Page 29 of Home Town

Satisfied with that idea, she placed it safely in reach, then rolled the chair back to the desk and flipped off the poor old A/C.

Glancing around to be sure she’d left everything else the way she’d found it, she pulled open the door and screeched.

“Jeez. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Well, you did,” she said breathlessly, one hand pressed to her chest.

Yes, the tall, muscular blond man in the tank top and shorts was gorgeous, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t also a murderer or rapist.

“I’m sorry. I’m Kirk. I’m the handyman here.”

“Oh. Hi.” She breathed out in relief. “I’m Josie.”

He smiled with a nod. “Josie. I like that name.”

“Um, thanks.” She felt her cheeks grow hot and found she couldn’t hold direct eye contact with this golden-eyed god.

He smiled broader and hooked a thumb toward the staircase behind him. “So I was downstairs watering the hanging flower pots on the front porch when I heard the air conditioner running up here. Figured I’d better check it out.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry to worry you. I’m just here doing some research. The Sidney Historical Society loaned me the keys to the archive room for the day.”

“So I see.” He glanced past her and into the room, since the door was still open behind her. “I have the key to the front door but not this place. Looks interesting.”

“Oh my God, it is. So interesting. There are so many amazing old things in there.” Her enthusiasm bubbled over.

She’d spent the day alone and after all the incredible discoveries she’d made, she’d been dying to tell someone.

Should she invite him in? It wasn’t really her place to do so. But she had to assume he was trustworthy. He had been hired by the town to maintain the property. And she would be here to supervise.

Just a peek wouldn’t hurt. Right?

“Did you, uh, want to take a quick look around?” she asked.

His gaze had been glued to the bookshelves until her question.

No surprise. That was where all the fun stuff to look at resided. The rest was just shelves and cabinets filled with books and papers, all similarly boring until she really dove into them and started reading.

“Nah. I’m good. Thanks.” He took a step back. “You looked like you were leaving. I’ll walk out with you.”

“Oh, sure. Thanks.” She pulled the door closed, making sure it was securely locked by trying the handle one more time before she turned back to her escort.

Pro—he was polite and handsome.

Con—they might have nothing at all in common.

He didn’t seem to be a history nerd, like she was. He seemed more the type that finished his job, grabbed a six-pack and hopped into his kayak for a few hours on the river. While she was excited to rush home and get on her computer.

He was golden tan with sunny highlights in his hair and dirt under his fingernails from gardening.

Her exposed skin was as white and pasty as flour, proving that even living in California on the beach wasn’t enough to lure her off the covered porch and into the sun and sand. And the dirt on her hands was from all the dusty old books she’d handled today.

Opposites. But they—whoever they were—said opposites attract. Quinn and Bailey certainly proved that.

They’d reached the bottom of the stairs and the front door of the building. He opened the door and swept an arm for her to precede him. “Well, it was very nice meeting you, Josie.”

“You too,” she rushed to respond as he pulled the front door closed then turned to face her on the front porch. More slowly, she added, “Maybe I’ll, um, see you around here again some time. Just because, you know, I’ve got more research to do.”

“Sounds good.” He flashed white teeth at her, tipped his head and headed toward the riding lawn mower parked just below them.

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