Reese Parker settled a cheese cube on a Wheat Thin. “Griffen wants to finish the work on the storefront, Molly. He’s going to get started tomorrow.” She popped the snack into her mouth.
Molly sank onto the sofa beside Heather. “B-but I can’t pay him.”
“And Carson wants to help too. He’ll work on the construction, and if there’s anything missing, he’ll supply it.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’ll never be able to pay you all back.” Molly’s voice trembled. “Lia stopped by with the money to pay for the funeral yesterday. I was so moved.”
“The library sale was all it took,” Lia said. “We had a steady stream of people in all week who’d heard about the fund.”
Molly blinked rapidly. “I suppose we should move on to tonight’s discussion. I have to admit I didn’t get a chance to read it.”
“Of course not,” Heather said. “We’re just glad you’re here. Did anyone else read it?”
A chorus of voices answered her. Most had read the Mary Higgins Clark novel and seemed eager to discuss it.
“You and your mysteries,” Shelby said, groaning. “I was reading it when Nick came into the bedroom. Scared me so badly I screamed and threw the book at him. I’ll be glad when we move on to another romance.”
The women’s reading tastes were hugely diverse, but they gamely tried to keep up. Heather tried to keep her recommendations a bit tame just for Shelby. “It all ends up okay, I promise.”
At least they weren’t talking about her and Paul. Not that there was anything to talk about.
Heather’s perfume teased Paul’s nose as he followed her up the stairs to the office space above Natalie’s store.
“Nat said to tell you she’ll meet you here after she picks up the replacement espresso machine.”
“Thanks for taking her place.” He averted his gaze from the slim black skirt that showed off her killer legs. She was a married woman, and he had no business noticing.
He stepped onto a landing illuminated with light from a big window over the stairwell. “Nice and roomy.” A door opened to his right. “This the room?”
Heather nodded and unlocked the door. “When I first saw this, I told Nat it would make a wonderful office space. See for yourself.” She opened the door and stepped aside.
He poked his head into the space and blinked. The place was huge, with high ceilings. There were no interior walls, just a big expanse of unfettered space. The pale yellow color added to the sense of an unlimited area to design as he liked. A bank of south-facing windows streamed light into the large room. It would easily house at least four architects at work. There was another smaller room off to the side that would suit him for the main office.
Heather’s high heels clicked on the wood floors. “This alcove would be perfect for a receptionist’s desk. And the floors are in good shape. Basic refinishing and this place would be awesome. The ceilings are twelve feet high.”
He pocketed his hands and imagined the room finished. “Great lighting. I think this will be perfect. I know my sister, and she’s going to refuse to name me a price. You’ve lived here all your life. What’s it really worth?”
Heather’s full lips turned up, and she chuckled. “You’re right. Nat’s not going to want you to pay much. I bet you’d do the same thing for her.”
He tipped up his chin. “That’s different.”
“No, it isn’t. Families help each other.”
He had to laugh. “You’re clearly as bad as she is.”
She didn’t answer, but her eyes were lit with a warm glow as she turned away and examined the walls. “The plaster is in good shape too. A little fresh paint and you’ll be ready to go.”
He longed to question her about her life. Natalie could fill him in, but he wasn’t about to let his sister know what had happened between him and Heather four years ago. He didn’t like showing his mistakes.
“I have some initial drawings of the farm if you’d like to see them.”
She turned back toward him. “I’d love to! We have to move fast if you intend to plant this year. You’re lucky nothing has been planted there in several years. The chemicals used will have degraded, but we still need to work in manure and other organic material.”
He grinned. “Manure—what a nice topic of discussion.”
A delicate blush accentuated her high cheekbones. “I think it’s a perfectly fine topic.”
Grinning, he pulled a folded paper from his pocket and took it to the window. “See what you think.” She stood close enough for their shoulders to touch as he pointed out the blueberry patch and the new structures he planned.
“I like it. When can we get started?”
Once again he liked the idea of that we. “We’ll do the planting first, then this summer I’ll get the buildings done. Want to meet with me on Monday to work the ground?”
“You’re doing it yourself?”
“I’ll do the work if you tell me what to do.”
“Deal.” She headed for the door. “I need to get home and fix dinner. I promised Charlie spaghetti.”
He must have imagined the admiration in her voice for just a second. “A favorite of your husband’s too?”
She stopped, and he nearly ran into her. He took a step back, and she turned to face him. “Um, I need to clear up something, Paul. I’m divorced.”
Divorced. He shouldn’t feel so elated, but he straightened and tried to look serious. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugged, but her color was still high. “He left me for another woman when I was six months along with Charlie. It seems I tend to drive men away.”
He reached toward her. “Heather, I—”
She shook her head. “I know, I know. Everyone is sorry for me, but I’m doing fine. I’ve learned to depend on God alone. Charlie and I have a good life. I’ve got a great job that sees to our needs, and my friends keep me busy. I don’t need your pity.”
He wanted to tell her that pity was the last emotion he felt at this news, but she whirled and rushed down the steps.
