifted on the other side.

“If you need a reference, you can call Jim Barrett.”

“Pastor Jim at Peace Community Church? You know him?” This changed everything. Jim wouldn’t recommend any old vagrant.

Stone nodded, pulling his hands from his pockets and resting them on his lean hips. “I’m good friends with his brother Paul. We...worked together.”

“Oh. I see.” She tried to find a reason to turn him down, but she was desperate and needed someone who could start immediately. The doorbell sounded again as several customers entered, triggering the urgency that gnawed in her chest every hour. She couldn’t leave Dover until the store was in the black, and if she was going to save the store, she had to have help. “How soon can you start?”

He glanced over his shoulder as the door chimed again. “Now.”

Moving behind the checkout counter, she pulled a sheet of paper from the shelf, then lifted a pen from the small container beside the register and handed both items to him across the counter. “Fill out this application, please. You can sit at one of the desks over there. When you’re finished, we’ll discuss your hours and pay.”

“Will do.” With a nod, he turned and strode toward the display of office furniture in the far corner of the sales floor.

Nicki watched him with an uneasy sensation in her chest. He walked like a man confident in his abilities. A man who could handle himself in any situation. A soldier, perhaps. But even that idea didn’t fit. He didn’t have the high-and-tight haircut or the ramrod posture she’d seen in her marine brother. Something was off. She just couldn’t figure out what it was.

Remembering she had customers in the store, she shoved the thoughts aside. She was being overly sensitive. She couldn’t paint every man she met with the same brush as her late husband, Brad. Just because a man was reserved and private didn’t mean he had something to hide.

She glanced at the man again. Despite her misgivings, there was something trustworthy about him. History had taught her to be cautious, but she had to start trusting her instincts again. Please, Lord, let this be the right decision, because I’ll need his help and Yours to save the store.

* * *

Ethan wrote his name on the line, trying to remember the last time he’d filled out an employment application. He’d worked for TNZ News Network since graduating college. But that job had ended ten months ago. His years embedded with the troops as a conflict photographer had resulted in capturing one too many horrific images with his camera. The doctors had called it cumulative stress disorder. He called it an emotional meltdown.

Ethan blinked away the visions lurking in the back of his mind and wrote down Jim Barrett’s name as a reference. Jim’s brother Paul had been the lifeline Ethan needed after he’d returned from his last assignment in Afghanistan. He’d been wounded and emotionally traumatized, and the military shrinks hadn’t been able to help him much. But then he’d returned to Atlanta, met Paul and joined his post-traumatic stress disorder group for civilians. Not only had the group turned his life around, but Paul had become a close and valued friend. When Ethan had been looking for a place to start his life over, Paul had sung the praises of his small hometown in south central Mississippi.

He was giving himself two months to see if Dover could be his new home. Having a job would help him settle in. Within a few minutes he’d filled in all the blanks with his scant personal information. He hoped she wouldn’t press him for the background facts he’d left out. He carried the paper back to the front, waiting while the woman completed a sale to a customer.

She smiled and took the application from his hand. His heart did a funny little twitch inside his chest. She was a very attractive woman with her shoulder-length blond hair and eyes the color of cornflowers in summer. He guessed her to be a few years younger than himself. The top of her head was even with his shoulder, and it was hard to ignore her nice curves. There was a softness about her that intrigued him and reminded him of the delicate pink azaleas in bloom all over town.

She glanced at him, and he saw a wariness in her blue eyes. Not that he could blame her. He didn’t inspire confidence with his two-day growth of beard and old faded shirt. He’d deliberately chosen to keep his appearance low-key, hoping to blend in and not call attention to himself. Had he realized the Lord would lead him to Latimer’s Office Supply, and a job interview, he’d have done things differently.

The woman took a moment to look over his application. He braced himself for the question she would undoubtedly ask—the one that asked for an emergency contact. The one he normally put his previous boss’s name in. Not this time. He had no intention of letting Karen Holt know his whereabouts. She’d want him to come back to work. Out of the question. His life as a conflict photographer was over. As long as he stayed away from his camera, he should be okay. He had absolutely no intention of looking through that viewfinder again.

The bell over the door jingled again, preventing her question. She glanced briefly between him and the new customers. He saw the doubt in her blue eyes fade and knew she’d decided to take him on.

“Why don’t you take a few minutes to look around the store, familiarize yourself with the merchandise? We’ll talk as soon as I take care of these customers.” She shoved his application into a drawer behind the counter and started to walk off. “Oh, I’ll need someone who’ll stay on the job for several weeks. Is that going to be a problem?”

The determined lift to her chin belied the hopeful look in her blue eyes. His protective instincts stirred. The lady could use a hand, and helping others had been one of the things that restored his sense of purpose. “No, ma’am. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”

Ethan took a quick tour of the store while the woman waited on a customer. The first thing that struck him was the size of the place. It was too large for one person to manage alone. Which might explain her desperate need to hire the first person who walked in the door.

He made his way through the store, walking down aisles set in neat predictable rows and gazing at the merchandise one would expect in an office-supply store. The back corner held an assortment of office furniture. The area next to it displayed a small selection of outdated computers and printers. One thing was evident. Latimer’s Office Supply was a basics-only store. In fact, it bordered on old-fashioned. But maybe that was the norm for a small Mississippi town.

Overall, it was a charming business. He dragged his hand along his jaw. Nothing here would trigger a memory. Nothing here would yank him back to the past. It was the perfect place to start over. No memories would be stirred. No old nightmares resurrected. He’d promised himself he’d learn to be a participant in life and not merely an observer.

Returning to the sales counter, he found the woman—he didn’t know her name yet—staring at the departing customer. “Where would you like me to start?” Her gaze collided with his, the blue eyes wide and filled again with a shadow of doubt.

She smiled and raised her chin slightly. “The stockroom. But first we need to discuss your hours and pay.”

Ethan started to tell her he wasn’t concerned about wages, but she stated an amount before he could speak. “Sounds fair.”

“Good. For now, you’ll have Sundays off, but I’ll be making a lot of changes, and I’d like you to come in on Mondays, too. At regular pay.”

“That’ll work.”

“Good. I’ve lost several employees, and I need to replace them quickly.”

“Understood.” He extended his hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss...?”

The woman’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She tucked a strand of her wavy hair behind one ear. “Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Nichelle Latimer.”

She grasped his hand. Her fingers were small and delicate and fluttered against his palm, sending a sweet jolt of awareness like a sudden sugar rush throughout his system.

“My family owns this store.”

Questions erupted in his mind. Why wasn’t her family here helping? She must have sensed his curiosity because she tugged her hand away and squared her shoulders.

“Which way to the stockroom?”

She pointed toward the back. Ethan nodded and attempted a smile, but all he could manage was a nod. Sometimes he thought he’d forgotten how to smile. He turned and walked toward the rear of the building. Nichelle. It was a lovely name for a lovely woman. But the guarded look in her eyes suggested she was protecting herself from something. The lady had secrets. But then, so did he.

The back hall was positioned on the east side of the building and led directly to the back door. On the right was an office, and tucked between it and the rear entrance was a kitchen and eating area. The stockroom was on the opposite side and extended along the back wall of the building. Boxes and packages were stacked on the floor and piled on the worktable, waiting to be opened.

The familiar surroundings eased the slight tension from his shoulders. The stockroom was a good place to start. He was comfortable here. He could do his job with little interference. One thing his new boss had mentioned made him uneasy. Waiting on customers. Dealing with people face-to-face had never been his strong suit. It was why he’d lived his life behind a camera lens. No chance for emotional entanglements that way. But he was jumping the gun. There would be time to worry about that later.

