Rescuing the Bad Boy (Second Chance #2)(15)

Now, seeing his old friend in the foyer, a welcome light in a very dark place, Donovan couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

“McClain,” he greeted, extending a hand as he approached. His buddy clasped his palm and pulled him in to slap him hard on the back.

When Connor backed away, his smile was wide. “Scott said you were back.”

Nice to know Scott’s habit of repeating absolutely everything hadn’t changed. “When’d you see him?”

“Ah, I fixed a plumbing problem last night.”

Donovan crossed his arms over his chest and lifted an eyebrow at his friend. “Plumbing.”

Connor’s father’s company, McClain’s Handyman Services, was run by his father, Roger, and with an iron fist. Roger was as blue-collar as they came. Connor didn’t share the enjoyment of repairing sinks or snaking toilets. He’d worked for McClain’s because he had to. And he had to because, at the time, he’d believed he was the father of Maya’s baby.

“It’s temporary,” Connor said, his smile erasing. Whenever he came home, he resumed working for McClain’s in the interim. Evidently, he’d yet to retire his tool belt.

Changing the subject, Connor tipped his head toward the windows behind him. “You need a professional landscaper.”

Did he ever. The brush was so overgrown, Donovan had no idea where to start. He hadn’t yet been to the cottage at the back of the property and wondered if he could even get to it through the tangle of growth that had no doubt overtaken the grounds.

“I do. Know any?”

Landscaping wasn’t Connor’s pastime, it was his true passion. Last time they’d talked, Connor mentioned getting the business off the ground once he was out of the service.

A cocky smile found his friend’s face. “For a price, I can hook you up with the best.” He glanced around the mansion. “Guy who owns a place like this has to have a ton of cash.”

He didn’t know about “a ton,” but Gertrude left an inheritance with the mansion and it wasn’t a small one. There would be money left even after he cleaned the place out and returned to his life in New York.

Connor raised his chin and studied one of the plaster medallions on the ceiling. “I always heard about this place, but I’ve never seen it. Incredible structure.” Before Donovan could respond, Connor gave him another grin. “I’m gonna charge you a shitload.”

Hell, if anyone deserved a healthy chunk of change, it was Connor.

“Deal.” Donovan slapped his friend’s solid shoulder. “You can start today.”





The steering wheel of her unassuming white Honda was damp with sweat. Sofie took one hand at a time from the wheel to slick her palms down her skirt. Nerves were getting the best of her—something she couldn’t afford if she wanted to keep her head around Donovan.

It was just a house. A house she’d been to dozens of times before. She’d met with Gertrude Pate, she’d met caterers and florists, she’d planned events, all under the mansion’s roof.

She’d just never been here when Donovan Pate was under said roof.

Oh, yes you have.

Right. Once.

“Struggle today, strength tomorrow,” she said to herself as she parked in the driveway.

Sofie hadn’t seen him since he’d darkened her doorstep at Make It an Event to deliver a key to the mansion. She had no idea what had changed his mind but concluded his reasons didn’t matter.

After he’d walked out the door, Faith said, “He looks the same as he did seven years ago.”

Hot, her tone implied.

Sofie had reluctantly agreed on the inside. On the outside, she muttered a noncommittal, “I guess.”

For the last week, she’d been doing everything she could to put off the inevitable visit to the mansion, figuring she’d wait until Donovan left town. But he hadn’t left town. She knew because she’d seen his primer-colored Jeep here, there, and everywhere.

Then a few days ago, Ruby Voss had called and invited her to Open Arms. Ruby introduced her to the children either visiting or living there. Seeing those kids had been heartbreaking in a way Sofie hadn’t expected. Another thing she hadn’t expected was for the nonprofit maven to have a hidden agenda.

Ruby needed a favor. A big one.

“You know how we like the children to help with the charity dinner. Serve, help cook if the caterer agrees,” Ruby had started, straightening the sleeves on a smart red suit.

“Of course.” Sofie was a step ahead of her. “The caterer loved the idea. We have extra hands in the kitchen to oversee the kids.”

Despite her formal dress, Ruby’s smile was warm and genuine. “Wonderful.” Then she took a breath, her smile dropping. “Recently, we lost our funding for the night before. The kids who are chosen to help with the charity dinner do a campout. We find this is good for them. To get them out of here.” She’d gestured at the facility more resembling a big house. “Pate Mansion would be perfect for that endeavor.”

For one terrifying second, Sofie thought Ruby was asking if the kids could stay in the bedrooms at the mansion. That was something she was sure she couldn’t negotiate. Not with Donovan “stay out of my way” Pate.

“Did you know the mansion sits on nearly twenty acres?” Ruby’s brows winged into her stylishly coiffed brown hair.