For the Love of Pete Read Online Free

time, he'd even done some work for Ashley and her new husband, Josh Madison, but the subject of Jo had never even come up, eventually convincing him that Ashley didn't know about the betrayal. As clannish as they were, he'd supposed they all hated him on Jo's behalf. It had been a relief, in a way, to know that she'd kept silent, though it worried him some that she apparently hadn't even turned to those closest to her back then. Still, his guilt ran deep.
    Even after that reassuring encounter with Ashley several weeks back, he dismissed the message he'd received this morning. He told himself it was because he was swamped with work. Now, though, he had no more excuses. On his way home, he ignored the churning in his gut and drove to Rose Cottage to take a look at what needed to be done.
    Snow still clung to the trees and lay several inches deep on the front steps. Even though the snow was undisturbed by footprints, there was smoke curling from
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    the chimney. A light was burning in the living room, and another shone brightly in the kitchen.
    Pete sat in his car and debated whether he ought to drive right on. He wasn't sure he was ready to face any of the D'Angelo women, not at Rose Cottage. He'd only been able to work for Ashley because the job had been at Josh's home. He knew that stepping through this door would strip away the scab on an old wound.
    "Don't be an idiot," he finally muttered. It was a job. No big deal. They'd probably rented the place to some stranger. There was nothing here to be afraid of. Chiding himself for his cowardice, he strode to the front door and knocked.
    When the door swung open, he wasn't sure who was more stunned, him or the pale woman who stared at him with sad, haunted eyes.
    "What are you doing here?" he and Jo said in a chorus.
    He tried for a smile. "Sorry. I had a call to come by about some needed repairs. I had no idea you were here. Frankly, I can't believe you called me."
    She regarded him with bewilderment. "I didn't. What repairs? Ashley said something about making a few calls, but I had no idea she'd done it. We never even went over her list of what needs to be done."
    "Whoever called said something about some loose and rotting boards on the porch."
    "It was dark when I got here. I didn't notice."
    "You just arrived, then?"
    She shook her head. "Last night, actually."
    "And you haven't been out all day," he said.
    She regarded him with suspicion. "How do you know that?" she asked, a surprisingly defensive note in her voice.
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    "Settle down, darlin'. Nobody's been tattling on you, at least not to me." He gestured toward the steps. "The only footprints out here are mine."
    Her temper deflated at once. "Sorry," she said stiffly.
    He hesitated, then forced himself to ask, "Would you prefer I send someone else over to check out the porch? I could have someone come by in the morning. Your sister obviously didn't know that calling me would be a problem."
    Indecision was written all over her face. She looked so lost, so thoroughly miserable, that Pete wanted to haul her into his arms and comfort her, but he no longer had that right. Once she would have slapped him silly if he'd tried, but something told him that whatever had sent her fleeing to Rose Cottage had wiped away that feistiness and strength.
    "No," she said at last. "You're here. I don't want to try to explain to Ashley why I sent you away. I'll flip on the light so you can take a closer look."
    Pete nodded. "Thanks."
    A moment later, the light came on, and then the door firmly shut. He tried not to feel hurt at being so plainly dismissed and locked out, but he couldn't help it. Once he'd been warmly welcomed in this home. Once he'd been joyously welcomed by this woman. Having that door close quietly in his face was as effective as any slap. The message was just as clear: Jo would tolerate his presence as long as there was a job to do, but she wanted no further contact with him. Her reaction was only