Ethan reached for the box cutter on the shelf and slit the seam of the closest carton. Spiral notebooks. It was spring. School would be out soon. Maybe Nicki was planning ahead for back-to-school sales. Prying off the packing slip, he verified it against the contents, then moved on to the next box. He glanced at the assortment of pricing tools hanging above the worktable. He’d have to speak with his new boss about price points for the merchandise.

His lips moved into a smile. The activity reminded him of his college years working at the discount store. The Lord had come through for him again. There was absolutely nothing in Latimer’s Office Supply that would remind him of the Middle East or suicide bombers or innocent victims in marketplaces.

* * *

Nicki winced at the sound of the heavy pot being set down on the counter. Her mother was not happy. The nice, quiet Saturday evening meal with her parents had ended in an argument. Nicki had avoided telling her mom about Ethan as long as she could. But when she asked her straight-out when she planned on replacing Charlie, their longtime employee who had recently retired, Nicki had had no choice but to come clean.

“You hired a stranger to work in our store? Some vagrant off the street?”

“Myra, calm down, dear. Nichelle has good instincts about people.”

Good thing her father knew how to handle her mother because she surely didn’t. They had never been able to communicate. Her brother, Kyle, had been her mother’s favorite, always able to charm her out of a bad mood with a wink and a smile. The perfect child who could do no wrong in her mother’s eyes.

Opening the packet of formula, Nicki poured it into the baby bottle, attached the cap and shook it. Hard. Kyle had been special. She’d adored her older brother and missed him terribly. His death in Afghanistan two years ago had left a huge hole in all their lives. Especially her father’s.

“Allen, she hired a full-time employee, some stranger to work our store. He could rob us blind. Or worse.”

A twinge of concern inched its way up Nicki’s spine. Her mother wasn’t wrong. She had hired a stranger. But her father was right; she did have good instincts about people. Except when she married them. Then she was a complete idiot. She’d fallen for Brad’s charm and his wealth, blithely ignoring the little twinges of doubt until it was too late. But her impression of Ethan was different. She had some questions about him, but she just knew he wasn’t a crook.

“Mom, I called Jim Barrett and he vouched for Ethan.”

Her mother huffed and shook her head. “I don’t like this.”

Nicki exchanged glances with her father. “Mom, I need help at the store. I can’t run it alone. You have to take care of Dad, and he’s got weeks of recovery ahead. What would you like me to do?”

Her mother turned to glare at her. “What do you know about this man?”

“He’s experienced in retail and he can work the hours I gave him. That’s all I need to know right now.” She’d been impressed with Ethan. He’d worked diligently, caught on quickly and only approached her a couple of times with questions regarding the pricing of the merchandise. He looked her in the eyes when he spoke and left the stockroom neat and tidy at the end of the day.

“For all you know, he could be the one robbing the stores downtown.”

Allen Latimer peered over his glasses at his wife, a sure sign he was becoming irritated. “Myra, let the girl do her job. She has her hands full with our granddaughter and our business. Don’t make things worse.”

“Fine. But if one thing is missing from our inventory...” She turned back to the sink, her shoulders stiff with displeasure.

Nicki moved to the baby bouncer on the counter and unbuckled her fussy daughter’s safety strap. She took the little girl into her arms, cradling her close and kissing her cheek, reveling in the new-baby smell. She gave Sadie her bottle, smiling at the sweet little sounds she made as she ate, gently bouncing her as she walked into her parents’ living room and settled down in the rocker.

She looked forward to this time of day, holding Sadie in her arms as she ate, talking to her, sharing her big plans for their future. From the moment the nurse had placed Sadie in her arms, she’d realized she’d found what she’d been looking for all her life. Something that gave her purpose and happiness—being a mom.

The only thing missing was her independence. She’d planned on striking out on her own once Sadie was born, but that plan had been complicated by her father’s kidney transplant and a mountain of red tape with Brad’s estate. As soon as she took care of things here, she’d find a job and leave Dover behind.

Nicki glanced up when her dad stood beside the rocker. He gently stroked Sadie’s little head.

“She’s beautiful. Like her momma.”

Her daddy had always been her biggest cheerleader. She didn’t like keeping things from him, but after realizing the dire financial situation Latimer’s was in, she’d called her friend Gary Palmer to go over the books for her. She hadn’t told her father what she’d done for fear of upsetting him. She didn’t want to risk a setback. Still, her concern warred with her conscience. What if keeping her dad in the dark only upset him more?

“Dad, about the business...”

Her dad patted her shoulder. “I know. Business has fallen off since Office Mart opened over in Sawyer’s Bend. But I’ve made arrangements to transfer some funds to get things back on track. I meant to do it sooner, but then the transplant donor was found, and I never followed up. You do what you think is best for the store. But let’s keep this between you and me. I don’t want to upset your mother.” He rubbed his forehead. “You know, pumpkin, we’re happy to have you back home, and that little darling is our treasure, but I never planned for you to have to take over the store. I’m only sorry this health thing of mine has messed up everything.”

Nicki’s heart ached. “Oh, Daddy, you haven’t messed anything up. I’m glad I was here to help. Besides, I like having something to do every day.” For too many years, she’d been denied that choice.

Her father eyed her closely. She could never deceive him. He always knew when she was keeping things hidden, and right now she was hiding a lot.

“Nicki, honey, why did you come home so suddenly, and why didn’t you bother to attend your own husband’s funeral?”

Shame and guilt washed over her. She focused her gaze on Sadie, who had nearly emptied her bottle. How could she explain the past two years to her parents? They would never understand. Her mother thought Brad had hung the moon. Wealthy, charming, handsome and successful. Everything she’d hoped for her daughter. How could she tell her that Brad had turned out to be a white-collar criminal, that he’d died in a plane crash while attempting to flee the country? And how did she explain that she was broke because Brad’s assets were tied up in a federal investigation?

Her dad touched her cheek gently. “When you’re ready to talk, we’ll be here.”

All she could do was nod. She could barely come to terms with how she—an intelligent, educated woman—had been so foolish and gullible. She’d lost herself in her relationship with her husband. Now she had to figure out who she was and who she wanted to be.

Chapter Two

Ethan shook the hand of Reverend Stoddard, uttered a few polite phrases and stepped outside into the Sunday morning sunshine. Two different sermons today had provided plenty of spiritual strengthening. He’d attended Peace Community’s early service, eager to hear Jim Barrett preach. Then after a quick cup of coffee and a sweet roll at the Magnolia Café, he’d crossed the park and attended the late service at Hope Chapel. He’d enjoyed both services, but if he was going to join the PTSD group that Jim had referred him to here, he needed to support the church. That meant attending Hope Chapel on a regular basis.

As he took the steps down to the sidewalk, someone called his name. He looked around to see a giant of a man coming toward him, hand outstretched and a friendly smile on his face.

“You’re Ethan Stone, aren’t you? I’m Ron Morrison. Jim Barrett told me about you.”

He nodded and shook the man’s hand. Ethan stood an inch over six feet, but Ron’s bulk made him feel short. Ron ran the only PTSD support group in Dover. “How did you know who I was?”

“Jim Barrett gave me a good description. Besides, I know the look.”

Ethan smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I guess you do.”

Ron gestured toward the sidewalk. “Why don’t we go over here and talk, if you have the time?”

Ethan fell into step beside him until he stopped at a dark blue Silverado parked at the curb near the end of the block.

