Always the Hero

by Anna J. Stewart

  Any sympathy Lori might have felt for the clearly overstressed BethAnn turned to smoke.

  “BethAnn is our newest expert on how to win friends and influence people.” It was a poor attempt to lighten the mood. Clearly BethAnn didn’t want to lighten anything. She’d come in here looking for a fight. Too bad Lori had stored enough self-confidence to happily give her one.

  “Just a minute, please.” Abby’s eyes went as brittle as glass as she leaned over. “Willa, I’m sure our guests would enjoy the view from the lookout. Why don’t you show them the way?”

  “Certainly.” Willa hurried around the counter. “Mr. and Mrs. Hemmingberg, if you’d come with me, please?” She retrieved two flutes of sparkling wine from the side table and carried them outside.

  “We’ll let you know as soon as your table is ready,” Abby said to the couple. “The weather today is as perfect as it gets, so please, enjoy.”

  “Is everything all right, BethAnn?” The older, silver-haired gentleman wearing a suit that cost more than a luxury vehicle peered down his hawk-like nose while his snooty-looking wife clung to his arm like a bug to flypaper.

  “Fine, just fine.” BethAnn nodded but her voice shook. If looks could kill, Lori would be six feet under by now. “Festival doings, you know. Busy busy. I shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.”

  “If you’re interested, there’s some lovely history about this part of Butterfly Harbor I can tell you about,” Willa said as she escorted the Hemmingbergs outside.

  When the door closed behind them, Lori almost leaped back at the ferocity in Abby’s eyes. “For the record, you didn’t fire Jason, you left that task to one of my best friends. You may direct any complaints you have about me and my staff to Spencer Marshall at the corporate office. I can get the number for you. Last but not least, if you plan to patronize this establishment, you will do so politely. If you cannot do that, feel free to take your friends to another eatery. I’m certain Holly can find you three stools at the diner.”

  BethAnn glared at each of them before hefting her bag higher on her shoulder, stomped over to the table and poured herself a very full glass of red.

  Abby tracked her all the way to the chair by the window, waiting until BethAnn was seated, then shifted her attention to Lori. “Go on. Get out of here. I’ll keep an eye on Cruella while Willa plays tour guide.”

  “You sure?” Lori wasn’t entirely convinced leaving Abby alone with BethAnn and sharp instruments was a good idea.

  “I’m more than sure. Besides, you’re running out of time if you’re going to get Willa’s front yard finished before she gets home.”

  “Oh, right.” Lori hurried for her things, then picked up the box lid she’d used to transport the small plants she planned to deliver. “Just so you know, I had her covered.”

  “I know you did.” Abby nodded but Lori could still feel the waves of anger rolling off her. “But if anyone’s going to earn complaints around here, it better be me.” She smiled and winked. “I’m bulletproof where this job is concerned.”

  Lori laughed. “See you Saturday for the final batch of houses?”

  “Would not miss it for the world.”

  * * *

  WHILE OZZY, JASPER and Luke argued about whether to rearrange desk assignments in the sheriff’s station—Matt and Fletcher couldn’t care less—Matt found himself rereading the letter from Judge Jeannette Harris for the tenth time.

  His fingers tightened to the point of crushing the official letterhead. As optimistic as the judge sounded in her communiqué, one thing was made perfectly clear: she was expecting Lori to testify at the hearing on Monday afternoon.

  “Everything okay?” Fletcher stopped behind him on his way back from the coffee station. “That about Kyle?”

  “Yeah. Final hearing notification.” His stomach no longer did the jitterbug at the thought of having to tell Lori that he’d used their relationship to gain favor with the court. He couldn’t avoid it—he’d have to have a serious talk with her. The sooner the better.

  “Hope our letters of recommendation helped.”

  “They did, thanks.” That his fellow deputies and more than a few of his neighbors had been willing to provide character references for him meant the world, but he could read between the lines in the judge’s letter. The most important reference hadn’t been provided: Lori. Which was why she wanted to hear from Matt’s girlfriend herself.

