Page 11 of Tangled in Temptation

I drove up to the shop, anxious to get the materials I needed to get started on my house renovation. It was ridiculous to think it would help me forget about Timothy and Paisley, but at least I could have something to focus on. Something that I could actually control. The familiar scent of wood and sawdust greeted me as I entered. My dad was engaged in conversation with a man in the back corner discussing different types of wood. I assumed it was a client and went about my business.

Dad looked up when he saw me. “Catherine, come meet Luke. He’s new to town.”

I walked over to shake his hand. “Hi.” I smiled.

Luke looked at me with a charming smile. He was an attractive man. “It’s nice to meet you, Catherine. Your dad told me a little about you.”

“Did he?” I smiled and looked at my father as I pulled my hand back.

Dad seemed pleased, his eyes conveying a message I knew all too well: Now this is the kind of guy you need to be with.

My dad was playing matchmaker. I supposed if I had met Luke before Timothy, I might be tempted. He had strong hands and looked like he was in good shape. Brown hair with warm brown eyes that seemed to say he was kind.

“He mentioned you are the new owner of a house that might need some updating,” Luke said easily.

“It definitely needs updating,” I laughed. “I just came by to pick up some material to get started.”

“I’m an electrician,” he explained. “I don’t mind coming by and taking a look to see what needs to be done. I’m cheap but good. I’ll give you a great deal.”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “That would actually be really helpful. I don’t know much about electrical work, and the house is pretty old.”

Luke gave an assuring nod. “Sounds like my kind of challenge. Just let me know when you’re ready to get things started.”

“I’ll definitely keep that in mind, thank you.” I took another look at him. He was different from Timothy, and maybe that’s what I needed. A man who came without baggage.

Dad seemed pleased as well, his grin wide as he watched our interaction. He clapped Luke on the back. “I’m glad you two are meeting now. Catherine needs all the help she can get.”

He then turned to me with a proud smile. “And Catherine, you should feel fortunate. Luke’s the best in town.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at my dad’s enthusiasm. “All right, I will keep that in mind.” Turning to Luke, I added, “I’ll give you a call when I’m ready for you to take a look.”

Luke’s smile was genuine as he nodded. “Sure thing. Looking forward to it.”

“Dad, I’m just here to pick up that stuff I ordered. Did it get delivered?”

“Sure did.” He nodded and pointed to the back where our materials were stored.

“It was nice to meet you.” I nodded at Luke. “I’ll let you guys get back to your conversation.”

I started toward the back and realized Luke was following me. “I can’t just stand around and watch a woman do a bunch of heavy lifting.”

I had to laugh. “I don’t think it’s all that heavy, but thank you. I appreciate that.”

He helped me load the materials into my truck, proving he was a gentleman. Another plus that I should be considering. Before he went back inside, he leaned against my truck and looked at me with that winning smile of his. “Would you like to get a drink sometime? I’m new in town. I don’t know many people. I’d love to make a friend.”

I hesitated, noticing my dad standing within earshot in the doorway with a satisfied grin. He was playing matchmaker and loving it. “Sure,” I said, not wanting to appear rude. “Just give me a call.”

“I don’t have your number,” he said with a cheesy smile.

“Do you have your phone?”

He quickly pulled it out. I gave him my number, and he promised to call. As Luke walked away, I shot my dad a look that clearly communicated my disapproval of his meddling. He just chuckled, seemingly unfazed by my silent protest. I left the shop and headed home to unload the material into the house. This part of the construction phase was always a little messy; it was difficult to live with paint, wood, trim and other construction paraphernalia lying around. But it was a necessary evil. It was a sign of progress.

Later that evening, as I sat in my new house surrounded by boxes I still couldn’t unpack, I poured myself a glass of wine and decided to start removing the kitchen cabinet doors. Thankfully, a two-car garage had been built out back. It was the perfect woodworking studio. I carried the doors out and started the process of sanding them down. As I worked, I wondered what Timothy was doing. Was he having a heartfelt conversation with Regina? Was she promising him the moon and the stars if he took her back? Or maybe they were having a brutal argument.

And Paisley. Poor Paisley. She was caught in the middle. It was sad that she was being used as what seemed like blackmail against Timothy. If only the courts could see what was happening. Then again, I was making a judgment about a man I had only known for a couple of months, and with the way things had ended between us, I couldn’t really vouch for him. The man I thought I knew might not be the man he really was. Maybe he wasn’t cut out to be a father. Maybe Regina knew something I didn’t.

Chapter Six