Never Trust a Drifter: Shadow Mountain Series, #3

By Laurie Gilbert

FROM NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LAURIE GILBERT...

     Small town doctor, Mia McCoy has given up on finding Mr. Right and decided to take her future into her own hands. She has a home (in need of a lot of work) and a career she loves (and is still paying for). Now all she needs is a family to share it with. She decides the sperm bank is the perfect solution.

     Matt Newman needs a job and a place to live while getting his life back on track. His love for carpentry and building developed over the years as he learned his skills from various craftsmen as he moved around. He figures there's no better place to confront his problems and his past than returning to the very town that put him in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When the local doctor offers him a job as a handyman, and a place for him and his dog to live above her garage, it's all he can do to hide the enormity of his relief. When his past catches up with him and he is faced with new charges, will anyone stand up for him or will history repeat itself?

Shadow Mountain Series Book 3

     The idyllic, rural small town of Shadow Mountain in southern Oregon has everything you could want...and a few things you don't. No one knows that better than rancher, Mitch Darnell in Never Trust A Cowboy, Sheriff Nick Caldwell in Never Trust A Lawman, or former resident and wrongly accused carpenter, Matt Newman in Never Trust A Drifter. When the truth lies in shadow....

     From the author of Hard Evidence, Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Winner for Romantic Suspense and author of Deadly Conspiracies, Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurie Gilbert
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201930967

Book preview

NEVER TRUST A DRIFTER

A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL

Shadow Mountain Series Book 3

LAURIE GILBERT

Copyright

Copyright © 2021, 2022 Laurie Gilbert

All rights reserved

Second Edition

THE CHARACTERS AND events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by RL Design

www.gobookcoversdesign.com

Cover Image:

ID 112993099 © Michael Pelin Dreamstime.com

ID 225084448© Lightkeeper Dreamstime.com

Dedication

For April, Betsy, and Jack

for the love of dogs...

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Medical Thrillers

Deadly Medicine Series:

DEADLY IMAGES BOOK 1

DEADLY CONSPIRACIES BOOK 2

(Winner of the Daphne Du Maurier Award

for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense)

Romantic Suspense Novels

Shadow Mountain Series:

NEVER TRUST A COWBOY BOOK 1

NEVER TRUST A LAWMAN BOOK 2

NEVER TRUST A DRIFTER BOOK 3

Single Titles

HARD EVIDENCE

(Winner of the Golden Heart Award

for Romantic Suspense)

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

About the Author

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Chapter 1

I HEARD YOU WERE LOOKING for a man.

Mia twisted abruptly at the sound of the unfamiliar male voice and nearly fell off the ladder. That he’d practically read her thoughts aloud faded to the back of her mind the moment she looked down at the most gorgeous creature ever put on the face of the earth. Then she looked at the man standing beside the dog and she felt like she’d been sucker punched.

He, too, fell into the gorgeous category, but in a darker, more rugged sort of way. He wore his sandy-brown hair like a proclamation of defiance. Roughly parted in the center, it was on the long side and had that I-just-tumbled-out-of-bed look. Not that she’d seen that look first-hand a lot. Not outside of the hospital anyway.

I’m not looking for a man, she said, knowing that was finally true. Why search for the whole enchilada when you just want to eat the beans? I’m looking for a handyman. There’s a difference. Are you qualified?

His crystal blue eyes stared deep into hers and she noticed the faint lift at the corners of his mouth as he proceeded to climb up onto the ladder on which she stood. Her pulse shot up onto the roof, but she fought the temptation to follow it there. The man was crazy. She leaned into the ladder as he climbed closer. Just what do you think you’re doing?

Two more steps and his arms encircled her hips as he clung to each side rail of the ladder. He let go with one hand and reached up to lift the edge of the asphalt shingle above the roof gutter. I’m answering your question.

He challenged her with a lift of his eyebrows.

Well, get to it.

He smiled then, a full three-hundred-sixty-joule smile and two dimples appeared in his cheeks.

Wow! Dimples were on her genetic wish list. She swallowed and forced herself to turn back and look at the exposed flashing.

See where the flashing stops just short of the third shingle? That allows the water to seep in between the tabs and at the seams. And these types of gutters are made to be installed on a completely vertical fascia board. Someone did a slipshod job on the roofing and the gutters.

