The Harlowe Island Series: Falling for the Plumber

MILLY

My jaw dropped. “What?”

“It gets worse,” he muttered. “He got her pregnant.”

“Is that why you left to go work on a cruise ship?”

“Yep. I couldn’t handle being there. My own brother betrayed me. The rest of my family was caught in the middle. I saw an opportunity to do my plumbing apprenticeship far away from Bristlecone Bay, and I took it.”

“That’s not fair that you had to leave your home and family.”

“Life’s not fair, Milly. I did what I thought was best for everyone.”

“Did you forgive your brother at some point?”

“No. I don’t go home to visit too often, and when I do, we coexist for the sake of the family, but that’s it.”

“Where are the girlfriend and baby?”

“Theo ended up knocking her up again.”

“And they’re still together?”

“They sure are. I have four nieces. Tracey just had another baby a few months ago.”

“Is that why you wanted to bring a girlfriend home?”

“That’s part of it.”

“Why are you still holding onto the hurt after so many years?”

“It was the ultimate betrayal. And it changed the course of my life. I was supposed to work in the family business. That’s what we do. We build houses and cottages across Muskoka. Everybody picks a trade and works in the business in whatever capacity they’re interested in.”

“I’m really sorry that happened to you, Levi.”

“It was a long time ago. But whenever I go home, it’s like reopening an old wound.”

“You’ve missed out on so much though.”

“I have. I don’t even know my nieces.”

“Do your sisters have children?”

“No. They’re all still single.”

“How old are they?”

“Twenty-seven, twenty-four, and twenty-one.”

“Oh, wow,” I said as a new wave of anxiety rolled through my gut. I didn’t have the social skills to spend three weeks with Levi’s large family.

What was I thinking?

It wouldn’t be a cozy family Christmas. Levi and his brother had a huge rift between them. Would they be able to keep peace during Levi’s visit?

“When’s the last time you were home?” I asked.

“I haven’t been home in three years.”

“Why now?”

“I’m thinking about moving back.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. My parents are getting older. I’m tired of missing out on time with them. I barely know Myra. She was only ten when I left home.”

“She’s the youngest sister?”

“Yeah.”

We rode in silence for the next little bit. I’d learned more about Levi in the past hour than in the entire time he’d been living in my house.

“I should probably learn a little about you,” he said. “Since you’re my fake girlfriend.”

“There isn’t much to tell.” I stared out the window into the black abyss. “Are we on the bridge?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And it’s seven miles long?”

“Yep.”

“And how long does it take to get across?”

“About ten minutes.”

“I’m going to close my eyes now,” I said. “I need to go somewhere else for the next ten minutes. Can you please let me know when we’re back on land?”

“Sure,” he said softly.

My heart did a flippity-flip.

And it had nothing to do with the scary-ass bridge.

There was a hand covering mine. A big, strong hand that engulfed my tiny one.

Did I mention my hand was resting on my thigh? Which meant his large fingers were touching my thigh.

Levi was caressing my thigh.

This was so wrong.

But it felt so good.

Except.

If his hand was on my leg, then it wasn’t on the steering wheel!

I yelped, jerking my hand up to push him off.

“I’m sorry, Milly,” he said. “I should’ve asked before I touched you.”

“I’m not upset that you were touching me,” I blurted out.

Oh shit.

“Oh, no?” he whispered with a devilish grin.

“No! I mean yes! No!”

“You’re gonna have to be a little more clear.”

“I meant I yanked away because I wanted you to have two hands on the steering wheel while you’re driving us over the ocean.”

“Ah, I see,” he chuckled. “I promise not to let go of the steering wheel until we’re off the bridge, but once we are, can I hold your hand?”

“Why would you want to hold my hand?”

“Because I have to pretend you’re my girlfriend for the next three weeks, and my family will be watching and expecting to see some type of affection between us.”

“I guess I didn’t really think about that,” I sighed. “I didn’t have much of a chance to think this through at all. Dad and Greg practically shoved me out the door.”

“We’ve got lots of time to get comfortable with each other.”

“We do?”

“Well, yeah. Our flight isn’t until eleven tomorrow. I booked us a hotel room near the airport. We’ll land in Toronto around two. Then, by the time we stop at the mall and get some winter clothing, and then drive up to the house, it’ll probably be later in the evening. So, we have almost twenty-four hours together before you meet my family.”

“How far is it from Toronto to your house?”

“Two hours.”

“Did you say you rented us a hotel room, as in one?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he confirmed. “It has two beds.”

“I’m not really comfortable sharing a room with you, Levi.”

“Well, you’ll be sharing a bed with me at my house, so this will be a good icebreaker.”

“I can’t share a bed with you.”

“Why not?”

“B-because,” I stuttered.

“I don’t bite.”

“Maybe we could tell your parents we don’t sleep together.”

“We are not doing that.”

“Levi!”

“Milly!”

“How about we discuss this in the morning?”

“Fine, but I’m not going to change my mind.”

“Yeah, you will.”

“No, I won’t.”