Finding Home Read Online Free PDF

collided with Scott Walsh’s.
    She stifled a groan. The last thing she needed after her crazy busy Wednesday was another encounter with the ill-tempered construction company owner. And judging by the sudden narrowing of his eyes, he wasn’t thrilled to see her either.
    Or maybe he was mad all over again because his boss had passed on her complaint.
    She quashed a sudden twinge of regret. She had more important things to worry about than Scott Walsh’s ego.
    Intending to ignore him, she turned her back and addressed her son, who remained fixated on his nemesis. “It’s not polite to stare, Jarrod. Why don’t you go pick out an ice cream bar from the freezer for dessert?”
    “He’s coming over here.” Her son relayed the news in a panicked whisper as he edged closer.
    Cindy’s pulse took a leap, and she tightened her grip on the can.
    “Excuse me.” The familiar deep baritone resonated in her ears. At least his tone was cordial rather than angry. A hopeful change.
    Clutching the can, Cindy rotated toward him.
    She’d known he was tall the night he’d towered over their table at the Orchid, but his full height registered now as he stood across from her. At five-seven she wasn’t short, but he had to top six feet by an inch or two at minimum.
    “I’d like to apologize for my rudeness last Friday and introduce myself. Scott Walsh.” The hint of a smile that seemed forced pulled at his lips as he extended his hand.
    He was hating this. Cindy could read it in his eyes and the taut stretch of his mouth. This was not a man who liked to apologize. Yet he was doing it anyway. That earned him a few points.
    After transferring the can to her left hand, she took his fingers in a firm grip. “Cindy Peterson. And my son, Jarrod.” When the youngster resisted her attempt to tug him out from behind her, she gave up. “I’m sorry if my conversation with your boss caused any problems. I’d had a long, stressful day and said more than I should have. My mouth sometimes gets away from me.”
    Her candor appeared to take him off guard, but surprise quickly morphed to amusement that put an appealing spark in his dark green irises. “As you may have guessed from this red hair and my comments on Friday, I can empathize with that. Shall we call it even?”
    “Let’s.”
    Her purse slipped from her shoulder as Jarrod eased out a fraction, and when she grabbed for it she dropped the can. Scott bent to retrieve it, scanning the label on the all-purpose bug spray before handing it back.
    “Insect problem?”
    “Ants in the kitchen.” She wrinkled her nose. “There was a whole parade of them last night. I have no idea where they came from.”
    “They can be insidious. I had the same problem in my grandmother’s house last month.” He checked out the shelves behind her, then reached past her shoulder and snagged a different can. “I used this. Worked like a charm.”
    “Sold.” She twisted around to replace the other can and took the one he offered. His fingers were long and lean, she noted, as they brushed hers. And the calluses on his palm told her he wasn’t the kind of boss who directed from the sidelines. An odd flutter skittered along her nerve endings, and she eased away, hugging the can to her chest. “Thanks for the advice.”
    “Thanks for the understanding.” He tipped his head sideways to get a better look at her son. “Bye, Jarrod.”
    It took a prod with her elbow to elicit a mumbled reply from her son.
    With a lift of his hand, he disappeared around the end of the aisle.
    Jarrod stayed close while she finished her shopping, but by the time she approached the high, old-fashioned counter at the seventy-five-year-old store that was one of her favorite town landmarks, Scott was gone.
    The owner’s daughter greeted her as she approached, waving a small white bakery bag. “From Scott.” Lindsey tapped the plastic dome beside the cash register, where her homemade cookies were always displayed. “Chocolate