Mia saw more dollar bills floating away in the wind. This house was turning into a real money pit and that hadn’t been included in her business plan when she moved back home.

Don’t worry, the deep voice rumbled too close to her ear. The good news is this roof isn’t too old or in too bad of shape otherwise. You can probably go after the installer and make him bring it up to code at no cost to you.

If he weren’t dead and the father of an old friend.

Plan B. I could fix it for you. What else do you need?

A week in Paris. A spa pedicure. Sperm. Why don’t we continue this interview on the ground Mister....

Newman. Matt Newman. Pleased to meet you. He held out his hand.

She hesitated. The height was only part of it. With his body a solid barrier between her and the ground below she would have to let go of the ladder to shake the hand he extended in friendship anyway, but that wasn’t why she did it. For a tiny instant, she saw a clear flicker of vulnerability in his eyes and that ended her hesitation. I’m Mia McCoy, but you probably already knew that.

A surprisingly soft hand enveloped hers, giving her pause. She’d expected layers of calluses from a man in his line of work. She didn’t know if he guessed her train of thought or not, but he quickly released her hand and started back down the ladder. At the bottom, he held the ladder steady until she reached the ground, then he took a step back.

When they were both on solid earth, the large white dog stepped to Matt’s side with her thick tail eagerly wagging. Mia was impressed by the dog’s restrained energy. She’s beautiful. May I pet her?

All it took was a nod to the dog from her owner and she shot over to Mia, sniffing and licking and wagging her tail so hard Mia thought the adorable creature would fall over. Mia noted that the dog didn’t jump up on her, but waited patiently for Mia to squat and give her a hug. Mia laughed out loud and turned her head to dodge a sloppy wet kiss. The dog’s soft fur smelled of a recent shampoo. Mia turned to the owner. What’s her name?

Matt’s gaze softened as he stared at the animal with obvious love and affection. Freedom.

After a closer look at the man, she concluded that he didn’t seem the type to use his dog to make a political statement, so she figured the name was inspired by the owner’s personal philosophy of life or his values. Freedom. That figures.

Mia stood up. Why don’t we continue this inside? I have a fresh pot of coffee.

He nodded.

Hope you like it hot and strong. I practically lived on the stuff in college.

Me, too.

She couldn’t help it. She turned and looked at him. The question that immediately came to mind was rude and prejudicial, but it was honest.

You’re surprised and wondering why someone who has a college education is applying for a job as a handyman. It’s simple really. I like building. And we need to eat.

He didn’t wear a wedding ring. We? Do you have a family?

Is this part of the interview?

No. Yes. Sorry. Come on inside.

Freedom, wait in the truck.

The dog made the most pathetic, mewling plea as she cocked her head to one side. Before Matt could repeat the command, Mia said, I don’t mind if she comes inside, but I don’t have any doggie treats.

Matt frowned. Usually, she does what she’s told. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.

The dog licked Mia’s fingers.

Okay, you can come in the house, he said, squatting to take the dog’s face in his hands, but you’d better behave.

The dog’s tail swished three times and she gave a short bark of acknowledgment.

Mia led the way inside through the front door. She bypassed the formal living and dining rooms and headed straight for the large country kitchen in the back of the house. When she got there, she turned to invite her guest to sit at the kitchen table, but found herself talking to an empty room. Marching back down the hall, she found Matt still standing in the entry hall studying the rooms to either side.

This is a great house. He ran his hands over the intricately carved newel post at the foot of the staircase.

Thank you. If you get the job, I’ll give you the tour.

And if I don’t get the job?

Then I’ll only show you my bedroom. She felt her face warm as if she’d spoken her wicked fantasy out loud. Let’s take this one step at a time. She turned away. If you’ll follow me please.

In the kitchen, she got down a bowl and filled it with water, then set it on the floor for Freedom. The dog walked over and took a delicate drink, then sat back on her rump and looked back and forth between the two of them with a regal lift of her head.

How do you take it?

What?

Your coffee. Cream? Sugar? Black?

He wet his lips. Ah, black’s fine.

