TEDDY’S TEMPTATION

  HEART OF HARMONY GROVE

  BOOK 2

  QUINN WARD

  CONTENTS

  1. Teddy

  2. Shiloh

  3. Teddy

  4. Shiloh

  5. Teddy

  6. Shiloh

  7. Teddy

  8. Teddy

  9. Shiloh

  10. Shiloh

  11. Teddy

  12. Teddy

  13. Shiloh

  14. Shiloh

  15. Teddy

  16. Teddy

  17. Teddy

  18. Shiloh

  19. Shiloh

  A Note From Quinn

  About Quinn

  1

  TEDDY

  Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the blinds, casting a faint glow across my cluttered home. It was a chaotic mess, but it was mine—and I loved it. Tools and unfinished projects filled every corner, marking my existence as Harmony Grove’s go-to handyman. Always something to fix and someone to help. It kept me busy and out of trouble. For someone who couldn’t imagine being tied down to a desk or having to walk through the same steps day in and day out, it was the perfect solution.

  I rolled out of bed, stretching out my muscles, and savoring the still morning before town came to life. I slipped into my uniform of faded jeans, a white T-shirt, and a flannel—all for practical rather than fashion purposes—and headed to the kitchen. The box of cereal I’d emptied yesterday stuck out of the top of the garbage can, mocking me for neglecting to run to the store.

  Some days, it was just easier to grab something on my way home than coming up with something to cook for myself. According to my buddy, Waylon, living on cold cereal was something you couldn’t get away with if you were older than ten. I happened to disagree. Which was why I now had nothing to eat for breakfast.

  Instead of rummaging through the fridge to see if there was anything that sounded appetizing and hadn’t gone bad, I toed on my well-worn boots and headed to the diner. More often than not, that’s where I wound up because I hated the hassle of cooking for one.

  Patrick’s departure still clung to me like a bitter aftertaste, even though we’d both admitted our marriage had been long over before he said those four dreaded words: “we need to talk.” If he hadn’t left, I might have stayed miserably stagnant until my last breath.

  Stepping outside, I breathed in the crisp morning air and made my way to the center of town. Harmony Grove’s familiar charm soothed my heart, its close-knit community a comforting constant in my life.

  “Morning, Teddy!” Mr. Larson hollered from his porch, coffee in hand. His gruff demeanor from my childhood had softened over the years, but he remained an early riser. When we’d been kids, he’d terrified all of us by threatening to break our big wheels if we didn’t quit making a racket outside his open windows.

  Time had brought change to the small town, too. Some of the abandoned buildings now housed bustling businesses and new faces had woven themselves into the fabric of the community. Seeing how we were growing even as so many small towns around us were dying was a testament to Harmony Grove’s resilience, and I felt proud to be a part of it. At one point, it had looked as if Harmony Grove would join resemble a ghost town without the tumbleweeds or cowboy shoot-outs.

  “Morning, Mr. Larson,” I responded with a reserved smile before heading on my way. I smiled broadly as I continued on my way, shivering slightly when the cool morning breeze picked up up.

  “Teddy!” Mrs. Anderson waved from her garden. “Thanks again for fixing that leaky faucet last week. You’re a lifesaver!”

  “Anytime, Mrs. Anderson,” I said, my chest swelling with pride. I touched my father’s worn leather-wrapped pocket watch, a reminder of the man who’d taught me everything about being a handyman.

  I hoped he’d be proud of the work I was doing rather than pissed that I hadn’t done more with my life. My mood dipped slightly, thinking about how often we’d fought when I was younger. He insisted there was more for me out there than following in his footsteps, refusing to listen when I told him I didn’t want more. He did a valuable job, and now I was trying to fill his shoes.

  The diner’s familiar scent of bacon and coffee greeted me like an old friend. I found solace in this place, even if only for a brief reprieve.

  “Morning, Teddy!” Loretta, the ageless waitress, called out. Her dyed-red curls danced as she waved me towards the tables in the back. “Your favorite table’s open.”

  “Thanks, Loretta,” I replied, the corner of my mouth turning up in a slight smile as I sat down at the back of the dining room, away from the chatty old men.

  “Usual breakfast?” she asked, barely glancing up as she refilled coffee mugs.

  “Please,” I nodded, grateful for waitresses who appreciated routine as much as I did.

  As I ate, I considered the projects I had to tackle today. The hardware store awaited, as did a list of odd jobs that kept me afloat. I longed for another substantial renovation project, something that would provide stability and a sense of accomplishment.

  After breakfast, I made my way to the park to fix a broken swing—not a paid gig, but it needed doing and it was on my way home so I could drive to the other end of town. The laughter of children surrounded me as I focused on the worn-out chains and rusty bolts.

  “Good morning, Teddy!” Mr. Harper called out, walking his dog along the path. I managed a smile and nod before turning back to my work.

  In the background, I overheard a group of moms discussing their relationships, their anecdotes full of love and appreciation. It was almost sickeningly sweet. Listening to how people in love talked about their partners was always a reminder of how ill-suited Patrick and I were for one another. There had never been a time when we’d gone on to our friends about something the other had done.

