What's Left of Us. Lonely Melodies, #2.5

Bridget Lawrence has an arrangement with the town pariah: when something breaks in her run-down house, he fixes it in exchange for a free meal. Only, free meals turn into frequent dinners with her and her son, and her handsome handyman becomes the one thing she doesn't need: A handsome distraction. Thomas Birmingham has had it rough in the luck department. Abusive father, runaway sister, and one juror away from a life sentence in prison.
Most days, his dinners with Bridget are all that nurture his sanity, but the last thing a single mom and her four-year-old son need is his baggage. When circumstances keep pushing them together, Thomas must decide just how catastrophic it would be if he became more involved in their lives. And worse-if he does, can he stand to keep his distance and maintain the friendship they've established, or will his growing feelings ruin the only good thing he has? WHAT'S LEFT OF US is a sweet romance novel that can be read as a standalone or, for more context, after Calloused & Scarred Hearts, book two in the Lonely Melodies series. If you're looking for a book that's lighthearted but deeply emotional, silly with serious undertones, and short but packs a punch, then you'll love Bridget and Thomas's story.