"Is Mr. Nik going camping?" Emma stood on a chair with her nose pressed against the window, looking out over the Blatchford yard.

"What do you mean?" Claire asked as she finished loading the dishwasher. She turned it on and joined her daughter. Supper was over and soon the usual bed-time battle she'd been having lately with Emma would begin.

"He has a camper. Like my friend, Lacy's mom and dad do. Lacy says they go camping every year. She says they bring it to their yard every time they go. So they can load it up.” She frowned as she saw a medium-sized holiday trailer being backed into the yard, guided by Nik's truck.

"I have no idea what he's up to," Claire said, but the sight ratcheted her unease.

Yesterday, late in the afternoon, Tom had stopped by Coffee Creek with a post-dated check for her. Claire had almost given up on him, but she was thankful he had finally fulfilled his end of the deal. By the time she was finished at work, the bank was closed. So she deposited the check in the night deposit box, hoping it would go into her account today or Monday at the latest.

She had phoned Devon to update him but she was put through to his answering machine.

Claire was fully aware of the ticking clock, and the panic that gripped her tighter every day. When she came back from work, she looked at her bank balance but the check was not in yet. She wouldn't relax until that check cleared, realizing she was cutting things close.

But now it looked like her neighbor was setting up camp, following through on his potential plans. Did he know something she didn't?

Well, he would just have to move it on Monday, she told herself.

"I wish we could go camping," Emma said, a wistful note in her voice.

"I wish we could go, too," Claire said, empathizing with her, remembering trips to the lake she and Tess made with their parents. Trips that they'd quit once they moved to the new house.

"If I had a dad, could we go camping then?" Emma asked, looking up at her. "Lacy says we don't go camping because I don't have a dad."

Lacy was becoming a pain, Claire thought.

"We don't go camping because we don't have a tent or a trailer and right now Mommy is too busy—"

"With Coffee Creek. I know." Emma released the last two words on a gusty sigh. "I wish you weren't so busy. I wish we could do more stuff together.”

"I know, honey." Claire brushed her hand over Emma's unruly curls, the usual stab of guilt slicing at her gut. The plight of a single mom. Too much to do and only so much of her to go around. She glanced over at the house, unease prickling her spine. If they bought the house, it would mean less money to do what they wanted.

But it would give them a home, space for Emma to play and that was important, too. Wasn't it?

"At any rate Missy, it's almost time for bed," Claire said, forcing aside the questions. She had gone over the pros and cons of buying the house so many times she could probably recite them backwards. No matter how often she went over the list, the pros had always outweighed the cons. A home for her daughter. Security for them. Equity building up. "Brush your teeth and pick out a book and I'll meet you in your bedroom."

Mooch stood by the door whining, scratching on the rug.

"I think Mooch needs to go outside," Emma said. "Can I take him? I haven't played much with him today."

"You played with him at Grammas."

"No. I didn't. Gramma said I had to give Uncle Bill’s little boy and girl a chance to play with him.”

Claire's aunt and uncle arrived the day before, filling the house with their laughter and boisterous children. Claire wondered how her mother would cope with the noise and the busyness.

"Okay then, but only for ten minutes," Claire warned. That would give her enough time to tidy up. "And make sure he doesn't go through the fence."

Emma grabbed Mooch's ball and leash, clipping it onto his collar and took him out the door. Claire watched out the window as they entered the backyard of the apartment. Emma tossed the ball, standing by the opening to the other yard, guarding it.

Satisfied they wouldn't be bothering Nik, Claire returned to washing the dishes. The dishwasher had broken down, of course, so she was stuck doing dishes by hand.

She filled the sink and poured the soap into the water when she smelled something. It wasn't the usual smell that Emma always complained about. This was stronger. Harsher.

Puzzled she walked to the window. Was someone burning something outside?

She looked onto the yard.

Mooch was tied up to the fence, but Emma was nowhere to be seen.

That stinker. Claire was about to head out the door when she remembered the water filling the sink.

She ran into the kitchen, her heart sinking. Too late. The water poured from the small sink and pooled all over the floor. Of course. Of course. Claire hurried over to turn off the taps just as the smoke detector squealed, hurting her ears.

