“Can I help you find a place to live?” he asked.

  “I think I can manage, but thank you.” She was sure she would rent an apartment.

  Michael stopped rocking. “How is your business going?”

  She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m making it, a few more customers would help. Time will tell,” she said. It was an honest statement to herself.

  “I hope it goes well for you. I mean it.”

  “Thanks.” For the first time, she felt Michael’s words. They were honest and sincere and she appreciated it from him.

  “And I’m sorry about your shop. You know I had no idea it was a fire hazard.”

  She nodded. “I had a vision for that building. I wanted it to be a hot spot for retail. You knew what happened, didn’t you?”

  Kelly shook her head, eager to hear it from Michael.

  “The Lees own the building. They’ve wanted to sell it for years and a bogus company from Seattle contacted them and proceeded to make a deal with them. Meanwhile, this company contacted me and asked if I wanted to go in on the purchase, take a share once I gave them two hundred thousand dollars. They sent me the legal forms, or what I thought was legit and I signed them. It all seemed fair and square. I got a copy of their signature and transferred the money. I didn’t think much of it. It seemed all real to me, especially when I spoke to the Lees, and they were in the process of selling the building. It all happened fast, but that’s what happens with fraud.” He looked down and then up to meet Kelly’s eyes. “I’m embarrassed,” he admitted. “I’m a businessman, and I was fooled.”

  “It can happen to the best of us,” Kelly said, offering sympathy.

  “In the contract, I was to be the realtor and lease out the shops. It seemed like the perfect solution to my declining sales. There hasn’t been much movement here in town until this past month, I’ve got a few listings. It’s a tough business.” He exhaled. “I got caught up in the idea of making a huge profit.”

  “How are the Lees? Did they lose anything?” Kelly felt her stomach sink. The Lees were a kind and hardworking family. She hated to think anything happened to them.

  “No, just me. I warned the Lees once I couldn’t get a hold of the company. I contacted the police, and it’s under investigation.”

  “I’m sorry you’re going through this.” Kelly’s face tightened.

  “I better get going. I have a meeting right now.” He took a step backward. “I’m hoping the bank can give me some breathing room as I sort this out.”

  Kelly drove to Cottage Hills and presented Emily with the party favor she made. A mini mason jar filled with wine gums in a flower patter box hung a tag with the wedding date.

  “What do you think?” Kelly asked, pleased by her creativity.

  Emily took the small gift box and held it in two hands. “Sweet,” she said. “It’s better than I thought it would be.” She opened it up and took out the glass jar. “It’s perfect.” She blinked and met Kelly’s eyes. “This is awesome.”

  “Phew. Glad you like it.” Kelly relaxed.

  “I think our guests will like it.”

  “I hope they do.”

  Emily placed the jar back in the box. “Can I keep it?”

  “Of course!”

  “How are you feeling? You look so much better than you did. I heard it was your iron causing you problems.”

  “I’m on iron supplements for a bit. How did you know?” Sara said she wouldn’t tell Emily.

  “I had to beat it out of Brad.”

  “Huh.” Kelly nodded. “He told.”

  “Don’t be mad at him. I guessed what was wrong. I mean, with your vegetarian diet, I’ve seen this before with you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wanted to plan your wedding, and if I told you, you would have been micromanaging me.”

  Emily chuckled.

  “I wanted to do this.” Kelly lifted her shoulders. “I didn’t want you to think I was not capable of handling it.”

  “You are more than capable. Mason and I appreciate you. I told you before, and I mean it. We’re so happy you’re involved with our day, and you’ve done such a great job for us. We can’t thank you enough.”

  “I’m glad you made me a part of it.” Kelly squeezed her lips into a smile.

  “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Emily smiled. “We’re still good meeting at your place tonight?”

  Kelly nodded.

  “Sally is coming.”

  “Great.”

  “And I’ll bring a couple of bottles of wine.”

  “Looking forward to it.” Kelly turned on her foot. “I should get going. I’m putting together some appetizers for tonight.”