  “You’re doing a really good thing with him.” Fletcher slapped a hand on his shoulder as Matt folded the letter and stuck it in his jacket pocket. “You’re going to make a big difference in his life.”

  “I hope so.” Part of Matt wished he could talk his situation out with someone, but it certainly couldn’t be Fletcher. He’d already gotten the evil eye when he’d finally arrived at the party the other day. And that was just because he hadn’t shown up for a date due to an emergency he couldn’t have avoided.

  To say Lori’s story about what had happened to her in high school hadn’t had an impact would be lying. He’d never felt so angry on someone’s behalf in his life. To think someone—a group of someones—would have treated her with such callous contempt made him wish he could go back in time and stop it from ever happening.

  But if he did that, she might not be the Lori he’d fallen in love with. There was one thing Matt knew for certain: whatever happened in one’s life, however bad or good, it shaped the person they would become. No wonder Lori had such compassion for others, but the result could just as easily have been the opposite. She could have let it destroy her.

  Instead, Matt had to worry what he would end up doing?

  The door to the sheriff’s office popped open and there she was, arms filled with a selection of tiny plants, her round face alight with the promise of a beautiful day, and a smile made just for him.

  “Afternoon, everyone.” She set the narrow lipped box on the counter. “Hope it’s okay, I just stopped by to check on Matt and his cactus.”

  Fletcher choked on his coffee and sprayed Matt. “Nice.” Matt glared at him as he swiped a hand across the back of his neck.

  “Sorry.” Fletcher laughed and returned to his desk.

  “It’s still alive,” Luke said as he left the desk debate. “What do you have there?”

  “Well, I got to thinking you could use a little cheering up around this place. It’s a little dreary.” Lori beamed at him. “And I need to clean out my greenhouse. Seems the perfect place to bring them.”

  “That’s really nice of you, Lori. Thanks.” Luke picked one up that had a tiny bright pink flower on the top. “This little guy will be perfect on my desk. Guys, come and claim yours.”

  “I’m set,” Matt held up his hands in mock surrender. “I know when not to press my luck.” That his plant was still thriving—and green—was a major source of pride for him.

  “Me, too?” Jasper hobbled over.

  “Of course. Just say the word. I can bring more.”

  “While I’m partial to dreary,” her brother said as he claimed the largest of the plants, “I could use something to talk to that won’t talk back. Thanks, sis.”

  “Sure. Will I see you all on Saturday? Only one day of work left.”

  “We’ll be there,” Luke assured her. “Ozzy, Fletcher and I are going over after our shift today to finish laying in that new PVC pipe. We’ll finish taping off the windows on the last houses, too, so we can jump right in on painting.”

  “Excellent. Matt, I know we had dinner plans, but I told Abby and Holly I’d sit in on their last meeting with Calliope about the town barbecue. I hope that’s okay?”

  “No problem.” As anxious as he was to discuss her testimony in court, he wasn’t in any rush to admit his betrayal. Another day or two wouldn’t make much of a difference. “Rain check.”

  “For sure.”

  “I’ll track Kendall d
own, see what she’s been up to lately,” Matt said. If there was anyone to whom he could safely unburden himself to, it was his former combat buddy.

  “She’s been going gangbusters on the cabins,” Lori told him. “Stop by and pick up dinner for the two of you at Jason’s. I’ll let him know you’re coming.”

  “I will not turn down free food,” Matt said.

  “Oh, you’ll pay for it.” Lori grinned and it was then he realized she was flirting with him. Openly. In front of her brother. “But later and in private. Bye, guys.”

  When the door closed behind her, all eyes landed on Matt.

  “What?” Matt’s entire face went hot. “She probably just meant she’d cook me dinner or something.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jasper elbowed Ozzy. “I’m going with ‘or something’ for sure.”

  “Careful, kid, that’s my sister you’re talking about.” Fletcher angled his new plant friend this way and that before casting a side-eyed look at Matt. “You be careful, too.”