Ron pulled a business card from his jacket pocket and handed it to Ethan. “We meet every Wednesday night in a room off the church gym. It’s not a large group. We average around five men, sometimes up to eight or ten. There’s no pressure to talk or share. You do that when you’re ready, or not at all. I just wanted you to know you’re welcome, and we’re here if you need us.”

The card had Ron’s number and the church’s office number. He’d made a lot of progress in the past ten months. The flashbacks were under control, even though they still lurked in the dark edges of his mind, and it had been months since he’d had a nightmare. But he also knew ongoing support was vital. Paul had taught him to take it one step at a time. Face one fear at a time. He planned on following his friend’s advice. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Ron shook his hand. “We’re all in this together. Don’t forget that.”

Ethan crossed over into the lush park surrounding the courthouse, his gaze taking in the charming nineteenth-century town. Dover, Mississippi, was exactly as Paul had described. From the town square with its majestic courthouse, bandstand and giant live-oak trees, to the charming brick buildings lined up on each side.

April in Mississippi was a riot of color. Pink, red and white azalea bushes and colorful vines exploded from every corner. His photographer’s eye automatically began composing the perfect angles to capture the spring display. But he didn’t have a camera anymore and he wouldn’t ever again. He’d spent his entire life with the lens between himself and the real world. No longer.

“Afternoon, sir.” A soldier dressed in camouflage fatigues strolled passed, nodding a greeting.

Every muscle in Ethan’s body tensed. Caught off guard, the steel gate holding back his memories shook violently, allowing pieces of the darkness to slip through the cracks. He fought to maintain emotional control and keep his anxiety at bay.

The Lord is my shepherd. The twenty-third psalm had been his anchor during recovery. Slowly the emotional storm in his chest eased, and he started back down the sidewalk.

It had all happened too quick. One minute he had been taking pictures of the soldiers on patrol and locals at the neighborhood market, his lens focused on a mother and infant who had stepped into the frame. The next, fire and debris had rocked him off his feet. He’d continued shooting, keeping the lens to his eye, but the image that emerged shredded his soul. The mother and infant who had been standing near the market were lying on the ground.

Something in his soul had died in that moment.

The next thing he remembered was waking up in a hospital with shrapnel in his arm, a concussion and his emotions churning inside his gut like a tornado. Ten months later, here he was, still trying to get past what he’d seen, vowing to never take another photograph again.

After stopping at Filler-Up-Burgers, a charming old gas-station-turned-restaurant, Ethan returned to his small room at the Dixiana Motor Lodge on the edge of town. The old-style motel was right out of a 1940s postcard. Small cabins laid out in an L shape were connected by a common roof and separated by narrow openings for parking a car. The interior provided all the modern conveniences, though the decor was a throwback to another era. After only a few days, however, the room was starting to close in on him. He’d have to find an apartment or a house to rent now that he’d gotten a job and was committed to remaining in Dover. Maybe he’d ask his new boss for some suggestions.

He was looking forward to work tomorrow. Working at Latimer’s would give him a purpose and cover the service part of his rehabilitation. Ron’s group would provide the talking. Both were important keys to managing his PTSD. The service part he embraced. The talking, not so much. But as much as he hated to admit it, talking did help. With the Lord’s help, he’d learn to open up more, letting go of the fears one memory at a time until the past no longer had a stranglehold on his mind.

Paul’s advice had been spot-on. Dover was the perfect place to find himself, to start fresh. Nothing here would drag him down into the darkness. He knew without a doubt that the Lord had brought him here to begin again.

All he wanted now was someplace quiet and peaceful to make a fresh start. He wanted roots. Permanence. He’d lost himself on a dusty street in Afghanistan, and he’d come to Dover to find out who he was now and where he would go from here.

* * *

“Good morning.”

The deep baritone with the husky rasp sent an unwelcome tingle along Nicki’s nerves. She didn’t want to notice Ethan Stone. Not as a man, anyhow. Only as an employee. A much-needed and efficient employee. One who arrived on time on a Monday morning, ready to work.

“Hi.” She glanced up to find him standing on the threshold of her office, that lopsided smile softening his chiseled features. It would be easier to think of him as someone who worked for her if he weren’t so handsome. So capable and so disturbing. Thankfully he was a man of few words who went about his job with efficiency and determination.

He looked more intriguing today. The stubble did little to hide the strong square jaw and high cheekbones below those beautiful brown eyes. He wore an unbuttoned red cotton shirt over a white T-shirt and dark jeans that hugged his legs. He was the image of strength and dependability, two things she needed right now.

She’d learned the hard way not to depend on anyone but herself. She’d teach her daughter that lesson early. The only thing she needed to depend on now was that Ethan would hang around long enough to help her get the new layout in place. She was holding out hope that Gary’s findings wouldn’t drastically alter her plan to remodel Latimer’s.

“Would you like me working back in the stockroom today?”

For some reason, she had a hard time seeing Ethan working in a stockroom, even though he’d worked there all afternoon on Saturday. He looked more suited to the outdoors. She could easily see him leading a safari or heading up some archaeological dig or maybe even exploring jungles. She brushed the fanciful thoughts aside. “Uh. No, actually, I have some sales I need to set and fixtures I want moved.”

He nodded. “Point the way.”

Nicki stood and came around her desk. She’d anticipated Ethan stepping back out of the doorway to let her through. Instead he stepped farther into the office. They collided in the doorway, wedged together. Nicki found herself with her hands pressed against his chest and with Ethan’s hands grasping her upper arms. She refused to meet his gaze, but she couldn’t ignore the warmth under her palms or the solid mass of his chest as it rose and fell beneath her hands. She held her breath, forcing herself to focus.

“Uh, the display window.” She pushed past him into the hall, taking with her the lingering scent of soap and musky aftershave. She made a mental note to keep a safe distance from Ethan Stone.

“First, I want to dismantle this window display. Then these smaller shelves down here need to be taken apart and stored. You can put the merchandise in the back for now. I want two gateleg tables placed end to end right here. You’ll find them in the stockroom near the furnace.”

Ethan stood beside her listening intently, hands resting on his lean hips. “Having a sale?”

“Yes. A ‘Get a Jump on School’ sale. All this old merchandise has got to go.” She turned to find his lopsided grin in place. Like before, it warmed his dark eyes, but this time she was close enough to read the glint of appreciation in his gaze. For her? Silly thought. She took a step back only to snag her jeans on the corner of one of the old aluminum shelves. She tilted backward. Ethan’s strong hand clamped on to her arm. She grabbed his other arm to steady herself, acutely aware of the muscles beneath her hand. Quickly, she let go and straightened. What was wrong with her today? When had she become such a klutz? “See why I want these things out of here?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Moving to the wooden checkout counter positioned deep inside the store on the east wall, she tapped it lightly. “I’d like to move this counter closer to the front door.”

Ethan hunkered down, tapped the wood, examined the base, then stood and did the same on the other side. “I think it’s only screwed down. It shouldn’t be too hard to move it. It’ll leave some ugly scars on the floorboards though.”

“Can you do that? Move it, I mean?”

“Yes. But are you sure you want to?” He stood brushing dust off his hands. “Putting it closer to the door might create a congestion problem on busy days. The customers coming in are going to be forced to move around the ones in line.”

He was right. Nicki’d been thinking only of the aesthetics, not the practicality. Her poor judgment at work again. She bit her bottom lip. “I’ll think about it. Let’s leave it for now.”