  “Can I bring anything else?”

  “I’ve got it covered. Thanks, though.”

  “Can you do me a favor?”

  “Yeah.” Kelly raised her chin.

  “Don’t get mad at Brad for telling me.”

  “Why would I be mad?”

  “I don’t know.” Emily winced.

  “I’m not,” Kelly reassured. “He’s my friend.” They hadn’t spoken about their relationship being anything more, and Kelly guessed it was a matter of time before they would be a couple again.

  “Your friend?” Emily asked, pursing her lips. “I guess that’s a start.”

  “To what?” Kelly pushed her head back.

  “What it’s meant to be.”

  “It’s not meant to be anything more.” It was a sad fact; one Kelly needed to come to grips with.

  “What about marriage and babies with Brad?”

  “Long gone.”

  “I don’t understand.” Emily squinted.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way. I love weddings, I love the idea of marriage, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. I don’t think it’s for me.” It was easier to say it out loud and learn to believe it than wish for something that wouldn’t happen.

  Emily touched her chest as though at a loss.

  “It’s fine,” Kelly said. “Honestly. I love Brad. I’ll always love him, but it doesn’t mean marriage is our key to a relationship.” She studied her friend’s face. “You look upset.”

  “I am.” Emily pouted. “I’m sorry. It’s what you wanted.”

  “It’s what I thought I wanted, but all I want is to have a secure relationship, and if I’m lucky to be a mom one day, then it’ll happen.” The words came out easy, and Kelly felt content saying them, but she still felt the need to have something more.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Brad finished firefighting practice, showered, and changed. He did his best to stay away from Dominick. He didn’t want to talk to him unless he had to, but after Kelly left his house, he had his assumptions about why she thought marriage wasn’t for her anymore. Was it because she wanted to date other guys? Maybe she still thought Brad didn’t want the same things anymore. Whatever had influenced her; Brad wanted to know how to change her mind.

  Brad hurried out the door into the parking lot. “Domi,” he called out. Dominick looked over his shoulder and stopped.

  “Hey.” Dominick lifted his chin.

  Brad came a little closer. He scuffed his foot on the pavement. “I heard you and Kelly went out.” Was it the reason why Kelly told him marriage wasn’t necessary to her anymore?

  “We had a date,” Dominick said. “Why?” The invisible chip on Dominick’s shoulder irritated Brad. He could see the tension building on his face.

  “Okay, well, Kelly and I are not over.” Brad had every right to claim her. Dominick didn’t love her the way he did, and he didn’t have a history with her either.

  “She broke up with you.” Dominick gave a hard stare. “Let her go, man. She can decide for herself.”

  Brad dug his fingers into his side. Some couples needed time to figure out what they wanted. It took a year to realize what he lost, but then so did Kelly. She needed to find out what she wanted. It was strange how they both came full circle and were at opposite sides of the spectrum.

  Dominick pushed out his chest. “You only want her back because I’m seeing her.”

  “What are you going to do, ask her?” Brad’s eyebrows narrowed, frustration bulging in his chest. He didn’t understand why Kelly would be even slightly interested in Dominick. It made him angry, and he didn’t know why when he should be confident knowing Kelly was with him the night before.

  “I can ask her. Let’s see who she really wants, I’m heading over to see her now.” He turned on his foot and got into his car.

  Hell no. Without a fight or any sign of competition, Brad let his tired legs take him to his truck. He deserved Kelly’s attention before a guy she didn’t know.

  Brad started his truck, took out his cell phone and called Kelly as he drove away. He needed to hear her voice. If she was at home, he needed to warn her Dominick was on his way over.

  Then what would he say?

  “Hello?” her voice cheery. Brad’s chest squeezed. There was laughter in the background. Brad followed Dominick but kept some distance.

  “Hey, it’s me,” Brad said. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, we’re,” she paused as though something caught her attention. “I’m hanging out with Sara and Em, telling stories, having some wine.”

  “Where are you?”

