“I love you,” Dominique whispered.

The words caught Charlie off guard. She tried to steel herself against them, to say they didn’t matter, but the simple phrase seemed to slip through her defenses and settle into her bruised and hungry heart.

Unexpected longing made her shift in her seat. Despite everything, she couldn’t dismiss her mother or what she’d said. She couldn’t say she was finished and that Dominique should go back to wherever she’d come from.

“I can do better,” Dominique continued, her gaze pleading. “I can change.”

“I’m not sure I believe that,” Charlie admitted. “But I’ll accept that you...care.” Love, she thought. She wasn’t ready to go there. But caring was a little easier.

“I do. I want this to work. We can be there for each other.”

“Oh, joy.”

Dominique either didn’t get or easily ignored the sarcasm. “Did you know there’s a dance school here in Fool’s Gold?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?” Horror swept through her. “No,” she said quickly, holding up both hands. “No way. You can’t.”

Her mother beamed at her. “I already did. I bought it.”

“When?”

“I made the offer this morning. It’s very generous, so I’m sure she’ll agree. The owner will stay on as the director, but we’re changing the name to the Dominique Guérin Academy of Dance. I’ll offer creative direction.”

Charlie stifled a groan. “From, ah, New York?”

Her mother smiled. “That wouldn’t be very practical, would it? No, I’ll live here part-time. I’ll keep the house in New York and London but sell the one in Los Angeles. This will be my West Coast residence.”

“Fool’s Gold?” Charlie was impressed she could speak what with her chest so tight.

“Yes. It will be wonderful. I won’t be teaching. Can you imagine me with a class full of beginning students? I would intimidate them too much. Perhaps I can give the older students a lecture or two. The ones that have promise. I could help them.”

“Just knowing you’re around will be an inspiration,” Charlie said, almost meaning what she was saying. She was sure that for some little kid all excited about dance, Dominique was a big deal.

“I hope so. While I’m in town, we can spend time together. I meant what I said, Charlie. I want us to get to know each other. We’re the only family each of us has left.”

There was a sense of inevitability in the situation, Charlie thought. Her mother’s use of her preferred version of her name was a huge concession. Perhaps she should stop fighting and simply accept. Dominique would never be warm and fuzzy, but someone who doted too much would drive Charlie crazy. Dan had loved them both and they had both loved Dan. That was a place for them to start.

Charlie stood and motioned for her mother to do the same. Dominique did as she requested. For a second they looked at each other, then Charlie held out her arms. Her tiny, perfect mother flung herself at her daughter and hung on tight. Charlie did the same. In that moment, it seemed like they might never let go.

* * *

CLAY STARED AT the tidy rows that would grow into his alfalfa crop. The planting was done and now there was just the waiting.

“I’d say it’s like having a baby,” Shane told him. “But I’m thinking this is cleaner.”

Clay chuckled. “And no one’s screaming.”

His brother winced. “Don’t even joke about that. Not with Annabelle pregnant.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“I don’t want to think about her in pain.”

It was a part of birth, Clay thought. The cycle of life and all that, but he didn’t think his brother was in a mood to be philosophical.

“She’s not in pain now,” Clay said.

“Good point. I heard from Rafe this morning.”

“Me, too. I don’t think he and Heidi are ever coming home.” So far the newlyweds had put off their return twice.

“Heidi will eventually start to miss her goats,” Shane said. “Sooner would be better for me. Athena is getting a wild look in her eye. I think she’s planning a breakout.”

Heidi’s small herd was mostly well behaved. But every now and then Athena organized a field trip.

“As long as she doesn’t let Priscilla out,” Clay said. “I don’t think Fool’s Gold is ready for a free-roaming elephant.”

The two men turned from the field and headed toward the truck.

“How’s the house coming?” Clay asked.

“Nearly finished. It will be done by mid-October.” Shane shook his head. “Annabelle is willing to move in with me, but she’s still insisting on waiting until next year to marry me.” He muttered something under his breathing that sounded like “damn fool woman” but was smart enough not to say it too loud.

“You love her,” Clay said, opening the driver’s side of the truck and getting in.

Shane climbed in on the passenger’s side. “I know, but why does she have to be so stubborn? Why would anyone care that she’s pregnant? Okay, sure, it’s unconventional, but so what? We love each other. We’re spending the rest of our lives together. But can we start that now? Nope. We have to wait so she can be the perfect bride.”

“She wants to have the right kind of memories.”

“She wants to drive me crazy.”

“That’s a bonus. Accept it, bro. From now on, she’s going to run your life.”

Shane grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

“Yes, I am.”

Clay started the engine and headed back for the main house. “Annabelle’s not the only one’s who’s stubborn,” he said. “Charlie insisted on replacing her dishwasher herself, even though it was clearly a two-person job. By the time I got there to help, she was wedged between the counter and the dishwasher.” He glanced at his brother. “It’s not just you.”

“I don’t really find that knowledge comforting.”

Clay grinned as he turned down the dirt road. They bounced along in comfortable silence. His thoughts once again returned to Charlie. Because he liked and respected her. She was fun, interesting and one of the sexiest women he knew. A lethal combination.

He knew it wasn’t love. Love was dramatic. It was meeting someone’s eyes for the first time and knowing that you wanted to be with her forever. But what he felt for Charlie was still significant. She was the first woman to interest him in years. The first one he wanted to spend time with. They were friends and lovers. It wasn’t being in love, but it was still good. Something he wanted to hold on to.

“What are you going to do when Rafe and Heidi finally come home?” Shane asked.