After Nicki pointed out a few more changes she wanted to do quickly, Ethan went back to the stockroom, and she went to check on Sadie. After her talk with her mother the other night, Nicki had harbored some doubts about hiring Ethan without properly vetting him. Her confidence in her ability to make good decisions was fragile, and her mother’s comments had stirred her insecurities like the blades of a blender. Now Nicki knew she’d made the right choice. Ethan was capable, handy and willing to follow her direction.

Nicki tiptoed into the small room off the office, which she’d transformed into a mini nursery, to check on Sadie and found her sleeping soundly. She never tired of watching her little daughter. Gently, she stroked her downy soft hair, listening to her sweet baby breaths. Her heart swelled with a love so strong tears threatened to burst forth. How was it possible to love one small person this much?

Back at her desk, she checked on the store bank account. Her dad had followed through. The account balance now showed a healthy total. There was enough to pay the outstanding bills and make most of the changes she wanted to do. Of course, it all hinged on what Gary found in the books.

Movement drew her attention to the doorway as Ethan walked past, carrying a bulky gateleg table in each hand. He carried them as if they were nothing more than sheets of cardboard, though the muscles in his upper arms attested to their actual weight. She had to drag the things step by step whenever she wanted to move them. Having a strong man to help around the store would be a blessing. Charlie had been a faithful employee, but he was a slightly built, thoughtful man who would rather help the customers than wrestle the boxes in the stockroom.

A few minutes later, Ethan stopped in the door, tapping lightly on the frame to get her attention. “The tables are up.”

“Thank you. I’ll show you where the other things are in a moment.”

He nodded. “I didn’t see a time clock or a sign-out sheet anyplace. How do you want me to keep track of my hours?”

“Oh. We use the honor system. Arrive at nine unless we’ve made other arrangements. An hour for lunch. Leave at six. Same with overtime. You tell me what you worked, I’ll pay you for it.”

“You must have had trusted employees in the past.”

“I did.” She hoped that she could trust him, as well.

His eyes warmed again, and the corner of his mouth moved. Without a word, he patted the door frame lightly and turned away, only to turn back again and catch her gaze. “You can trust me, Ms. Latimer.”

“Nicki. You can call me Nicki.”

He smiled. “Nicki it is.”

Nicki blinked, unable to look away. He’d smiled. A heart-stopping, knee-weakening, melt-your-insides smile that created deep creases at the corners of his mouth and revealed strong white teeth made more dazzling against his tanned skin. She swallowed through the sudden dryness in her throat, feeling dazed and warm all over.

He disappeared down the hall, and she released a pent-up breath, fanning herself with her hands to ease the heat in her cheeks. A moment later, she heard the thump of a box landing on the floor and the whiz of a utility knife slicing through tape. A sense of confidence washed through her—something she hadn’t felt for a very long time. She’d made a good decision hiring Ethan. Hopefully it was the first of many more. If she could collect enough good decisions, maybe they would bury the one horrible one she’d made when she’d married Brad.

* * *

Ethan rolled his shoulders, wincing at the twinge. His back was sore, his neck ached, and his legs were protesting the stooping and lifting he’d done all morning. But he felt better than he had in months. Honest work. Simple work. And nothing to trigger a memory from his past. All in all, it had been a good morning.

He wasn’t sure what had triggered his small flashback yesterday. Perhaps seeing the soldier or anxiety over joining a new PTSD group. Thankfully he’d been able to hold off the images. This time.

He could hear Nicki in the front of the store, her voice warm and pleasant as she waited on a customer. She had a way of making each person feel that their business was appreciated. He was going to like working here. He liked working for Nicki. She was a confident, capable woman. Yet there was also something fragile about her, as if her determination and confidence could shatter at any moment. Nicki Latimer was an interesting combination of strength and softness.

Her vulnerability triggered his protective instincts, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. And noticing an attractive woman made him feel human again. He’d spent too much time trying to survive. It was nice to experience normal reactions again.

Ethan pried the shipping label from a small box, turning to glance at Nicki as she strode into the stockroom and went to the storage closet. Sliding the blade back into the box cutter, he watched as she rummaged through the shelves a moment, then pulled out a new lightbulb, shut the cabinet and reached for the four-foot folding stepladder leaning against the wall.

She smiled over her shoulder, holding up the bulb. “Light’s out in my office.”

“Need some help?”

“No. I can do it myself.”

He watched her walk away, lugging the awkward stool, her shoulders squared. The defiant tone in her voice piqued his curiosity. Maybe he should keep an eye on her. He wasn’t comfortable with her climbing an old step stool without someone to steady it.

He found her in her office, stool unfolded and placed squarely beneath the light fixture. The office ceiling was at least ten feet. To reach the socket she’d have to stand on the top step, and even then it would be a stretch. He stepped forward, extending his hand. “Let me do that.”

She pulled the lightbulb out of his reach, her blue eyes darkening to navy. “Don’t tell me what to do. I’m perfectly capable of changing a lightbulb.”

Ethan held her gaze, surprised to see fear flash through her blue eyes. Her posture was rigid. Her jaw was set. He held her eyes a moment longer, wishing he could understand and help somehow. But right now, discretion was called for. He stepped to the front of the ladder, steadying it with both hands, and waited.

Slowly, the tension eased from her shoulders. She inhaled a deep breath and grasped the side of the ladder, bulb in the other hand. The front bell chimed, halting her on the first step. She glanced from the doorway back to him, clearly torn between completing her task and greeting the new customer.

He held out his hand. “I’ll finish up here. If that’s okay.” His offer was rewarded with a sweet smile that sent his heart on an odd roller-coaster ride.

“Thanks.”

Ethan watched her hurry away, then quickly replaced the lightbulb and returned the step stool to the stockroom. His curiosity about his new boss was fully engaged now. He wanted to know what had caused the fear in her blue eyes. Whatever it was, he’d be keeping a close eye on her from now on. She was prone to acts of recklessness.

A loud rumble from his stomach an hour later reminded Ethan that it was lunchtime. While Nicki had insisted they were on the honor system, he wanted to at least notify her he was leaving. He decided to try the deli around the corner today.

Striding out of the stockroom, he peeked in the office door. It was empty, but he could hear her speaking softly in the back room. He grinned, tugging on his earlobe. Maybe she was the kind who talked to herself. Another thing that made her interesting.

He heard her giggle before she stepped back into the office. He looked over at her, teasing words on the tip of his tongue. He froze. Blood drained from his face. His heart refused to beat. Ice filled his veins.

Nicki stood in the middle of the office with an infant in her arms. She cradled the baby against her shoulder, patting its back and cooing sweetly. Ethan recoiled at the image. His vision flickered between the woman and child in front of him and the woman and child in Afghanistan. One minute together. The next... Claws of horror pierced the back of his mind. He tried to focus on Nicki and the baby, but the image of the others on the ground—broken, torn—intruded. He was sucked back to a dusty street in Afghanistan. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move or even think.

“Oh, Ethan. I want you to meet my daughter, Sadie.”

Her voice penetrated his senses slowly like molasses dripping from a spoon. He had to get away. Now. “Yeah. I’m...lunch.”

“Ethan. Are you all right?”

Ethan looked from Nicki’s proud smile to the little child, with its bobbing fists and little head that wobbled slightly. His stomach twisted. The claws dug deeper, pulling him back. He managed a nod and stumbled back. “I’d better...”