What in the world?

She spun around and slipped on the soapy water.

Her ankle twisted as she fell. Pain shot through her leg, debilitating her. She couldn't move but she had to. She had to get out of there.

* * *

"Are you going camping?"

Nik spun around, looking to see where the voice came from.

Then he saw Emma crouched down, looking through the hole in the fence.

"No. I'm just moving my trailer here." He was finished blocking it up, and it was all levelled. All he had to do was hook up the power.

"Will you leave it there when my mommy buys the house?" Emma asked.

Nik chewed his lip, trying to figure out how to answer this. This morning he had called Devon to discover the status of Claire's claim on the house. Devon had told him he hadn't received his money from Claire yet, so unless a miracle occurred by Monday, their deal still held. He would have left his trailer where it was, but the owner of the lot had called to tell him he had to get it out of there or incur additional fees to continue holding it on the lot.

As he held Emma’s hopeful gaze, though, he refused to be the one to shatter her dream. So, he gave her a tentative smile, meanwhile scrambling for words that would satisfy and, hopefully let her down gently.

“I’ll have to find another place for it, then, won’t I?” It was the best he could come up with as those soft blue eyes stared up at him.

"I've never been in a camper before," Emma told him, rocking back and forth, toe to heel, the sun glistening off her unruly hair. "Can I come and look inside?"

Her audacity made him grin. This kid would go far based on her sheer determination and push.

"I'll just look in the door,” she continued, seeming to take his silence for a subtle giving in. “I won't go right inside and snoop around. Just poke my head in.”

"I don't think your mother would want you coming onto the yard, let alone looking in my camper.” Because that didn’t sound creepy at all.

Emma scrunched up her face, as if thinking. "Maybe not. But I would take a quick peek. I tied Mooch up so he won't come on the yard.”

Nik had to chuckle. This girl had an irresistible charm. And as he listened to her, he felt a softening in his heart. An emptiness that had always lurked as if waiting for the right person to fill it.

She's not your child.

He shook off the emotions, reality intruding with the practical voice. And yet he found himself drawn to this little girl.

"Please," she asked. "Just a few seconds of your time?"

Again he had to laugh. "You'd make an excellent salesperson," he said.

"That's what my grandpa always says. He told me that when I'm old enough I can come and work in the hardware store. Or be a lawyer."

"Okay, you can have a look, but please don’t go inside.”

"Yay." Emma fist pumped then skipped toward the trailer. "Where do you go camping with your trailer?"

"I don't. I mostly use it when…" he hesitated, still not sure how to tell her what he hoped to do with the house. "…when I need another place to stay."

"My mommy said it's hard to find a place in Sweet Creek because there aren’t enough ‘partments for all the people, so you can live in your trailer when me and mommy move into the house.”

Again Nik was at a loss for words. According to Devon, Claire couldn't meet the conditions to purchase the property. Nik wasn't sure how Devon knew but the clock was ticking down to Monday. And this little girl seemed to think they were moving into the house. He wished he knew how to tell her it might not happen. But, again, that wasn't his responsibility.

"Is this where I go in?" Emma asked, pointing to the steps he had just put down.

"Yes. Let me get the door for you, it's hard to open."

He reached past her and as he did, he heard a shrill buzzing coming from behind him, then another and another.

They were coming from Emma's and her mother’s apartment.

"What is that?" Emma asked, frowning as she looked over her shoulder.

He caught the whiff of something burning the same time he saw a tendril of smoke drift from a window of one of the apartments. Fire? He wasn't taking any chances. He pulled out his phone and dialed 911 as he walked toward the building.

"What's going on?" Emma asked, standing right behind him just as the dispatcher answered the call.

"I want to report a fire at…" great, he didn't know the address. He spun around, kneeling down in front of Emma. "What's your address?"

"615 Grace Road, apartment 204," she said, smiling with pride. Then she frowned. "Did you say fire?"

Nik ignored her, repeating the address to the dispatcher and was told that it was already reported. Trucks were on their way.

And just as he finished the call, he saw people exiting the apartment, running out the front as well as the back. All were carrying what they could, leaving as quickly as possible.

