by Cindy Kirk
Marigold had known this moment was coming, so she wasn’t surprised by the question. Not from Travis. And certainly not from Eliza, who she could see was salivating at the thought of digging in her claws.
Marigold kept her tone offhand. “I realized I wasn’t living up to my potential in Chicago. The time had come to make a change.”
“Change can be good.” Travis’s voice reverberated with excitement. “Do you plan to—?”
“She won’t stay in Good Hope.” Eliza cut him off, her eyes glittering. “Just like her sister, Marigold has always been convinced she’s too good for our little town.”
“I believe I speak for both myself and Fin when I say neither of us ever considered ourselves too good for our hometown.” Marigold’s voice dripped saccharine. She could do icy. But over the years she’d discovered phony sweet really got Eliza stirred up. “Our careers, our aspirations, simply took us to bigger, but certainly not better, cities.”
Travis’s gaze shifted from Marigold to Eliza. The continued confusion in his eyes told her he’d assessed the situation and had come up empty. It wasn’t surprising he was having such difficulty making the pieces of the puzzle fit. He was, after all, a man.
The radio at his shoulder squawked and a look of relief skittered across his face.
“Duty calls.” He gave a brisk nod to both of them. “You ladies have a nice day.”
“You, too, Travis,” Marigold called out to his retreating back, her gaze focused on Eliza.
Eliza raised a brow. “Don’t you have a big fashion show coming up?”
“I do.” Marigold smiled brightly, deliberately misunderstanding. “I’m excited to be styling the hair for the Hearts and Cherries Fashion Show.”
The startled surprise that crossed Eliza’s face brought joy to Marigold’s heart. Though she’d only agreed as a favor to her sisters, Eliza’s obvious disapproval only strengthened her resolve to be involved.
“The assignment wasn’t run by me.”
“Sounds to me as if Ami is in charge of the event. No doubt her head would be the one rolling if she hadn’t been able to replace Carly with someone competent.” Marigold couldn’t keep the hint of smug from her voice.
“I instructed Ami to check with Charlotte McCray at Golden Door.”
Marigold shrugged. While she was familiar with the upscale salon, she’d yet to meet the owner. Apparently Charlotte spent more time in Chicago than in Good Hope. “You’ll have to speak with Ami if you want more details.”
“I’ll be doing just that.” Eliza opened her mouth as if to say more but was stopped by the jangle of bells over the front door.
A sudden softening in Eliza’s expression had Marigold turning. Her heart gave a little leap when Cade stepped into the shop. The sheriff appeared deep in conversation with Jeremy, the man Eliza had lusted after since high school.
Marigold smiled. Something told her this quick trip to the store was going to be a whole lot of fun.
Chapter Seven
“The boys and girls in Good Hope need to be challenged.” Cade pulled open the door of the general store. “If they aren’t, the trouble we’ve seen lately will only escalate.”
“The increase in vandalism is troubling.” Jeremy’s blue eyes shone with concern. He rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Especially considering all the community is doing to keep our young people engaged. The middle and high school offer tons of opportunities for involvement. Not to mention all of the YMCA-sponsored activities.”
Cade had bumped into the mayor when he’d come from the alley. It had seemed a perfect time to discuss his concerns. “I agree, to a point.”
While Jeremy’s argument was sound and one Cade had used himself, it had holes. The longer he was in Good Hope the more Cade realized some kids simply needed something different than what was currently offered.
“There’s also Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization is very active in Good—” Jeremy paused just inside the door, his attention drawn to the left.
Cade followed the direction of his companion’s gaze. Even though the wind outside held a bite, the sight of the pretty blonde pixie had blood sliding through his veins like warm honey.
Marigold looked as enticing as a slice of homemade cherry pie in her fluffy red sweater. Instead of letting her hair hang loose, she’d pulled it back in some sort of intricately braided tail, leaving little blonde wisps loose around her cheeks.
Eliza stood next to her, a dark force dressed in some sort of furry vest. By their adversarial stances, it was apparent that whatever discussion the two women were having wasn’t a friendly one.
