Military Daddy by Patricia Davids Page B

storm. Maybe I should get a pail, too, just in case.”
    Shane frowned at Marge. “If your roof is leaking that badly, you should see about getting it fixed before you have serious damage.”
    â€œI know. Getting the roof repaired is on my to-do list. While the shingles themselves may actually fit into my budget, the cost of a roofing contractor won’t. They’re expensive.”
    â€œI worked as a roofer when I was a teenager. My foster father was a contractor and he taught me a lot about the business. I’d be happy to take a look and see exactly what you need.”
    â€œI couldn’t ask you to do that.”
    â€œYou didn’t ask. I offered. It could be that you only have a few shingles missing and you don’t need a whole new roof.”
    â€œWouldn’t that be wonderful? If you’re sure, please take a look. I’ll get you a ladder.”
    â€œAfter the rain stops.”
    Grinning, she nodded. “Of course. After the rain. In the meantime, would you like some dessert? I picked up a sinfully delicious lemon pound cake from the bakery today.”
    As Marge served him a generous slice of cake, Olivia and Crystal rejoined them, but Annie remained absent. Outside, the summer storm produced a brief, generous downpour as it passed overhead, but it soon moved off into the distance and the sound of thunder faded away.
    He glanced frequently toward the door to the other room, but Annie didn’t return. Perhaps she had found a way to avoid him after all.

Chapter Seven
    A nnie chanced a peek out the door of her room when she heard the front door open and close downstairs. A few seconds later she heard the sound of someone climbing the stairs. When Olivia came into sight, Annie opened the door wider. “Is he gone?”
    â€œYou are such a chicken.”
    â€œI can’t help it that storms petrify me.”
    â€œI wasn’t talking about the weather.”
    â€œI know, but is he gone?”
    â€œI think so. He and Mom walked out together.”
    Annie wanted to be relieved, but instead she realized what she felt was disappointment. How silly was that?
    A loud thunk sounded against the outside of the house. She and Olivia stared at each other for a moment. Wide-eyed, Olivia whispered, “What was that?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    They both hurried to the window in Annie’s room. The top rungs of a ladder protruded above the roof of the back porch. As they stared, Shane’s head appeared above the edge.
    Annie did a double take. “What is he doing?”
    â€œBeats me. Hey, are you two eloping? That is so romantic. It’s just like Romeo and Juliet.”
    â€œDon’t be an idiot. I have no intention of eloping with the man.”
    â€œThen why is he on a ladder outside your bedroom window?”
    â€œHow should I know?” Annie jerked up the sash. “Shane, what do you think you’re doing?”
    He had taken off his jacket and tie and discarded them before his climb. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up and displayed brown, muscular forearms. Stepping gingerly off the ladder, he looked up and located her in the window.
    â€œAre you okay? When you didn’t come back to finish dinner, I was worried about you.”
    â€œSo you climbed onto the roof to look for me?”
    â€œMarge asked me to take a look at the shingles and see how much work needs to be done. Just from here I can see that she is going to need a whole new roof on this porch. Excuse me.”
    He walked up to the low edge of the eaves beside her window and hoisted himself up and out of sight. Leaning out the window, she twisted around to stare at the spot where he had vanished. The sound of scrambling feet overhead made her call out, “Be careful up there.”
    His face reappeared above her. “Worried about me?” He sounded almost hopeful.
    â€œNo.”
    His smile widened into a cocky grin. “Yes, you are.