  “At home. Sally is here too. She joined us. Emily brought over a couple of bottles of her new blend. So good, and we’re putting together the party favors. I think we’re making pretty good progress for saying there’s more conversation than wrapping.”

  The euphoria in her voice made him think about kissing her and how good the other night was. “I told you I could help.”

  “We have a girl’s night.”

  “Right.” Brad drove with both hands on the steering wheel. “If you don’t finish, maybe I can come over and give you a hand.”

  “Because you could wrap the mason jars in cellophane and ribbon?”

  “Yeah, why not?”

  Kelly giggled. “Where are you?”

  “Practice just ended, and I was heading home.”

  “We can talk tomorrow. I think we have everything for the wedding.” Her voice muffled. “I told Emily it was too late to make any changes.”

  He heard the smile in her voice.

  “Yeah, no more changes,” he agreed, enjoying listening to her unwind.

  “So, I’ll see you tomorrow?” Her voice came alive. “I mean, we can talk tomorrow?” She laughed.

  “How about in the afternoon? Four o’clock? I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, sure. I have a consultation tomorrow. An anniversary party.”

  “That’s great.” He was happy for her. Satisfied, she was making her business work in an unpredictable time. By the time Brad disconnected, he was driving down Kelly’s road. He slowed, observing at the vehicles in her driveway. His body stiffened. He gripped the wheel and eased off the gas pedal. His blood started to boil as he watched Dominick standing at her front door, slouched, waiting for Kelly to let him inside. Just then, the door opened, and Kelly appeared, bobbing her head. She shifted her jaw and folded her arms at her chest. Dominick had no right to pester Kelly, especially when she had company unless she was expecting him.

  Brad tried reading Kelly, but he was too far away, so he got out of his truck to have a word with Dominick. Did Kelly have feelings for Dominick, and that’s why she told him her idea of marriage had changed? Was Kelly playing him? He needed to know what was going on, so Brad marched toward them. He needed to know where he stood in their relationship. The closer Brad went down the driveway, the harder his feet pounded, the faster his heart was beating.

  “Brad,” Kelly said, her face lost all expression. Her shoulders dropped, and her mouth opened. “What are you doing here? I thought—”

  Brad shifted his weight to face Dominick. “I gotta know what’s going on,” he said, trying to be all smooth, but he feared it wasn’t coming out the way he intended. Not being one for confrontation, he was tempted to say his two bits and walk away, but he knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

  Dominick snarled. “What, man?” He opened his arms up. “We’re just talking.”

  “I see that,” Brad said. “Kel, can you tell me what’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” she said with more a question. Her mouth pulled at one corner, and her nose scrunched, bringing her eyes to a half-close. She was pissed.

  “Dominick brought me a table.” Her voice shed the kindness he wished he was feeling, but his fellow firefighter was a nuisance and an irritating jerk. “A table?” Brad pulled his back straighter and winced. He didn’t see a table.

  “He dropped it off earlier. He was bringing me the chairs.”

  Brad scowled. Cause the guy didn’t have a truck. “You can have my kitchen table. I don’t use it. What does this one seat, two?” He chuckled to himself.

  “It’s perfectly fine,” she coaxed and smiled at Dominick. “I appreciate it. Thank you.”

  Brad’s neck pulsed. “I just said you could have mine.”

  “It’s fine. This one works well in my space. I don’t have a lot of room.”

  “It’s not big enough to use for a desk,” Brad challenged.

  “It works.” She stared harder at Brad.

  His head was feeling hot, his ears burning. “What’s he going to do next, move in?”

  “Only if she wants me to,” Dominick said with a sly laugh.

  It wasn’t funny. Dominick had some nerve thinking he could expect to see Kelly and to do it in front of his face.

  “What are you doing coming around when you know damn well, Kelly, and I are together?” He glanced at Kelly and held her gaze for a moment. Her eyes darkened. Her mouth closed, and her lips were like a rosebud.

  Was he wrong?

  “You knew Kelly, and I have been together,” Brad said, standing his ground. He had to show Kelly he was serious. “And you call on her to get back at me.”