If Cade had a little more of an ego, he might have thought they were talking about him, about the New Year’s kiss. But he knew even if Eliza’s stunt had upset Marigold, she’d never have let her feelings show.
He wondered if whatever they were discussing had anything to do with his deputy. Cade and Jeremy had passed Travis on the sidewalk.
Could the deputy have been with Marigold? Based on the kiss the two had exchanged New Year’s Eve, it was possible. When he’d seen his deputy with Marigold that night, it had taken all of Cade’s willpower not to pull Travis away from her.
He’d had to remind himself that, despite their past fling, he had no hold on the woman. Marigold was free to see whoever she wanted while in Good Hope.
Unfortunately, that fact didn’t stop him from fuming.
“I thought it was Eliza’s day off,” Jeremy muttered under his breath.
It surprised Cade the mayor didn’t appear keen on seeing the store’s proprietress. The two were a semiregular couple in Good Hope.
“I could put her in a cell.” Cade arched a brow. “Lock her up and throw away the key?”
Jeremy’s eyes widened slightly. Then he grinned. “Naw. Wouldn’t be worth it. Not with the hell she’d raise once she was released.”
“Don’t say I didn’t offer.” Chuckling, Cade sauntered in the direction of the two women.
After a second’s hesitation, Jeremy followed.
The rough wooden planks creaking under Cade’s boots added to the rustic ambience of a business that had been in existence since the early twentieth century. Since the peninsula had a ban on chain stores, this small business with its white clapboard siding and bare-bones interior held everything from fishing lures and bug spray to a full-service pharmacy.
Eliza’s eyes flicked over Cade before landing on his companion. “Hello, Jeremy.”
The mayor might want to reconsider his offer to put the woman in cuffs and haul her off. Cade’s ex had spoken to him in that tone whenever she was pissed. Which had been nearly all the time the last few months they’d been together.
“I was just about to tell Eliza that it was too bad Fin wasn’t able to stay to celebrate New Year’s Eve with all of us.” Marigold smiled sweetly. “Having all of the Bloom sisters together to welcome in the New Year would have been absolutely amazing.”
Cade had spoken with Fin at Prim and Max’s wedding. Fin Bloom was a beautiful woman and very charming. The way she flirted—easily and effortlessly—told him she was used to men falling all over her. While Cade hadn’t been attracted to her, he’d enjoyed the brief conversation they shared.
Marigold’s sister had an intelligent mind and strong opinions, two characteristics she shared with Eliza.
“How is Fin?” Jeremy asked when silence descended over the group.
“I don’t know if you heard, but she recently switched jobs. That’s why she wasn’t back for Christmas.” Pride filled Marigold’s voice and she appeared to be warming to the topic. “Fin—”
“Holding on to a position can be a challenge, especially when ego is involved,” Eliza interrupted in a pleasant tone, undoubtedly as sincere as her phony smile. “The Bloom sisters seem to be doing a lot of job hopping. First Prim, then Fin, and now you.”
Marigold simply stared at the dark-haired woman for several seconds before shifting to face Cade. “I stopped here t
o pick up a few things for my new apartment. What brings you by?”
“New apartment?” Cade controlled the urge to break out in a big grin. “You’ve decided to settle in Good Hope after all?”
“She’s not staying.” Eliza’s chuckle had a finely honed edge. “Some people are never satisfied. It’s a ‘grass is always greener’ thing.”
“I’ll be around anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.” Marigold kept her gaze on Cade and spoke as if Eliza hadn’t spoken. “I’m living in the apartment over the bakery.”
“That’s a nice space.” Jeremy nodded approval. “Great location.”
“You can’t beat the center of downtown.” Marigold smiled. “Not to mention all those wonderful smells I’ll be able to inhale every day for free. Best of all, it’ll be close to my work.”
“You’re opening a salon in Good Hope?” Jeremy’s expression grew puzzled. “I thought you weren’t staying.”
