by Marina Adair
“I was elected to head up the entertainment for Wagon Days, and I am heading it up.” She looked at Nicole, who was leaning back in her chair listening to both sides as if she were the judge and jury. “You wanted to introduce the Mobile Medic and its team to the community in a fun and creative way, and this is the perfect opportunity.”
“The perfect opportunity is waiting until after we finalize the staff,” Kevin said, as if he considered himself a part of the bigger we, “then visit the schools to promote health awareness and back-to-school flu shots and vaccines.” Kevin handed Nicole a flyer he’d taken the liberty to print up while Liv was cleaning up his exam room. “I’ve already cleared it with the superintendent, who is excited about the project and on board with helping spread the word about what we offer.”
She was also Kevin’s aunt.
“I didn’t think a van full of needles was the first impression we were going for,” Liv said, taking some ownership in the clinic’s future. “Kids are already nervous about going back to school. My proposal lets us meet kids at a time when they are happy, excited, and feeling good. Which means they’ll have a positive first experience with the clinic.”
“It’s a small detail that could have lasting effects on the way the kids perceive the clinic,” Nicole agreed, and Liv had to stop herself from grinning.
“True, but pledging our support to an event that I hear is a long shot to be approved would have a lasting effect on how the board decides to fund us,” Kevin pointed out.
“I’m already in the approval process,” she said, telling herself that taking a hike with the gorgeous community-outreach officer, while not a date, was close enough to having this thing in the bag.
She had no idea how she was going to get the final sign-off, but Ford had been confident. And she was going to find enough volunteers to free up the officers to manage the course. Even if it meant joining every club in the county. All she needed was the medical personnel on hand.
And to think, this was all coming together because she had finally allowed herself to open up to someone new.
“I’m not asking you to sponsor the event,” Liv explained. “I’m just asking you to give some of the staff permission to volunteer their time in an official capacity, and agree to have the Mobile Medic serve as the extra medic support for Wagon Days.”
Nicole considered this. “This is one of the outreach issues Mobile Medic was created to handle.”
“But the clinic won’t be approved for service until the next board meeting,” Kevin pointed out ever so sweetly.
“I can call a special meeting—that’s not a problem. It’s missing a great opportunity to serve the community because I was waiting for permission that bothers me,” Nicole said, opening a journal and jotting down some notes. She looked up at Liv. “As long as you’re sure you can get the permits, I don’t see why we can’t do a test run.”
“That’s fantastic,” Liv said, moving to the edge of her chair. “I won’t let you down.”
“I hope not,” Nicole said. “Once I call the board, they’re going to be watching how you handle this new position and work with other groups in the community. This could be a big moment for you and the mobile clinic.”
Kevin straightened in his chair, his too cool to sweat it ’tude fading. “I can’t work that weekend. I’m already committed to run several other booths, and so is Brittany,” he said, referring to the vocational nurse who was already placed on Nicole’s team.
“I’ll be coordinating the event, so I can’t either, but I’m sure there are other nurses and doctors who would love the chance to work on the van for a day,” Liv pointed out. “In fact, I bet I can find you a team before I go home today.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Kevin said in a tone that translated into Aren’t you sweet, and Liv understood why Ford took issue with the phrase. “I didn’t want to say this, but last night one of my Moose Lodge buddies who works in the permitting office told me that you won’t get your permit approved this late in the game.”
“That’s funny,” Liv said, looking Kevin in the eye. “Who’s your guy? Because my guy said it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Kevin grinned. “Well, my guy runs the Department of Community Development, which means he is the only guy who matters.”
It was a rare day in Liv’s world when she was afforded the pleasure of sipping her morning coffee while it was still hot—and from an actual mug. Usually it was sucked down during her commute to the hospital. But since today was Liv’s day off, and Paxton was already at camp, her plan should have been to enjoy her morning fix on the front porch and take in the rare silence.
The sun was up, the sky was the perfect color of blue, and several kayaks were already out on the lake. Liv let the breeze brush her face as she watched a flock of Canada geese who’d decided to cut their migration short and skim above the water’s edge, flying under the new banner hanging in downtown.
It was so big that Liv could clearly make out every word, even from across the lake.
THE TRAILBLAZERS OF WAGON DAYS BRING THE LIGHTNING AND THUNDER BACK TO SEQUOIA LAKE. COME ENJOY THE CRAFT BEER, ART, AND ONE OF THE WILDEST ADVENTURES IN THE WEST.
An adventure that was sure to be Liv’s last, she thought, hefting her backpack over her shoulder. She’d called the Department of Community Development first thing that morning. Even spoke with Kevin’s guy, Harvey, who had sadly confirmed Liv’s worst nightmares.
Her guy was full of shit.
While the sheriff’s department signed off on any permits involving re-trafficking and crowd control, Ford had zero say in the final approval of permits. Something she would have known if she’d done her due diligence and research instead of up and changing direction based solely on the promise of a handsome man.
Ford’s heart had been in the right place, of that she had no doubt. But it didn’t change the fact that Liv now had twenty-four hours to come up with an alternate solution or she would miss the window to apply for the correct permits.
