Janey’s emotions couldn’t take another blow.

Her stomach heaved, her shoulders shook and tears gushed down her cheeks.

“God, Janey, don’t,” Dillon pleaded in an agonized voice.

Then he lunged to his feet and strode toward her, stopping so close that she could feel his breath warm her skin when he spoke again.

“I don’t know when to keep my bloody mouth shut.”

“It’s not your fault,” she whispered, her lips accidentally grazing his. Wide-eyed, their gazes held while Janey’s breath constricted and her head reeled.

“God, don’t look at me like that or—” He broke off again, then added, “Oh, to hell with it.”

As before, his kisses started out feather light, on her temple, her cheek, her mouth. They barely touched as he murmured, “I didn’t mean to upset you more.”

“It’s all right,” she sobbed, circling her arms around his neck until his lips were locked tightly and frantically against hers.

“Aptly named, Baxter’s latest novel boasts sensuality as its strongest feature—the attraction between the hero and heroine sparks fire from the first and keeps on burning hot throughout.”

—Publishers Weekly on Sultry

Tempting Janey
Mary Lynn
Baxter

www.mirabooks.co.uk

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

One

The quietness bothered him.

It wasn’t natural, Dillon Reed told himself as he ambled down the main hall of Brookwood High School, where he was principal. This hall and the others should be teeming with students laughing, talking and slamming locker doors.

All that and more would start again soon enough, Dillon reminded himself with a quirk of his lips. First thing in the morning, in fact. But on this Wednesday evening, just after dark, the students were gone and silence was the order of the day.

Dillon didn’t make a habit of cruising the halls when they were empty. His purpose for having stopped by the school on this particular evening was to get his briefcase, which he’d forgotten. After that, he was headed to his sister’s, where he was expected for dinner.

But since he had some time to kill, he’d figured he might as well stroll down the main hall and check for new graffiti on the walls and lockers, something that never failed to raise his ire.

Dillon paused, feeling the silence close around him like a tomb. The place was downright gloomy without its usual hubbub.

What was wrong with him? He spent more than his share of time on the job, arriving way before the first bell rang and leaving long after the last one had sounded. In fact, he was on the premises a lot at night—the only time he could get his paperwork done—and the silence had never bothered him before.

What was different about tonight?

He wasn’t complaining. He loved what he did, loved every nook and cranny of this new building, loved every minute he spent walking the halls and grounds. He’d worked his way up through the ranks of the system, starting out as a teacher and coach, then moving up to guidance counselor, and now to principal.

He wasn’t content, though. He had his eye on a superintendent’s position. But he wasn’t in a hurry. Right now, he was content to remain hands-on with the kids. Keeping up with them kept him young in mind and spirit. When the time was right to make the move, he would know it.

However, he wasn’t interested in getting too far away from Hunter. This small South Carolina town of forty thousand plus, perfectly positioned between Charleston and Savannah, was home to him. And since he’d invested heavily in a chunk of land—land that he hoped to make into a profitable horse farm—he intended to be picky about future jobs.

A deep sigh escaped Dillon just as he reached his office and unlocked the door.

That was when he heard the noise.

When he couldn’t identify the sound, every muscle in his body tensed. He didn’t move; he almost stopped breathing as his military background booted his system into high alert. He listened.

Nothing.

Dillon almost wilted with relief. His imagination was obviously working overtime, which wasn’t a bad thing. Blatant mischief and much worse were problems that all schools had to contend with. It never paid to be careless, and he couldn’t let himself get overconfident that his facility was different simply because he ran it with an iron fist.

He had the door all the way open and had reached for the light switch when he heard the noise again. He stood still, feeling his heart up its pace and the hairs stand out on his neck. No mistake this time. Something was going on.

Suddenly a crashing sound, like that of glass breaking, interrupted the stark silence.

Someone else was definitely in the building.

The lab. That was his first guess. It was at the opposite end of this hall and full of plenty of breakable objects. Rage rendered him immobile for several more seconds before it hit his body like a shot of adrenaline.

He spun on his booted heels and charged down the hall, careful at the same time not to let the culprit or culprits know they had company.

Dillon had no idea what he would encounter, but it didn’t matter. Whoever was responsible for what was going down would pay dearly. No one destroyed Brookwood property and got away with it.

Another crash assaulted his ears just as he rounded the dark corner. He flinched, but his feet never faltered. Hoping to sneak up on the intruders unannounced, he hadn’t turned on the lights. That would have sent them scurrying out the side door of the lab before he could get to them.

When Dillon paused at the door and eased his head around, only the glow from a high-powered flashlight greeted him. Still, he was able to see two people, both males, both young, both wearing caps, masks and gloves.

Students, his instincts told him. Smart students, at that, having thought to shield their identity.

They were having a high old time, too, beating the hell out of the equipment. One had a baseball bat in hand, the other had a hammer. Broken glass, microscopes and computers were strewn about.

The place looked like a war zone.

After seeing the havoc the little creeps had wreaked, Dillon’s rage threatened to choke him. This was the first time this kind of malicious destruction had taken place at his school. But no more. He was about to bring their party to a halt.

“Hold it, boys. Playtime’s over.”

“Oh, shit!” one of them yelled, then tore off toward the door. “Come on, let’s get the hell out of here!”

The other one obviously needed no second invitation as he shot over the debris like a sprinter and dashed toward the exit, almost running over his companion in the process.

Dillon followed suit, only to curse silently. The door. He’d underestimated their closeness to the side entrance that made a quick exit possible.

By the time he reached their avenue of escape, the boys were through the door and racing across campus. Dillon chased them, but he knew he was wasting his time.

A nondescript pickup was parked in an area of almost total darkness not far from the lab. They jumped in it and took off before he could get near them, much less get a license plate number.

“Damn,” he muttered, sucking in a deep breath.

He’d screwed that up royally, he admitted as he turned and made his way back into the building. If he hadn’t been so cocky, so sure of his ability to handle the situation, he would have called the cops the second he heard the sound of breaking glass.

