Naomi traipsed across the porch, smiling as she admired the beautiful sign hanging above the arched entry. Hidden Gem Inn. It still baffled her that Lucas knew her so well. That he’d picked out the perfect piece of art to welcome people, to reflect the character and details of the old house.
Once again, her heart melted through the interior walls of her chest at the thought of him. In less than fifteen minutes, he’d be here to pick her up so they could go antique shopping to search for a few authentic pieces for the inn. She’d called him this morning after she’d dropped off Gracie and told him she needed some brawn to help her lug furniture home. I’ve got brawn, he’d told her with an insinuation in his voice. The memory made her warm all over.
Humming to herself, she scooted through the brand-new door that Emilia, her contractor, must’ve just installed. It, too, happened to be a work of art. The restored antique inset-glass door, all painted and new and shiny, gave the whole porch a charming Old World feel.
Inside the house, the whir of the saw drew her into the kitchen. Much of the main level had already been gutted, leaving the studs exposed. It resembled a blank slate—a canvas of possibility…kind of like her future.
She stepped into the kitchen and Emilia shut off the saw, greeting her with that effortlessly exotic smile. Her long, silky black hair, perfect olive skin, and graceful manner made her look more like she belonged on the runway instead of standing in front of a table saw. Emilia even managed to make work clothes look elegant. Today, she wore ripped jeans rolled halfway up her calves, an oversized blue T-shirt with the straps of the camisole beneath it visible, and a brightly colored scarf tied around her head like a headband. It wasn’t fair. The woman didn’t even have to try. But it was impossible to dislike her. She was brassy and funny and also kind.
“I can’t believe how much progress you’ve made,” Naomi said, taking in the new farmhouse gray kitchen cabinets already mounted on the wall. “You’re amazing.” She could hardly even hammer in a nail, let alone gut and install an entire kitchen.
Emilia grinned. “She’s coming along, that’s for sure.” The woman patted the wall fondly. “I have to say, this has been my favorite project lately. Don’t usually get to work on an antique.”
“Well, you’re doing a beautiful job.” Naomi knew using Emilia would mean a slower process than if she’d hired a whole construction company, but Emilia was an artisan. She’d only been in town a couple of months, but had already earned a reputation as a skilled woodworker. Around Topaz Falls, Emilia mainly did maintenance for homes in the exclusive neighborhoods up near the ski resort, but when Naomi had met her at Darla’s place a few months ago, she’d jumped at the possibility of working on a Victorian. As soon as she’d closed on the house, Naomi had called her, and now, what she saw around her was exactly why. “I brought the checkbook,” she said, holding it up. “So I can pay you for the materials and hours you’ve worked up until now.” She still marveled at the thought of having her own business account.
“Speaking of…” Emilia walked to her messenger bag, which was slung over the stuffed chair Naomi had brought from the ranch. It was still the only piece of furniture in the room. “I’ve been looking at ways to save you money. I think you could easily tear out the wood paneling in the den yourself.”
“Me?” She laughed. “I’m not sure you want me to do that.” How would she even do that?
“It’s nothing,” the woman insisted, waving her off. “Just use a crowbar to rip it off the wall. Think of it as therapy.” A mischievous glow lit her eyes. “And I’m sure a certain Cortez brother would be happy to assist if you asked him nicely.”
“Wow, word gets around fast.” It seemed the whole town knew about her and Lucas before things were even official. But she likely had that scene on the street with Mark to thank for that.
“Is it true he’s planning to stick around?” Emilia asked with a probing grin.
The question brought out Naomi’s sappiest smile. “It sounds like it.”
“Good. Then he can help you knock out this list.” Emilia handed over a paper. “Next couple of days I’ll be finishing up a job for the Bartletts, but I’ll get back on yours next week.” She gave Naomi a sturdy pat on the shoulder. “That should give you two plenty of time to get this done.”
“Sounds great.” Manuel labor had never been her thing but something told her it would be a whole lot more fun with Lucas. She snuck a quick glance at her watch. Eight minutes. Her heart did a little flip.
“Here’s where we’re at so far.” Emilia handed her another paper with the total for hours and materials.
“Not bad.” Naomi scrawled out a quick check and happily handed it over. She still couldn’t believe this was happening, that she was actually—
Her phone rang. “Thanks so much,” she told Emilia as she dug it out. “You’re doing such a great job.”
“I’m enjoying it,” Emilia assured her. “Trust me.”
Naomi glanced at the phone’s glowing screen, instantly recognizing the school’s number. That usually wasn’t good news. “I’ll see you later,” she murmured to Emilia as she made her way to the porch. “Hello?” She stepped outside where the reception was better.
“Naomi? This is Eleanor Bradley.” In addition to being the school principal, Eleanor ran the school’s summer camps, too.
“Hi, Eleanor. Everything okay?” she asked nervously.
Lucas’s truck had pulled up in front of the house, but she didn’t want to move and risk losing reception.
