by Tara Randel
“Chance.” Which was true. It was just chance that he’d been hiking the Appalachian Trail when his brother got ahold of him. “I happened to be nearby and once I drove into Golden, I was intrigued.”
“Was that before or after you met Grace?”
Deke chuckled. “Before.”
The inside of the building was a good ten degrees cooler than outside. Deke followed the sound of voices down the hallway to a nicely appointed room with scattered tables, chairs and couches. Looked more like a coffeehouse than an outdoor adventure office.
“Good, because she’s made it pretty clear she’s headed back to Atlanta as soon as her mom is better.”
“Yeah, I got that impression.”
Colin looked across the room to an open door. Deke followed his gaze, catching sight of Grace in animated conversation with Adam. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, but to avoid needing to explain his fascination with the woman, he followed Colin to the drink station to grab a bottled water.
Guzzling the cool liquid, he scanned the room and took a silent head count of the guests. Didn’t want to explain to Grace that he’d lost anyone. When his eyes settled on her again, Colin laughed.
“Sure you want to go there?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Getting hung up on a woman whose life is elsewhere?”
Good question. He had enough on his plate living with guilt every day and getting the lay of the land so he could approach the target his brothers had sent him to find. Grace was a reminder of his failure as a cop. Not personally, since she hadn’t worked on the case that had come back to haunt him. No, another lawyer had twisted the results of his hard work to get a violent criminal off on a technicality. What if he had to face Grace in the courtroom one day? Would his animosity destroy their new friendship? Or would he let his budding attraction to her overcome his sense of duty?
His thoughts were getting ahead of him. “Maybe one day she’ll settle down here.”
“Doubt it.” Colin pointed to the sliced oranges on the table. They both turned their backs on the room, filling small plates with slices. “Grace has had one foot out the door since high school.”
“Still, she came back to help her mother.”
“Shame, really.” Colin took a swig of water and wiped his hand across his mouth. “She’s good at running the business. Too bad she doesn’t want to stick around and put out her shingle here in town.”
“Colin Wright, are you telling tales about me?”
Deke held back a cringe at Grace’s amused voice. Colin muttered, “Busted” under his breath, then turned with a big smile on his face. Deke did the same, his gaze meeting Grace’s.
“I would never do that, darlin’,” Colin assured her.
“Hmm, is that right? I bet you make that claim to all the women in your life.”
“What can I say? I love the ladies.”
“Problem is, you break too many hearts along the way.”
“Not my intention,” Colin replied. “I’m always up-front about not getting serious.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “One day a good woman is going to steal your heart and you won’t know what hit you.”
Colin leaned over and planted a kiss on top of Grace’s head. “But today is not that day.” Popping the last orange slice in his mouth, he sauntered off to stop and chat with a few of the female guests.
“Some things never change.”
Deke went to stand beside Grace as they watched Colin’s antics. Her cherry fragrance drifted over him and he felt himself lured into her orbit. That wouldn’t do. “So, ah, Colin said you guys go way back.”
“Our parents did business together and we’ve carried on the work relationship.”
“That’s all it is?”
Grace whipped her head around, eyes round. “What are you asking?”
“You and Adam.”
“Adam?” Her mouth flopped open and she floundered. “Me?”
“He’s got a crush on you.”
“What?” Her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink. “No he doesn’t.”
“Sure he does. And why wouldn’t he? You’re a smart, kind woman.”
“I...but...we’re friends.”
“Colin implied that his brother has a thing for you.”
She closed her eyes for long seconds before meeting his gaze. “Then it’s one-sided.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, shifting from one foot to the other. He’d really thrown her for a loop. When she spoke, her voice was low. “I really wish you hadn’t said anything.”
“Why?”
“That’s information I could have done without. How am I going to work with him now?”
“I thought you were headed back to Atlanta?”
“I am, but in the meantime...”
He took her by the shoulders to face him. “In the meantime you act professionally.”
Their gazes held for a long drawn-out moment. He noticed the flecks of gold in her green eyes the longer he stared. When she sighed, his legs felt a little off balance, especially when she sent him a shaky smile. Clearly she didn’t want to hurt Adam, which sent his estimation of her skyrocketing.
“How’d you get so smart about one-sided relationships?” she asked.
He rolled his neck, ignoring the catch in his chest. “Lived one.”
Interest flared in her eyes. “Really. Do tell.”
He shrugged as a way to procrastinate in order to corral his emotions. Thought about Britt and how they’d first bonded over forensic science, until she’d broken the cold hard truth to him.
“A woman I was once involved with told me I made a terrible boyfriend but a great friend.”
At first he’d been hurt over Britt’s declaration, but over time realized she was right. They’d managed a successful working relationship that had lasted right up until the day she died.
Guilt assailed him as a brief, searing picture of Britt’s lifeless face flashed in his memory. He stepped away, not wanting to pull Grace into the swamp of regret with him.
