Too Hot to Handle (22 page)

“So,” Merry said, folding her hands on top of the table. “Does anyone have a good contact at the paper?”

Harry looked up. “My niece works at the paper. She’s a darn good writer, too.”

“Now, wait a minute,” Jeanine interrupted. “We need to decide what we’d even want to present to a reporter. This organization is still in its planning stages.”

Merry pressed her hands flat to the folder. “It doesn’t have to be. I understand why you’re taking it slow, but maybe the best way to ensure success is to press forward as if you intend for this town to open. To set a date, even.”

“But the funds—”

“All the more reason to go big with this news story.”

Marvin seemed to wake suddenly and slapped the table. “I like it. This cautious, wait-and-see approach really chaps my hide. I say we go for it. Get aggressive.”

The other men nodded. Even Kristen seemed a little roused at the excitement.

“All well and good, gentlemen, but…” Jeanine shot Merry a sidelong look. “We’ve already decided on a slow course. A plan for aggressive development would need more—” she cleared her throat and looked straight at Merry “—
consideration
.”

Merry felt heat climb from her chest to her neck to her face. All five of them were looking at her, most with some measure of pity, all with discomfort. “I’ll work hard for you in whatever capacity I can unless you decide I’m no longer the right fit for Providence. But please keep in mind that if you find the funds to hire someone new and that’s the course you decide upon, recruitment could take months. You’ll need an interim curator at least. I’d be honored to—” She swallowed a strange thickness in her throat. “I’d be honored to work in Providence as long as you’ll have me.”

Levi dropped his head for a moment then met her eyes. “We’ll take that into consideration.”

“Thank you.”

“All right, Ms. Kade,” Jeanine said, tapping the folder against her hand. “I think we have everything we need here. We’ll let you know what we decide about the reporter.”

Well, that was that. She was being dismissed. She wasn’t part of the board, and if they were going to vote, she didn’t need to be there. But what they were really going to do, she understood, was discuss the problem of
her
.

She gathered up her papers, acutely aware that this was likely not the first time people had had this discussion. What are we going to do about Merry? She’s sweet, but not quite
right
.

As if to confirm her fears, her phone rang and Crystal’s name appeared.

“Really?” she groaned as she hurried from the building.
“Really?”
She wanted to ignore the call. She desperately wanted not to answer, but what if Crystal was lost on a back road somewhere, surrounded by a rogue herd of buffalo? It could happen.

Forcing herself to cut off her moan, Merry answered. “Hi, Crystal.”

“Merry!” God, she was so fake. She always sounded surprised to hear Merry’s voice, as if she weren’t the one calling. “We’re having a little party. I’d love it if you could come.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so busy tonight. I just got out of a meeting of the museum board, and now I have to meet someone in Providence.” That felt good. Being professional and busy. She grinned in triumph.

“That’s no problem. The party is tomorrow. I’d invite you to bring a guest, but you know how terrible Grace and I are together, and I’m sure you don’t have a gentleman you’d like to—”

“Actually I do.”

“You have a boyfriend already? Didn’t you just move to town?”

“Well, he’s not my boyfriend, exactly. But I’m seeing someone, and I’m sure he’d love to—”

“Perfect. Then we’ll see you tomorrow around nine. I’ll text you the details.”

“Oh, I—”

“Bye!”

Merry held the phone to her ear for a few more seconds. Had she just accidently agreed to attend Crystal’s party? Because she’d jumped at the chance to be petty? Oh, God.

She should cancel. Right now. Call and make up some commitment she’d forgotten. But she knew it would look like Shane had said no and she was too embarrassed to go alone.

So now she’d have to actually attend Crystal’s party. Which meant she’d have to ask Shane.

This was horrifying.

He wasn’t her boyfriend, and the truth was that they weren’t dating, either. “No,” she bleated, pressing her fist to her forehead. Maybe Grace would let her borrow Cole. Crystal would never know.

Or she could just be brave and ask Shane. It wasn’t the damn prom. It was just…an evening with her family.

“You are a terrible coward,” she told herself. And it was the most honest thing she’d said to anyone all day.

