Part 5 (1/2)

Taking it slowly, she held onto it and nodded. ”Why did you ask me what my favorite color and toys are?”

I brushed a few strands of her auburn hair out of her eyes. ”I was guessing you liked those colors, but wanted to be sure. And I love those princess toys too.”

She looked up at me with wide eyes. ”That is so cool. I'm going to tell my daddy to call you!” she exclaimed.

Chuckling, I rose up to my feet. ”That would be great, sweetie. It was so nice to meet you, Heather.” I reached out my hand for her to shake. Looking at it for just a second, she thrust her little hand into mine and squeezed. I instantly fell in love with this child and hoped her daddy called me so I could try to persuade him to let us help him and his children.

Paul leaned down to face her. ”And by the way, I'm Paul. I work with Aly and also hope to be able to help you. We're here to look around your neighborhood today and see what needs to be done. I'm very glad we got to meet you.”

Looking at Paul with her big blue eyes, I could see a little blush appear on her cheeks. Shaking my head, I was amused at the affect he apparently had on her as well. Does the man ever stop?

Shaking her little hand, Paul rose to his feet and put his arm around my waist. Loving the way it felt, I stepped closer to him and watched as Norman walked Heather back to her door.

Paul leaned close to my ear. ”Do you even know how wonderful you are?” he asked, his breath hot on my cheek.

Shuddering, I tried to keep my sense about me. ”What do you mean?”

”Just watching you talk to Heather. You handled it beautifully. Just when I think you can't impress me anymore, you do just that.”

Trying to hide my elation at his words, and also my embarra.s.sment, I turned my head away. He kept his arm tight around my waist, sensing my discomfort. Gathering my wits about me, I turned back to face him.

”Thank you. That means a lot to me. I just want her to know we're not scary and that we only want to help.”

He gave me a squeeze and I about fainted. ”I think you did that. She was glowing by the time she went back inside.”

Norman came back then so we started walking. ”Norman, what a charming little girl,” I said, turning my head toward him. ”I really hope her father changes his mind.”

Paul stopped and turned to me. ”I love your enthusiasm, but don't get too far ahead of yourself. One step at a time.” He reached out and grabbed my hand as he said this. Brus.h.i.+ng his thumb along my wrist, he let it go as we started walking again.

When we'd reached the next corner, my cell phone started ringing. Grabbing it out of my pocket, I looked to see who was calling.

Ethan Pleased to see his name, I excused myself from the men for a minute. ”Ethan! Hi,” I exclaimed into the phone. Turning around, I didn't miss the look that came over Paul's face when he heard me.

”Hey, beautiful girl. Just wanted to call and see how things are going out there. I hope this isn't a bad time.”

”It's fine for a minute, but I will have to go soon. We are walking around the neighborhood with Mr. Shay and meeting a few of the residents. It really is good we are doing this, Ethan.”

”I knew it would be. I can't wait to hear more about it when you get back. Are you still planning on returning tonight?”

Looking back at Paul, I saw he was still looking at me. Holding up my finger to indicate one minute, I turned back around.

”Yes, we are leaving for home when we're done here.”

”I know it will be late, but will you call or text me when you get back? Just so I know you're safe, Aly?”

”Oh, Ethan. You are so overprotective,” I laughed.

”I may be, but I won't sleep well unless I know my girl has returned safely. So call or text, okay?”

I rolled my eyes. ”Okay, boss man. I will as soon as I get home.”

”Good girl. Now get back to that tour and kick some a.s.s. Talk to you soon.”

”Okay, sounds good. Bye, Ethan.”

I pushed 'end' on my phone and returned to Paul and Norman. ”I'm so sorry. Let's keep going, shall we?”

”What did Baker want?” Paul asked with a scowl.

Suddenly feeling on guard, I scowled back at him. ”Nothing that pertains to you, Pierce,” I said curtly. I never asked him what Casey wanted when she called. What gave him the right to ask me what Ethan wanted, even if we were just friends?

He shook his head. ”I just don't like him interrupting. He knows we're touring the neighborhood. That needs to be our focus today.”