  “I told you, man,” Dominick’s sarcastic smile somehow got on his nerves. “I like her.” He darted a quick look at Kelly. “I don’t have to prove anything. And I’m not getting back at you.” His mouth gave a half turn like he had eaten something bitter. “Told you already. Jeez.” Dominick shuffled his feet. “Kelly and I are friends.”

  “Friends?” Brad laughed. “Okay.”

  “Brad, we’ll talk to tomorrow,” Kelly interrupted.

  “I didn’t know you two were friends,” Brad said. “Well, that explains everything,” he mocked. Weren’t he and Kelly friends too? She told him and slept over. His blood boiled.

  “Thanks again,” Kelly said to Dominick, and a crowd gathered behind her.

  “What’s going on?” Sara asked, her eyes flashing over Kelly’s shoulder.

  “I’m leaving,” Dominick said. “Out of Moonlight Valley. Just wanted you to know, Kelly.”

  “You’re leaving?” Kelly’s mouth dropped. “Did you get the job at another firehouse?”

  What firehouse? Brad wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to seem interested. He couldn’t care less about Dominick and what he did.

  “Yeah.” A smile touched Dominick’s lips. “We’ll talk before I go.”

  Kelly nodded. “Sounds good. Thank you for the table.”

  “The less I have to pack, the better.” Dominick turned on his foot and passed Brad.

  His stomach sank. He overreacted and felt foolish standing in front of Kelly and her friends. He squeezed his hand together and took a deep breath. Kelly’s eyes were full of hurt, and he hated that he made her feel that way. He couldn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. Dominick drove away, and Brad turned on his foot and headed to his truck, feeling Kelly’s eyes burning the back of his head.

  When Brad was in his truck, he took out his phone and sent Kelly a message.

  I’m sorry. I feel stupid.

  HE DROVE HOME AND DECIDED to get ready for bed, even though it was only after dinner. He felt like a loser jumping to conclusions about Dominick and Kelly. He let his mind get the best of him.

  Lying in bed, reading a copy of Firehouse, his phone rang. He threw his magazine down beside him, reached over to his night table, and clumsily grabbed his phone.

  “Hey,” Brad answered, his heart raced, relieved to hear from Kelly.

  “So, do you want to explain why you had to come over tonight and embarrass yourself and me?”

  “It wasn’t my intention.” At least he was being honest. He scratched the side of his head. “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I don’t care for Dominick, and seeing him with you aggravated me.”

  “I could hardly tell.”

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t mean to come there and fight.”

  “Why did you? We had spoken minutes before and said we’d talk later.”

  Brad was silent.

  “Dominick’s a nice guy,” she defended. “He means no harm. I didn’t expect you to come over and ruin the night.”

  “I couldn’t have ruined the night.” He shook his head.

  “It went from having a fun night to talking about Dominick and you.” Her voice a higher pitch. She was angry, and he couldn’t blame her. “Poor Sally came over to be a part of the wedding, and all she kept asking about was if you were the obsessive type and how you knew Dominick had come over. Like you were stalking.”

  “I told you I was at practice.”

  “With Dominick. So you followed him to my house? What has gotten into you?”

  Brad threaded his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to say,” he said honestly. He was following his heart. “Can you forgive me?”

  “Sure, I can forgive you, but I’m not happy about what you did.”

  “Fair enough,” he said, clutching his phone. He wished Kelly was lying beside him so they could have a conversation and hold her and kiss her. “What did you see in Dominick? Never mind, don’t answer it.”

  “Do you think I’d see other people and sleep with you? I thought you knew me.”

  “Dominick commented on dating you. He’s a jerk, remember? I don’t trust the guy.”

  “He’s moving so you can forget about him.”

  “I can forget.” It was easy to do as long as he had nothing to do with Kelly. “Are you staying single because you want to date other people?” Brad hated to ask the question because he was scared for the answer. His stomach feeling empty, he waited for her response.

 

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