By the time he’d have investigated and found out what was going on, the law would have been there. But no, he’d had to plunge in headfirst on his own.

“Dammit,” he muttered again out of sheer frustration as he strode into his office. Once there, he called the police, then waited for their arrival, but not patiently.

What was happening to kids these days?

He’d asked himself that question untold times, but he still didn’t have an answer. Years ago, when he first entered the fascinating world of teaching children, nothing like what he’d just witnessed had ever taken place—at least not that he could remember.

How times had changed. Breaking and entering was actually considered a mild offense. Now kids were killing kids. Kids were killing parents. God, it made no sense whatsoever.

What it did do, though, was frighten the hell out of him. He was of the opinion that youngsters should behave and be responsible for their actions. He loved “his kids,” but they knew better than to cross the line he’d drawn in the sand. Or at least he’d thought so, he told himself, mentally kicking his own rear.

Apparently he’d misjudged his control, refusing to have security guards in the halls of his school. After all, he was an ex-Marine whose rough edge would help him handle any situation that might occur. Until now, that rough edge hadn’t failed him.

His thoughts were interrupted by two uniformed officers making their way into his office.

Following introductions, Dillon told them what had taken place.

“Too bad you didn’t get the plate number,” Officer Temple, the taller of the two, said.

When he had first seen them, Dillon had hidden a smile. One was as tall as a giraffe, the other as short as a Shetland pony. Side by side, they reminded him of Mutt and Jeff.

Dillon’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll admit the little creeps got the better of me. But I thought I could handle them and the situation.”

“That’s never a wise assumption, Mr. Reed, especially in this climate.”

“I know that now,” Dillon said harshly, again mentally kicking himself. It was damn embarrassing to make such a gross error in judgment and be caught at it. “Come on, let’s take a look-see at the lab.”

The officers made notes, then called the lab team to scour the premises, which Dillon knew would be a lost cause. The kids had played it smart. He’d noticed they were wearing gloves.

Officer Riley, the short cop, finally said, “We’ll do what we can, but you’ll probably have better luck checking around the campus yourself.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “That is, if you think it was some of your students.”

“Oh, I think that’s a real good possibility,” Dillon said in a grim tone. “I just hope the break-in wasn’t gang related.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Officer Temple said, his voice brusque.

Dillon tightened his lips. “I’ve suspected we have one trying to form on our campus, but I haven’t been able to prove it yet.”

“I hope you’re wrong,” Riley said. “But gangs are springing up faster than cancer.”

Dillon remained silent as the lab team completed their work. Once they were gone, he made a quick inventory, then called the janitorial supervisor to clean up the mess. That done, he grabbed his briefcase, flicked off the lights and left the building.

First thing tomorrow morning, he would turn into a not-so-nice Santa. He would make a list and check it twice.

Dillon steered his utility vehicle through the gates of his hundred-acre horse farm. But instead of making a hairpin right turn that would take him to where his sister and brother-in-law lived, he braked and shoved the gearshift into Park.

While the engine purred, he stared into the darkness. At the moment he was lucky. The late-August clouds had drifted away from the nearly full moon, giving it carte blanche to shine for all it was worth.

Dillon took advantage of that treat. To the left, he could see the cabin that sat atop the hill. One day he planned to remodel it so that he could live there. He could envision its homey coziness, with smoke snaking out of the chimney from a wood-burning fireplace on a cold day, and a dog—the Heinz-57 variety—sitting beside him.

The only thing missing from that picture was a woman.

Muttering an expletive, he focused his gaze on the shack, over which towered several huge oak and pine trees that kept it shaded all year long. Beyond, but not visible to him now, was an acre of cleared land. From there, a narrow gravel road wound through the dense thicket like a tunnel. Occasional clearings offered glimpses of the nice-size pond below, which had been filled with catfish. Any time he wanted fresh fish, he just had to cast a line.

Dillon continued to pat himself on the back that he’d had the foresight three years ago to buy the land when it was offered. Despite the hefty bank note he would be paying off for a long time to come, he didn’t regret it.

This place was his lifeline. Without it, he didn’t know what he would have done. Probably have sunk into the depths of despair and been content to wallow there.

Grimacing, he refused to let his mind wander down that forbidden path. He had too much ahead to look forward to. His horse farm had the potential to begin paying off soon, now that his prized piece of horseflesh was almost ready to be bred. And he was starting a new school year that held a lot of promise.

For a second, Dillon’s mind reverted back to the incident in the lab. He grimaced again but refused to let himself dwell on that, either. The school problem he could correct; the past he couldn’t.

Suddenly he realized he’d been lollygagging far too long. His sister, Allie, was probably ready to skin him alive. She believed in punctuality, no matter what. Nothing wrong with that, he reminded himself.

Thinking of his sister, a legal secretary for an affluent attorney, made him smile. That smile remained intact as he parked in front of the modest three-bedroom home on his property, a home he’d generously lent to Allie and her husband, Mike, who worked as his foreman.

His smile widened as the porch light flipped on and Allie opened the door. “It’s about time, brother dear,” she called out, a hand braced on one hip.

Dillon stepped out of his truck and heard the comfortable crunch of leaves and pine bark under his feet. He inhaled, positive he could smell fall in the air, then said, “Hey, sis.”

“Don’t you ‘hey, sis’ me. You’re late.”

“I can explain,” Dillon said, walking onto the porch. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her next to him.

A smile flirted with her lips. “I’ve heard that before.”

“Ah, give me a break, will ya?”

“I’ll have to think about that.”

They parted as they walked into the cheerfully lighted living-dining room combination, where the smell of freshly baked bread permeated the air.

“Before I hear your excuse, how about a hunk of banana-nut?”

“Ah, my favorite,” Dillon exclaimed.

“I shouldn’t let you have any,” Allie said with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Dillon merely grinned, knowing that her threat was empty. She loved for him and everyone else to compliment her cooking, especially her bread. She was known for that specialty all over town.