  “Thanks for helping keep things working, Teddy,” one of the mothers remarked, pulling me from my thoughts. “The kids can’t wait to try it out again.”

  “Not a problem at all,” I said, my voice low. “I’ll have it fixed up soon.”

  She smiled and returned to her friends, leaving me to finish the repair. As I tightened the final bolts, the children cheered, eagerly scrambling to fight over who got to use the swing first. Their laughter rang through the park like a balm to the soul. I didn’t want children of my own, but their joy and innocence would make anyone’s day just a bit brighter.

  “Another job well done, Teddy,” I murmured to myself, slinging my tool bag over my shoulder and leaving the park behind.

  As I made my way back to the house, my thoughts drifted again to the past. Sometimes, I wondered if Patrick and I could have managed to come out this side of the break-up as friends is we hadn’t tried to fit a mold we never could have.

  “Teddy!” a familiar voice called, jolting me from my thoughts. I glanced up to see Michael waving from across the street. He was more of an acquaintance than a friend despite the fact both of us had grown up here. “Thanks for fixing the swing. I’ve been trying to get someone from the parks department over to take a look at it but they’re short-staffed and this isn’t a priority for them.”

  “No problem, Michael,” I replied with a tentative smile, stopping in the shade of a nearby tree. The sun was brutal on my light eyes this morning, and I’d forgotten my sunglasses at the house. “I’m glad to help out. Consider it my contribution to the community.”

  “Your part?” he teased. “You’re practically holding this town together. Don’t sell yourself short.”

  “Thanks,” I said, averting my gaze and feeling a familiar warmth spreading across my cheeks. Compliments always caught me off guard, leaving me uneasy in my own skin.

  I was saved from any further small talk by the shrill tone of my phone. Fumbling to extract it from my pocket, I saw Jack’s name flashing on the screen. Some weeks, I swore that young man would singlehandedly keep me in business. He was brilliant but hopeless when it came to the simplest home repairs.

  “Hey, Jack, what’s up?”

  “Teddy! Thank god, you picked up. We’ve got a disaster here!” Jack’s voice came through, frantic and breathless. I wasn’t surprised; everything seemed to be a disaster in his mind.

  “What’s happened?” My heart pounded in my chest, concern mounting when I heard his wife, Emma, shriek in the background. Most of the time, his “catastrophes” were relatively minor but I wondered if this was the time he nearly burned the house down.

  “There’s a burst pipe under the sink! I don’t know what to do, it’s flooding the bathroom, and I think it’s spreading to the hallway.” Panic was evident in his voice.

  “Okay, Jack, stay calm. Do you have a wrench?” I asked quickly, turning towards their house. Grabbing the truck could wait a bit longer since I was only a couple blocks away from their place.

  “I think so...” I heard the clank of metal on metal as he rummaged through the disorganized mess he called a toolbox. I secretly figured it was something he owned despite never using it because he thought it was something he was supposed to have as the man of the house, as his father would put it. That man was such a piece of work it was a wonder Jack turned out as decent as he had.

  “Great. I want you to turn off the water valve under the sink. That will stop the flooding until I get there. Have
Emma gather as many towels as she can to soak up the water.” My voice was steady, hoping to impart some calm.

  “All right, Teddy. Hurry, please,” he pleaded before ending the call.

  “I’m on my way, Jack,” I muttered to myself, quickening my pace.

  With a renewed sense of urgency, I set off, ready to fix yet another problem. I only hoped I wasn’t too late to prevent a minor disaster from turning into a major one.

  “Hey, Teddy!” another voice called as I continued down the street. It was Billy from the local youth center, Harmony House. “Just wanted to say thanks for fixing the railing last week. You’re a lifesaver.”

  “Anytime, Billy.” As much as I wanted to stop and chat so he’d know I wasn’t ignoring him, I really needed to get to Jack and Emma’s place.

  “Don’t be a stranger, Teddy,” he shouted after me as I rushed past, my tool bag swinging at my side.

  “I’ll try,” I murmured to myself, my heart weighed down with the knowledge that the distance between us was completely my fault. The problem with spending your entire life in a small town was it felt as if everyone had a front-row seat to the highest highs and the lowest lows of my relationship. I’d drifted from most people who’d been there over the years, not wanting to answer their questions.

  And after the initial sting of the divorce eased, I simply found it easier being on my own. Being newly single, I had plenty of time to spend out in my workshop to the point I’d even started selling some of my small woodworking pieces at local craft fairs.

  As I neared a quaint little house at the north end of the park, the unmistakable sound of laughter drifted out. Despite the less-than-ideal situation, Jack and Emma seemed to be handling it with good humor.

  “Teddy! Thank god you’re here,” the wife, Emma, exclaimed as she opened the door. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and her clothes were sopping from the plumbing catastrophe.

  “Hey, Emma,” I greeted her, stepping inside and immediately getting to work assessing the damage. From the looks of things, they’d had an eventful morning. There was a pile of wet towels kicked off to the side of the cabinet and a bucket under the pipe in question.