“I’ll let myself out,” he called after her. When he heard footsteps he went to meet her, but it was Natalie who stepped onto the landing.
“What did you do to Heather?” she asked, her voice quavering.
“Nothing. I thought she was married, and she told me she was divorced. It seemed a painful subject.”
Nat winced. “It is. She’s worked hard to make it on her own. And she never complains. When someone is in trouble, she’s the first one there to help. She’d give you her last meal.”
“I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“She’ll get over it. Just don’t bring it up again.”
“Is she seeing anyone else?” He tried to put a casual spin on the question, but Nat knew him too well.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t you hurt her, Paul. You went through half the girls in high school before you left town.”
There was some truth to his sister’s warning. He’d been afraid of commitment, afraid he’d be tied to Smitten for the rest of his life. What an idiot he’d been. Heather would be unlikely to trust him, knowing what she did about him. But he found he very much wanted to see her smile at him like she did that special day four years ago.
He clenched his jaw. Though it might be an impossible dream, he was going to see if she’d ever consider him again.
Make sure your suitor has a sense of humor. Laughing together heals many wounds.
PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship
CHAPTER FIVE
The field behind her was smooth and ready for planting, though they still had much work to do. Heather turned off the tiller and wiped her brow. A hillside started at the back of the field and led up to a rocky outcropping. There were a few wildflowers beginning to poke up through the dead weeds.
“What are you staring at?” Paul asked.
The wind had ruffled his hair so a boyish lock fell over his forehead. Why couldn’t
she ignore the way his broad shoulders filled out the flannel shirt he wore or the warmth of his eyes? She’d gotten over him long ago. Of course she had.
She pointed to the hilltop. “I was just thinking about all the Chambers land that borders this.”
He nodded. “It was a good-sized property back in the day.”
Her gaze scanned the area. “I didn’t realize.”
He stepped closer. “Why are you so interested?”
She edged away until she couldn’t smell the spicy scent of his cologne. “Did you ever hear that old legend about a lost gold mine on the Chambers property?”
He grinned. “You’re a treasure hunter?”
“Not for me! I found an old book that’s supposed to have clues in it to help find the treasure. That property all used to belong to Curtis’s family, and Molly still owns the mineral rights.”
His smile vanished. “So you’re thinking if you could find the gold, her troubles would be over. It usually isn’t that easy, Heather. If it were out there, someone would have found it.”
“Still, there’s no harm in looking, right?”
He grinned again. “Need a break? I’m game. Let me see what our handy-dandy Google search turns up.” He whipped out his iPhone. “Hmm, looks like this area is known to have gold in the streams. There’s a stream over there.” He motioned to their left.
“What would a gold mine look like?” she wondered aloud.
“You know what?” He snapped his fingers and grinned. “I went through a phase when I was looking for lost artifacts with a metal detector. I think it’s still buried in the back of my Jeep. Let me check.”
She watched him jog to his SUV. Why hadn’t he ever married? In high school, he’d gone through girlfriends like a runner goes through Gatorade. Women loved the studious look when matched with his muscles and classic features. Why did he have to come back to town and disrupt her peace of mind? The wind lifted his hair as he got in the back of the Jeep. She steeled herself as he returned with the metal detector and a small hand trowel.
He raised them in the air. “Sometimes it’s good to be a pack rat.”
“Do you know how to use that thing?”
“Do I know how to use it! Woman, I’m an expert with it. I went through a period when I was sure I was going to find a diamond ring worth millions.”
She had to laugh. “Why did you care? It seems out of character.”
“It was the sense of adventure. I was going to be the next Indiana Jones.” He took her elbow and steered her toward the stream. “Let’s start with the water. If we can get a reading, it might lead us somewhere.”
She should pull away, but she liked the warm press of his fingers on her arm. What harm could there be in an hour of fun with him? It’s not like she was going to let her guard down. She knew he had no interest in her. He’d made that perfectly clear. But she could still enjoy hearing his voice and watching his expressions.
The stream cut a cold, clear path through the soil. The water tumbled over rocks and sent sprays of water into the air as it hit the rapids.
She stopped at the stream bank and pointed. “Paul, I think I see something yellow and shiny there.”
He grinned. “Like we could just walk over here and find a golden treasure, huh?” But he turned on the metal detector and hovered the head over the water. Nothing.
“Well, it looked like gold.” She walked a little ways down the stream and watched for another glimmer.
He followed her with the metal detector on. It went off, and he dropped to his knees and dug with his small shovel. “Hey, we struck it rich!” He showed her an adjustable Barbie ring. “That has to be worth at least five dollars.”
“More like fifty cents.” She plucked the ring from his palm and studied it. “I had one of these once. I lost it when I was ten. I wonder if it could be the same ring?”
He laughed. “It’s yours as a memento.” Shading his eyes, he gazed at the rocky hillside. “You want to look around up there? There might be a cave or two to explore.”
She shivered at the thought of being alone with him in a dark place. “No thanks. I think we’d better get back to work. That field isn’t going to get ready on its own.”