But then, Allie was known for a lot. She lived to entertain. She enjoyed people, and they enjoyed her. At thirty-eight, two years his junior, her face was still relatively unlined, although she had prematurely gray hair that she didn’t bother to color.

Like him, she was tall and rawboned. Yet her height and build didn’t make her less attractive. Her vibrant blue eyes and ready smile made for a charming combination.

He loved her dearly and couldn’t imagine his life without her, since he had no other family. Their parents had died in a freak auto accident a long time ago. Since then, they had stuck together.

That was why those dark circles under her eyes and that pinched look around her mouth, visible in the light, gave him cause for concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She made light of his inquiry. “Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You tell me,” he said, not quite ready to let her off the hook.

“I might be coming down with the same virus that struck the office.”

“As long as that’s all it is.”

“Stop nagging,” she chastised in a light tone. “You’re worse than some old woman. A lot worse than Mike, and he’s bad enough.”

Dillon laughed. “All right, you win. For now. So where’s that bread?”

“Have you had dinner?” she asked, facing him from in front of the cabinet.

“Nope, but I’m not hungry—except for a huge piece of that bread.”

“I’ll be glad to heat you a plate of peas and corn bread.”

Dillon eased down into one of the kitchen chairs. “Thanks, but I’ll pass tonight. Just the bread, ma’am.”

A few minutes later, he was rubbing his stomach and grinning at his sister, who was staring at him over the rim of her coffee cup.

“Well?” she asked.

He reached for his cup of decaf and took a sip. “Well what?”

“Jerk,” she muttered.

He laughed out loud. “All right, it was the best yet. But then, you know that.”

“It’s nice to hear it, anyway.”

“By the way, where’s Mike?”

Allie made a face. “It’s Wednesday, remember? He’s playing poker with his buddies.” She paused and gave him a pointed look. “I wish you had someone to hang out with.”

“I’ve been at the school,” Dillon said, intentionally ignoring her last provocative statement.

“Why am I not surprised?”

Dillon told her about the break-in.

“Did it ever occur to you that you could’ve gotten hurt?” Her tone was incredulous.

“That was the least of my worries. I just wanted to catch the little shits.”

She let out a deep sigh. “I wish you worked as hard on perfecting your personal life as you do on that school.”

“Now, Allie, don’t start,” he said, taking another sip of coffee.

She went on as if he hadn’t said a word. “Are you still seeing Patricia Sims?”

Dillon curbed his impatience, but barely. “Actually, I’m taking her out Saturday evening. It’s her birthday.”

“Well glory hallelujah.”

“But don’t get your hopes up, sister dear. She’s just a friend and will never be anything else.”

Allie threw up her hands in dramatic fashion. “I give up. You’re hopeless.”

“Hey, I’m happy with things just the way they are.”

“I don’t believe that. It’s time you were interested in another woman, for heaven’s sake. It’s been three years since Elaine’s death.”

Dillon didn’t respond right off, thinking that if Allie only knew what a disaster his marriage had turned out to be, she wouldn’t be pushing him in that direction again. But she didn’t know, and to tell her now would serve no purpose.

He marveled that his dirty little secret had remained just that. In a town this size, he couldn’t believe Allie hadn’t been bombarded with the truth. He suspected the reason for that oversight was that she and Mike had only recently moved back to Hunter. Mike had worked for an oil-drilling company in Texas until he’d gotten hurt and had to quit.

“I know you’d like to have a child. Lord knows, you and Elaine tried hard enough. If I recall, she miscarried twice.”

He made an effort not to wince visibly. But every time that subject was mentioned, it was like someone had scratched the scab off an old wound, leaving it raw and oozing again. “You’re right, I would like to have a child, but not enough to remarry.”

“Oh, Dillon, I hate to hear you talk like that. You have so much to offer a woman.”

He gave her a halfhearted smile. “You’re just biased.”

“Maybe a little, but—”

“Hey, give it a rest, will you? Like I said, I’m content with my life. I have my eye on being a superintendent one day, plus I have the farm, which I’m determined to turn into a profitable business—with Mike’s help, of course.”

He paused and reached for Allie’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “So you see, you don’t have to worry. I’m fine.”

“What you are is hardheaded,” she said, withdrawing her hand and getting to her feet. “I’ll send some bread home with you.”

He stood. “Is that a hint to leave?”

“Of course not, silly,” she said with a grin. “But it’s either do something constructive with my hands or slug you.”

He chuckled. “I’d best be going, then. Anyhow, I need my rest. The rest of this week and next is shaping up to be a killer, what with football season officially starting and the break-in to sort out.”

“I hope you find out who’s responsible.”

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn out to be gang related. I’ve been lucky so far.”

Allie shivered. “Kids are not like they used to be.”

“You got that right.”

They walked arm in arm to the door, where Allie handed him his doggie bag. He thanked her, then kissed her on the cheek.

He was almost to his vehicle when she said, “By the way, don’t forget to pick up a box of candy or some flowers for Patricia.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You just don’t know when to give up, do you?”

She flashed him a smile. “No, brother dear, I don’t.”

Dillon simply snorted.

Two

What a day.

Janey Mayfield rubbed the back of her neck, then peered at the clock behind the counter in her candy shop, Sweet Dreams. Almost closing time. Thank heaven for small favors, she thought, as she began making preparations to reverse the Open sign in the window.

What was wrong with her? The answer popped readily to mind. She was tired, but then, she had a right to be. In the month since she’d returned to South Carolina, her world had been turned upside down again. She’d had to adjust to another new home and a new career, that of a businesswoman who now owned and operated her own shop. At thirty-seven, that was no easy feat.

Often Janey felt as if she were on a treadmill that wouldn’t stop and let her get off, even for a minute.

Yet she wasn’t complaining. Her eyes surveyed the premises. This delightful shop, filled with the fanciest to the plainest of candies, was all hers, thanks to the generosity of her aunt Lois, who had chosen to retire to an assisted living facility in Savannah after suffering a stroke.

Even so, repairs of all sorts needed to be done, both upstairs and down. But they would have to wait. There was simply no money to make them.