He pivoted and burst out the back door to the parking area behind the stores, stopping in the middle and bending over, resting his hands on his thighs as he drew deep breaths into his lungs. God help me. After a few moments, he felt the panic ease. He straightened and raked his fingers across his scalp. His gaze drifted upward, landing on a white steeple visible above the row of brick buildings. The sun glinted off the copper finial, sending rays of light outward.

The Lord is my shepherd. He inhaled, reciting the psalm silently as he concentrated on taking slow measured breaths. By the time he got to Thy rod and thy staff, his heart rate was returning to normal, but his gut was still in knots. Lunch was out of the question. Being around people was impossible.

He walked to his car, climbed in and drove the few miles out of Dover to his motel room. Safely inside, he fell on the bed and tried to sort out what to do next. He couldn’t stay at the store. He couldn’t work there every day seeing Nicki and the baby. He’d go mad. All the work he’d put in over the past year would be gone.

There was only one solution. He had to quit. Today. He wanted to call her immediately and tell her, but he couldn’t walk out in the middle of the day. Not after promising her he’d be around to help her redo the store. He’d fight through the rest of the afternoon, but at six tonight he’d tell her he was done. He hated to see the disappointment in her blue eyes, but he had no choice.

He looked at Ron’s card, lying on the bedside table. He could call. Talk it out. But his emotions were too raw. He needed time to process what he was feeling. At the very least, time to calm down.

Service. He had to think of his last few hours as service. Then he could get through it. Doing for others had been how he’d gotten through it the first time. That, along with prayer and talking to Paul.

Feeling in control once more, he picked up his keys and headed back. All he had to do was make it through a couple of hours. So much for Dover being the refuge he’d hoped for.

Chapter Three

The incident with Ethan replayed in Nicki’s mind as she carried her daughter to the kitchen and prepared a bottle. When she’d seen him in the office doorway, she’d been anxious to show off her beautiful little girl. But instead of the smile and compliments she normally received, Ethan had stared at her and Sadie with a look of shock and horror. He’d paled, and his eyes had glazed over, as if he were seeing something else. He’d mumbled something about lunch, then bolted.

There was no explanation she could think of for his odd behavior. Maybe he didn’t like children. Or maybe he’d lost a child and seeing Sadie had reminded him of his loss. Had she made another foolish mistake in hiring him? Maybe her mother was right after all. He’d provided only the barest of information on his job application. Social Security number and a birthdate that made him thirty-three as of a few months ago.

He’d listed his college, but not his degree. Why wouldn’t you want people to know what you’d done before? Maybe he had a criminal past. She should have done a background check on him first. She thought back to all the times her husband had kept secrets from her. She’d ignored her instincts and paid a huge price for it.

Brad had always made her feel off balance and uncertain. She didn’t get the same sense from Ethan. She snuggled Sadie a little closer against her. “I don’t think there’s anything sinister about Ethan, do you, sweetheart?” Mysterious maybe, and private, but she always felt safe around him. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. She told herself to forget the incident. But she couldn’t dismiss the darkness she’d seen in his eyes.

With her daughter fed and happy, she put her down for tummy time, adjusted the volume on the baby monitor, then went out into the store. The bell hadn’t jingled once in the past forty-five minutes. But business was always slow on Mondays. Today that would work to her advantage. She wanted to have this sale set up and the sign posted. Maybe she could lure some bargain hunters in before the store closed.

As always, Ethan had completed his work. The lower shelves had been removed, and the tables were in place. All she had to do was put out the merchandise and pray it would sell quickly.

Taking the roll of tape and a pair of scissors from the drawer at the sales counter, she carried the long, colorful sale sign she’d dug out earlier and moved to the old-fashioned raised display window, using a small stool to step onto the platform. The sign was bulky and awkward. She was struggling with the tape when the bell chimed and Debi walked in.

“You having a sale?”

Nicki lowered the sign and nodded. “Yes. A clearance sale. I’ve got to get rid of all this old stuff so I can bring in new merchandise. Things people go to Sawyer’s Bend or Jackson for. I want to keep them here in Dover.”

Debi’s smiled brightened. “Sounds like a good idea.”

Nicki stepped down from the window and sighed. “But first I have to put up this sign and I can’t reach it.” She laid the sign and tape on the shelf. “I’ll have to have Ethan do it when he gets back from lunch.”

“Ethan?” Debi’s eyebrows arched.

“The guy I hired Saturday.”

Debi went still, her gaze directed toward the back of the store. “You mean him?”

Nicki looked around and saw Ethan approaching. As he came closer, she noticed his stiff shoulders and unreadable expression. He was suppressing his emotions. Something she was familiar with. Had seeing Sadie caused that, or had something else happened? She forced a smile, then introduced Debi. Ethan nodded, keeping his hands at his sides.

“Do you need help with that?” He glanced at the sign lying on the window shelf.

“Yes, thank you.” She picked up the tape and scissors and held them out to him. He took the tape first, his fingers brushing against hers and causing her breath to catch. She looked into his eyes to see if he’d felt something too, but his gaze was unreadable and his jaw was set in a hard line. When he lifted the scissors from her grasp, he touched only the handles. “Uh, I’d like it draped through the middle of the window.”

Inside the window area, he secured one side, then the other. Nicki watched his progress closely, telling herself she wanted to make sure he did it properly, but keenly aware that she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Ethan moved with a fluid male grace that was pleasing to watch.

With the sale sign perfectly placed, Ethan stepped down from the display window and handed her the tape and scissors. “Anything else?”

“Thank you.” She tried to hold his gaze a moment to show her appreciation, but he looked away. “There are three boxes on the top shelf in the back corner of the stockroom. They probably have the word Keep written on the side. If you’ll bring those out, I’ll add them to the sales table.”

He nodded. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Gordon.” He walked off.

Debi sighed. “Yummy.”

“Hush. He might hear you.”

“Like he doesn’t know he’s dreamy?”

Nicki doubted it. He struck her as the type who would be embarrassed if someone called him “dreamy.”

Debi nudged her arm. “I want to know all about him.”

So did she. For a moment, she considered telling her friend about Ethan’s odd reaction to Sadie, but decided against it for now.

“You know, Nicki...” Debi nodded thoughtfully. “If you wanted to really increase business, all you’d have to do is have him stand in the front window. I’ll bet your sales would go through the roof.”

Nicki shook her head. “Oh, come on.” She noticed Ethan returning with two of the boxes and quickly changed the subject. “If you stopped by to see Sadie, she’s napping.”

“No, I came by to see if you’d heard about the break-in last night?”

“Another one?” She stepped aside to let Ethan place the cartons on the sale table, catching a whiff of his enticing aftershave. She forced her attention on Debi. “Where?”

“Durrant’s Hardware. They took the computer, some petty cash and several expensive power tools. That’s the fourth store to be broken into in the last two weeks.”

A twinge of alarm chased down Nicki’s spine. She’d worked late several nights since taking over the store. Now the thought of being here alone with the baby didn’t sound like a good idea. Her gaze shifted to Ethan as he walked away. Of course, with him here she’d feel perfectly safe. His muscular build and stern demeanor would no doubt deter any burglar who tried to break in. “Do the police have any leads?”

“Nothing solid yet.” Debi rested one hand below her throat. “I’m glad it’s still light out when I leave work. Otherwise I’d have Jerry take me home in his patrol car every night.”

Nicki studied her friend, noting the worry in her usually bright blue eyes. “How are you dealing with Jerry’s new job as a police officer?”