He didn’t see Claire.

"Which door do you guys go through when you come out of the building?” he asked Emma, holding her shoulder, just in case she panicked and ran toward the apartment.

"That one," Emma said, pointing as more people poured out of the doors, all of them calling out to each other, some crying. "But what's happening? Why are all those people coming out? Where's my mom? I have to get Mooch." Her voice rose with alarm and when she tried to run past him, he caught her and held her back.

She kicked and fought him, leaning toward the building, crying, picking up on the panicked cries of the people now running from the building. Mooch was barking and then a man stopped, releasing him. But thankfully he ran through the fence toward them.

At that moment, Nik didn't care if the dog took up residence in the flower bed. He was okay. They needed to get Claire.

"Mommy. I want my mommy,” Emma cried.

He heard the sound of sirens.

"You have to wait, sweetie," he said, holding Emma against him. "The firemen are coming. They'll get your mommy out of the building."

"But she's not coming. Everyone else is out," Emma wailed again.

No one was coming out of the building anymore and Nik didn't know what to do. He had to watch Emma but he was getting worried about Claire.

Then, just as the firemen pulled up to the front of the building, the back door of the apartment opened again, and Claire stood, clinging to the door jamb, her face pale.

"There she is," Nik said to Emma. He set her down, his hands still on her shoulders, his voice hard and firm. “I’ll go get her. You stay here. It’s too dangerous for you."

He knew he was frightening her, but he had to make himself clear.

Emma sniffed and nodded, tears streaking down her face.

Nik paused another second to make sure she understood then he turned, ducked through the opening in the fence and ran toward Claire. She hobbled down the sidewalk, her face screwed up in pain.

He made it to her side and caught her as she faltered.

"We need to get out of here," he said, slipping his arm around her waist.

"Where's Emma? I thought I saw her here? I need to make sure Emma is okay,” she cried with alarm, looking frantically around.

"She's okay. She's in my yard. So is the dog. We gotta go.”

Nik glanced up at the building, but no flames were coming out of the windows yet.

Claire hobbled along, clinging to him, wincing each time she put weight on her foot.

“I need to get Emma and Mooch,” she said puffing with exertion, glancing back over her shoulder as firemen came running around the building to the door she just exited. "Can you bring me to my car?"

"You can't drive. We’ll take my truck. You need to see a doctor.”

“I’m fine,” she muttered yet clung to him as he helped her through the gap in the fence.

“Mommy, there you are,” Emma cried, running toward them.

"Easy girl," Nik warned as Emma reached for Claire. “Your mother is hurt.”

"Just twisted my ankle," she said. He could tell she wanted to pull away from him, but they had no idea how bad it was, so he kept his hold on her.

Despite the drama unfolding around them, he thought, for a moment, how nice it felt to hold a woman in his arms.

"Let's go to my truck. I think we should get out of here,” Nik said, shaking off his reaction. He was just helping her, not hugging her, for pity’s sake.

"But what about my stuff?" Emma cried. "I need to get my dolls and toys."

Nik caught her by one arm as she rushed past him. "Sorry, Emma. You need to stay out of the building. There's a fire inside."

Emma cried again, Mooch joined in with a howl and Nik felt out of his depth.

"Emma, stop it honey. Mr. Austen is right. We can't go to the apartment." Claire tried to straighten but winced again and almost fell against him.

“But it’s not burning,” she exclaimed, swiping at her face.

“We don’t know what’s happening inside so we have to leave,” Claire said, her voice strained. “Now please, let’s go to Mr. Austen’s truck.”

“We need to take your mom to the hospital,” he told Emma, hoping the little girl would listen. “That’s the most important thing right now.”

“But we can come back later, right?”

“We’ll see,” Claire said, leaning more on Nik. Just for a moment.

Nik led her to his truck, parked beside the house, and helped her in. Thankfully Emma followed and Mooch was right behind her.

A minute later they were driving away from the building and as Nik glanced in his rear-view mirror, part of him hoped the fire would extend to the house and burn it down. Save him the trouble of having to tear it down.

"You can just drop me off at the hospital,” Claire said as he followed the directions she’d given him. “I’ll get someone to come and pick me up."