Despite her problems, though, she had so much to be grateful for. After getting her teenage daughter Robin up and off to school, Janey always looked forward to dressing, walking downstairs to the smell of candy, chatting with her customers, then ringing up their sales.

But this day had been a particularly difficult one. Perhaps it was the fact that business had been incredibly slow that made her anxious. Sweet Dreams had to do well. There was no choice. She had no choice.

As a divorced single parent with a seventeen-year-old daughter to rear, she had to turn the shop into a profitable venture. Everything depended on it. During the last year of her aunt’s ownership, sales had begun to lag for no apparent reason, but Janey felt confident in her ability to swing sales in the other direction by introducing change and innovation.

Maybe her less than enthusiastic mood was simply weather-related. Even for the end of August, it had been cloyingly hot. The two air-conditioning units, one for the living quarters upstairs and one for the shop below, had been laboring overtime.

After summer heat so muggy and heavy that the clouds and mosquitoes could barely pierce it, fall would be an exquisite relief. Janey suddenly brightened at that thought.

In the years she’d been gone, she’d forgotten just how bad summers in the South could be. But when she’d arrived from Colorado, reality had slapped her in the face.

This, too, shall pass, she reminded herself with another dig at her neck muscles. Hot weather wouldn’t damage her, but a lack of customers just might. Refusing to dwell on that depressing thought, she grabbed the bottle of glass cleaner and a paper towel, and went to work on the counter.

“Mom, I’m home!”

The sound of her daughter’s voice never failed to buoy her spirits. Circumstances beyond her control had kept her away from her child for several months. Robin had returned to South Carolina at the end of her junior year in order to be on the drill team her senior year. But nothing would ever separate them again, she vowed fiercely. Life without Robin wasn’t worth living.

“I’m about ready to close.” Janey made her way to the side door. When she didn’t see her daughter, she asked, “Where are you, darling?”

“I’m already upstairs. I’ll be down in a sec.”

Janey always looked forward to the end of the day, when Robin would come bounding through the door, excited and eager to share the details of her day. Because she was a member of the drill team and had practice every afternoon, she didn’t get home until late.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” Janey smiled, then walked over and gave Robin a quick hug. “So how was your day, young lady?”

Munching on an apple, Robin shoved a swath of shoulder-length, strawberry-blond hair behind one ear, then perched on the stool at the end of the counter. A grin enhanced her features. “Nothing special—except I aced my Trig test.”

“Why, that’s great, honey.”

Robin’s grin deepened, and Janey’s heart melted. She and her ex-husband Keith had made a lot of mistakes in their marriage, but their daughter hadn’t been one of them. Janey marveled every day at this delightful child they had created.

She was tall and slender, with light brown eyes and incredibly long lashes that were dark despite her light-colored hair.

And while Robin wasn’t perfect—not by a long shot, Janey reminded herself ruefully—she wouldn’t change anything, except maybe her daughter’s strong-willed nature.

“How did the shop do today?” Robin asked.

Janey felt her features sober. “Not good. In fact, it was the pits.”

Robin took another bite of apple, then asked, “Wonder why?”

It was on the tip of Janey’s tongue to tell her daughter not to talk with her mouth full, but she refrained. Robin would merely roll her eyes, then give her that “look.”

“I have no clue,” Janey said instead. “I’ve tried to blame it on everything, even the weather.”

Robin stood and tossed her half-eaten apple in the nearest trash basket. “Man, oh man, was it ever hot today. We sweated our buns off, practicing.”

“So everything’s still going all right with the team?”

Robin’s face lighted. “Things are awesome, actually. We learned a new routine today that we’re going to perform at the first home game. Can’t wait for you and Dad to see it.”

“Well, you don’t have long to wait. Friday night next week, right?”

“Righto,” Robin replied, heading toward the door. “I’m going up and drown in the shower. I’m icky.”

Janey wrinkled her nose. “I wondered what that unpleasant odor was.”

“Jeez, Mom!”

Janey laughed. “Just teasing.”

“So what’s for dinner?”

“What do you want?”

“Pizza.”

“When you get through drowning, call it in.”

After Robin had disappeared up the stairs, Janey shook her head. Teenagers—a different breed. At times not human. Maybe that was a more apt description. She didn’t know many parents who would argue that point with her.

But she wouldn’t want it any other way. She would take the good with the bad and enjoy every moment. As it was, her daughter was growing up much too fast to suit her. She would have liked to slow time down so she would have more moments to savor. Since that wasn’t possible, she would make the most of the time Robin still had at home.

If only she didn’t have to share Robin with her ex-husband. If only she didn’t feel guilty about the divorce because of Robin. Keith had turned out to be a womanizing lush, and theirs was a family ripped apart at the seams. It had been a terribly difficult adjustment for Robin.

“Hey, Mom.”

Saved. Her daughter’s timing was perfect. She hated it when her guilty feelings resurfaced and she dwelled on them.

“Yes, dear?”

“I’m going after the pizza.”

“Be careful.”

Noticing that the clock registered five-thirty, she headed to the front door. That was when she saw a utility vehicle pull up. For a moment she was tempted to turn the sign around, anyway, but she didn’t. She needed the money more than she needed the time.

She’d barely made it back to the counter when she heard the buzzer on the door. She swung around with a smile, only to feel it freeze on her lips.

Dillon Reed.

Janey’s breath caught as she struggled to hide her warring emotions. It had been inevitable that one day she would see him again. For one thing, he was her daughter’s principal. For another, this was a small town. Sooner or later, everyone’s paths crossed, like it or not.

“Janey?”

She strove to make her voice sound as normal as possible, though she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. “Hello, Dillon.”

He hadn’t changed all that much in the three-plus years since she’d last seen him. His hair was still unruly and night-dark, but now with a few sprinkles of gray—not unexpected, since he was forty.

His blue eyes certainly hadn’t changed in intensity. They still had the power to cut straight to a person’s soul. Possibly that was why he was so good with kids. He appeared taller and more muscular than she recalled, as if he’d been using the weights.