“Okay, I guess. I try not to think about it. There’s not much crime in Dover. At least not until these robberies started.” She shrugged. “But I do worry. I’ve met a few of the other officers’ wives. Captain Durrant’s wife, Ginger, is new to life as a law-enforcement spouse. We’ve talked a couple of times. It helps.”

“I’m glad. You know I’ll be praying for his safety.”

“Thanks.” Debi pulled her into a warm hug. “I miss you, Nicki. Before Sadie was born and your dad had his transplant, we used to have lunch and go shopping. Now we can only manage to steal a few minutes during the day.”

“I know. I miss that, too. But by the end of the day, I’m too tired to do anything but fall into bed. And you’re not exactly a stay-at-home mom.”

“I know. Carter and Zoe have both started soccer. I feel like I’m on the road nonstop. Promise me we’ll do lunch or dinner soon.”

“Promise.”

Nicki watched her friend leave and realized how much her life had changed since coming home. At times she felt trapped and alone, unable to break free to live her own life. While she loved her parents and was grateful for their help, she was completely dependent on them for everything. Even her job. The only thing that kept her going was knowing that eventually she and Sadie could leave Dover and start over.

The afternoon passed more quickly than she’d anticipated, allowing her to forget for brief moments about her meeting with her friend the accountant. A glance at the clock showed it was almost closing time. Gary would be here soon. As she walked back to her office, her gaze drifted to the stockroom. Ethan had kept to himself most of the afternoon. His reaction to Sadie still nagged at her mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask him about it.

She glanced up at the bright light illuminating her desk. She owed Ethan an apology. He’d tried to help her with the bulb. But his “Let me do that” statement had triggered something in her, and she’d lashed out. She wasn’t about to let anyone tell her what to do. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But that didn’t justify rudeness.

Nicki went in search of her new employee and found him out front, replenishing stock. He turned, bracing his shoulders, his eyes guarded. Did he think she was going to press him about his reaction earlier?

She chewed her lip a moment, preparing her speech. “I’m sorry about the lightbulb thing. I know you were just trying to help.”

He picked up the carton he’d emptied and folded the flaps inward. His gaze met hers. “No problem. I like to do things for myself, too.”

How had he interpreted her behavior so correctly? The look in his eyes led her to believe he truly did understand. All of her life, people had been telling her to stop being so bullheaded and independent. No one understood the satisfaction she found in achieving things on her own.

“Well, I appreciate your help. Thanks.”

He nodded. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Nicki went back to her office. Ethan was right. She’d hired him to help. Tomorrow she would train him on the register. But today, she had to deal with Gary’s findings.

Picking up the new floor plan she’d sketched out for the store, she studied it again. Her training in marketing told her the plan to revitalize Latimer’s was sound, but as a daughter, she feared her plan might fail and cost her parents their business. If only she knew for sure. Her confidence was so fragile. One minute she thought she could conquer the world. The next, humiliation and shame would drag her back down into feelings of powerlessness and defeat. She couldn’t trust her own judgment, not after the mistakes she’d made.

“Nicki.”

She looked up to find Ethan in the office doorway. “There’s someone here to see you.”

He moved aside, and Gary Palmer stepped into the office. “Hey, Nichelle.”

Gary hadn’t changed much since high school. He was short and stocky with a head of unruly red hair, and his boyish grin eased some of her anxiety.

She rose and greeted him with a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to have you home again.”

Nicki glanced over his shoulder and saw Ethan watching her from the stockroom. The hard look on his face puzzled her, until she realized he was gauging the situation, watching out for her. The protective gesture pleased her. It was nice to have someone looking out for her. As long as it didn’t go too far.

Closing the office door, she gave her full attention to Gary. Seated at her desk, she took a deep breath. “How bad is it?”

Gary laid a folder on the desk and opened it. “Of course, I can only report on the information you gave me, but it appears that your father has been juggling accounts for some time to keep the store running.”

“What about the lump sum he deposited? Where did that come from?”

“Without access to the personal accounts, I can’t say, but I’d guess he’s tapped out his savings or mortgaged the house.”

“Bottom line?”

“Unless something changes, the store can limp along for six months, maybe a year, and then...” He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I wish I had better news.”

After Gary left, Nicki cradled her head between her hands, her thoughts tumbling with the news he’d delivered. Things were worse than she’d thought. Unless something changed, the store was facing bankruptcy within the next few months. Her father’s infusion of cash helped, but once the outstanding bills were taken care of, there wouldn’t be much left to upgrade the merchandise. Her grand plan was out of the question now. How had her father let things get so bad? And how was she going to keep it from getting worse?

Insecurity and doubt washed over her like a wave on the beach, sucking her confidence out from under her. A tidal wave of emotions swelled in her chest, but she had no strength left to fight them. Laying her head on her arms, she gave in and cried.

* * *

Ethan tossed the utility knife onto the worktable in the stockroom. Six o’clock. Time to leave. Time to tell Nicki Latimer he was quitting. He took a deep breath, resting his hands on his hips. His resolve had wavered slightly since this morning after he’d overheard Nicki’s friend telling her about the burglaries in town. A woman with a baby working alone at night wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t know Nicki well, but he’d learned enough to know she’d stay until her work was done, no matter how late the hour.

Those protective instincts that had been triggered early were growing. But that wasn’t his problem. Nicki wasn’t his problem. Nicki and Sadie together were the issue. He’d managed to keep busy all afternoon, and the few times he’d wandered out into the main part of the store, he’d been able to concentrate on his task and nothing else. Unless Nicki was there. Then he’d had to battle the wish to watch her while she worked. Another reason to leave. The lovely store manager messed with his mind. Thankfully, the baby hadn’t been with her those times or he would have had a different reaction. He’d heard the little one crying once, but that hadn’t bothered him. It was seeing the two of them together that would trigger the horror.

He wondered about the man who had stopped by. She’d hugged him like an old friend. Was there something more than friendship between them? A prick of unreasonable jealousy lodged in his chest. The man hadn’t stayed long, but the look on his face when he’d left suggested something serious.

Ethan rubbed his forehead. He had to remind himself that Nicki wasn’t his concern. His sanity was. The dark memories he’d locked away were trying to break free, threatening to pull him under again. He couldn’t stay. Scooping up his jacket, he set his jaw and headed toward the office. Best to end this quickly. She’d find more help soon enough.

He heard muffled sounds as he stepped to the threshold of the office. He looked in and his throat tightened. Nicki had her head down on the desk, sobbing. Her soft groans and sniffles pierced his heart. Had something hurt her? The baby? He glanced toward the back room, but he found no clues.

“Nicki?”

She gasped, but kept her head down.

“Are you all right? What happened?”

Slowly, she raised her head, keeping her gaze averted and swiveling her chair to keep from looking at him directly. “I’m fine.”

Clearly she wasn’t. He stepped into the office, stopping in front of her desk. “Beautiful women don’t cry when they’re fine.” That got her attention. She looked at him, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“I got some bad news today.”

“The man who was here?”

“Yes. He’s an old friend. An accountant.”

Snagging a folding chair, he opened it and sat. “And?” She wanted to tackle life alone. He recognized the symptoms.

Nicki looked away. “Nothing. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Bad idea. Talking about a difficult situation is the only way to get past the problem.” She stared at him, and he could see her contemplating his suggestion. She shook her head and pulled a tissue from a drawer to wipe her nose.

“I have to save the store.” She kept her eyes on the tissue she was twisting in her hands.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Save it from what?” An uneasy feeling formed in his gut.

Her shoulders sagged abruptly, as if she’d lost all strength in her body. “Bankruptcy.”

