Flirting with Disaster by Sherryl Woods Page B

signs of Dinah on a mission. “Don’t get any ideas,” she warned, once again dragging her gaze away from that delectable backside. “I’m here to work. Nothing more.”
    â€œThen you’re insane,” a lilting, unfamiliar voice chimed in. “I loved my husband and I’m not looking for a replacement, but that one could change my mind, at least for a night.”
    Maggie turned and saw that they’d been joined by a woman with dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes. She was so fragile-looking, Maggie was sure a strong wind could pick her up and carry her off. Yet there was something about her, an indefinable spark of amazing strength, as well as a glint of humor in her eyes. Maggie had no doubt that this was the woman for whom the house was intended. Dinah confirmed it.
    â€œI’m with you,” Dinah said, grinning at the newcomer. “Amanda O’Leary, this cynical woman is Maggie Forsythe. She owns Images.”
    Amanda’s eyes lit up with unmistakable approval. “Oh, what a lovely shop. I was in there not long after you opened. Even before…” Her eyes welled with tears, and she brushed them away impatiently. “It was always out of my league, but I certainly admire your taste.”
    Maggie was pleased with the compliment. How could she help but like anyone who admired her taste? “You’ll have to come by again and I’ll help you choose something for your new home. It will be my housewarming gift to you.”
    â€œThat’s very sweet of you, but I couldn’t possibly accept,” Amanda protested. “You being here to help is more than enough. I knew people from church were going to be here, but I’m overwhelmed that so many other people are willing to pitch in and do something like this for a stranger. Having a home of our own again, well, it’s practically a miracle to me and the kids. After my husband died, I thought we’d never get back on our feet, not with all those creditors hounding us.”
    â€œI thought declaring bankruptcy protects you from them,” Maggie said.
    â€œIt does…it did,” Amanda said. “But it took me a long time to admit that I needed to take that step. I was determined to pay back every dime Bobby owed until I finally saw that I would never catch up and that I was hurting the kids with my stubborn pride.”
    â€œSpeaking of the kids, where are they?” Dinah asked.
    Maggie saw the question for what it was, a deliberate attempt to change the touchy subject. She understood Dinah’s motive. Despite her brave front and evident resiliency, Amanda O’Leary was the kind of woman people instinctively wanted to protect. Men had probably been leaping to her defense ever since the tragedy that had taken her husband’s life. Even as that thought crossed Maggie’s mind, she realized how petty it sounded.
    â€œOh, good grief, the kids were right here a second ago,” Amanda said, her expression alarmed. “I told them to stay put and not get in anyone’s way. Unfortunately, Larry and Jimmy love anything to do with tools, and Susie tags along right after them. She’s going to be quite the tomboy.”
    Maggie spotted them before Dinah or Amanda did. All three kids were lined up watching Josh Parker, their expressions unsmiling. He was staring back at them as if they were aliens. Given the way he’d treated her, Maggie caught her breath, anticipating some harsh remark that would send them fleeing in tears.
    Instead, Josh hunkered down until he was at eye level with them. She couldn’t hear what he said, but it was enough to earn him a shy grin from Susie, who looked to be about four. The boys were still stoic, as if they’d become used to being shunted aside by grown-ups and anticipated it happening yet again despite Josh’s attention at the moment.
    â€œI’d better go rescue Josh,” Amanda said, worry knitting her