Holly clenched her hands in fists after the men had left.

“One day, that man is going to get exactly what he deserves,” she muttered to the puppy, and he gave her a low whine before sinking to his bottom to rest.

Muttering, she went to her bedroom to get dressed for work. She didn’t have to be at Diamond’s office before nine, but she liked to get there early to go over the mail before Diamond arrived.

Taking a quick shower, she then blew out her hair, still fuming over Greer coming into her bedroom when she was sleeping. She thought about the frumpy pajamas she had worn last week.

“Bastard couldn’t sneak into my bedroom when I was wearing a pretty nightgown. No, he had to see me in those puke-green pajamas Logan gave me last Christmas.”

Just once, she wished she could make Greer look at her the way he did every other woman in town. He wasn’t picky. If a woman had a pair of breasts and legs, she caught his attention. Except for her. When he looked at her, he only saw the woman who had tried to steal his nephew away from his family. That was his belief.

And she had, Holly admitted. If she had to do it all over again, she would still have accepted the job Vincent Bedford had given her of caring for his grandson. She had taken one look at the beautiful baby and fell in love.

Caring for the baby had filled a void in her life. She had been alone since her mother had died, and the job had given her a roof over her head and had begun to repair the confidence that had taken a blow when she had been unable to find a secretarial job in Jamestown. Her boyfriend at the time had talked her into moving in with him, but his possessive attitude and growing dependency on her paycheck at a temporary agency had made the job Vincent had given her a chance to get back on her feet and away from Mitch’s domineering attitude.

In a few short weeks, Logan had taken over her life. His grandfather had only shown up when it was time to pay her and to visit Logan.

Holly couldn’t understand the distance Samantha had kept between her and her son, explaining that she was in college and was relieved Logan was in good hands until she could finish her degree. Something about her explanation didn’t ring true, though. Samantha exhibited no maternal pride in her baby, and she only held the baby for short periods before handing him back.

Months slipped into a year, and soon the visits came less and less. Holly had grown concerned when a month, then two went by without any contact. When Vincent had stopped coming by to pay her, the concern grew. When she had called Vincent and his phone had been disconnected, she had become frightened, not knowing what to do. She had been about to go to the police when Samantha showed up, giving her the ultimatum to move to Treepoint. If she didn’t want to move, Samantha would find someone else to care for him. She had no choice, really. Logan needed her.

It was then that Samantha had told her that her father had been arrested, and she needed to save enough money so they could find a new life away from Kentucky.

She had given one excuse after another as the weeks had passed. Holly had wanted to move to a larger city that had a warmer climate. Logan was doing well but becoming frail as he grew.

Holly had found a job when she moved to Treepoint. Mitch had offered to babysit Logan the days when Samantha wouldn’t show up. He was just as anxious to leave Kentucky and started taking odd jobs.

They all had made a pact that, as soon as they had enough money, they would get out of town and find Logan the medical care he needed. They had placed their faith in Samantha.

Holly slipped on the burgundy skirt. Donning a cream blouse to match, she stepped into her heels.

Shaking her head, she went back to her bathroom to style her hair.

When Samantha had been found dead, Holly and Mitch had been stunned. Mitch wanted to leave immediately, but Holly couldn’t until who or what had killed Logan’s mother was found. She had found herself in a walking nightmare, not knowing who to turn to.

Not knowing what to do, she had made one mistake after another by not confiding in Diamond and by not going to the sheriff. It was those mistakes that Greer held against her to this day.

Holly tried to excuse the mistakes she had made by telling herself she had no biological ties to Logan. Since his birth, he had been in her care, but she had no way to prove her guardianship over Logan, which Samantha had promised she would do as soon as they had arrived in Treepoint.

With Samantha dead, Logan could have ended up in foster care. Samantha had told her there were no living relatives beside her father, and he was in prison. She had also told Holly that Logan’s father hadn’t wanted anything to do with her when she had told him she was pregnant.

All lies, one after another, and she had bought them all.

Picking up her keys and purse from her dresser, she left her bedroom. Relieved that Greer was still gone, she shooed the puppy outside.

Her small car didn’t want to start, and it took a couple of minutes before the stubborn motor turned over.

Her gaze went to her wrist watch. She wasn’t going to be late, but it was going to be close. Holly hated to be late for work. She owed Diamond for standing by her side. She had not only remained her boss but became the sister she had never had.

When she opened the mailbox with her key outside the office door, she realized Diamond must have already beat her to work. Going the short flight steps to the office, she saw she was right when the door opened.

Putting her purse in the drawer of her desk, she tapped on Diamond’s office door before opening it with a smile to see her boss engrossed in paperwork.

“Good morning. You’re early today,” Holly greeted her.

“Caleb called me last night. He wants to meet me before court.”

“You should have texted me that you needed me here early. I would have opened the office for you.”

“I can open the door with a key just as easily as you can,” Diamond reproved her sternly with a twinkly glint in her eyes. “You’re already working over forty hours a week if you include the work you do on the computer at home, despite filling out your time card at twenty.”

Holly started to protest, but Diamond cut her off.

“There is no way you’re getting the amount of work I’m seeing on my desk in the morning done without you spending hours on it in the evening.”

“I just want to make your workload easier.”

“How about your workload?”

“I get bored at night. It gives me something to do in the evening after Logan goes to bed.”

Diamond raised disbelieving brows. “And it’s not because you don’t want me to hire someone else to help you around the office?”

Tensely, Holly searched Diamond’s eyes. “I can work harder …”

Diamond sighed. “Holly, I was thinking of hiring someone else to help you out,” she explained softly. “Not to increase your duties.”

