eyes grew wide with delight. “Can I, Mommy?” she asked, looking up at Scarlett.
Scarlett grinned. “Sure, if it’s okay.”
As the woman picked up a tiny orange kitten and handed it to Haddie, Scarlett glanced toward the back of the store where she heard the muffled sounds of what she thought was arguing, a male and a female voice rising and falling in urgent-sounding tones. She looked back to Haddie who took the kitten gently and then held it against her chest, delicately running a finger over the tiny head. Scarlett watched her, noting the pure, unguarded love on Haddie’s face, the fierceness of her mother’s love rising up inside her so suddenly, she almost gasped. Her girl was not a cruel child. She was pure and good, her spirit filled with gentleness. It was normal for children to question that which was different, but she hadn’t done it to be unkind. How could Scarlett have ever doubted that for even a moment?
The woman who had been smiling down at Haddie as she held the kitten, glanced up at Scarlett. “I’m sure you didn’t come in to hold kittens. What can I do for you?” she asked with a warm chuckle.
“I’m looking for Mason Grady. He was recommended for some potential remodeling work.”
“Oh sure. He’s back in his office.” She glanced toward the rear of the store, worry crossing her features. “Let me just give him a ring. What’s your name, honey?”
“Scarlett Lattimore.”
“I’m Sheila by the way.” She picked up the phone next to the register and dialed, turning away slightly. “Hey, Mason, someone’s here to see you. A Scarlett Lattimore.”
She paused, obviously listening. “Yeah, I know. Do you want me to . . . right, okay. Sure, I’ll tell her.” She hung up the phone. “He’ll just be a minute. He’s got a couple people back there now but he said they’re about done.”
“Great. Thanks.” She watched Haddie love on the kitten for another minute and then heard the sound of a door open and footsteps on the linoleum floor coming toward the front. She looked up as an attractive man with curly, light brown hair appearing to be in his mid-to-late twenties rounded the corner, followed by a younger, pretty dark-haired woman and . . . Deputy West. Her heart gave a strange twist. His eyes met hers and though his expression seemed placid, she swore she saw anger simmering in his mercurial eyes. Had his been the raised voice she heard from the back? Or had Mason Grady been the one yelling . . . and about what? Scarlett shook the questions off. It wasn’t any of her business and she really didn’t care.
“Ms. Lattimore?” the man who had to be Mason Grady asked, extending his hand. “I’m Mason Grady. I hear you’re looking for help with some renovations?”
She took the man’s hand and shook, noticing that his eyes were two different colors, one brown, one blue. “Uh, yes.” She glanced at Deputy West who had stopped and was standing off to the side watching them. “Deputy West,” she murmured.
A muscle jumped in his jaw, but he nodded. “Ms. Lattimore.” So they were back on more formal terms now. All right then. Strange, unreadable man.
The young woman had walked ahead of them and was holding the door open. Scarlett noticed she had a hairline scar above her lip as though she’d once had a cleft palate. It made her no less lovely. “You coming, Cam?” she asked, shooting Scarlett what could only be described as a hostile glare. That attitude, however? It definitely detracted. What the heck?
Deputy West paused, looking as though he was considering saying something to Mr. Grady, but then, apparently having changed his mind, muttered, “Yeah,” and walked toward the door without a second look at Scarlett. Okay then. He and the woman left, the store growing dim once more as it shut out the momentary blast of sunlight.
“Come on back to my office and you can tell me about your project,” Mr. Grady said.
Scarlett focused back in on him. “Thank you, Mr. Grady—”
“Mason, please. Mr. Grady’s the man who raised me. And we look nothing alike.” He grinned, his smile wide, teeth white and straight.
Haddie had turned away with the kitten, and her shoulders were hunched as she cradled the small creature to her chest. “Haddie, sweetheart, put the kitten down and come with me.”
“She’s welcome to stay out here and visit with the kittens while you attend to business,” Sheila said. “I have