”Paul, what's the big deal? He just called to see how it's going. Drop it.” I was infuriated he was behaving this way. He had no right.

”Whoa, Aly. No need to get p.i.s.sy. I just don't want your focus on him right now, when we need to be giving it to Hidden Creek.”

I suddenly remembered Mr. Shay and looked over to him. He seemed very uncomfortable as he waited for us to continue. I felt ashamed at my behavior, and our conversation. Nodding my head in his direction to Paul, it suddenly dawned on him, as well, that we weren't alone.

”Norman, I apologize. Please forgive us,” Paul said.

Rolling my eyes, I stuffed my phone back in my pocket and started walking ahead. I felt Paul's hand wrap around my wrist as he leaned into my ear. ”This conversation isn't over.” Not wanting him to see what he did to me, I yanked my hand free and caught up to Mr. Shay. Hearing him chuckle behind me, I resisted the urge to turn and give him the bird. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

We approached another rundown house down the street. This one was similar to the Halliday's and I immediately wondered who lived there. Stopping to ask, I was distracted by the door opening and a mother and her child walking out.

My heart jumped when I saw it was the mother and child from the photo that Norman had emailed to us. My hand went to my mouth in surprise as I felt Paul approach me from behind. He knew who it was too and he put his hand on my shoulder, smiling down at me. While I was still upset with him, I didn't shrug him off. I liked the feeling too much.

”Norman, this is the little girl from the picture you sent us. May we meet them?” I asked him.

As Mr. Shay turned to look, the lady and child were already down their porch stairs and approaching us.

”Good afternoon, Ms. Diaz. Do you have a moment?” Norman asked her.

”Good afternoon, Mr. Shay,” she replied. She couldn't have been more than twenty-two years of age, and she was beautiful with her long silky brown hair and light brown eyes. I was fascinated with her. ”I was just leaving to take Kaylie to her friends to play, but I could spare a moment. Are these the people from Pierce Homes?”

Before Mr. Shay could respond to her, I stepped forward and offered my hand. ”Yes, I am Aly Chase and this is Paul Pierce. It is so nice to meet you. Mr. Shay sent us a picture of you and your little girl in his email and I was instantly smitten with you both. I was hoping to be able to meet you today.”

I could tell my enthusiasm took her off guard and I instantly took a step back. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her off. We were here to help them and I didn't want her against us too.

Looking to Paul, I indicated for him to step up and continue. Giving a nod, he walked forward. Kaylie went behind her mother at his approach, her little eyes nervous.

”Ms. Diaz, my a.s.sistant, Aly, gets very pa.s.sionate about what we do. I apologize if she got overly excited. We both were instantly enamored with you and your little girl in the picture and were excited to get the chance to meet you. Are you comfortable with our company helping build you and your neighborhood new homes?”

Ms. Diaz thought for a moment. ”Yes, Mr. Pierce, I am. Please do not apologize for Ms. Chase. I am grateful for you both to be here and for your excitement at helping us. I live here with my mother and grandmother. My grandparents built this home in the forties and as you can see, it hasn't had any work done to it since. My grandfather pa.s.sed away many years ago and my grandmother is in poor health. A new home would be the answer to many prayers.”

I took a few steps and stood right beside Paul. He instantly put his arm around my waist. It seemed like this was coming naturally to him lately and I wasn't sure what to think.

”I am so happy to hear you say this, Ms. Diaz. We at Pierce Homes only want to better the lives of our clients and give them a fresh start. Helping them with a new and updated home is a great way to do that. I am so glad we will be working together on this. Tell me, how do your mother and grandmother feel about it?”

”They are both very grateful. Grandmother is quite bedridden these days and worries so much about when the walls will come cras.h.i.+ng down on her. It disturbs her greatly that they were never able to do any fix ups on their home. My grandparents love it so much and never wanted to leave, but it's to the point now that we are worried for our safety here.” Looking down at her daughter as she said that, her eyes filled with warmth. Kaylie came from behind her mother and held her hand at her side.