He was dressed in jeans, a shirt, a casual sports jacket and boots. He looked like he ought to be running a ranch instead of a school. The only thing missing was the Stetson.

Had he always been such a hunk?

Hunk or not, character lines scored his lean features, and there was a rugged hardness about his mouth.

“Is this place yours?” Dillon asked, shattering the tense silence.

“Yes, as of a little over a month ago.”

“Well, I have to say I’m shocked. I never expected you to come back to Hunter.”

“I never expected to, either.”

She turned away, unable to meet the challenge of those deep-set eyes or that earnest gaze.

“So how’ve you been?” he asked in his caramel-smooth tone.

Was there a slight strain in that voice, or had she imagined it? She faced him again, though with reluctance. Was he as uncomfortable with the situation as she was? No doubt she was agitated and on guard, but she couldn’t gauge his reaction at all. He was a master at hiding his thoughts.

“I have no complaints,” she said at last, forcing herself to loosen up.

“You look great.”

She looked away, then back. “Thanks.”

“So how’s Robin?”

“Attending your school and performing with the drill team.”

He looked sheepish for a moment. “Sorry, somehow that fact got by me.”

“That’s understandable. You have hundreds of students.” She felt as though she was rattling on, but she couldn’t seem to stop. “You can’t be expected to remember them all.”

He shifted from one booted foot to the other, then stared at her out of bleak eyes. “Look, Janey—”

“It’s all right,” she interrupted quickly, taking a deep breath. “There’s nothing else to say. So let’s just give things a rest, okay?”

He didn’t respond for a moment. Then he shrugged. “It’s your call.”

“So what can I do for you?”

His eyes had darkened now, and she experienced an involuntary shiver. “Sell me a box of candy.”

Janey forced a smile. “Now that I can do.”

A few minutes later, after she locked up behind him and watched him drive off, Janey leaned against the door, her heart pounding like a jackhammer inside her chest.

Three

“I wish I were built like you.”

Robin gave her friend Beverly Olson an exasperated look. “You look fine the way you are.”

“I look fat the way I am,” Beverly responded in a sarcastic tone.

Underneath that sarcasm, Robin picked up on the note of despair in her friend’s voice. She stopped what she was doing, walked over and sat beside Beverly on the steps of her front porch. An uneasy silence fell between them.

Beverly seemed unusually sensitive about her weight today, Robin thought. Maybe it was because the first big game was imminent, and Beverly was getting nervous about performing in front of the home folks. For whatever reason, Robin was at a loss as to how to comfort her.

She and Beverly had more or less established a set time to practice their routines in Bev’s front yard. This Saturday was no exception.

“How do you stay so damn skinny?” Beverly asked, giving Robin a playful nudge on the shoulder. “You eat like you’ve been felling trees and don’t gain an ounce.”

Robin smiled, glad to see her friend’s good humor return. She knew, however, that Beverly was really serious when it came to her weight problem.

“You might need to lose a few pounds,” Robin said, “but you’re still the best one on the squad.”

“Baloney.”

“No, it’s not baloney.” Robin stood and peered down at Beverly. “You’re as limber as a rag doll and can do any routine perfectly on the first try. Trust me, that counts for something.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather be thin and clumsy.”

Robin placed her hands on her hips and pretended to be offended. “Are you saying I’m clumsy?”

“Nah,” Beverly replied, her grin sheepish. “You’ve got it all together.”

“That’s baloney, too. I’m the one Mrs. Morrison’s always ragging.”

“Well, what do you expect? She’s blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other.”

They both giggled, then sobered.

“I guess we’d better get back to the grindstone,” Beverly said, getting up. “This coming Friday’s looming large.”

“Right. And since I haven’t quite gotten the hang of that new step, I need help.”

Robin didn’t really, but she wanted Beverly to feel needed. In spite of Beverly’s weight, Robin thought her best friend was pretty. Beverly was tall, with mid-length, sandy-colored hair that was silky and shiny. Her eyes were a dark gray, and her skin was flawless. Most of all, she had a sharp wit and sense of humor that made her a blast to be around.

Robin adored her, especially since Beverly was the only one who had befriended her when she’d returned from Colorado. Most of the others in the class had treated her like an outcast.

They were just jealous, Beverly had told her, because she was so “everything” they weren’t. Robin hadn’t believed that for a second—but she didn’t know what she would have done if Beverly hadn’t become her friend.

Now, in their senior year, their friendship had deepened. They shared everything except clothes.

“What’s churning in that brain of yours?” Beverly asked. “You’re staring holes through me.”

“Sorry,” Robin said. “I was just thinking about how tough it was when I came back here, and how you got me through those miserable times.”

Beverly chuckled. “I loved it the first day you tried out for the team. You were great, and most of my so-called friends were green with envy. And I enjoyed every minute of their misery.”

“You’re awful.”

“No, I’m truthful. Eloise and entourage needed some competition. And you gave it to them. It was a hoot.”

Robin’s features clouded. “Most of them still don’t like me.”

“So what? Who needs them? All they think about is guys—which one is going to get in their panties next.” Beverly paused and grinned. “Oops, my mistake. They don’t even wear panties.”

Robin giggled. “I hate to agree with you, but I do.”

“Speaking of Eloise and company, they just drove up.”

Robin peered over her shoulder, feeling her heart drop to her toes. The afternoon was ruined, for sure. She hated the competition that went on among the drill team, mainly the catty jealousy. But it existed, and she had to face it or get sucked under.

“Wonder what we did to deserve such luck?” Beverly muttered, as four girls piled out of a Lexus sports coupe and walked up.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Eloise Frazier asked, batting her big brown eyes and smiling her fake smile, appearing as innocent as a newborn babe.

Robin knew better. The captain of the drill team was as innocent as a hooker on Sunset Boulevard. And she was up to something. It was only a matter of time before she and Beverly found out what.

“We’re just taking a break from practicing,” Beverly said.

“Want us to watch?” Sally, another of the girls, asked.

“Nope,” Beverly said. “Not unless y’all want to perform for us.”

