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  He fell into step beside her as she started across the street. “Can we grab some coffee or something?”

  She shot him a look from wide blue eyes like a frightened cat. As well she should after the way he’d treated her.

  He pushed up his glasses and gave her his best smile. “I figured we might as well get the awkwardness out of the way. Otherwise we’re going to be tiptoeing around each other.”

  She stopped in the middle of the street and stared at him. “Why are you here, Paul?”

  “Can we talk? I’ll explain then.”

  She stared at him as though searching his soul. Her way of looking inside him had been the first thing to attract him. And it had been what sent him running scared from town. He still regretted it. “I’ll buy coffee.”

  She shook her head. “I love Nat, but I don’t want her watching over our shoulders. You can come to my house for a minute. I promise to keep my distance.” She walked across the street and turned left.

  He jogged after her and fell into step beside her. “I’ll stop off at the coffee shop and grab us a snack. Be there in ten minutes.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you in a few.”

  He watched her turn the corner and vanish into the shadows. The hard part was still ahead.

  Listening is a lost art. Your suitor will respond to any intent interest in his day.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER TWO

  Night, night, Charlie.” Relishing the scent of toothpaste and little boy, Heather kissed her son. “Sleep tight.”

  “Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” Charlie said. He wrapped his arms around her and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. “Love you, Mommy.” The three-year-old sounded sleepily content.

  “I love you, honey. Very much.” She tucked his stuffed bear into the covers with him, then flipped on his goldfish night-light and backed out of the room. The gentle knock came as Heather walked down the stairs. Her throat tightened as she opened the door to greet Paul. He had a cardboard drink carrier in one hand and a sack in the other.

  Lord have mercy, but the man was handsome. The crisp white button-down collared shirt contrasted with his dark, curly hair and tanned skin. His eyes were brown, but a warm golden color that invited you to trust him. She’d made that mistake once.

  His smile widened as he stepped into the house. “Nice.”

  She nodded. “There’s a big yard, and I’m able to have a nice garden.”

  “Organic food, of course,” he said.

  “Of course. How odd you remember.”

  An incredulous expression crossed his face.

  He handed her a coffee, then took one for himself before settling on the sofa. “Natalie swears these brownies are the bomb even if they’re gluten-free. I’m not so sure. I’ve tasted some of her concoctions.”

  “They’re delicious,” she said automatically before dropping onto the chair as far away from him as she could manage.

  He regarded her over the rim of his glasses. “I’m moving back to Smitten, Heather. I thought we needed to clear the air between us.”

  When she managed to get the elephant off her chest, she inhaled. She gulped, then swallowed. “I see. I appreciate the heads-up, and I’ll be sure not to bother you.”

  He exhaled and leaned forward. “I want to apologize for how I acted.”

  “I’m the one who should apologize.” Her face burned as she remembered that night. “I threw myself at you. You did the right thing showing me to the door.”

  He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “It wasn’t that at all.”

  She didn’t want to hear what it was. The humiliation would be too much to bear. She rose. “Well, you’ve apologized, and so have I. I think the air is clear. We can nod at one another politely in Nat’s coffee shop, and there will be no worries. Is that all you had to say?”

  Though she knew it was ridiculous, she held her breath with the faint hope he might say he’d never forgotten her. She shook her head at her stupidity.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing. I’ll show you out.”

  “There’s something else. We’re going to be working together.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The town has been donated a plot of land to develop as an organic farm. I’d like you to help me design the beds and the buildings. We’re going to put in a pumpkin patch and have hayrides for the kids. We’ll have a petting zoo, too, with goats and sheep. There are all kinds of plans for it. I’ve already cleared it with your boss at the county extension office.”

  The thought of working in close proximity with him took her breath away, and not in a good way. Being around him tonight had shown her she’d never gotten over him.

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so, Paul. It would be awkward. There are others at the office who can help you.”

  “Let’s put our personal issues away for the good of the town. I need you, Heather. And let’s be honest, you’re the town expert on organic farming.”

  What did she say to that? She loved Smitten, was committed to her little town. And he was right—no one knew more about this, even in her office, than she did.

  “All right.”

  His eyes lit. “Wonderful. I’ll pick you up tomorrow and show you what I have in mind. I should have some preliminary sketches by then.”

  “Mommy?” Charlie stood in the doorway rubbing his eyes. “I had a bad dream.”

  “You’re fine, little man.” She sprang to her feet and picked up her son. His warm little body relaxed against her. “Put your head down.” She hummed “Amazing Grace,” and his lids began to drift downward again. “Sorry,” she mouthed to Paul. “I’ll be right back.” She carried Charlie back to bed and tucked him in. He didn’t stir.

  She went downstairs and found Paul standing by the window with a pensive expression. “Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. He’s cute. He looks like his daddy?”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him her husband had left her when she was six months pregnant, but she’d had all the humiliation she could handle tonight. “Yes.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy. I only wish you the best.”

  She showed him the door, then leaned against it and let the tears fall.