“There’s been an incident and I need you to come to the school right away.”
She steeled herself against an outburst of mom panic. Remain calm…“An incident?”
“Gracie got into a fight,” the woman said in a clipped tone. “Everyone is fine, but I’m sure you’ll understand the need to discuss this as soon as possible.”
“A fight?” She didn’t mean to keep repeating the woman, but she couldn’t be serious. “Gracie has never been in a fight…”
Lucas bounded up the steps, but stopped quickly when he saw her face. Everything okay? he mouthed.
She shook her head.
“Well, I can assure you she got into a fight today. And she started it. We’ll discuss the details when you get here.” The line went dead as though Mrs. Bradley didn’t want to leave her more room to repeat anything.
“Oh my God.” She stuffed the phone back in her purse.
“What happened?” Lucas asked, taking her into his arms.
“That was the principal. She said Gracie got into a fight.” She couldn’t even picture it. Her sweet daughter—who’d never once gotten in trouble for hitting or kicking or biting, even when she was a toddler—had gotten into a physical altercation with someone?
“Maybe it’s a misunderstanding,” Lucas suggested. “Want me to drive you over there?”
“Please.” He was right. It had to be a misunderstanding. But her heart hammered her ribs and she held his hand all the way to the truck.
Thankfully, it only took five minutes to get to the school. That was the benefit of being in town instead of out at the ranch.
“I’ll wait here,” Lucas said, helping her out of the truck. She didn’t want him to, but given Eleanor’s reaction the last time she’d seen him, it was probably best. “Hopefully we’ll be quick.” Leaving him standing near the truck, she hurried to the doors and used her keycard to buzz herself in. Surely it would be quick. She could talk to Gracie and get the whole story of what happened and clear up this craziness.
She marched down the hall and turned the corner to go to the office. Gracie sat on a bench just outside Mrs. Bradley’s door.
Her daughter looked up with a sullen, tear-stained face. “Gracie.” Naomi rushed over and sat next to her. “Honey, what happened?”
Before her daughter could answer, Mrs. Bradley poked her head out into the hall. “Why don’t you both come in and sit down?” It was more of a command than an invitation.
Gracie’s scowl tightened, but she followed Naomi into the office. They both sat on hard chairs facing Mrs. Bradley’s desk.
“Gracie, tell your mom what happened,” Eleanor said without greeting Naomi.
Her daughter stared at her scabbed knees. “I pushed Timothy. And then I punched him in the face.”
Naomi almost burst out laughing it was so absurd. “Was it an accident?” Maybe she’d tripped and lost her balance…
“No,” her daughter snapped. “I did it on purpose.”
“On purpose?” She blinked at her. She had no idea what else to say. This was new territory. Fighting at school?
“Timothy had a bloody nose,” Mrs. Bradley added. “His mother has already taken him home.”
“Oh my God. Gracie…” She turned to her daughter. “Why would you do something like that?” How could her sweet, innocent girl have punched a boy in the face hard enough to make him bleed?
“He said my mom was gonna marry a bad guy,” she huffed. “So I told him, my mom’s not getting married, you big fat stupid head. And then he said everyone’s talking about it. He said you’re going on dates with the bad guy who started the fire.” Her daughter’s face had flushed with embarrassment. “So I pushed him and hit him and I’m not sorry.”
Naomi’s eyes stung so badly, she had to close them. “Oh, honey,” she murmured, forcing herself to look at Gracie. She should’ve told her before now. She should’ve let Lucas tell her last night.
“Is he a bad guy?” Gracie asked, her voice wobbling as though she was trying not to cry. “Is Lucas a bad guy?”
“No,” Naomi said firmly. “No.”
Eleanor shifted in her chair. “Gracie, why don’t you go sit on the bench and give your mom and me a chance to discuss things?”
Gracie did what she was told, just like always. That was her girl. Obedient and respectful.
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how serious this is,” Mrs. Bradley said as soon as the door closed. “I have to suspend her from camp this week. We have to set an example here.”
An example? She thought of her daughter standing there while that boy had humiliated her in front of everyone. She would’ve wanted to punch him, too. Her throat burned. “What about Timothy? What’ll happen to him?”
“He’s already been reprimanded appropriately.” Mrs. Bradley pushed over a written apology.
Gracie, Sorry for making fun of you or whatever.—Timothy
“How heartfelt,” Naomi said drily.
Eleanor seemed to ignore her sarcasm. “Poking fun at someone is vastly different from physically attacking them.”
Naomi rolled her eyes so the woman could see what she thought of that statement. “It was hardly an attack. She pushed him and hit him. And she’s never done anything like that before. You know her. She’s gotten eight citizenship awards, for crying out loud.”
“That’s what concerns me.” The woman glanced at the door and lowered her voice. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how much children are influenced by the adults they spend time with.”
The burning sensation in her throat reached for her stomach. Surely Mrs. Bradley wasn’t alluding to Lucas. “I’m sorry, what?” The words were as clipped as her heart rate.