  “I always am,” Matt promised, but for the first time, he was afraid he’d made a promise he couldn’t keep.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  WHILE THE SUBSEQUENT Saturdays hadn’t resulted in as enthusiastic a turnout of volunteers as the first weekend, they ended the project on an up note and well before sundown. While Lori set the last row of herbs in place closest to the curving brick border, Charlie came in behind her with a watering can that was larger than she was, and gave the plants a good, settling-in dousing.

  Lori sat back on her heels and swiped her hand across her sweaty forehead. She’d turned into a planting machine, buzzing through the prearranged blooms like a bee on amphetamines. She’d barely stopped to eat lunch. The closer she got to being done, the faster she wanted to go. As she looked behind her and admired the newly painted buildings, new windows and bark-encased plantings, she knew she hadn’t been the only one. The last bit of sod was being laid as gently and meticulously as the first had been only a few weeks before.

  And there, at the entrance of the cul-de-sac, Kendall was hammering into place a custom wooden carved sign noting its name: Marigold Way. It went perfectly with the other two she’d made for Hollyhock Hill and Pansy Place.

  “That’s it. We’re done.” Her chest expanded as tears exploded in her eyes. All the hard work, all the planning and worrying and details, they had all paid off. Butterfly Harbor was expanding its wings. It was ready for its new life.

  “Not quite,” Matt called behind her. “We need to christen one more thing.”

  Lori squealed as a jet of cold water hit her in the back. She turned on her knees, wielding her trowel in front of her face as Matt hit her full on with the hose.

  Charlie laughed and turned the watering can over Lori’s head. Simon and Paige joined in as cheers and laughter rang through the cul-de-sac.

  “Enough!” Lori sputtered, and tried to catch her breath. The happiness bursting inside of her was too much to contain. She reached over and snagged Charlie’s arms, pulled her in front of her as Matt’s assault continued. Simon leaped forward to get in on the fun, and soon, everyone had jumped into the fray. “Okay, that is enough!” Lori called when reason took hold and she thought about how much water they were wasting. “Unless you want to deliver the water bill to the mayor personally.”

  “Oh, the mayor can make an exception for special occasions.” Gil Hamilton strode into the cul-de-sac, a wan smile on his face as he turned an admiring eye to their hard work. “You all did great.” He walked over to Matt, standing among his fellow deputies, and held out his hand. “I should never doubt you, should I?”

  “We just do what we say we’re going to,” Luke said. “Excuse me. I think Simon needs his off switch hit.” He dashed off and ran over to grab his stepson around the waist and haul him over his shoulder.

  Lori shoved herself to her feet and squished across to join them. “Sorry,” she said when she whipped her hair back and splashed the mayor. “Unexpected shower.”

  “I apologize for not making it out here today,” Gil said. “We had some things I needed to deal with for the festival.”

  “What things?” Lori asked. “I thought BethAnn was handling everything.”

  “So did I.” Gil cringed. “I haven’t been able to get in touch with her for a couple of days. And, well, honestly? I can’t make any sense of her reporting system for the committees. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with what. I don’t suppose she’s kept you in the loop, Lori?”

  Lori couldn’t help but snort. “Last time I saw BethAnn she almost got her butt tossed out of the Flutterby. She was looking a little frazzled.”

  “Great.” Gil took a deep breath. “Guess I’ll need to reach out to everyone myself and see where things stand.”

  “I have an updated agenda for the cook-off and food market,” Holly said as she and Paige came over from where they’d been collecting empty water bottles. “Calliope, Abby and I have everything handled including a list of food vendors and booths we’ll be setting up at the inn and in Skipper Park.”

  “One less thing to worry about then. Good. Thanks.” Gil nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m beginning to suspect I made a mistake letting her take over so much. She was just so excited to be back here, and plus, well, she’s not easy to say no to.”

  “No, she is not,” Lori agreed.