But she wasn’t going to let Crystal ruin her day. She’d done a good job with the board and now she was meeting Shane for a surprise.

That cheered her up. She got in her car and drove away with a big smile. No point being honest now. Everything was going her way today. And a surprise in Providence meant things were only going to get better.

* * *

S
HANE
LOOKED
UP
from his work at the sound of wheels on gravel. A car door closed. Merry was here.

He took a deep breath, set down his hammer and slipped off his gloves.

Why did he feel nervous? This made no sense. He was leading her to a broken down cabin in the woods, not presenting a ring. But he still had to wipe his hands on his jeans as he stood.

Maybe it was just this place. He was feeling less and less comfortable being here with her. He hadn’t sabotaged her. He hadn’t done anything illegal. And it had happened before he’d really known her. But being surrounded by the buildings and knowing what they meant to her… It was starting to weigh on him.

If his lawsuit succeeded, he’d take all this from her. He’d take her job, and her dreams for this place, and that joy she felt with every story she told.

He could see her here, telling the story of Providence to a group of kids, drawing them in past their boredom. Bringing the place alive. Making it real. Hell, she’d even managed to make him feel a friendly sort of affection for the place, and he had every reason to hate it.

His grandfather had given Merry Providence, but it had been done out of meanness. If Shane had only done what the man had asked, if he’d only given in, Gideon Bishop would’ve left a pittance for this town. Enough money to buy a plaque, maybe. An easement around the property. But most of the two million dollars would have gone to Shane as a reward for learning to obey. There’d be no Providence Historical Trust. Merry would’ve stayed in Texas. Her joy over Providence might be temporary, but she wouldn’t have had it at all if Shane had changed his name. And he would never have touched her.

Hell. He couldn’t regret that, could he?

She waved as she approached, her face bright with curiosity and excitement. Shane packed up his tools and turned to meet her.

“Hey. I thought I heard a car pull away.”

“Grace dropped me off so she could borrow my car. I hoped I could talk you into a ride home.”

“I think I can be persuaded. How was the meeting?”

“Super great! Well, I haven’t heard anything, but I think it went well. I’m trying to convince them to get more aggressive.”

“More aggressive?”

“Yes! We need to move forward and stop pussyfooting around. That’s a Western term, right?”

“Sure.”

“Anyway, possession is nine-tenths of the law, and all that. So if we can get more money released and start making improvements and pushing forward with plans before anyone else knows what’s happening… God, maybe we could even get this place open. Get the community invested. And if the money is already spent, then what’s that asshole going to do?”

“Asshole?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sure he’s fine. But the promise of money doesn’t exactly make for good behavior, does it? Hey, look at me! I’m power hungry.”

He smiled, half in amusement and half because this conversation had become surreal. “You seem pretty nice to me.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Yeah? What’d you do?”

He’d only been teasing her, but her forehead crumpled with worry. She shook her head.

“Merry?”

“I can’t tell you.”

Shit. She looked serious. “Hey, it’s okay. Is something wrong?”

She shook her head, but her eyes glimmered with tears that hadn’t been there a second ago.

“Merry,” he murmured, folding her into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m stupid. I just…”

He kissed the top of her head, distracted for a moment by the scent of her. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

“Okay.” She nodded and pulled back. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I may have run over a mailbox.”

At first he had no idea what she was talking about and shook his head blankly. “That doesn’t sound so awful.”

“But it is. I was meeting with the board, and I was upset when I left, and I knocked down a mailbox, and they thought it was vandalism. And then…”

Holy shit, she was talking about his
grandfather’s
mailbox. “Um. If it was an accident, then you have nothing to feel bad about. Just tell Kristen, and…” Crap. “Just tell the board.”

Merry groaned. “I can’t. That whole sign thing? The so-called vandalism? That was me, too.”

He couldn’t help it. His jaw dropped open and he stared at her like she’d lost her mind. Because she obviously had. “Are you kidding me?”

“Oh, God, I knew I shouldn’t have said anything!” She covered her face and shook her head. “Why did I say that?”

“Merry, why would you have made that sign?”

“I just needed them to call an emergency meeting! To take this all more seriously. They treat the Providence Historical Trust like it’s an excuse to get together and rehash old arguments. I needed to give them a reason to get serious. That’s all it was. I did my best not to make it scary.”