“From the sound of things, you and Gracie have been spending a lot of time with Lucas Cortez.” Eleanor said his name like a curse word. “Obviously, it’s having a negative impact on your daughter.”
“No.” Naomi lurched to her feet, the fiery anger now consuming all of her. “I will talk to her about the fight. And there will be a consequence.” She paused to regain her composure. “But who we spend time with is none of your business.” She ripped open the door and escaped into the hallway. “Come on, Gracie,” she said, taking her daughter by the hand. “Let’s go home.”
“Am I in big trouble, Mommy?” Gracie asked as they hurried down the hall.
“Yes, honey.” She tried to say it with conviction. Though the other kid probably deserved it, she’d have to punish Gracie. “You know better than to hit someone. It doesn’t matter what they do or say to you. It’s never okay.”
“I know.” Her daughter started to cry. “I know, but he wouldn’t stop. He and his friend Tyler Dobbins kept yelling stuff and everyone was laughing at me.”
Tyler Dobbins. As in Marshal Dobbins’s son. Of course. She should’ve known. “Oh, Gracie girl.” Naomi sank to her knees and pulled her daughter close. “I’m so sorry that happened. I’m so sorry they were mean to you.”
“And I’m sorry I punched Timothy,” her daughter sobbed. “I was just so mad.”
Mad and hurt. Deeply, deeply hurt. Naomi gave her a kiss on the forehead. “It’s okay. Everything’ll be okay.”
Even as she said it, she wondered if that were true.
* * *
Lucas paced the sidewalk outside the school. It seemed to be taking an awful long time to simply clear up a misunderstanding. He stopped, watching the doors again. If only he could’ve gone in there. Could’ve made sure Gracie was okay. If only he could’ve comforted her and promised to protect her, to punish anyone who’d laid a hand on her…
The doors busted open and the two of them charged out, Gracie crying and Naomi’s face hardened with fury.
He may have been out of practice when it came to reading women, but something was very, very wrong.
“Everything okay?” It was a dumb question but he didn’t know what else to say.
Neither of them responded. They simply slipped past him and climbed into the truck.
He got in, too, but didn’t start up the engine. “What happened?” he demanded. Why the hell was Gracie being sent home?
“Some boys were teasing Gracie,” Naomi said. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her face so red. “So she got upset and made a mistake.”
Lucas didn’t like the way she refused to look at him. “What were they teasing you about?” he asked Gracie, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.
“They said my mom was gonna marry a bad guy.” Her voice was so small, barely audible. It wasn’t the words that slashed through him. It was her eyes. They mirrored a heartbreak that only came from the pain of betrayal.
Drawing in a stabilizing breath, he shared a long look with Naomi.
“But we’ve already talked about it. I told her you’re not a bad guy.” Naomi’s eyes filled with tears. She snuck her hand into his.
“Why did they say that, then?” Gracie asked Lucas suspiciously. “Why would they say you’re a bad guy?”
“Because they’re mean.” Naomi didn’t give him a chance to answer, but he had to. She had to know the truth.
He turned to face the girl fully so she could see into his eyes. “It’s because I went to prison,” he said, looking at her over the seat. “That’s why I had to leave all those years ago. That’s why I didn’t come back for a long time.”
“Prison?” Gracie whispered. “Like jail?”
“Yes.” He hated the way she was looking at him, like she didn’t know him anymore. “There was a fire at the rodeo grounds and I got arrested.” He chose the words carefully. He wanted to be honest, but he couldn’t tell them the whole truth either.
“You lied to me.” Tears ran down Gracie’s cheeks again. “I asked you where you went all those years…”
“We didn’t lie,” Naomi said gently. “We didn’t tell you because Lucas is a different person now. The past doesn’t matter.”
If only that were true. It may not matter to Naomi, or to his family, but it mattered to Gracie. It mattered to Eleanor Bradley. It mattered to Marshal Dobbins. It mattered to those kids who’d used it to torment a sweet, fun-loving girl.
“But everyone else knew. And I didn’t,” Gracie whimpered. “I looked so dumb. That’s why they were laughing at me.”
Because of him. This was exactly what he’d worried about. Naomi might be able to handle herself in the face of scrutiny, but Gracie shouldn’t have had to defend herself at school on account of him. “I’m sorry,” he said. What else could he offer her? “We should’ve told you.” At least then she would’ve been prepared.
“Would you like to get some lunch?” Naomi suggested. “Then we can talk about it and answer any more questions you have about what happened back then.”
“No.” Gracie turned her head to stare out the window, as though she wanted to shut them both out. “I want to go home.”
“But—” Naomi started.
“It’s okay,” Lucas interrupted. “I’ll take you home.” She needed time, space. And so did he. When he looked at Gracie, his own selfishness stared him in the face. She deserved more than this. More than him.
As he started the truck, Bill McGowen’s offer rang in his ears.
No matter how much he wanted to stay and force people to accept him, he had to do what was best for everyone.