Well, there was no way he was just dropping her off. Besides, she needed a place for her dog.

"Just tell me how to get there," he said, ignoring her comments. As he drove, he glanced over at her, not sure he liked how pale she was.

"It's just your ankle?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"You look like you're in a lot of pain."

"I've felt better," she said, "but I'll be okay."

Nik said nothing to that, just turned off the main road when she told him to. Emma sat in the back, sniffling a bit. In spite of her pain, Claire looked back at her, assuring her that everything would be okay.

A few minutes later they were at the hospital.

"Mooch has to stay in the truck," he said, warning Emma.

She patted her dog, looking concerned.

"He'll be okay," he assured her. "But wait until I open the door to let you out." He didn’t want that out-of-control dog taking off on him. He got her out and kept Mooch in the cab of the truck with a stern 'no'. The dog whined but lay on the floor, his head on his paws, looking rather dejected.

As he closed the door, Claire was already struggling to get out.

"Here, let me help you," he said.

She waved him off but clung to the door, fighting to keep her balance. Stifling a sigh, he ignored her and tucked his arm around her to support her.

"I can manage," she said through clenched teeth.

Nik ignored her, as he shoved the door of the truck closed. He kept his steps slow and deliberate as he walked alongside her, not surprised when she leaned heavily on him. What did surprise him was the protective feeling that came over him as he helped her into the hospital.

And the appeal she created in him.

He shook that off as he brought her to the front desk. She was checked in and he helped her back to the deserted waiting room. But before she could even sit down, a nurse called Claire’s name.

Once again, Claire waved off his assistance as she struggled to her feet. Once again, he ignored her, slipped his arm around her waist and he and Emma escorted her to an empty bed. As he settled her in, that protective feeing continued.

"Can I stay with you, Mommy?" Emma asked, her voice wobbling with emotion, clinging to Claire’s hand.

“Yes you can, sweetheart," Claire said, stroking her daughter's shoulder.

"I'll just wait outside," Nik said, feeling rather out of place.

Claire looked up and gave him a wan smile. "Thanks for your help."

"Of course," he said releasing a light laugh. "What are neighbors for?"

Her face shifted and he caught a glimpse of sorrow. "Might not be neighbors anymore," she said.

She sounded exhausted and Nik didn't blame her. She had no idea if she had a place to stay or if any of her things would be salvageable. Everything for her was up in the air.

Then the nurse came with her clipboard, all capable and efficient. She glanced at Claire then Nik, a puzzled expression on her face.

"So, what brings you here, Claire?" she asked, sending another look Nik's way. Clearly this nurse knew Claire.

"I sprained my ankle trying to get out of my apartment."

"I think our ‘partment is burning up," Emma put in, sniffing. “The firemen were there and everything and now my mommy is hurt.”

"We heard about the fire, but the firemen said everyone got out okay."

"Except my mommy and now we don't have a place to stay,” Emma continued, her voice trembling. “And I think my teddy bear is burnt up and all my toys."

"We don't know that for sure," Claire put in, patting Emma's shoulder. "The firemen came real quick. They probably put the fire out before it got to our place.”

"Well, let's have a look at that ankle for now." The nurse glanced up at Nik. "I'm guessing you're the one who got Claire out?"

He waved off her question. "She was coming out and I helped her get here." He grew uncomfortable with the nurse’s questioning glances. As if she were puzzling out how he and Claire were connected.

"A real hero," she said with a barely concealed grin, looking back at Claire.

"Don't start, Sarah,” Claire said.

They did know each other.

"I'll just be outside," Nik said, taking a step away from the bed, and the knowing look the nurse named Sara gave Claire.

But as he left he heard Sarah say, "Pretty nice-looking guy, Claire."

"Be professional, please” Claire said, her voice prim and proper.

Nik hurried out of there.

Twenty minutes later, Claire hobbled out of the Emergency Room on crutches, her leg wrapped in a tensor bandage. Emma was carrying her other shoe, looking concerned.

"What did the doctor say?" Nik asked.

"A sprain. The usual. Rest and elevate it."

"And ice it I'm sure."