  Kneeling down to examine the broken pipe under the sink, I couldn’t help but notice Emma and her husband, Jack, interacting—their shared laughter, the gentle touch of his hand on her waist, and their affectionate glances. It all appeared so natural, so effortless. I hoped for their sake they never lost the shine of young love.

  “Emma, why don’t you change while Teddy handles this? You’re soaked,” Jack suggested, concern evident in his voice.

  “Good idea,” she agreed, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before vanishing down the hallway.

  “Thanks for coming on such short notice, Teddy,” Jack said, leaning against the doorframe, watching me work.

  “Of course,” I replied, my thoughts still lingering on their warmth and intimacy. “It’s what I do.”

  “Still,” he continued, “I’m surprised you didn’t charge us extra for needing you first thing this morning. A lot of places charge more for same-day service. You’re a lifesaver, Teddy.”

  “Appreciate that,” I mumbled, making sure everything was secure before standing up and dusting off my hands. Luckily for them, it looked like the fitting had simply come loose somehow. “All fixed. You should be good to go.”

  I contemplated showing Jack how to fix this on his own if it happened again. He was a competent guy, and really, they hadn’t needed my help except he had zero home-maintenance know-how.

  “Thank you so much,” Emma gushed upon her return, now dressed in dry clothes.

  “Happy to help.” I gave them a small smile, a sudden pang of envy for their connection striking me. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d shared that kind of happiness with someone else—if ever.

  “Let us know if you need anything, Teddy,” Jack called as I headed out the door. “We’re always here for you.”

  “Thanks,” I replied softly, wondering if I came across to them as some lonely, pathetic old man. There was something in Emma’s soft expression I wasn’t fully comfortable with.

  After picking up my truck, I wove my way around town doing more of the jobs people didn’t want to take care of themselves. For a single mom who’d just moved into the apartments on the west side, I hung a TV and secured shelving to the walls so her kids wouldn’t hurt themselves. At the little year-round market/consignment shop, I built new display stands and installed dividers between the booths. None of the jobs were difficult, just time consuming.

  My final stop was Mrs. Jenkins’s house. The slats she’d ordered to fix part of the privacy fence at the back of her property had come in, and I’d offered to deliver them myself when I overheard Marty at the hardware store tell her he couldn’t drop them off until the end of the week.

  In exchange, she’d agreed to bake me one of her famous strawberry rhubarb pies. If not for the fact pie didn’t pay the bills, I’d have happily worked for the church ladies who were constantly baking. I swore there was some sort of witchcraft involved in their recipes.

  As I pulled up to her home, I saw her waiting on the porch, her eyes lighting up as I unloaded the pressure-treated lumber from my truck. Like me, she didn’t fit the mold of what people expected. Where most of the women in town acted as if every day was Sunday with their coordinated outfits and perfectly styled hair, Mrs. Jenkins preferred wearing overalls and her late husband’s button-up shirts.

  I think her easy-going, fiercely independent nature was part of why I went out of my way to help her whenever I could. Well, that and pie.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Teddy,” she said, her gratitude unmistakable. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “It’s no trouble at all, Mrs. Jenkins,” I deflected, an odd mix of fulfillment and discomfort stirring within me. “I’m happy to help.”

  As I set to work on her fence, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard, I couldn’t help but think about the connections I had in Harmony Grove. Though I often felt alone, the love and support of this close-knit community were never far from reach.

  With each nail I hammered and each plank I secured, I realized that my own happiness wasn’t as elusive as it seemed. It was rooted in the kindness and camaraderie of the people around me, in the satisfaction of a job well done, and in the hope that one day, I might find someone who truly understood and cherished me for who I was.

  Mrs. Jenkins came out to supervise my work, a tall glass of lemonade in hand. My mouth puckered and my face twisted at the first sip. She definitely hadn’t gone overboard on the sugar. And yet, I drank every drop not wanting to upset her.

  “I would have taken care of this myself, you know,” she assured me. I was absolutely certain she would have, but she shouldn’t have to. If her own kids couldn’t be bothered to come by and help her out despite living one town over, I’d keep on swinging by to see what needed to be done. She pulled a pair of gardening gloves out of the pocket of the overalls that nearly drowned her. “It’s good to work with your hands. Keeps the soul young.”

  “I have no doubt you’re right.” She steadied the next plank while I secured it. As it turned out, having someone to chat with was just what I needed to keep my thoughts from spiraling. Knowing Mrs. Jenkins, she’d sensed my upcoming pity party and was trying to keep it away.

  With a final nod of approval at my handiwork, I packed up my tools and headed back to the truck, the last rays of sunlight fading behind me. I made a left turn at the center of town rather than a right.

  I found myself back at the diner despite telling myself earlier that I’d swing by the grocery store and find something to cook. Eating out was expensive, even at the diner. Loretta greeted me with a slightly weary smile. Sometimes, I wondered if she slept on a cot in the back room. She was always here.

  “Long day?” she asked, pouring me a cup of coffee and setting it down before me.