Ethan forced his features to remain neutral and not reveal his surprise. Nicki needed to get this off her chest. The least he could do was listen before he walked out.

“Is that what the accountant told you?”

She slipped her fingers through her hair, grasping it at the back of her neck before letting it go. It fell in tangled strands across her shoulders, and he found himself wondering what her hair would feel like in his hands.

“He only confirmed what I’ve suspected for some time. The store is failing. I should have paid closer attention. I was dealing with...personal issues. I had a feeling something was wrong, but I didn’t want to know. Now I’ve got to find a way to keep this place going. It’s my parents’ only source of income.”

“Why is that up to you? Why aren’t they here helping you?”

“My father is recuperating from a kidney transplant. My mother is caring for him. When I came home after... they asked me to work at the store. Of course I said I would. I was pregnant with Sadie, but it was so nice to be busy again.” She sniffed. “Then Sadie was born, and Dad found a donor, and Charlie had to stay on to run the store until I could come back, and then he left, and now it’s all up to me.”

He tried to connect all the dots in her explanation, but one thing was certain: she was in over her head. “So your plan to change the store—moving fixtures around, bringing in new stock, giving it a hipper image—is your attempt to save Latimer’s for your parents.”

Nicki’s blue eyes darkened. “Yes. And it’s a good plan.”

He wanted to smile at her defensiveness, but didn’t figure that was a wise move. “It is a good plan. I think it’ll work.”

She blinked her eyes, still moist from tears. “You do?”

Her lack of confidence surprised him. She’d been clear and precise about what she wanted done. So why the doubt all of a sudden? “I do. But you can’t do it all by yourself. You need help.”

“I have you.”

But he was here to quit. He couldn’t stay and risk dredging up the darkness again. He might not survive a second time. “Yeah. If you don’t mind me asking, where is your husband? I would have thought he’d be here helping out.”

Her expression went from worried to closed off in an instant.

“Dead.”

The hollow look in her eyes hit Ethan like a blow. Nicki had been through something terrible.

She clasped her hands in front of her on the desk. “I know my plan will work, and with your help, I’m sure we can change the way people think about Latimer’s, and business will pick up, and by the time Dad is ready to come back to work it’ll be back on its feet. Then Sadie and I can leave.” She stopped, staring at the desktop before looking up again. “Well, it was a good plan.”

Leave? Was she planning on moving away from Dover? “What do you mean?”

She stared at the report. “My father didn’t tell me the whole story. Gary suspects Dad has been robbing Peter to pay Paul. Once I settle all the outstanding accounts, there won’t be enough money to redesign the store. I’ll have to work with what’s left, but I doubt that’ll be enough to turn things around.”

Ethan nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “Sounds like time for plan B.”

“I don’t have a plan B.”

Her bottom lip quivered, filling him with a desire to pull her into his arms. “But you will.”

She met his gaze, her blue eyes wide. “How do you know that?”

“Because you made a plan A. You don’t strike me as someone who gives up easily.”

She looked away, fidgeting with the papers on her desk as if uncomfortable with his observation. “I’m just tired, that’s all. Sadie was up a lot last night, and I didn’t get much sleep. Things will look better tomorrow.”

Ethan tensed. He needed to get this over with. “Tomorrow.”

He saw her mentally gird herself. She looked up at him, her usual smile once more shining through. He doubted if anything could keep her down for long.

“Did you want to talk to me about something?”

He looked at her, his heart softening at the hopeful light in her eyes. Her face was a bit puffy, her nose pink, her mouth pulled into a small frown. Her vulnerability touched something deep inside him. She was counting on him to help her save her parents’ store. But he couldn’t. He thought about seeing her with the baby this morning and his gut twisted. He stood, sending the metal chair scraping along the floor. He couldn’t stay here. Period. But how could he leave her in the lurch like this? He opened his mouth to say the words, but then he remembered the robberies. He couldn’t leave them here alone. Which meant he couldn’t leave. Dragging a hand across the back of his neck, he sent up a prayer for strength and guidance. “So what do you want to tackle tomorrow?”

Nicki smiled, and the sun came out. “Come up with a plan B?”

“Sure thing.” He started to leave, then turned back. “You heading out soon? I don’t think it’s a good idea for you and...the little one to hang around here alone.” What if she worked late and the robbers showed up? He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to them. For some reason he didn’t understand, he felt responsible for them. Maybe because they were alone like him and no one else seemed to care.

She nodded. “I’m leaving right now. Thanks for listening, Ethan.”

He puttered around in the stockroom until she was ready to leave, then followed her out, keeping his gaze averted from the sight of her and the baby as she secured the infant in its car seat. He took his time getting into his car, making sure she was safely inside hers and driving away before he cranked the engine on his Malibu.

He leaned back in the driver’s seat, his heart beating double time. How was he going to do this? The Lord had thrown him a giant curveball. He’d wanted his new life in Dover to be simple; he’d wanted it to be a place where he could learn to manage his emotions and live in the moment. But now he didn’t know how he would get through the next few minutes, let alone remain here and work for weeks. Somehow he had to find a way to help Nicki, but avoid seeing her and the baby together.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his contacts until Paul’s name appeared. He needed some advice, and he needed it fast.

Chapter Four

The gate blocking the railroad track slowly lifted and the line of cars crept forward. Ethan tapped the steering wheel as he waited, trying to maintain his composure and not let his nerves get the better of him.

If he had any sense, he’d call Nicki, tell her goodbye and move on. He’d spent last night questioning his decision, but always coming to the same conclusion. He couldn’t leave Nicki to run that store alone. Unfortunately, these thoughts had unleashed old nightmares. The only difference had been the endings. While they used to end with the explosion, then blackness, last night they’d ended with Nicki and the baby running away. From him. Maybe that was progress.

He knew better than to assign any significance to the dreams. They were only subconscious fears mixed up with his PTSD-scrambled brain. The real threat today would be doing his job and keeping a lock on his memories.

Nicki’s car was already parked behind the store when he pulled in. He went inside, hoping to slip into the stockroom unnoticed and get to work. But as he moved down the hallway, he heard conversation coming from the office. Wanting to make sure everything was all right, he stepped to the open door and glanced in.

Nicki was cradling the baby in her arms, talking softly, her back to him as she gave the little one her bottle. He ducked back out of sight, but couldn’t help overhearing as she talked to her daughter.

“I’m sorry that you don’t have a daddy, sweetie. Mommy really messed up on that. I wanted you to have a daddy like me. Someone to love you no matter what, who’ll think you’re special, someone to protect you. But your daddy wasn’t like that. Which is why we had to get away. So it’s just you and me, Sadie. But we’ll be okay. I promise.”

Ethan slowly backed up, then made his way to the kitchen. What had she meant by “get away”? What had happened between her and her husband? Questions multiplied in his head.

Pouring a cup of coffee, he stared at the dark liquid, relieved that seeing Nicki and the baby today hadn’t triggered any memories. He released a slow breath. Perhaps yesterday’s reaction had been a result of surprise. But he’d still have to be on guard. The threat of a flashback lurked in the shadows of his mind like a mountain lion poised to attack.

“Good morning.” Nicki joined him at the coffeemaker. “I thought I heard you come in.”

He glanced at her briefly before spooning sugar into his coffee. “Where’s the little one?”

“I put her down for some tummy time.”

Ethan had no idea what that meant. His expression must have given him away.

“She’s playing.”