She assessed him with intelligent eyes that were way too perceptive. “So what, one opinion is going to stop you from ever trying again?”
Surprised by her words, he felt the tension in his chest ease and allowed himself a small smile. “Is that an offer?”
Now it was her turn to look shocked. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“That fact could send mixed signals, you know.”
Her throat moved as she swallowed.
“Maybe Adam read you wrong.”
“Adam should know better than to think romantic thoughts about me.”
“And why is that?”
“I love my job first.”
“There’s something to be said about spontaneity.”
“Yeah, it’ll get you into a world of trouble.”
“Jaded.”
“Honest.”
His gaze roamed over her face, taking in the green eyes, smooth skin and pink lips he found himself desperately wanting to taste. Oh, no. Put the brakes on. He hadn’t come to Golden for romance, and he needed to remember that fact.
A sly sparkle lit her eyes and Deke knew he was in big trouble when he found himself playing along with the game. “Hmm. And if a guy walked into your life you couldn’t resist?”
She considered the question. “I don’t know. What does said guy have to offer that’ll beat out my job?”
He looked up at the ceiling as if trying to come up with a witty answer. “Mystery. Adventure. Fun.”
“That’s all?”
He laughed. “Tough room.”
“You started it,” she said, pointing a finger at him.
“Yeah. And maybe I plan on finishing it.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
DETERMINED TO FOCUS less on
Grace and more on his mission, Deke decided to do a little recon on his first day off. Starting early Tuesday morning at Sit a Spell Coffee Shop, he shot the breeze with Delroy, while Myrna whipped up a latte that rivaled some of the popular coffee shops he’d frequented in bigger cities.
After solving the world’s problems, he headed to the Jerky Shack, where he discussed the merits of smoked meat over a vegetarian diet with Buck. Deke wasn’t about to win the argument since the bearded man took his meat seriously. From there he moved on to the T-Shirt Depot, then Hot Air, a shop featuring specialty blown-glass items. Amazed at the precise craftsmanship, he loitered at the counter watching a young man with a ponytail create a vase with different colors swirled together to make one impressive gift. Back on the street, he strolled to the crosswalk, enjoying the sun heating his T-shirt-clad shoulders, breathing in the fresh mountain air. Cars drove by, radios turned up loud enough for him to make out a song or two. Couples with strollers, retirees and curious tourists took advantage of the beautiful warm weather to make a day of it, browsing and walking through the historic downtown.
There was a method to his wanderings. Once he engaged the townspeople and established himself as a regular guy looking to make a living in a tourist town, he hoped tongues would loosen. He knew better than to ask directly about his target just yet. These folks weren’t clueless. If he came in with probing questions about another merchant, he was sure they’d clam up quicker than a table of tightwads ignoring the dinner check. No, he had to bide his time, make his presence known and accepted, then work from there. Thankfully he’d learned the art of patience a long time ago. If his younger brother, Dante, were on the case, he’d have blown his cover by now. Deke couldn’t let that happen. Not when he and his brothers were concerned about their mother’s future.
When he first started his stroll that morning, he’d deliberately walked right past his place of employment. Mainly because he was snooping around the other shops until he reached his intended target, but he couldn’t deny the other truth either. He was avoiding the Put Your Feet Up office for a reason.
After his lapse of not keeping things all business with Grace yesterday, he’d pulled back some. Although he enjoyed the flirting entirely too much, he’d since narrowed their conversations to the tours Grace had lined up, what equipment was needed for an outing—anything but acknowledge the elephant in the room. Which turned out to be his unexpected attraction to her and the intriguing fact that it didn’t seem one-sided.
They’d clicked, there was no denying it. Question was, how did he fight these feelings for a woman who returned said feelings but was every kind of wrong for him?
With a shake of his head, he wondered if he was a glutton for punishment. What was he going to do? Complete your mission, replied his logical inner voice. The voice that had kept him levelheaded more times than he could count. Except the night he’d needed it most.
Running his hand through his hair, he pushed away the details of the past to focus on the reality of the present. He had work to do.
When the light changed, he moved with the flow of the pedestrian traffic to start his journey along the opposite side of the main drag. He strolled down Main Street, making sure to pop into each establishment, talking to the business owner. He found that most of the merchants already knew he worked for Grace—well, Grace’s mother, he supposed. He chalked it up to small-town chatter. Living in Atlanta, anonymity was easily attained. Not here. Once you were accepted, folks wanted your life story. Since he’d proved to be helpful to Grace and her mother, he’d quickly become part of the tribe. Sure, guilt pinched at him a little bit at the pretense of his cover story, but he dismissed it, telling himself it would be worth it in the end. The lead Dylan had given him was strong and he had to carry this through for their mother’s sake.
Stopping before the business in question, he took in the surroundings before heading inside. The Blue Ridge Cottage building was painted snow-white, while the door popped with a bright sapphire hue, along with matching window trim. When looking at the storefront, the entrance was on the right side with a big picture window to the left. The name of the store was stenciled on the window in thick, white lettering. The hours were posted on the door. A sandwich board on the sidewalk welcomed shoppers to stop in for custom-made cards.