Another of the girls spoke up. “We don’t need any more practice. We’ve got the routine down.”

“Bully for you,” Beverly said.

Robin knew a verbal slinging match was not far off, and while Beverly could more than handle the situation, Robin didn’t want to be part of it. So she smiled at the fourth girl, Mandy Taylor, then changed the subject. “Is that your car? It’s awesome.”

Mandy returned the smile. “Actually, it’s my mom’s.”

Of the four girls, all officers on the drill team, Mandy was salvageable, Robin thought. When the girl wasn’t around Eloise, she could be sweet.

“Lucky you, to get to drive it,” Robin added, thinking of the older, much less desirable model she drove. Her dad worked for a car dealership but he certainly hadn’t bought her a new car. And her mother couldn’t have, even if she’d wanted to. Robin suspected her mom was just managing to squeak by.

“My parents are getting me a BMW,” Eloise chimed in.

“That’s nice,” Robin forced herself to say in an even tone, though she dared not look at Beverly for fear they would burst out laughing. Eloise just had to be one up on everyone. She was truly a pain in the butt, though sometimes Robin actually felt sorry for her, because she always had to be the center of attention. What a heavy burden to bear.

“Hey, look who just drove up,” said Jodie Tipton, the last of the four to speak.

All eyes darted to the street and watched as a truck pulled into the drive.

“That’s my brother, Cody,” Beverly said. “And it looks like he’s got Chad with him.”

Robin’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Chad Burnette. It beat even faster when the senior star quarterback climbed out of the truck.

To die for.

That description fit him to a tee. He was big and brawny, with longish dark-blond hair and green eyes. Even though he was cocky and self-assured and knew without a doubt that he was good-looking, Robin didn’t care.

He didn’t know that she was alive on planet Earth, though, which she did care about. She’d had a mad crush on him since the first time she saw him. Although they had been introduced at a party last year, she couldn’t recall his having spoken to her since.

Following Beverly’s haphazard attempt at introducing her brother to everyone, Eloise asked, “Hey, Chad, how’s it going?”

Robin knew the two of them had been an item for several months. Then, rumors had it, Chad had dumped Eloise, but, Eloise, though furious, hadn’t stopped caring about him.

“It’s going,” Chad drawled, his eyes seemingly scoping out each of the girls.

When Robin felt his gaze settle on her, she swallowed hard.

“Do I know you?” he asked.

“Chad, honey,” Eloise blatantly interrupted, “how ’bout letting Cody drop you off by my house when you leave here?”

His eyes never left Robin’s face, though his words were obviously meant for Eloise. “Not interested.”

Robin flinched at his rudeness, while Eloise sucked in her breath loud enough for everyone to hear. Then everyone else seemed to start talking at once.

But Robin couldn’t have spoken if her life had been in jeopardy, for Chad had walked over to her and was now staring down into her eyes.

“Have we ever met?” he asked.

Robin licked her dry lips. “Actually, yes.”

“I must’ve had a brain fart, ’cause I sure don’t remember.”

“Hell, Burnette,” Cody chimed in, “you don’t even have a brain.”

“Cut the crap,” Chad said, still not taking his eyes off Robin.

“Yeah, big brother,” Beverly said in a firm but good-natured tone. “Butt out.”

“So, Robin,” Chad said, speaking for her ears alone, “you going with anyone?”

Robin swabbed at her lips again. “Uh, no.”

“Can I call you?”

“That would be great,” Robin replied in a breathy voice, her insides going haywire.

“Hey, Chad, let’s go.”

He flicked Robin on the chin and winked. “Later, then.”

It was after Chad had turned and walked off that she caught the full force of Eloise’s vindictive glare. A chill darted through her.

How did he always manage to wade in the deep stuff?

Dillon had asked himself that question several times already and still had no answer. Before long he was going to need hip boots.

First, he’d discovered he was going to have to be much more patient when it came to finding out who’d broken into the lab. He’d made his list, all right, and even done some snooping. So far, though, he’d come up empty-handed.

Then he’d come face to face with Janey Mayfield, who had treated him as if he had a communicable disease. Her attitude shouldn’t have rankled, but it did. Just who the hell did she think she was? She had no right to pass judgment on him, though it was obvious she didn’t see it that way.

What a damn awkward moment. When he’d realized who owned the candy shop, he’d wanted to turn around and get the hell out. That absurd reaction, however, had lasted only a moment, his good breeding and common sense coming to his rescue.

Though it had been years since he’d last seen her, she appeared much the same—in looks, anyway. While never beautiful, she had always been attractive—and still was, though she appeared more on the thin side than he remembered. However, her curves were in the right places. He’d noticed that, much to his chagrin.

Of course her hairstyle had changed. She now wore her reddish-brown hair shorter and tousled, giving her a softer, sexier look. But the real change was in her clear brown eyes. They reflected a guarded intensity that hadn’t been there before. But then, he couldn’t blame her for that.

What he could blame her for was her attitude toward him, and for refueling his own painful memories.

Now he was sitting in a restaurant with another woman, having dinner, when he would rather be at home. Alone.

“Dillon.”

The sound of Patricia’s irritated voice brought him back to the moment with a start. “Mmm?”

“What’s the matter with you?” she demanded. “You’ve hardly said a dozen words since we got here, and we’ve finished our meal.”

She was right, he admitted silently. His mind and heart weren’t in the evening. Crossing paths with Janey yesterday had definitely soured his mood, which was ludicrous, but a fact nonetheless.

“Sorry,” he said lamely, feeling more like a heel than ever.

“I don’t think so,” she responded bluntly.

“I really am sorry if I’m ruining your birthday. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of things on my mind.”

She frowned. “Obviously I’m not one of those ‘things.’”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Look, Pat—”

She held up her hand. “I know we’re just friends. You’ve made that plain from the beginning, but—” This time she stopped her own flow of words with a shrug. “And I’m okay with that—for right now,” she added hurriedly, giving him a teasing smile. “But I’m not giving up, so be warned.”