“I’m not opening a salon.” Marigold spoke firmly, as if to make sure there could be no misunderstanding. “Beck owns the spot where Carly’s Cut and Curl was located. I’ll use the space while I’m in town.”
“Told you she wouldn’t stay.” Eliza shot Jeremy a pointed glance.
“Another new business in town.” Jeremy rubbed his hands together, not bothering to acknowledge Eliza’s comment. “Good Hope is definitely a community on the move.”
“It’s not a new business. It’s a temporary spot where I can cut hair,” Marigold clarified.
Cade heard the note of panic in her tone, but it was so faint he doubted the other two noticed.
“Still, we can use all the fresh blood we can find. I’ll have someone call you about getting involved in the rotary.” Jeremy’s smile only widened at Marigold’s groan. “And I’m fairly certain Eliza could use your prowess for some of the Cherries events.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Cade saw Eliza jerk upright as if struck by a hot poker.
“Funny you should mention it.” Marigold slanted a glance at Eliza. “I was just telling Eliza that Ami has already recruited me to style the hair for the upcoming Hearts and Cherries Fashion Show.”
Jeremy gave Eliza the thumbs-up. “Smart move.”
Some of the stiffness in the brunette’s shoulders eased at Jeremy’s approval, but the look she shot Marigold was venomous. “Since Carly bailed on us and it appears Charlotte McCray isn’t willing to help . . .”
“It’s not like you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.” There was a hint of reproach in Jeremy’s voice. “Marigold is a top hairstylist. The fact that she’ll be lending her talent to the event is something we need to publicize. Having someone of her caliber involved will bring in even more people for the event.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, Jeremy.” Marigold raised herself up and brushed the mayor’s cheek with her lips. “You always were my favorite of Fin’s high school boyfriends.”
Jeremy’s brows drew together. “I was her only high school boyfriend.”
Marigold flashed a grin. “Oh, that’s right.”
“I’m here to pick up a couple packs of batteries.” Cade understood Jeremy and Marigold’s easy familiarity. Didn’t like it, but understood. He’d heard the stories. Knew Fin Bloom had broken Jeremy Rakes’s heart by dumping him right before he left for college.
Though the breakup occurred over ten years ago, the fact that both Jeremy and Fin remained single made the story a point of interest to the Good Hope citizenry. Etta Hawley had sworn to Cade that Jeremy and Fin were destined to be together because everyone in the Rakes family married their first love.
Cade had only smiled. Small-town living at its finest.
Jeremy never mentioned his failed relationship with Marigold’s older sister. Cade never asked about it. Just like Jeremy never asked what had gone wrong between Cade and his former fiancée. Both relationships were done and over and had nothing to do with now.
“I’d be happy to help you carry all this back to the apartment.” Cade kept his tone casual, knowing by simply offering he was making his interest in the youngest Bloom clear.
Marigold slipped out a list of twenty items written on a sheet of notebook paper. “Thanks, but I haven’t even begun to put a dent in my list. It might take me a while.”
“Good thing I know this store like the back of my hand.” Cade lifted the list from her hand and quickly scanned it. “I guarantee we’ll walk out the door with all these items in ten minutes flat.”
As he took Marigold’s arm and strolled off down the aisle with her, Cade was aware he was leaving Jeremy to fend for himself. But from what he’d observed, the mayor could handle his own against the woman known for her sharp tongue.
Besides, everyone knew when it came to women, it was every man for himself.
Marigold unlocked the door to the second-story apartment, then turned back to Cade and held out a hand. “Thanks for carrying the bag for me.”
Instead of giving her the sack, he closed his free hand over hers and brought it to his lips for a kiss. His gray eyes never left her face. “My pleasure.”
“I’d invite you in, but . . .” She paused and searched for what to say. “The place is a mess.”
“I’m the sheriff, not the white glove police.” His arm remained around the sack.
Marigold had to chuckle even as she knew if she gave in to temptation and let him inside, she and Cade would be alone. Completely alone.
She shivered at the realization.
With Ami helping Beck at the café and Prim at home enjoying some family time, there was little chance of interruption from her sisters tonight.