  When she went back to the sofa, she spotted the old book Lia had bought her. How on earth could she find any clues in such an obscure text? Leafing through the fragile pages, she came to a section titled “Encouraging the Male’s Attention.” The old language made her smile, but her smile faded when she read the last paragraph.

  It is always wise to ascertain the male’s true intentions. Most men won’t be brought to a proposal if the woman is too easily persuaded of his love. A man who is seriously pursuing a woman with honorable intentions will be quick to introduce her to his family, though he may hide her from his friends if he is the jealous sort.

  No wonder her forwardness had sent Paul running for cover. She shook her head and pushed the thought away. She was only reading this old thing to find clues about the treasure.

  Heather let herself into Molly’s house. “Moll? I’ve got scones and coffee from Natalie’s shop.” She went down the hall and through the living room, strewn with Noah’s toys, to the kitchen.

  Molly was sitting at the table with a blank expression. She was still in her pajamas, lavender flannel ones with frolicking kittens that Noah had bought her for Christmas.

  Heather touched her shoulder. “Moll?”

  Molly startled and looked up at her with sorrowful brown eyes, puffy from crying. “What am I going to do, Heather? It’s all so overwhelming.” She put her hands over her face. “I can’t stop replaying that huge fight we had before he left that day.”

  “I know, honey.” Heather well knew the pain of a marriage on the rocks.

  She pulled up a chair, then slid the coffee across the table to her. “Here, drink your coffee. You can’t go back. I know things weren’t
great between you and Curtis. You were both so young when you got married, and he never grew up. He was a sweet guy, but he acted like he was still in high school without a family to feed.”

  Molly picked up her coffee, tucked a long brown strand of hair behind her ear, then took a sip. She managed a smile. “You’re a good friend.”

  “Try not to worry. All of us in Smitten are going to help you. The first thing we need to do is take a look at your finances and see what is going on there.”

  Molly put her coffee back on the table. “It’s worse than I ever dreamed.” She reached over and clutched Heather’s hand with cold fingers. “Promise you won’t say a word! I can’t stand it if the whole town knows how foolish Curtis was. They have him up on a pedestal now, and at least that’s comforting to Noah.”

  “I promise. What’s wrong?”

  Molly released her and sat back. “He took out a second mortgage on our house to fund the business. So if I lose the business, I lose our home too. And this little house has been in his family for four generations. His grandmother was born here to Pearl Chambers. His parents started their life together here. Noah loves this place. I can’t take that away from him, Heather, I just can’t.”

  Heather exhaled and sat back in her chair. “I’m so sorry. Try not to worry. We’ll sort it out. I can go to the bank with you and ask for better terms. Maybe they would suspend payments for a few months until you get on your feet. Brian is a good guy. He’ll work with you.”

  Molly shook her head. “That might help a bit, but the payments will be overwhelming.”

  It usually took five years to get a business on its feet. Curtis had started Smitten Expeditions a year ago.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Molly said. “It would take a miracle to turn it around.”

  Heather smiled and reached over to squeeze her hand. “God is in the miracle business, and remember—this is Smitten. Our little town is used to helping God make the impossible happen.”

  Molly’s gaze locked with hers, then she bit her lip. “You almost make me think it will be all right.”

  “Everyone wants to help. We’ll do whatever you need.” Heather released Molly’s hand and dug in her purse, then extracted a piece of paper. “Reese sent over a list we can add to or delete.” She slid it across the table to Molly. “What needs tending to first?”

  “I hate to be so needy.” Molly’s voice quavered, but she took the list. “This is too much, Heather. The funeral home gave me some time to pay for the funeral. I don’t want to take charity.”

  “It’s not charity. It’s looking out for our own. The book sale should cover funeral costs. Ellie Draper is going to bring in dinner for you tonight. I’m not sure who is on for tomorrow, but you don’t need to worry about grocery shopping either. Ellie is going to bring in some things for your fridge and cupboard.”

  Molly swallowed hard, then turned her attention back to the list. “The remodeling is going to have to come to a halt. I don’t have the money to pay for labor. I called the contractor yesterday, and he’s been paid for what he’s done so far. Curtis did that much at least.”

  “Do you have all the materials?”

  “I don’t know. There might be a few items needed, but it doesn’t matter when I can’t pay for the labor. I don’t know what he was thinking. Maybe he thought he’d do it himself.”

  “Let me see what I can do.” She suspected Carson and Natalie would want to donate any necessary building materials, and she was sure she could find some carpenters willing to do the work for free to help out. Griffen Parker came to mind.

  Molly pressed her lips together. “Don’t go begging on my account.”

  “Molly, you don’t understand. People want to help. You’re one of us. We can’t just stand by and do nothing. You can’t ask that of Smitten.”

  Molly covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Heather took Molly’s wrists and pulled her hands down to stare into her face. “You smile and thank the people who want to do something for you. You don’t steal their joy. Got it?”

  Molly’s brown eyes widened, and she slowly nodded. “All right, Heather, if you’re sure that’s what people really want to do.”