“It’s taking longer than I expected too. I think I’ll hire a couple more men to help us till it up. We’re supposed to get some rain midweek, and I’d like it to be ready before then so we don’t have to redo it all.”
His return to a businesslike tone made her spirits fall. It was better to keep him at arm’s length, though. Much easier on her emotions.
On Saturday morning the door of Smitten Expeditions hung open, and Paul saw several men moving around inside. A ladder leaned above the big storefront window, and his brother-in-law, Carson, paintbrush in hand, stood on the second rung from the top. Paul’s pulse skipped when he stepped inside and saw Heather spackling holes in the drywall. She looked so cute with a silvery headband around her blond hair. Her jeans showed off the long line of her legs and her tiny waist, and she wore a frilly pink top.
Pink flooded to Heather’s cheeks when she saw him. She stood. “Paul, what are you doing here?”
He gestured around the room. “Same as everyone else. I brought my hammer, and I’m ready to work.”
Reese popped up from behind the counter. She consulted the clipboard in her hand. “Great! We need someone to hang drywall.”
He glanced around. “Wait a minute. Have you had an architect look at this? I think we could use this space more efficiently.” He strode to the left of the door, where a small bump-out jutted into the next office. “The reception area would be better right here, out of the way of traffic. Molly could use the center area for stock like thermal socks and fishing gear.”
Heather joined him and glanced around. “I see what you mean. Would it cost much to move the counter?”
He eyed the counter, then shook his head. “It looks like it was placed on top of the wood floor, so the flooring underneath should be intact. I think it’s just going to be manpower. And we seem to have plenty of that.”
Heather adjusted her silver headband. “Tons of people are here to help. Molly was so overwhelmed, she burst into tears and went home. I hope we have a lot done by the time she comes tomorrow. The book club women are all here painting and moving things around. We hadn’t thought to ask an architect’s opinion.”
“Are you in charge?”
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Sort of. I mean, it was my idea to help.”
“I have a feeling it’s often your idea to help others.”
Her long lashes swept down to hide her expression, and she bit her lip. “I can be a bit of a busybody.”
“That’s not what I meant. My sister told me you help the single moms at church too. When do you find time to do everything?”
“You make me sound like Superwoman.”
He took her arms and turned her around. “I thought for sure there would be a big S on the back of your shirt.”
She laughed, a breathless sound full of delight, when he turned her back around. “Sometimes a person just needs a little encouragement. I’ve been there myself.”
He leaned closer to smell her perfume. The light, flowery scent suited her. “You’re amazing, Heather. You encourage me every time we’re together.”
Her smile faded, and she turned away. “We’d better get to work.”
What had he said that offended her? He’d thought he was giving her a compliment. Was she thinking of how he’d pushed her away that night? If he could go back and change his behavior, he would. He’d been scared, pure and simple. Scared of how easily he could imagine a life with her. Scared that he wouldn’t get in the car the next day and see the outskirts of Smitten in his rearview mirror. Scared she could change his purpose.
What if he’d pulled her closer and kissed her back? What if he’d never left Smitten? Would the two of them be happily married and living in a cozy Victorian cottage? Maybe Charlie would have been his son if he hadn’
t been so stupid.
It was much too late for regrets. She had a wall around her heart a mile high now.
“Paul?”
He turned at his sister’s voice. “I figured you were around here somewhere.” He spied the coffee carrier in her hands. “I’ll have the first one, thanks. Did you bring a latte for Heather?”
Nat’s dark eyebrow lifted. “Of course. How did you know she likes lattes?”
“I’ve known her a long time.” And he’d paid attention for years, even if he didn’t want to admit it to himself or anyone else.
Natalie seemed to accept his comment. She turned and waved to Heather, who came toward them with obvious reluctance. He’d messed up for sure.
Nat held up the carrier. “The front right one is a latte with half and half. One scoop of stevia and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
Heather edged away from Paul and took the cup. “Do you remember what kind of coffee everyone likes, Nat?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Natalie said. “I bet you picked out the paint, and this happens to be Molly’s favorite color. You probably bought the blinds too, right?”
Heather blinked. “Well, yes. Um, hey, did Paul tell you he had a great idea about moving the counter? We’re getting ready to do that now.”
“My brother is good at his job. I should have thought to ask him to have a look before we got started. Anything else you’d suggest, Paul?”
He was ready to look anywhere but into Heather’s guarded face. “Uh, it might be a good idea to change out this small window for a bigger one. More light will make the place seem bigger.”
Heather shook her head. “Molly has no money to spend. She’s already overwhelmed at what the town is doing. Carson and Natalie in particular. They donated some missing building supplies.”
“Everything else looks good. And a window isn’t that big of a deal. I’ll buy it myself.” When Heather pressed her lips together, he backed down. “But if you think she would be upset, I won’t do it.”
A tiny smile lifted her full lips. “Yes, I think she’d like that. Thanks.”
Smitten Book Club Page 4