She wasn’t so much mad at him as she was with herself for falling back on old habits. Which is why she’d texted Ford before she left the house and canceled their day. She needed to come up with a plan B, fill out the new forms, and get them in and approved ASAP. And that didn’t leave time for a leisurely morning on her porch.
Especially charming and sexy ones who wanted to play hero for the day.
She needed to be her own hero, and this was her last chance to show what she was made of. Or Nicole was going to have to back Kevin’s idea. It was the smart move. Kevin had the contacts, the necessary approvals, and the board’s backing going for him. All Liv had was a binder of unvetted ideas and a twin-pack of Hostess cupcakes from her secret hiding spot—because, apparently, her guy was full of frosting.
The Women of the Wagon Trail were already hard at work on the event. News of the “Wagon Days Messiah” had spread like wildfire. Carolyn had found a new Crock-Pot recipe for tuna. And Liv still had to hike around the lake to do recon for an event that was likely to be canceled.
She looked at her cupcakes and wondered what the punishment was for eating dessert before eight in the morning. Double calories, she imagined, since that would be just her luck.
Maybe if she sucked down her coffee, the cupcake could be considered a breakfast pastry.
Liv set her backpack on the sand and tried to unhitch her thermos from the safety strap. It was childproof and secured tightly, so she pulled harder. With a frown—and a whole lot of bad words directed at whoever invented the idiotic idea of childproofing anything—she told herself that Paxton would never know and went straight for the sugar.
“I’m more of a bacon-and-eggs kind of guy, but for you I’d risk the sugar crash.”
Liv looked over her shoulder, surprised to see Ford leaning on the railing of his deck, holding two cups of coffee. She was less surprised by the irritating tingles that started low in her belly. Surprise over her reaction to him had disappeared when she’d ag
reed to let some sweet-talking playboy distract her from her goal.
He was in nothing but a sleepy grin, yesterday’s scruff, and a pair of worn jeans that hung indecently low on his hips—as if he hadn’t bothered to button them. No shoes. No shirt. Just enough bedhead to make her wonder how warm his sheets still were. Which shouldn’t have her body humming. But it did. And that made her nervous.
“Sorry, breakfast for one,” she said, sticking half of the cupcake into her mouth, because if she was going to get that promotion, then she needed to come up with a plan B, and that didn’t include the man who’d ruined plan A.
“That’s a shame,” he said. “Because breakfast for two is so much more fun.”
“I don’t have time for fun.” She shoved the rest of the cupcake into her mouth, and it sank to the bottom of her belly with a thud. “But you enjoy your coffee.”
“While your cupcakes were a breakfast for one, this coffee here is poured and ready for two.”
“I’ve already got coffee.” She nudged the thermos with the toe of her boot.
“Mine is piping hot and doesn’t come with a screw top.”
He held up the mug, and Liv nearly moaned as the steam rose into the morning mist. Her mouth watered.
“Coffee is coffee,” she lied. “And mine won’t accidentally burn me.”
“Huh, you’re one of those grumpy-in-the-morning people,” he said, releasing double-barreled dimples. “Cute.”
“I’m not grumpy.” She was hurt. And felt foolish.
Liv knew better than to entrust her family’s future to somebody other than herself. Not that she’d completely handed over the reins to Ford like she had with Sam. But when Ford had presented her with a simple solution that could solve all her problems, she’d naively bought into it. And almost blew her chance at a dream job.
“Oh yeah?” He casually rested his forearm on the railing, then eyed her backpack. “Then you want to explain why you texted a message canceling today, only to sneak out with enough gear to hike Everest? Most guys would take that personally.” Bullseye stuck his head through the gaps in the railing and barked. “Bullseye agrees.”
“I’m not sneaking, and I’d tell you it isn’t personal, but that would be a lie. I’ve learned the hard way not to rely on people who make promises they can’t keep,” she said, sticking the remaining cupcake in her backpack and swinging it over her shoulder, the weight knocking her off balance. Or maybe that was the look of hurt in Ford’s eyes at her words.
“What does that mean?” he asked, his tone going crisp like the morning breeze.
“That I was so focused on step four, I almost forgot I had to master step three first.” And single moms with futures to secure had no time for distractions from fly-by-night heroes.
“Step three?”
“Making sure Paxton gets the childhood he deserves.” She had to clear her throat before she could continue. “I had a plan and a direction, and maybe it wasn’t as flashy as others, but it was a good one.” More important, it was obtainable. “Now I have a bunch of people counting on me to deliver an event I can’t possibly pull off, and a timeline that ensures whatever I do deliver will be a disappointment.”
Even saying the word had knots forming in her stomach.
“With this Wild West–themed ropes course, no one will be disappointed.”
“There won’t be a ropes course,” she said, looking up at him. “Not that my boss knows that. She’s still holding out hope that her faith in me wasn’t misplaced.”
And Liv knew exactly what that felt like.
Setting the mugs on the railing, Ford walked down the steps until his feet were in the sand and he was inches from Liv. “Why won’t there be a ropes course?”