  “Things will be all right. You’ll see. Leave the rest of the stuff to me and your friends.” She glanced around the cheery kitchen, decorated in red and yellow. “Where is Noah, anyway?”

  “I let him go to school. I thought it was best to let him get back to his routine as quickly as possible. He’s taking it hard, poor little guy. Even though Curtis didn’t spend a lot of time with him, he idolized his daddy.”

  Heather’s eyes burned, and she nodded. “A little boy needs a father.” She chewed on her thumbnail. “Um, guess who came back to town?”

  Molly’s dull eyes brightened with interest. “Who?”

  “Paul Mansfield.”

  Molly eyes went wide. “Have you talked to him?”

  Heather reached for the sugar bowl and stirred two teaspoons full into her coffee. She needed strength to face all this. “I talked to him last night, and he met Charlie. I think he was glad his rejection didn’t ruin my life. If he only knew. I didn’t tell him I rushed out and married the first man who asked me. I didn’t tell him my husband was a player who left me when I was six months pregnant. I also didn’t tell him my heart did a flip-flop the second I saw his face.” She put down her spoon.

  Molly snorted. “He thinks you’re still married? How did he act?”

  “He congratulated me and told me he hoped I’d be happy. I think he was relieved.” Her eyes prickled. He’d been way too happy he didn’t have to worry about her. Heather rubbed her forehead. “I can’t believe I was so stupid, Molly.” She laughed. “I was reading this silly book last night, written by Pearl Chambers. Wasn’t she Curtis’s great-grandma or something? Anyway, she says you’ll chase a guy off if you’re too forward. That’s exactly what I did.”

  Heather reached into her book bag and withdrew the old book. “Someone donated it to the book sale, and Lia bought it. You have to read the opening lines.” She pushed it across the table to her friend.

  “That’s some title.” Smiling, Molly began to read, and her grin broadened. “I can’t believe you’re actually reading it.”

  “It’s kind of addicting. I think old Pearl had a good handle on the male species. And it’s just kind of fun.”

  “Look at this one. ‘The male thrives on respect. Curling of the lip or the lifting of a brow by the object of his affections is apt to leave him dejected.’” Molly curled her lip in the very picture of disdain. “Try that on Paul and maybe he’ll leave town.”

  Heather burst into giggles. “I just might do that.”

  At least she’d managed to sidetrack Molly from her worries. “But it’s not the real reason the book is important. It holds the clues to a missing treasure. Surely you’ve heard the old legend about the gold mine Pearl Chambers found?”

  Molly frowned. “That old thing? Good grief, Heather, you can’t be serious. Even Curtis looked for a while, but the land is gone now anyway. I need solid answers, not some wild goose chase.”

  “But what if you still own the mineral rights? I bet Curtis didn’t let those go.”

  Molly nodded. “He said something about that.” She shook her head. “But it’s just a small-town legend, Heather. There’s no truth in it.”

  “I think it’s worth checking out. Here, read this.” She showed Molly the letter from Beatrice. “She clearly believed her mother had found something.”

  Molly shrugged. “There are some old family trunks with pictures and things in the spare bedroom. That might tell us something. But really, Heather, treasure? That’s a little far-fetched. I think I need to do something much more concrete to save this house and the business.”

  “We’re going to help you too. But it can’t hurt to see what we can find here at the house. I’ll try to figure out the clues.”

  Molly’s eyes twinkled. �
��You’re sure you’re not interested in reading the book for the good-luck-with-love issue?”

  Heather sat back in her chair and laughed. “I can see you haven’t read that thing. One particularly pithy piece of advice is to not answer back and to do whatever your husband tells you.”

  Molly smiled. “I’m sure there’s some good advice in there too. Everyone wants love.”

  Heather bit her lip. “Maybe. There’s stuff like dressing up all the time. It did make me wonder if I don’t try enough.” She tugged on the hem of her T-shirt. “Maybe a nice sweater with jeans instead of this. And I can’t even remember the last time I bothered with makeup.”

  “Your skin is perfect. You hardly need it.”

  “Ever the loyal friend.”

  Molly pushed her hair back from her face. “I’d better get to work.”

  “You run off, and I’ll call the girls to see if we can find any clues to that treasure.”

  “Check the spare room. There are all kinds of things packed in there from when Curtis’s parents lived here. But I doubt you’ll find anything.”

  Heather pulled out her cell to call her friends. “Hope springs eternal.”

  The male thrives on respect. Curling of the lip or the lifting of a brow by the object of his affections is apt to leave him dejected.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER THREE

  Paul had always liked Natalie’s house. It was warm and welcoming, just like his sister. They sat at the kitchen table, just the two of them. Carson was at work, and Mia was off to school. The delicious aroma of Nat’s coffee filled the room. She owned the local coffee shop and roasted her own special blends.

  Nat set an omelet in front of Paul, then pulled out a chair and joined him. “You’ve been avoiding my questions. Why didn’t you call and tell me you were coming?”

  He grinned as he dug into his breakfast. “I’m moving back.” He waited until her brown eyes widened. “I know I said I wanted big-city life, but I’ve changed my mind.”