Pushing open the door, Marigold stepped back and swept her arm out in a dramatic gesture. “Mi casa es su casa.”
Cade sauntered halfway across the living room before stopping. With the sack still cradled in his arms, he turned in a circle. His sharp gray eyes surveyed the cheerful living room and adjoining kitchen with a dinette table for two.
“There isn’t a lot of room, but compared to the apartment I shared with a friend in Chicago, it feels incredibly spacious.”
“You’ve got yourself a nice space.” He paused, sniffed the air. “And you were right, the place smells like cinnamon and sugar.”
“I take no credit for the delectable aroma.” Marigold laughed. “That is all courtesy of Ami.”
Cade placed the sack on a steamer trunk now doing duty as a coffee table. “Show me the rest.”
“There isn’t much more to see.” Still, she headed down the hall. She gestured to the bathroom with its pink-and-white gingham shower curtain.
Cade studied the space for a moment. “Nice and . . . pink.”
She shrugged. “Ami likes pink.”
Marigold took a couple more steps and gestured with a careless hand. “The bedroom.”
She hadn’t expected Cade to walk into the room. When he did, she saw no choice but to follow.
He couldn’t have looked more out of place, looming so large and male in a room clearly decorated by someone with female sensibilities.
The four-poster iron bed was covered with a cream-colored, lacy duvet topped with lots of frilly pillows. Though not visible, Marigold remembered beneath all that frill were silk sheets the color of bronze.
The wooden blinds were open, allowing the sunshine to stream in through the single window, which had a nice view of Main Street.
“It’s a good space.” Cade glanced down at the shiny hardwood floor before his gaze returned to her. “The place is . . .”
He paused, as if searching for the right word. “Homey. Your apartment has a homey feel.”
Marigold felt her shoulders relax. She wasn’t sure why she felt relief. Perhaps it was because Jason had always been so critical. She shoved aside the memories.
Resting her back against the dresser that had once belonged to her grandmother, she smiled at Cade. “Thanks for carrying my cleaning supplies home and for rescuing me from the wicked witch.”
/>
“You didn’t need rescuing.” Humor danced in his eyes. “From what I observed, you had the situation well under control.”
Marigold accepted the compliment with a slight smile. “I know Eliza’s hot buttons and how to push. That’s a huge advantage.”
He raised a brow.
“Mention Fin, especially if you couple her name with Jeremy’s in the same sentence, and steam practically rolls out of Eliza’s ears.”
“She’s got the hots for Jeremy.” His fingers carelessly stroked one of the brass knobs on the bed’s footboard.
Marigold’s mouth went dry, remembering how those long fingers had once caressed . . .
“Is that why she gets so upset when she’s around the Bloom sisters?” The amusement in his eyes made her suspect he knew the path her mind had been traveling.
“Eliza has always wanted Jeremy for herself.” Marigold determinedly pulled her thoughts away from those talented fingers. “For a long time Fin was the only woman Jeremy wanted. I don’t think he still feels that way.”
She wasn’t aware that she’d put a question in her voice until Cade lifted his hands, let them drop. “Jeremy and I are friends, but relatively new ones. He doesn’t talk to me about those kinds of things.”
“I hope he finds someone.” She shifted her gaze out the window. “Jeremy is a good guy. He deserves to be happy.”
“Any chance he and Fin might get back together?”
Marigold didn’t even need to think before responding. “I can’t imagine Fin ever moving back to Good Hope. I can’t imagine Jeremy ever leaving.”
His gaze lazily searched hers. “You had no plans to return, and yet you’re here.”
“I’m here temporarily.” She stammered as his gaze heated her blood. “I’m not staying forever.”
The words barely left her lips when he moved close.
“Well, I guess we better make the most of your time here,” he murmured just before his mouth closed over hers.
The taste of Marigold, the smell of her, the feel of her soft curves against his body drove Cade wild. His mouth was greedy and demanding on her lips. She didn’t seem to mind. Her fingers raked through his hair, wrapped around his head, pulling him closer as she clung to him.