“Because between crowd control and traffic control, there aren’t enough officers to run an event that complex.” Liv relayed the information she’d been told by Harvey at the Department of Community Development. “So if I want to still be in the running for my promotion, I need to simplify this event, get the forms down to city hall by five p.m., and make it exciting enough to bring the crowds.”
“A ropes course will bring the crowds, and it can be simple.” Ford looked down at his lack of attire, and Liv told herself not to notice how incredible he looked—or smelled. When that didn’t work, she turned to face the water. “Just give me five minutes to get dressed, and I can show you.”
When she didn’t answer, he touched her shoulder. “Five minutes, Liv, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
But he wasn’t just asking for her time. He was asking for her trust, and that was something she wasn’t sure she could give right then.
“Don’t worry about it.” She gave a shrug to show him how this big issue wasn’t all that big. “I work better alone.”
“You’d work faster with someone who has done these kinds of things before.” And although Liv was still watching the water lap against the shore, she could feel him move closer behind her. “Do you feel like you misplaced your trust in me?”
Liv wanted to say that she was still holding out hope too, but she knew she needed a more assertive emotion if she was going to salvage this event.
“Your confidence and charm is magnetic,” she said, turning to glance at him over her shoulder, their eyes locking instantly. “It’s easy to get caught up in.”
“Seems like we both have the same problem,” he said—to her mouth. And wouldn’t you know it, little sparks of attraction shot straight down to her toes.
“Which is why doing this together is a bad idea.”
“A bad idea is walking an hour around the lake with all of that weight on your back,” he said, lifting her backpack off her shoulders. “Especially when we could take my truck and be there in ten minutes.”
“I’d rather walk,” she decided.
He studied her for a long moment, then shrugged one big shoulder. “Have it your way,” he said, slipping the backpack on, his muscle bunching and coiling as he headed north along the shoreline.
With an excited bark, Bullseye raced behind him.
“Wait, I didn’t say you could walk with me,” Liv called out after him.
“We can discuss it on the way.”
“You’re half-naked.”
Ford turned around, but he kept walking backward. “You can strip down to your lace if it makes you feel better.”
CHAPTER 10
“Is this what you had in mind?” Liv asked.
Ford looked from the cluster of pine trees above the lake that Liv was pointing out, into her bedroom eyes, and admitted he was up to no good. He’d kept it casual as they’d wound their way along the lake’s edge and toward the first potential ropes-course site. But the knowledge of just how good she felt by his side was almost as troublesome as the empty promise he’d made back on the beach.
He should have gone back to bed the second he read her text this morning canceling, taken the out the universe handed him, and run. Only running would have left Liv standing alone, and Ford couldn’t stomach the idea.
Not when he’d spent most of last night going over the past two years. Every search, every call, every visit to Sequoia Lake raced around in his mind until the overwhelming itch to pack up and head into another storm became so acute he’d pulled out his bag at first light. But no matter how many times he checked his bag, he always felt as if he was missing something.
Then he’d seen Liv standing on the beach, staring out at the morning as if challenging it to come at her with all it had—her daily mantra—and he knew what was missing.
The fire.
Something Liv had in spades.
“The lakeside entry to Poppy Alley would be the perfect place to set up base camp,” he said, letting Bullseye take the lead on the trail. “It’s easy to get to, has a great view, and is visible from Lake Street and all of the booths. We can sell tickets right there.” He pointed to the wooden walkway behind them that attached Lake Street to the water’s edge.
“Yo
u sure know a lot about this place for being a transfer,” Liv said, keeping pace with him. A miracle because her boots were more fashion than function. Same with the jeans, but the way they hugged that heart-shaped ass? Ford wasn’t complaining.
“Bullseye and I come to town a few times a year,” he said cautiously. “Sometimes to see Harris, sometimes to help with a search when they need a K-9 team.”
“But you haven’t gone on any searches this summer. Why?”
Oh, Ford had spent the entire trip searching. He just didn’t think he was going to find what he was looking for on the job. Nope, he was pretty sure it went deeper than that. “If you ask my boss, it’s because I missed an important test and they put me in big-boy time-out.”
She laughed. “So judging dog shows and dealing with stubborn citizens is your punishment?” she asked as they reached a clearing in the outcropping of pines. “That must have been some test.”
“It was the test,” he confessed. “And for the record, I think stubborn is sexy on a woman.”
“You’re just saying that because you have your eye on my remaining cupcake,” she teased.
“I’d have my eyes on more than your cupcake, but you laid down the no-flirting rule.”
“I think you broke that rule when you asked me to go hiking in nothing but my secrets.”
“Lucky you let me go back to the house and get dressed, then. Otherwise we would have gotten some strange looks when we drove through town. With you being overdressed and all,” he said with a grin, remembering just how fast he’d gotten dressed. Liv had promised she’d wait, but he wasn’t willing to chance it, so he’d tugged on the first shirt he’d found.
Good thing too. Because when he’d come back out, she was already walking down the shoreline. Clearly, waiting was not in her morning itinerary. Neither was talking.
Nope, Liv remained relatively quiet as they walked the short distance of the trail, bending down to run her hands along the carpet of bright orange poppies that covered the hillside and the valley around them. It wasn’t until they reached a small outcropping of trees that she allowed herself to pick one.