“That’s what I’m saying,” Connie said. “I need you with me today. I need you to keep me from doing something I’ll regret.”
Heather bit back a smile. “Such as? Have you ever thrown yourself into a man’s arms out of the blue? Impulsively kissed one senseless?”
Connie looked appalled by both suggestions. “Of course not.”
“Then I think you’re going to be just fine. You’re over-thinking this. This project the two of you are working on is the best scenario possible under the circumstances. You’ll be thrown together innocently for a good cause, and you’ll have time to really get to know each other. If there’s something between you, it will develop naturally and when the time is right.”
“I suppose,” Connie said, then asked plaintively, “Are you sure you can’t come with me?”
“Oh, I’m coming,” Heather said, struggling to her feet. “Do you think for one second I’m going to miss a firsthand glimpse of what’s going on between you two?”
Connie’s gaze narrowed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“It definitely beats sitting around trying to figure out how things got so mixed up between Connor and me,” Heather said, heading for the landing. “Grab my purse. I think if I’m really careful and you go down ahead of me, I can make it down these steps without breaking my neck. I’ve been envisioning the way I need to do it for days now. You’ve just provided the motivation I needed to try it.”
Connie took her place in front of Heather and helped her take each step at an excruciatingly slow pace. Only when they’d reached the bottom and Heather had managed to get into the passenger seat of her car did Connie turn to her with a beaming smile. “I suppose I should tell you that Connor’s filling in for Shanna today.”
Heather stared at her. “You sneak! Was the whole Thomas thing some kind of subterfuge to get me to go with you?”
“Oh, no. That’s real enough. I just figured if I was going to let you watch me squirm, you should know that I’m going to keep my eyes on the two of you as well. I’m today’s designated meddler.”
Heather wasn’t sure whether to take her seriously or not. “Are you telling me the family has drawn straws to see who’s going to mess with my head or Connor’s on any given day?”
“The arrangement’s not quite that formal,” Connie admitted. “But we’ve all taken an interest in the situation. You may as well get used to it. Even if we weren’t talking you and an O’Brien, we’re talking Chesapeake Shores. It’s a town that likes its happy endings.”
“Oh, sweet heaven!” Heather murmured. She and Connor were doomed.
* * *
Connor had now filled in at a couple of these events to save the bay, and he’d discovered he enjoyed them. He was getting to spend some time in communities around the region, helping a worthy cause, and little Mick loved running around outside and eating hot dogs or whatever else was being served.
Connor’s understanding and admiration for the work his uncle and Kevin were doing had deepened as well. He was even thinking of offering to do the group’s legal work pro bono as his own contribution to the cause.
Today he’d driven down ahead of Connie and set up the tables for selling books and foundation memberships. He’d toted all the boxes of books over as well. Now he and little Mick were walking around to visit the handful of vendors who’d used the occasion to set up their own booths selling locally grown produce, crafts and even baked goods.
“Cookies, Da!” his son announced excitedly, spotting a tray of big chocolate chip cookies. “Please?”
“After lunch,” Connor said firmly.
His son’s expression turned mutinous. “Now!”
The woman sitting in the booth gave him a sympathetic look. “At that age, later is not a concept they’re fond of. If it helps, you should know that these always sell out early. Maybe if you bought one now and gave him just a bite, it wouldn’t spoil his lunch.”
“That would certainly be better than sticking to my guns and then coming back to find they’re all gone,” Connor agreed. He paid the woman, broke off a small piece of the cookie for Mick, then put the rest in a bag. “Thanks.”
“I saw you setting up over there. You’re with Mr. O’Brien, aren’t you?”
“Actually, I’m his nephew, Connor O’Brien.”
“Nice to meet you, Connor. I’m Maggie Carter. Please tell your uncle for me that I think the work he’s doing is wonderful. I’ve been a member of the foundation since it was started. I’m sure he’ll attract a lot of new members today. I’ll certainly send everyone who stops by here over your way.”
“Thank you,” Connor said. “I’ll be sure to tell him that. I know he’ll appreciate the support.”
Little Mick looked up at him. “More cookie?” he asked hopefully.
“Not yet,” Connor told him, then smiled at the woman. “I’d better get him a hot dog. Stop by the booth later and meet my uncle, if you have the time.”
“I certainly will.”
Connor took little Mick’s hand and had started toward the hot dog vendor, when his son broke free with an excited shout.
“Mama!” he said, toddling off toward the foundation’s booth.
Startled, Connor stared after him. Sure enough, Heather was hobbling unsteadily across the uneven ground, Connie’s hand tucked under her elbow. Connor scooped Mick into his arms and raced toward them, hoping to avert disaster. He thrust Mick into Connie’s arms, then put an arm securely around Heather’s waist.
“Are you deliberately trying to break your neck?” he asked, trying to fight down the fear he’d felt when he’d seen her awkward progress. The ground simply wasn’t made for crutches. “There are all sorts of holes and dips on this green. You could have fallen.”
Her gaze clashed with his. “But I didn’t, did I? I was very careful.”
“Still, it was an accident waiting to happen.
