The Firefighter's Twins. Heidi McCahan

room finished.

      “Isn’t there a chalk line or something we’re supposed to draw?” She leaned back on her heels, resting on a fresh sheet of plywood.

      Shay exchanged glances with Trent. “How did you know that?”

      “I googled installing a subfloor last night.”

      “Were you planning to do this yourself?”

      Natalie brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “If I had to.”

      “I don’t have a chalk line with me.” Shay opened a box of nails, biting back a smile. She was really something. He pretended to fumble around, looking for his hammer—anything to distract him from admiring the way her pink lips quirked to one side as she surveyed their progress.

      “That’s one thing I did remember.” Trent stood and rummaged in his toolbox.

      Natalie hummed softly while they waited. Shay had forgotten what it was like to have a woman around, singing while she worked. He looked away. Despite his best efforts, memories of married life popped up when he least expected.

      “Found it.” Trent held the chalk line in his hand.

      “Excellent. If you’ll hold one end, I’ll grab the other and we can snap these lines.” Shay got back to work with a renewed focus. This project mattered. A home for a veteran and his family mattered. He’d help however he could. If it meant working side by side with a certain farmer’s daughter, then he’d have to make sure they never worked alone.

       Chapter Four

      Natalie massaged her aching back. In her brief history as Magnolia Lane’s owner, she’d glued hundreds of bows on party favors and re-strung dozens of white twinkle lights in the barn, but none of that compared to the fatigue she felt from being hunched over, squirting glue on narrow pieces of wood.

      Shay and Trent kept going, though, so she would, too. After she’d finished spreading the glue, she’d taken over snapping the chalk lines so Trent and Shay could nail down the floorboards. She wasn’t a stranger to swinging a hammer, but they definitely worked faster than she did.

      Long shadows fell across the wood they’d installed. The reddish-orange glow of late afternoon sunlight reminded her she still had plenty to do today—and it didn’t involve spending quality time next to Shay Campbell. Even though she’d vowed to quit, she’d caught herself staring at him more than once, especially when he tossed his windbreaker aside and revealed yet another snug-fitting T-shirt. Every time he moved another sheet of plywood, her gaze was drawn to his muscles rippling beneath the faded fabric.

      She saw Trent look at his watch. “Do you need to go?”

      “Yeah, I should. Caroline will want to feed the girls supper pretty soon.”

      Natalie palmed her forehead. “I was going to bring you guys something to eat.”

      “We’ll be back to help you again.” Trent packed up his tools. “You can feed us some other time.”

      “But I offered—”

      “I can’t speak for Shay, but I’ll have to take a rain check. Something was already cooking in the Crock-Pot before I left the house. Caroline will not be happy if I’m not there to eat it.” Trent shrugged into the faded plaid button-down he’d discarded earlier.

      “I understand.” She sneaked another quick look at Shay. He pressed his lips into a thin line while he cleaned up his work space. He hadn’t declined her offer for a meal, but he wasn’t expressing much interest, either.

      She hung back, staying out of the way while they packed up and headed outside to their trucks. The other guys who’d come with them had left already.

      “Thank you, Trent.” She gave her friend’s husband a side hug. “Please tell Caroline and the girls how much I appreciate them giving up an afternoon with you.”

      Trent grinned, squeezing her shoulder. “No problem. I’ll try to round up some more help, especially an electrician.”

      “Yes. I’m desperately seeking an electrician. If he can recommend a great plumber, that would be sweet, too.”

      “I’ll see what I can do.” Trent climbed into his truck and waved at them through the open window. “See y’all later.”

      Shay gave his friend a casual salute. “Have a good night.”

      After Trent drove off, Natalie turned and faced Shay. “Thank you, again. Are you sure I can’t feed you? The boys are welcome to come over to The Grille for cheeseburgers, too. Or...”

      His pained expression caused her to trail off.

      “What? What did I say? You look like I kicked you in the teeth.”

      He lowered his tool belt to the ground and jammed his hands in his back pockets.

      “I’m not very good at taking the boys out by myself.” His voice strained, he scuffed the toe of his work boot against the ground.

      Her heart climbed into her throat. “Oh.”

      “Germs, food allergy issues, the stress of handling two little kids in public... I can’t seem to—”

      “Shay, it’s fine. I get it. Not a big deal.”

      He held up a hand. “Please, let me finish. Selfishly, I’d like to have supper with you tonight. But it’s chaotic and messy and very little adult conversation will take place.”

      Talk about mixed signals. “Is that an invitation? I’m confused.”

      Sighing, he scrubbed a hand across the stubble clinging to his jaw.

      Her eyes trailed his fingertips, sending her thoughts places they shouldn’t go.

      “What I’m trying to say is that evenings with the boys are a struggle. Throw in a meal in a public place and we’re a disaster waiting to happen.”

      “Why don’t we order pizza and eat with the boys? If you’re okay with that.” She wanted to clamp her hand over her mouth. Or disappear. Listen to you, inviting yourself to his place.

      He mulled it over. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

      “I’m not afraid of two little boys. How bad could it be?”

      “Consider yourself warned.” The corners of his mouth twitched.

      Sliding her phone from her pocket, she pulled up the number for the only local pizza restaurant. “If I order it now, we could swing by and pick it up on the way.”

      Shay hesitated, hovering near the bed of his truck.

      She winced. Yep, way too direct. He was probably conjuring up an excuse right this minute.

      Shay put his tools away and then circled around to meet her on the passenger side. “I’m going to have to ask you to drive yourself and pick up the pizza. I’ve got to get home. I’m already running late.”

      “Right. Absolutely.”

      “I wouldn’t be able to drive you home, anyway. The boys will need to go to bed, and I can’t leave them.” He reached over and opened the door for her. “Why don’t I give you a ride to your car?”

      “Sure. It’s over at the farm.” She slid into the passenger seat without looking at him, warmth flushing her skin. Could she be any more insensitive to his situation? Of course he couldn’t hang out, lingering around the table and enjoying meaningful conversation. The boys needed him. Depended on him. She only wanted to thank him for helping with the house and giving up precious time with his boys. It wasn’t like she had ulterior motives. A serious relationship with a firefighter wasn’t an option. The agony of Spencer’s passing had taught her to guard her heart. Shay was a teammate, who was striving