Clay grinned. “You hinting I won’t want to live with the newlyweds?”

“It’s up to you.”

“I’ll figure something out. Mom and Glen are moving into their place next week. So I’ll stay in the main house until Rafe and Heidi get back. Maybe rent a house in town.” He wondered what Charlie would say to having a roommate.

* * *

CHARLIE LIFTED THE boy up so he could run his chubby fingers along the side of the hose.

“Pretty cool, huh?”

The four-year-old’s eyes widened as he nodded.

She laughed and set him back on the ground. “Thinking you want to be a fireman when you grow up?”

Another nod.

“Thanks,” his mom said. “I’m sorry he’s so shy now. This morning all he talked about was seeing the big red fire engine.”

“Don’t worry about it. I love having big strong boys like him come by.” She winked at the kid. “I’m here all day. Come back and see me.”

Charlie waved as they walked away. Getting kids excited about the fire department was all part of the job. Traditionally, the Fall Festival was one of the times when the equipment was set up in town for everyone to admire and learn about. Although she considered herself a somewhat crabby person, she liked the public meet-and-greets. Especially with the little kids who were so wide-eyed and intrigued.

“Here you go.”

Clay walked up and handed her a large lemonade from the stand by the park. Charlie took it.

“Thanks. I love these and I don’t care that they use real sugar.”

Clay held up his own drink. “I tried mine on the way back and I agree. The best ever.”

As he wasn’t with the fire department in any capacity yet, his presence was strictly as a civilian, but she was willing to admit, she liked having him around. He was good company. Too good, she thought, aware she wasn’t as immune to him as she would like.

In truth, their deal should be over. Based on what happened the other day while they were out riding, she was plenty healed. The captain’s actions after the fire proved that he was being given a fair shot. They’d both gotten what they wanted. She needed to cut him loose. Even if she didn’t want to.

“What’s next?” he asked.

Charlie stared at him, wondering how he’d figured out what she was thinking. Then she saw him pointing to the schedule posted by the rig.

“I have a fire-safety talk at eleven,” she said. “Seven-to twelve-year-olds, so it’s more entertainment with a few facts hidden in fun demonstrations than lecture.”

“Get ’em while they’re young,” he said.

“Exactly. The holidays will be here before we know it and that’s a prime time for house fires. People can be so stupid.”

Clay grinned. “Ah, my delicate flower. You have to learn to open up and share your feelings.”

“Shut up.”

“Whoa! You didn’t threaten me. I must be getting to you.” He winked and lowered his voice. “As a reward, I have an idea about something we could do later.”

Her chest suddenly got tight as heat burned a path to the center of her body. Wanting followed, leaving her weak at the knees. The man knew how to get to her, she thought, unable to summon any regret for the fact.

Two college-age women walked past. They caught sight of Clay and did a comical doubletake. One of them nudged the other and said something Charlie was glad she couldn’t hear.

It happened all the time. Everywhere he went, women noticed. She would guess that he was offered phone numbers and sexual invitations on a nearly daily basis. Was he tempted or did it get old? She was almost afraid to ask.

As far as she could tell, he’d never been unfaithful to Diane. Personality-wise, Clay didn’t seem interested in screwing around. Maybe he’d gotten it out of his system while he’d been younger. He had mentioned his dog days, before he’d met Diane.

“You got serious,” he said. “What happened?”

She jerked her head toward the girls. “You have fans.”

He didn’t bother looking. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

“You don’t get bored and think ‘what the hell’?”

“No.”

“As simple as that?”

“I’ve got what I want. Why would I go looking?”

Meaning her? She didn’t think he was saying that, exactly. They weren’t involved. Not in the traditional sense.

“I’ve suspected that being you isn’t as easy as it seems,” she admitted. “Now I’m starting to learn that being with you isn’t that easy, either.”

“I’m worth it,” he said with a grin.

She thought about how she felt when she was with him. Not just sexually, but how she enjoyed his company. With Clay there weren’t any games. Just a sense of connection.

He was worth it, she realized. He was someone she wanted to be with. Which was going to make saying goodbye more difficult than she would like.

* * *

BY FOUR O’CLOCK, Charlie had lost her glow. She was tired, her feet hurt and the endless parade of small children asking the same question over and over again had ceased to be charming. She reminded herself it was her own damn fault for signing up for a double shift at the festival. Michelle would be on to relieve her any second. Then Charlie was going to go home, open a bottle of wine and sink into a bath. She might never come out.

Fifteen minutes later she’d handed over the reins, so to speak, and was about to head to her house. Clay appeared at her side.

“Hey,” he said. “Finally done?”

They were across the street from the fire engine, standing next to the seating for the band that would start in a couple of hours. The sidewalks were crowded, the attendees loud and the late-afternoon warm. Around her were perfectly normal men, some of whom were even good-looking. Life would have been so much easier if she’d just been attracted to one of them.

“Charlie?”

She grabbed his hand and drew him away from the streaming pedestrians and over to the side of the stage. It seemed to be the quietest, least crowded place in the festival.

She had to tell him the truth. Honor dictated she come clean and release him. It would be wrong to take advantage of him. Temptation was strong, of course. Need. Tingles. All reasons to keep things going. But she’d always prided herself on her character. She might have flaws but not being honest wasn’t one of them.

“We need to talk,” she told him, allowing herself to get lost in his dark eyes.

One corner of his perfect mouth turned up. “You know guys hate hearing that, right?”

“Maybe, but it’s true. I’ll make this easy on you. I’ll talk and you listen and then we’ll call it a day. How’s that?”