She poured two mugs and carried them to the kitchen table. The dog followed and curled into a ball at her feet.

Matt looked surprised. She’s usually more wary with strangers, but she’s really taken a liking to you.

I like her, too, Mia said.

As if sensing she was being talked about, Freedom lifted her head from the pillow she’d made with her paws.

You obviously like animals. Why don’t I see any signs of a pet around here?

Cute and perceptive. Pets are like children; I don’t think you should have them if you aren’t prepared to give them a lot of attention and a loving and nurturing environment.

I’ll stick with the dog, thank you very much.

She wondered if he realized how telling his comment was or if he even cared. I haven’t gotten a dog yet because I’ve been spending such long hours trying to establish my practice and get this place into shape. Which brings us back to the topic at hand.

How long have you lived here?

Smooth diversion. She fought the embarrassment that warmed her cheeks. Almost a year.

You did a great job with the kitchen.

She counted it as a good sign that of all the rooms he’d seen on the bottom floor of the house, he’d figured out the only one she’d already remodeled. Okay, the quartz countertop was an extravagance she’d opted for at the last minute, but the rest she’d kept strictly true to the style and time period of the original. Thank you.

Before he could distract her again, she said, Why don’t you tell me about your experience. As a handyman, she added quickly.

"I’ve done a little bit of just about everything. I started working as a framer and carpenter. Small remodeling jobs like removing walls or adding built-ins are fairly simple projects. I can replace windows or doors. I love working with wood.

I’ve done a good bit of roofing. I have some experience with electrical and plumbing, but more important, I know when it’s time to call a professional electrician or plumber. I can do just about any painting technique you might want. I can remove wallpaper. He glanced toward the front of the house and she thought about the layers of old wallpaper that needed to be stripped off. And I can hang more of the stuff after repairing and priming the walls. He paused. What exactly do you want to have done?"

Mia thought of the long list she’d made when she’d first bought the house, and she mentally tried to prioritize. First, I guess I need to have the roof fixed so it doesn’t leak and cause more problems. Then I’d like to put in a new master bath. After that, I’d like to get one of the extra bedrooms completed. From that point, I’m not sure exactly what order to follow. Basically, I think I’d like to finish the downstairs living areas and leave the other bedrooms until later.

Trying to interpret Matt’s look challenged her skill set. He seemed dismayed at the scope of the projects.

That’s going to be quite an undertaking. I can’t help but wonder why you’re looking for a handyman instead of a general contractor to bring in a team and get everything done all at once.

She sighed. I thought about that, but I liked the idea that each project will get special attention and I can make decisions as I go. I also looked at my financial situation and decided it wasn’t feasible to do it all at once. I have loans on the house and the office building, plus I’m still paying off my student loans. I’d rather do this slowly so I can pay as I go.

The moment of truth arrived. So far, no one else had applied for the job. But could she handle having this handsome man in her house every day for the foreseeable future? And what about the big question? What if he didn’t accept her final condition? What if he did? The only way to know was to ask. Look, to be honest, I don’t have a lot of money to spare right now, so I was hoping to find someone who would be willing to accept room and board as part of their pay.

His posture stiffened slightly. Mia felt his hesitation so she barged on before he could decline. There’s a room with a bath above the garage. It needs some work, but it has its own entrance. You would have full use of the kitchen and laundry facilities in the house. And the backyard is fenced. It was to keep animals and kids out of the garden, but since I haven’t had time to plant one, you could use it for Freedom.

Matt ran a hand over the sharp angle of his jaw. Before we go there, I’d like to see the rest of the house and hear what your ideas are for completing each project.

Okay. She stood up.

Let’s start with your bedroom.

Mia commanded her pulse to slow down. She hadn’t had a sexy man in her bedroom since.... Now that was really pathetic. She had to stop thinking about him like that. Maybe if she pictured him as the man she’d envisioned taking the job, a semi-retired older gentleman, someone she’d get to know like she might have her own grandfather, if she’d had the chance. As he followed her up the stairs, she knew that wouldn’t work. She could never picture Matt Newman in that role. Even when he got that age, she’d bet he would have a full mane of silver hair and that wild, sexy gleam in his eyes. She turned and caught him looking at her butt. Okay, she’d lost her