She blew out a sigh. "Well, thanks again for all your help."

"I can bring you home. You’ll still need a ride.” But no sooner had he spoken the words than he realized how silly that was.

She didn’t have a home.

“Sorry. Not thinking,” he said. “What are you going to do?”

A frown of worry creased her forehead. “I’ll need to find another place to stay, I guess."

"We can stay in the house," Emma suggested, her face bright. "It's going to be our house now that you have the money, right?"

"You have the money?" Nik asked, surprised. Devon had assured him Claire had no chance of pulling it off. In fact, Devon was so sure that Nik had already been working on an application for re-zoning the property to a multi-family dwelling.

"I have a post-dated check from my cousin waiting to clear the bank." Claire gave him a weary smile. "Once that goes through, I'll have the full down payment."

Nik returned her smile but knew first chance he had he would call Devon to find out what was going on.

Claire still needed a place to stay, however.

"So where should I bring you?" he asked.

"To the house, of course, you silly,” Emma said, sounding puzzled. "Our house."

Claire shook her head. "No, honey. It's not our house yet. I'll call Gramma. We can go there."

"But Gramma and Grandpa's house is full. She told me we couldn't stay there when I asked if I could,” Emma said.

Claire bit her lip as she remembered this piece of news, then eased herself down into the chair behind her, looking drawn and tired. "Maybe we can go back into the apartment."

"We should find out," Emma said, clasping her hands in front of her as if she were praying. "Maybe everything will be okay."

Nik doubted that. Though he hadn’t seen actual flames, he’d seen smoke. Even if the fireman put the fire out, the building would have to be repaired and inspected before anyone could move back.

"Can you take us there so we can see for sure?” Emma asked, turning to Nik.

Nik wanted to say no, but he guessed Emma wouldn’t be satisfied until she knew for sure.

"Okay," Nik said, though he could guess what the outcome would be.

As they drove back to the apartment, Claire tried to make a few more calls, but it sounded to Nik like she wasn't having any luck finding a place to stay. No places to rent and because of a big volleyball tournament in town that weekend, no motel or hotel to stay at.

Emma's suggestion teased his mind. He could let them stay in the house. He was living in his trailer now and had figured on doing so until the new building was up. The house and its dark memories held no appeal to him.

But he wasn't sure he wanted Claire and her daughter staying so close, slowing down his plans.

The firemen were still at the apartments when they arrived, and Claire stumbled out of the truck before he could help her. Nik let Emma out but made Mooch stay. He wasn't sure where he would bring them next. He caught up to Claire as she was talking to one of the firemen.

“Sorry, lady. But no. We can’t let anyone in until we’ve done a structural assessment,” the fireman said, his face streaked with sweat and soot.

“I understand,” Claire said, but as the fireman left to take care of another job, Nik caught the glint of tears in her eyes. She dropped her head for a moment.

She turned to him and he gave a careful smile, knowing he was doing the right thing, just not so sure it was the smart thing.

“You may as well stay in the house,” he said, the finality of the words making him cringe.

“Really? Yay.” Emma tossed herself at him and he caught her as she hugged his waist. “You’re the best, Mr. Nik.”

He looked past her, rather uncomfortable, glancing at Claire.

Her smile fell into his heart. And the little girl clinging to him filled a space in his empty soul.

With a quick pat on Emma’s head, he pulled himself away from her.

“Good thing the house is furnished,” he said. “Let’s see about getting you two settled.”

“We’ll need toothbrushes and undies,” Emma said, bouncing from one foot to the other, pleased with how things had gone.

“We can get those ourselves,” Claire said, reprimanding her daughter. “Besides, I need to stop at the cafe and talk to Tess. See about work today.”

“Are you sure you’re okay to work?” Nik asked.

Claire shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“And I’ll take you wherever you need to go,” he added.

Claire looked prepared to object again, but she seemed to give in.

They all went back to the truck, Nik supporting Claire again, surprised by the solicitous feeling she brought about.

He quashed it. He was just helping. Once they found a place, they would be out of the house and he could carry on with his plans.

He had to make sure he kept himself removed from them so when it was time to leave, he could move away with a clear head and no looking back.