Too many thoughts went through his head. Anger that he might be blamed for what she’d done. Shock that she’d even done it. But also a big helping of amusement. She looked like she was confessing a murder. Poor Merry.

“See?” she whispered. “I’m pretty terrible. And all for a little money.”

“Oh, Jesus, Merry. You didn’t do that for money. You did it for Providence, and you know it. You’re in love with this damn place.”

“I don’t think that makes it better,” she whispered.

Good God, this woman was fucking cute. “No? Well, maybe my surprise will make you feel better.”

That wiped the worry from her face. “Oh, my God. Yes! What is it?”

“Come on. We need to take my truck for the first leg, then you’ll be good with walking?”

She looked down at her tennis shoes. “I’m always in comfortable shoes. It’s one of my hottest secrets.”

“Ha. After last night, I don’t think that’s even close.”

She slapped his shoulder and nearly collapsed in laughter. “You’re awful.”

“How was it with Grace last night? I can’t help but notice I still have my balls.”

“Congratulations! I think she’s cool with it. I told her you were okay and I’d like to keep you around for a little while.”

“Yeah? I’m okay? High praise.” He opened his truck door for her and picked her up to slide her onto the seat. But first, he slid between her knees and kissed her. “You were very naughty last night,” he whispered.

“I was not! That was you!”

“Naw, it was all your idea, remember?”

Her cheeks were such a pretty pink that Shane had to kiss her again.

“You’re awful,” she repeated, but her soft smile belied the words. And the way she sighed against his mouth wasn’t bad, either.

God, he was hungry for her. So hungry to taste as much of her as he could before it ended. He wanted to devour her. To get enough of her that he wouldn’t have to miss her when she was gone.

“Mmm.” He tried to pull her closer, but she straight-armed him.

“What about my surprise?”

“Shh. I have another surprise for you.”

She convulsed with laughter. “Are you fourteen?”

“We’re all fourteen when it comes to girls. But if you’re shooting me down, I guess I’ll retreat graciously.”

He loved the way she grinned at him when he circled around and got in the driver’s seat. Like she was delighted. Then again, she was always delighted.

Her grin held as he turned onto the road and drove higher into the foothills. “Where are we going?”

“Up.”

They edged higher, and Shane drove slower as the dirt road turned into something that more closely resembled a trail. Delicate aspen branches whispered over the cab of his truck. The world was green around them.

“It’s so pretty. Where’s the creek?”

“About twenty yards to the left of us and way downhill. This is about the spot where you found the ice house. We’ll have to stop in about ten minutes and walk the rest of the way.”

“The rest of the way to where?”

He winked. “You don’t want to ruin the surprise, do you?”

“Actually, no. I love surprises. When I was little, my mom and I lived in pretty small places. I always knew where she hid the Christmas presents. There weren’t too many choices. But I’d never have peeked. I can’t even imagine it. Why would anyone do that?”

Shane had always been the kid shaking his presents and trying to tease open the ends of the wrapping paper. “I don’t know. It’s like a special form of torture, knowing something is there and not looking.”

She shot him a look of pure disapproval. “That’s insane. Half the pleasure is in the anticipation.”

“Half of it? I wouldn’t go that far. For example, I can enjoy thinking about what I’ll do to you tonight, but I guarantee you, it won’t be close to half as good as touching you.”

“Okay. I’ll give you that. It is pretty damn awesome to touch me.” She laughed, making clear she was joking, but it was nothing but truth to Shane. He wasn’t sure how it had gotten so hot so quickly, but just teasing her had him hard as steel.

She was clearly sensitive about not being the type of woman men found sexy, but he’d meant what he’d said yesterday. Maybe other people didn’t see her as conventionally sexy, but somehow that made it all feel more wrong in the best kind of way.

She was the girl next door. The kid sister. The woman who might walk into a party and not draw the attention of the room. But that wasn’t who she
was
. That wasn’t what she meant to him. What she meant to him was laughter. And a kind of easy smile he’d never had. And filthy fantasies he never could have suspected she might entertain.