  “I’m going to take a walk over to her place, see if I can talk to her in person,” Gil said. “I hope everything’s okay and I’m just overreacting.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” Matt said. “We’re just going to finish cleaning up here and call it a done deal.”

  Lori almost jumped as Matt slipped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. Instantly warmer, she leaned into him, clutched her hands around his.

  Holly let out one of her blistering two-fingered whistles and brought everyone to a screeching halt. “Everyone who was here the last three Saturdays gets a free dinner and a slice of pie on the house tonight. Now let’s get this place back in order and go eat!”

  Lori’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food. That granola bar she’d eaten four hours ago had long since been burned off. “I want a cheeseburger, onion rings and one of Holly’s famous mocha shakes,” she said over her shoulder.

  “We could do that.” Matt’s voice dropped an octave into that sultry, Southern drawl that made her shiver. “Or you could come back to my place and I’ll fix you my famous pasta primavera.”

  Lori’s heart flipped in her chest and she turned in his arms. “Okay, that sounds good, too.” She linked her hands behind his neck. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for helping with all this.” She loved how his hair felt beneath her fingers. Loved how when he smiled at her she felt like the most powerful woman on earth. If all he ever did was look at her like that once a day for the rest of her life, she’d be a very happy woman.

  “There’s no thanks necessary. I’m the one who kinda pushed you in to it.”

  “Calliope pushed me into it.” Lori pointed an accusing finger at her friend who, along with Stella, was walking through the muddy puddles barefoot. “I can’t remember a time I’ve been happier.” She lay her forehead against his chest, afraid if she looked into his eyes, he’d see too much. “Whatever comes next, I’m ready for it.”

  “Are you?” Matt crooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. “Because there is something I need to talk to you about. Something I’ve been putting off for a while.”

  Lori almost couldn’t breathe. “Something we can talk about over dinner?” Was it possible... Dare she think that maybe... No. She had to put a mental clamp on those thoughts. Things were moving fast enough. She couldn’t let herself start daydreaming about proposals or weddings or love.

  Except she already was. Because she did love him.

  And she
had. For a very long time.

  “I’d like to go home and change before, if that’s okay?” She plucked her soaked shirt out from her sticky skin. “Some maniac hose-blasted me and I’m all drippy.”

  “Yeah, that maniac loves you all drippy.” He kissed the tip of her nose as she pulled away. “Come by when you’re ready. I’ll be waiting.”

  “Okay.” She backed up, not wanting to take her eyes off him, but she finally did, feeling an odd desire to do a dance of joy. Tonight, she told herself, tonight was the night everything would change. Tonight she’d finally feel safe enough, trust enough, to admit her feelings. Out loud.

  Tonight, she’d tell Matt she loved him.

  * * *

  “YOU FIGURE OUT how you’re going to tell her?” Much like a nagging conscience, Kendall appeared at the most inconvenient time as a voice of reason.

  “I’m getting there.” Guilt niggled at him, eating away at his soul as he considered how best to approach the subject. “It’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so,” Kendall said with a shake of her head as she gathered up her tools and loaded them into the back of Matt’s truck. “But positive thinking doesn’t always pay off. Just a word of warning, that’s not a woman expecting to have her world blown up tonight. She’s happy, Matt. And she’s head over heels for you. But then, that’s probably not helping, is it?”

  “No, it’s not.” Maybe he was worried over nothing. Maybe she’d believe he’d pursued a relationship with her because he’d wanted to, wanted her; and not because he needed the promise of added life stability to ensure his getting custody of Kyle.

  Or maybe he was just kidding himself. He knew her history; he knew how fragile her trust in anyone was, but especially in someone with whom she’d become romantically involved. He could just roll the die and hope the judge didn’t ask anything on the stand that would reveal his duplicity, but the idea of her getting blindsided in public was one that pulled that gamble completely off the table.

  He owed her the truth. He owed himself that. This secret that was lodged between them was growing larger every day. Soon, he wouldn’t be able to see around it anymore. He’d only see that he’d lied to her. Again. And the fallout would be far, far worse.