His gut instinct told him to douse that hope with the brutal truth, but he refrained. After all, this was her birthday, and he couldn’t bring himself to totally destroy the evening.

He hoped he wouldn’t regret his actions later. As he’d told Allie, Patricia was a friend and nothing else. He cared about her, but he felt no chemistry, sexual or otherwise, which he deemed necessary in any relationship.

That was unfortunate, too, since Pat was a woman who had a lot going for her. She was several years younger than he, divorced, with no children. She was attractive, too, with short black hair and dark eyes. And she owned her own business, a successful beauty salon. He sensed she would marry him in a minute. For that reason, he decided it wouldn’t be wise to take her out after tonight.

“Hey, I’m still here, remember?”

He gave her a sheepish grin. “I know. All I can do is apologize again.”

“How about ordering coffee, instead?”

That was when Dillon realized the waiter was hovering over his shoulder. “Works for me,” he quipped, then did just that.

After the waiter had disappeared, his eyes accidentally wandered toward the door of the restaurant. Suddenly he sucked in his breath and held it.

“What’s wrong?” Pat asked, a frown marring her features.

He cleared his throat. “Nothing.” Liar, he told himself, watching Janey Mayfield and her daughter thread their way between tables, heading in their direction.

Great, he thought with disgust. Just great.

Four

Janey couldn’t have ignored him even if she’d wanted to. Despite the fact that he was seated at a table in the far corner of the room, Dillon’s muscular body seemed to stand out.

He had on slacks and a sports coat, a far cry from the cowboy look of the other day. Whatever he wore, his strong features were an attention grabber. Not that she was attracted to him or anything like that, except in a purely objective way, she assured herself quickly.

Still, she was irritated that she’d even given him more than a cursory glance. Lowering her eyes, Janey crossed her fingers that the hostess wouldn’t place her and Robin anywhere near Dillon and his date.

She wished now that she and Robin had gone somewhere else to dine, to celebrate her lucrative day at Sweet Dreams. She had sold more candy today than any day since she’d taken over.

Robin had told her that called for a celebration. Ignoring the fact that she was dead on her feet, Janey had agreed. Now, however, she was regretting Robin’s choice of restaurant, although this one was the most upscale in Hunter—the place to be seen, Robin had said with a grin.

They had barely been seated and ordered their drinks when Robin said in an excited voice, “Mom, did you see who’s here?”

“Lots of people,” she responded with wide-eyed innocence.

Robin’s mouth curved downward. “Oh, Mom, I know you saw him. It’s Dillon.”

“Mr. Reed to you, my dear,” Janey said sternly.

“Well, it used to be just Dillon.” Robin’s tone was a bit petulant.

“That was a long time ago. Now he’s your principal, which sets new ground rules.”

“I know.”

“Smile when you say that.”

“Who would ever have thought he’d be my principal? It’s awesome.” Robin’s eyes twinkled. “He’s awesome, actually.”

Janey barely curbed her impatience with the turn this conversation had taken. “Oh, really?”

“So cool, too. All the kids like him lots.”

“I’m glad.”

“You don’t sound like it.”

“That’s not true.”

“You should see your face, Mom. When I mention him, you look like you’ve just bitten into something sour.”

Clearly flustered by her daughter’s astuteness, Janey cleared her throat and peered at the menu. “You’re imagining things.”

“I don’t think so. After all, he and Elaine used to be your and Dad’s best friends. Why don’t you like him anymore?”

Janey tempered a sigh before she raised her eyes back to Robin. “I like him just fine, okay?”

“Whatever you say.” Robin grabbed her cola, which the waiter had just set down, and took a sip. “But I still don’t get it,” she added.

“You don’t have to get it, okay?” Janey’s tone was testy, but she couldn’t help it. Enough was enough. She was glad that Robin was happy at school—delighted, in fact—but that didn’t mean she wanted her evening inundated with Dillon’s praises.

To Janey’s relief, her daughter’s eyes dropped to the menu.

“Good evening, ladies.”

Janey groaned inwardly. His deep voice and his up-close-and-personal nearness could no longer be avoided. At least he hadn’t brought his woman friend with him. Janey forced herself to look up and say in a pleasant tone, “Hello, Dillon.”

His gaze settled on her a tad longer before switching to Robin. “So how’s it going?”

“Uh, great.”

Dillon smiled warmly at Robin. “I’m glad. I hope you two enjoy your dinner.”

“We plan on it,” Robin said, giving him a huge smile in return.

His gaze included both of them briefly before he turned and walked back to his table.

“That’s the first time he’s actually spoken to me since we’ve been back,” Robin said, her voice filled with amazement.

“Unfortunately, the good students like you get lost in the shuffle. While that’s too bad, it’s the truth.”

Robin glanced at Dillon. “I know. You can bet he knows the jerks on campus.” She paused. “I wonder if he’s in love with that woman.”

“I haven’t the foggiest idea, nor do I care.”

“I still don’t know why you don’t like him anymore. Did he do something to piss you off?”

“Robin, don’t push it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Janey cleared her throat and smiled at the waiter, who had reappeared to take their orders. Once he was gone, she turned that smile on Robin, thinking again what a smart and lovely young woman she was and how proud she was of her—although at times she could certainly try a mother’s patience. This evening was one of those times. Janey knew she’d made a mountain out of a molehill when it came to Dillon. In her own defense, she had been caught off guard, first by his appearance, then by Robin’s enthusiastic response to him.

But she shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, Robin was right: they had been neighbors and friends for years before she and Keith had broken up and she and Robin had moved away. And Robin didn’t have a clue….

“Mom.”

“What, darling?”

“Are you all right?”

Janey gave her a bright and reassuring smile. “Of course. How could I not be? I had a great day at the shop, and I’m having dinner with my most favorite person in the whole world.”

“You don’t miss Dad at all, do you?”

Janey clamped down on another sigh. “No, I don’t. I have to be honest.”

“That’s too bad, because I do.”

“I know, darling, and I’m sorry, for your sake.”