Pushing his sunglasses on top of his head, Deke ventured inside. Right away he was met with a homey, inviting atmosphere. The crisp scent of paper reached his nose, then as he moved about, he noticed the subtle fragrance of lavender. One entire wall featured hand-drawn greeting and post cards. Tables were scattered about the showroom floor offering original stationery, fancy pens, bookmarks and a host of other related paper supplies.
Dodging the few customers admiring what was on offer, he stopped before a counter located in the rear of the shop. A moment later a woman entered from what he assumed was a storeroom. Tall, with startling blueberry eyes and long, straight black hair, she blinked when she noticed him. A welcoming smile spread across her pretty face.
“Good morning. Can I help you?”
“Just stopped in to say hi.” He stuck out his hand. “Deke. I work for Put Your Feet Up.”
Her eyes met his with an engaging warmth. “Yes, I’d heard Grace hired help. I’m Serena. Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands and he angled his body to keep her in view but also take in the store. “Nice place.”
“Thanks. I’m kind of partial to it.”
“Do you do all the artwork?”
“Most of it. I outsource some, but mainly it’s me.”
“Been at it long?”
“A few years.”
“Golden seems like a nice place to live and work.”
“Thinking of settling here permanently?”
Was he? He hadn’t arrived with that intention, but the town was growing on him. Along with the population. And one certain blonde dynamo. “I guess time will tell.”
“It’s perfect.”
Deke chuckled. “I doubt any place is perfect.”
“Well, as close as possible as far as I’m concerned.”
He nodded. “Do you have family here?”
A wrapped box slipped out of her hand onto the counter. “Oh, my. I’m a bit clumsy today.”
As he watched, Deke noticed a strained expression cross her face and her shoulders hike up. Interesting.
“I only ask because I’m getting to know everyone in town. Trying to catch up on everyone’s story. You know the drill.”
She averted her gaze. “Right. Because you work here now.”
Had he hit a nerve asking about family? Gone was the perky shop owner of moments before. Time to dial it back.
“Exactly.”
“Um, if you’ll excuse me, I should help my customers.”
“Oh, yeah. Don’t let me keep you. Just wanted to pop in and introduce myself like I have been all over town.”
Pulling herself together, she sent him a confident smile before stepping out from behind the counter to greet two browsing women. After taking another look around to appear curious about the store, Deke went back outside and headed to the next store. Once he felt he’d visited enough folks to seem legit, he crossed the street again, then strode through an alley to the parking lot on the back side of the buildings. He stopped a few feet from the Jeep, pulling his cell phone from the pocket of his jeans. Tapping a programmed number with his finger, he waited for Dylan to pick up.
“Tell me you have some news,” his brother said.
“I made contact with the target.”
“And?”
“Serena Stanhope is young, about our age. Owns her own business. No ring on her finger, so maybe a relative of Tate’s instead of a romantic interest?”
“That would make sense. I finally met him and he really seems into Mom.”
“I don’t know whether to be happy about tha
t or not.”
“How about not for the time being. Reserve your opinion until we learn more.”
“Agreed.”
“What else did you uncover?”
“Not a whole lot since this was first contact, but in the course of our conversation I asked about family and that kind of rattled her. She turned wary after that.”
“Like a person with something to hide?”
“Possible. I left before looking too suspicious.”
“Good start. How is the job going?”
“I’m enjoying it, actually. I get to be outdoors and I gotta say, it’s beautiful up here.”
“And your boss?”
“Why would you ask about her?” he responded, much too quickly. “We’re just working together.”
“To see how the mission is going.” Dylan took a long pause, making Deke sweat. “What other reason would I have?”
Right. It wasn’t like he was going around telling people he was interested in Grace.
“Something you want to share?” Dylan asked, that I-know-you-brother tone in his voice.
“Only that I made contact and I’ll go on from there.”
“Sure that’s it?”
“Positive.”
Dylan laughed. “Okay. Keep me in the loop.”
“I will.”
They disconnected and with a muted groan, Deke slid his phone back into his pocket. His brother was way too perceptive. Of course, it didn’t help that he sounded like he was overcompensating when Dylan asked about Grace. Not that he had anything to hide. Yeah, right.
He had to pull it together. Grace was not part of the detail.
Digging his keys from his pocket, he’d just gotten behind the wheel of his Jeep when the back door of Put Your Feet Up opened. Grace stepped out, so fresh and sunny in her white, sleeveless blouse and navy dress pants that his breath caught in his chest. She locked the door, then, fishing around in her purse, made her way toward him. Hoping she might not notice him, he found himself slumping in his seat, then wanted to smack himself. Why was he so jumpy? When she looked up, he was unable to turn away. A sultry smile graced her face when she registered his presence.