Loving the Lawman

“Add matchmaker to her list of attributes,” Tina joked from where she was washing stoneware in the small, double sink. “I learned a long time ago to steer clear of the Campbell boys, though, so thanks anyway. Heartbreakers, every one.”

Seth pseudowhispered after swallowing a bite of his sandwich, “That means she’s still pining for my brother who’s stationed in Fort Bragg.”

“As if.” Tina frowned at him, then winked at Carmen. “Max had his chance. What normal woman would find a big, rugged special forces operative appealing?”

Carmen laughed out loud. “What woman wouldn’t? I love young people.” She leaned forward, still smiling. “I’m so glad Gianna and I have moved here. Our little mountain town is lovely, but so lonely in winter. And winter wears out its welcome long before the thermometer brings us a reprieve.”

Seth knew the truth of that, but the café door opened before he could reply, and when Gianna Costanza breezed in with a gust of fresh, cold air, his need to talk disappeared.

The softly lit café brightened in her presence. Snowflakes dotted her shoulders, her cap and the spill of curls falling down her back.

“Gram! I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it would take this long to get all of our stuff moved inside. But you’ve found friends, I see.” She flashed her smile to Seth and Tina Marie as she arched a brow. “And if that’s a panino right there, I’d love one to go.”

“Or you could take a breath and eat right here,” Carmen said.

“I’d do that except that Mauro and Joey need to be on their way,” Gianna answered. She turned more fully toward Tina. “Actually, can you make it three panini? With fries like the big guy has?” She smiled at Seth, then extended her hand across the counter to Tina. “I’m Gianna Costanza. Gram and I are opening the vintage clothing store in Seth’s rental space on Main.”

“Wonderful.” Tina gripped her hand with an answering smile. “This town needs more women in charge.”

“Or just more women in general.” Seth stood, grinned, then tweaked Tina’s short brown hair as the other ladies laughed. Tina gave his arm a friendly whack before turning her attention to Gianna’s order. He turned back toward Gianna and Carmen. “If you ladies need anything, I’m just across the road.”

“Thank you, Seth.” Carmen’s smile said she appreciated his offer.

“Actually, there is something else I meant to ask you about.” Gianna moved a step closer. “I need to install rack holders on the exterior walls to display the used clothing. And hooks above to showcase styles or finish a ‘look.’ Can you give me the names of carpenters I might be able to hire?”

“Sure. Give me your phone.”

She looked puzzled, but handed over the phone. It took Seth mere seconds to pull up his name. Under the “notes” section he put carpenter and renovator. He handed the phone back and waited to assess Gianna’s reaction.

He might crash and burn.

Or win the day....

She burst out laughing, and Seth notched a mental x into the “win” column.

“Do you actually have time to do this?” she asked. “And are you really a carpenter?”

Carmen inhaled sharply.

The older woman’s dark expression surprised Seth. “I’m a deputy sheriff by day and a guy who loves to work with wood on my days off. With Dad in the hardware business, do-it-yourself became a required phrase for Campbell kids to learn in preschool. But mostly, I love that old building and would rather do the work myself,” he explained. “Draw me a sketch of what you’re thinking, and I’ll get the supplies this week. I’ve got next weekend off, so if I gather what I need in the next few days, I can probably have the job done by midmonth, in plenty of time for your opening.”

His words dimmed her expression, as if he’d lowered a shade over a lamplit window. Regret tightened her pretty features. “I’d hate to put you out. Let me call around and see if there’s anyone who can jump right on this for me. With your approval as property owner, of course.”

Seth went straight from the “win” column to “crashed and burned” in the space of a few seconds. That made Carmen’s expression more noteworthy, but Seth could read the writing on the wall. He had no intention of crashing or burning ever again. Not on purpose. The last time took his heart and nipped his soul.

Keeping his face relaxed, he shrugged one shoulder toward her new shop. “Just let me know who you get so I can confer with them. That old building was built strong, but I’m partial to it, so TLC is important to me.”

“Will do.” She offered him a quick smile and moved to the counter, waiting for her to-go order.

He’d been dismissed. So be it.

He turned to say a quick goodbye to Carmen, but the look on the Italian woman’s face as she gazed at her granddaughter, a look of anguish mixed with love—

Seth’s heart melted. He was a peacemaker, by birth and profession. He championed the underdog, helped the oppressed, carried a gun and wore a badge because it fit his nature. Carmen’s look of concern said these women had a story.

So did he.

And if they respected his right to privacy, he’d do the same, because life was better when compassion ruled the day. But he still wanted to know who would be working on his grandmother’s building, because family legacies were important.

People matter. Buildings can be rebuilt.

While that was true, Seth shrugged off the internal warning. He knew how to control a piece of wood and a hammer. Years of being Charlie Campbell’s son meant the entire clan understood at least the elementary skills of building and refurbishing.

Women?

He’d been put through the wringer in the past and had no intention of risking a similar fate anytime soon.

Chapter Two

“I’m not saying you should marry the guy.” Carmen dipped her chin and sent Gianna an exasperated look over her reading glasses. “But you haven’t found anyone to do the wall braces, and you’ll end up running out of time for a pre-Easter opening.”

“Then we’ll open for May instead,” Gianna retorted.

Carmen lifted a silent, knowing brow.

Gianna huffed, tossed her work onto the table and picked up her phone. When she got Seth’s voice mail, she left a terse message and hung up, then went to make tea, an annoying replacement because what she wanted was a tall, hot mug of coffee, but coffee didn’t make the list of desirable beverages for the moment.

She missed coffee, but the rich scent of a robust blend turned her stomach, so tea had become the drink of the hour, a sorry replacement for an espresso lover. That thought darkened her already feisty mood.

Four separate remodelers had been unable to do the job she needed done. Calling Seth after dismissing his offer? That rankled. While the town of Kirkwood was small, she’d thought someone in the little city of Clearwater might have been looking for a quick job, but no. Her job wasn’t big enough for anyone to make repeated drives to the north tip of the long, tapering lake midwinter, and none of the more local renovators were available.

Which made her grandmother correct again and pushed her to call her landlord after rudely dismissing him the week before.

The apartment’s doorbell rang while the tea steeped. She spotted Seth’s profile and wished her heart didn’t jump.

But it did.

She reached for the doorknob with damp palms.

Ridiculous.

And when he turned and met her gaze as she swung the storm door his way, a tiny sigh got trapped somewhere between her heart and lungs. She choked it back, motioned him in, then noted the tape measure he hauled out of his jacket pocket. “You came prepared.”

He didn’t smile like he had last week.

Why would he? You cut him down like sharp scissors to cotton. Quick and precise.

Because she’d had to. She knew that. But knowing didn’t make it any easier, not now, in his presence. A waft of something deliciously spicy came her way as she followed him into the shop.