Nicki reached across him for a cup, surrounding him with the scents of gardenias and baby powder. The light from the ceiling fixture danced off her yellow hair, making it shimmer as she moved. She grasped the coffee carafe and he couldn’t help but notice her small hands. He allowed his gaze to skim over her. The print dress she wore nipped in at her waist and flared softly over her hips. The word delicate came to mind. But even though Nicki may appear delicate, he knew underneath she was a woman made of strong determination and grit. He returned his focus to the coffee in his cup and not the lovely woman beside him.

“Ethan, about yesterday...”

He braced before turning to look at her. Curiosity reflected in her eyes. He did not want to talk about his reaction or explain about his PTSD. He’d learned the hard way that it triggered fear and distrust in many people.

“I want to apologize. I was an emotional mess and unloaded on you. My only excuse is that I wasn’t prepared for the news my friend gave me.”

He stared. That was what she wanted to talk about? The tension in his shoulders eased. “You have a lot on your plate right now.”

“True, but what I need is action, not tears. I’ve got to stay focused on my goal.”

“What goal is that?”

“Getting out of Dover.”

Disappointment settled heavily on his shoulders. He’d barely come to know her and she was making plans to leave. An old ache resurfaced. No one in his life stayed for long. They were all only temporary. Apparently Nicki would be another one on his long, long list.

“Which brings me to another subject.” She took a sip of her coffee, looking at him above the rim. His heart caught in his throat. “I’d like to train you on the cash register today. With all the paperwork, and keeping an eye on Sadie, it would be a big help if we could both handle customers.”

He added creamer to his cup, watching the dark coffee turn a caramel color. He’d hoped this part of his job wouldn’t come until later. Why had he ever thought working here would be simple? Two days in and he was facing all the things he’d wanted to avoid.

He glanced at her briefly. “I’m not much of a salesman. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy.”

“You’d be my backup, not a full-time salesperson. It would help me out a lot.”

The hopeful look in her eyes punctured his reluctance. He’d promised himself when he’d come to Dover he’d step out, embrace life. Here was his first test. “Okay. Sure.”

“Great. I’ll go get the till and we’ll do it right now. And don’t worry about helping the customers. Everyone here in Dover is friendly. Just flash that great smile of yours and the customers will be happy. Meet me out front when you’re done with your coffee.” She hurried out of the kitchen.

Ethan stared after her. She thought he had a great smile? He let that thought settle for a few moments before joining Nicki at the register. He looked over her shoulder, inhaling the gardenia scent again and fighting to keep his mind on her words and not the way his senses reacted to being near her.

“It’s a simple system. I don’t think you’ll have much trouble learning it. It pretty much runs itself.”

She ran through the steps, letting him count the till and practice a few sales and returns and closing out at the end of the day. She smiled, brushing the bangs off her forehead. “You’re a quick learner.” She patted his arm. “I knew you would be.”

The warmth of her hand seeped through the fabric of his shirt and traveled along every nerve in his body. He nodded, finding it hard to pull his gaze from her sweet smile. She looked into his eyes for a moment, then stepped back.

“There’s a shipment of fashion cell-phone covers coming in this morning that I think the teens will love. I want to get them on the floor quickly. I’ll let you know where I want to display them and give you the price point later.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for it.”

Once he was back in the stockroom, Ethan took a deep breath, struggling to dispel the lingering effects of Nicki’s nearness. She evoked feelings he’d ignored for a long time. Feelings that had no place in his life right now. But he just couldn’t walk away and leave her in the lurch.

When he’d talked with Paul last night, his friend had reminded him to focus on service, and that was what he intended to do. Paul had also reminded him that avoidance was not the way to deal with his situation. He prayed he was right because he’d taken another step deeper into Nicki’s life. Letting Nicki down was a more distasteful prospect than facing her and the baby. But he’d have to keep his barriers up. Something about Nicki penetrated his defenses and he wasn’t sure he could let it go.

* * *

Nicki hung up the phone, sighed, silently gave a prayer of thanks and then leaned back in her chair. She’d negotiated new payment plans with most of her father’s vendors, which would give her breathing space for the next few months. Of course, that didn’t put a dent in the bill for the supplier who had suspended shipments or cover the merchandise she’d already ordered before she’d known the extent of the store’s financial trouble. She suspected her dad had tapped out his savings to keep the store going, which worried her, but also made her more determined than ever to save the store.

Soft gurgles from the other room told her Sadie was awake. Lifting her daughter from the crib, she held her close, kissing her little head. Her baby girl was particularly cuddly when she woke up. “How’s my sweet girl? Did you have happy dreams?” After putting a fresh diaper and a new polka-dot onesie on Sadie, Nicki placed her in the bouncy chair on her desk. She liked to keep her close so she could talk to her and touch her while she worked. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but she couldn’t bear to let her out of her sight. She touched Sadie’s hand, smiling when the little fingers curled around her index finger.

A faint noise drew her attention and she paused, listening for the bell on the front door of the store. When it didn’t come, she sighed, tapping Sadie’s toes lightly. “Business is slow today, sweetie.” Her early back-to-school sale had gone well, but she needed more foot traffic if she was going to turn business around. She needed to place an ad in the Dover Dispatch and let people know Latimer’s was having a makeover.

Now that Ethan knew how to work the register, she could take more time to come up with ideas. The thought buoyed her spirits. He’d suggested a plan B, but she’d been too busy, and too stunned by Gary’s report, to even consider one.

Nicki tried to go back to work, but it was hard to concentrate when all she wanted to do was hold her precious little girl. She never dreamed she’d feel this way. She’d searched her whole life for a place where she fit, a purpose, and she’d found it in one tiny person. She thanked God every hour for her sweet Sadie. The love she felt was so powerful, sometimes she feared she couldn’t hold it all inside.

By noon, Nicki had come up with a dozen ideas to revitalize the store on a small budget and discarded all of them. What she needed was someone to brainstorm with.

When she heard a light tapping on the door frame, she looked up and saw Ethan standing there, filling the space with his broad shoulders and long legs. He certainly was an attractive man, though a man of mystery.

He slipped his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “I’m heading out for lunch.”

She reminded herself to take advantage of the resources at hand. “Ethan, I could use your help with something.”

“Name it.”

She chewed her lip a moment. “Plan B.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Okay. What exactly do you need?”

“A plan B.”

A full-blown smile appeared on his face, softening the sharp angles, turning his dark eyes to warm cocoa and easing the squared-off shoulders into a curved position. “Let me go get one from the stockroom for you.”

Nicki blinked at his unexpected teasing. In the few days he’d been at the store, he’d rarely smiled and never revealed a lighthearted side at all. She liked this side of Ethan Stone. “I wish it were that simple.”

“I’m not sure how I can help.”

Nicki looked away. The compassion in his dark eyes was having an odd effect on her nerves. “I need to brainstorm ideas with someone—ways to revamp the store without a lot of money. With running the store and taking care of Sadie—” she bit her lip “—I’m not thinking as logically as I usually do.”

“All right. My brain could use a challenge.”

“Thanks. I brought enough lunch today to feed a baseball team. We could talk while we eat, unless you have plans.”

“Nope, no plans.”

“Good. Well, give me a minute and I’ll get it all set up.” He nodded and walked away. Nicki expelled a pent-up breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Being around Ethan always left her feeling like a teenager with a crush on the new boy in school. Ridiculous. Besides, there was a dark, edgy quality about him that made her uneasy. But then he’d do something thoughtful and she’d catch a glimpse of a different Ethan. Her curiosity grew by the moment, even though she’d sensed that, like her, he had things in his life he had no desire to share.