Holly glanced away from her perceptive gaze. “I don’t mind. I love my job.”

Diamond stood up to lean across her desk. “If I hired five employees, no one could take your place.”

She gave her a trembling smile. “I appreciate you saying that; it means a lot. I owe you so much … I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“Holly, you’ve never disappointed me … ever.”

“Yes, I have. When Mitch and I tried to break into your office to find the autopsy report. You could have been hurt. I’ll never forgive myself for breaking your trust.”

“You’ve never broken my trust,” Diamond argued back heatedly. “You were trying to find out how Samantha died because you were concerned about Logan’s health. You didn’t know that Mitch would go ballistic when I showed up unexpectedly. You kept Mitch from hurting me. And if you had left without finding out what was wrong with Logan, he could have become seriously ill with his kidneys. You did everything you could to keep Logan safe. He may have the Porter last name, but he’s your son.”

Holly wanted to burst into tears. “You’re an amazing woman, Diamond. I can see why Knox loves you so much.” She rose to stand in front of her boss, giving her a brief hug. “I’ll fix some coffee. I’m sure Caleb will be here any minute.”

“Don’t remind me. I have a feeling I already know what he wants.”

Holly paused, about to question her, when she heard the door open in the front office. “If it’s Mr. Green, I’ll send him in.”

“Thanks, Holly.”

She opened the door to see Caleb Green standing in front of her desk. “Mrs. Richards-Bates will see you.” Holding the door open for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, she shyly lowered her gaze as he passed her.

“How are you this morning, Holly?”

“Good. And I’ll bring you a cup of coffee.”

“That’ll be great. I take cream and sugar.”

Holly blushed at the friendly smile he gave her, nodding her head before she hurriedly closed the office door. She always set up the coffee pot before leaving for the day, so all she had to do the next day was push a button.

She sorted out Diamond’s mail as she waited for the coffee to brew. When it was finished, she carried the coffee into the other office, the tension in there striking her as soon as she entered.

Giving Diamond a worried look, she was uncertain if she should retreat or stay with her boss. However, Diamond gave her reassuring glance, taking her coffee from her, and Holly went back to her desk.

She became engrossed in her work. It was when the door to Diamond’s office opened that she looked up at the clock to see that an hour had passed.

Holly expected Caleb to leave right away as he shut the door behind him, but when she looked up again, she saw him standing beside her desk.

“You look like you’re hard at work.”

“Mrs. Richards-Bates has a lot of clients,” Holly quipped as she picked up the letters she needed Diamond to sign before she left for court.

He still didn’t leave.

She nervously picked up an ink pen to keep her fingers busy.

“Do you have any plans for lunch?”

Startled, Holly looked up and asked, “Me?”

“Yes, you. I hate eating alone. We could eat at the diner or King’s if Diamond wouldn’t mind you taking a long lunch.”

“Oh, um … Thank you, but I don’t take lunch. I only work half days.” Becoming flustered from his scrutiny, she bolted out of her chair. “Thank you, anyway.”

“I could wait until you’re finished.”

Holly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Sorry. I need to pick up Logan.”

Caleb’s eyes filled with disappointment. “Maybe another time, then.” He reached inside his briefcase then handed her a card. “Anytime you want some company for a meal, let me know. I come in from Lexington Mondays and Thursdays.”

Holly took the card from him. “I … don’t …”

“It’s just lunch, Holly. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

Holly relaxed at his approachable demeanor. He wasn’t overly flirtatious, nor was he a stuff shirt like the other lawyers who came into Diamond’s office. Most importantly, his eyes hadn’t dipped to her generous-sized breasts the way most men’s did.

“I’ll keep that in my mind, Mr. Green.”

“Call me Caleb. Well, I better let you get back to work before Diamond comes out here.”

“Have a good afternoon.” Holly slipped the card into her skirt pocket as he left. Then she knocked on Diamond’s door with the letters she needed signed.

She was on her cell phone, so Holly laid the documents on her desk then left Diamond to her call.

Holly had just finished answering emails when Diamond flew out of her office.

“I’m going to be late for court if I don’t leave now. I signed the letters you left on my desk. Can you get them in the mail today?”

“I’ll drop them off at the post office before I pick up Logan.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“You know I will. Caleb ask you out for lunch?”

Holly gaped at her. “You knew he was going to ask me?”

“He asked if I would have any objections. Of course, I told him no. He’s a nice guy.”

“Are you trying to be a matchmaker?”

“Nope, he came up with that idea all himself.” Diamond laughed mischievously. “You haven’t been out on a date since Mitch. It’s time you got back out there.”

“I have terrible taste.” Holly lowered her eyes.

“I don’t have time to argue with you. I’ll tell you in the morning how any man would be lucky to have you. I might even change my mind after all and try my skills as a matchmaker. I know several men I could fix you up with.”

Holly opened the door for her. “Go. You’re going to be late. And I would be too afraid you would fix me with a Last Rider.”

“Some of The Last Riders are really sweet.”

“Name one.” Holly folded her arms across her chest.

She could see Diamond’s mind working furiously.

“Can’t. Don’t have time.”

Holly started laughing. “That’s what I thought. The next man I become involved with will have a steady job, pass a drug screen, and have the sizzle factor.”

“The sizzle factor?”

“That look you get on your face when Knox comes to the office. The sizzle factor,” Holly explained.

“Any man can achieve the sizzle factor. He just needs Knox’s secret weapon.”

“What’s that?” Holly loved the bantering they had developed as they had grown closer working together.

“His tongue ring. But his big … bike is the wow factor.”