And she was, though she had to admit that Robin’s strong tie to Keith was a nagging worry. While she realized she had no choice but to share her daughter with her ex-husband, she wasn’t thrilled about it.

The two men she least wanted to discuss or have anything to do with—Dillon and Keith—seemed suddenly to have become the dominant topics of conversation.

“Speaking of Dad, he wants me to spend next weekend with him.”

Janey’s chest tightened. “But, darling, that’s the first home game. I thought we could celebrate together.”

“But what about Dad?” Robin asked, a stubborn look on her face. “He feels the same way you do.”

Janey tried to hide her hurt. “If that’s what you want to do.”

“I just wish I wasn’t pulled between the two of you all the time.”

Janey’s heart wrenched. “I know, and I’m sorry about that, too. But that’s the way it is.”

Their food chose that moment to arrive, for which Janey was grateful. She wished things could be different, but they weren’t. Sooner or later, Robin was going to have to accept that, as painful as it was.

They ate in silence for a moment, then Robin looked at her with another grin on her lips. Relieved, Janey answered with one of her own. “So what’s up?”

Robin giggled. “What makes you think there’s anything up?”

“I know you, especially when you get that certain look on your face.”

“I met someone—or, at least, I saw him again.”

“Ah, a him.”

“Come on, Mom, give me a break.”

Janey forced a straight face. “Sorry, I’ll be good.”

“His name is Chad Burnette. And talk about a side of beef…”

“Robin!”

“Well, that’s what he is. He’s to die for, and he paid attention to me.”

“Tell me something about him.”

“I met him at Beverly’s. He’s a friend of her older brother. And he’s our team quarterback.”

“My, my, that is a coup.”

Robin squirmed in her chair. “Oh, my gosh, Mom, you have no idea how many girls would give one of their boobs to date him.”

“I doubt that,” Janey said, trying to hide her dismay at her daughter’s choice of words. Would her own child never cease to amaze her? Or shock her?

“I’m assuming he hasn’t called yet?”

“No.” Robin’s face lost some of its animation. “But I’m praying he will.”

Janey smiled, reached over and squeezed Robin’s hand. “Stop fretting. He’ll call. After all, you’re drop-dead gorgeous. How could he not go for you?”

“You’re just biased.”

“Who, me?”

They both laughed, then went back to eating. After finishing a bite, Robin said, “Look, Mom, Mr. Reed and his squeeze are leaving.”

Janey forced herself not to react, though her gaze did unwittingly drift in that direction. For a split second her eyes and Dillon’s met and held. Dillon’s appraisal of her seemed deliberate, she thought. What was he trying to prove?

Then he nodded, breaking the link. She flushed before turning away.

“I can’t wait to tell Bev I saw Mr. Reed.” Robin made a face. “I hate calling him that. It sounds too funky.”

“Funky or not, start loving it,” Janey snapped, then returned her attention to her meal.

Her mouth slid over his penis.

Keith Mayfield groaned as he grabbed a handful of her dark hair, urging her up and onto her back. Once there, he used his fingers to spread her legs, then shoved his dick hard and high into her.

She gasped, digging her fingers into his buttocks.

While looking down at her, he thrust and kept thrusting until her moans coincided with his. He buried his head in the fullness of her man-made breasts and let go of several deep breaths.

Once their breathing had evened out, he rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

“Have I ever told you you’re the best?”

“Every time we fuck,” Keith responded in an impatient tone.

She chuckled, apparently taking no offense. “And that’s a lot.”

“That it is.”

Keith crooked his elbow then and braced his head on his hand. Sabrina Goodness was already staring at him when he peered down at her.

She was pretty, even though she was a little too much on the chunky side to suit him. He preferred his women thin, like Janey. Why had he thought about her, especially now?

Hell, who was he kidding? She was all he’d thought about since he had found out she’d returned to Hunter, though he hadn’t seen her yet.

“What are you thinking about?” Sabrina asked, running a long red fingernail around his nipple.

“You don’t want to know.”

“Of course I do,” she said, leaning over and tonguing that same nipple.

His response was instant. Dipping her eyes to his erection, she laughed, then surrounded it with her hand.

For several moments their grunts of satisfaction were the only sounds in the room.

Afterward, Keith got up and walked across to the window, where the blinds were open. He stared out into the inky blackness, but he couldn’t see a thing, not even a star.

“I know something’s bothering you, so you might as well get it off your chest.”

He swung around and faced Sabrina. The lamp burning in the corner of the room allowed him to see that her attractive features were marred by a frown.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to move in with me.”

“Why?” she demanded bluntly.

“Robin, for one.”

“She’s grown, Keith. She’ll understand.”

“No, she won’t, nor will her mother.”

“Ah, now we’re getting to the crux of the matter.”

He jammed his jaws together, not liking her sarcastic tone one iota. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He knew, of course, but he was stalling for time before saying what he’d needed to say for a long time but simply hadn’t had the guts to. He still wanted to ball Sabrina, but he wasn’t interested in her continuing to monopolize all his time. He was ready to spread his joy around.

“You know what it means,” she snapped. “Your daughter’s becoming more important than me.” She paused. “I thought we were in love.”

“Don’t make me choose between you and Robin.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “You can be a first-class bastard when you want to.”

He merely shrugged.

“What brought this change about? You haven’t always been so high on your bratty daughter.”

His eyes narrowed. “I suggest you watch your mouth.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll boot your ass out of my life so fast it’ll make your head spin.”

Sabrina scrambled off the bed and glared at him. “It looks like you’re already doing that.”

He shrugged again.

“This sudden interest in your daughter doesn’t by chance have anything to do with your ex being back in town?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Oh?” She laughed a hysterical laugh, then fumbled to put on her clothes and stormed out.

Five

Somehow she had survived the past week, as well as the weekend.

It wasn’t the candy shop that had her in a snit but the fact that Robin had indeed spent the weekend with her dad.

But in truth, it hadn’t been quite the traumatic ordeal she had expected. Perhaps it was because the drill team had performed on Friday evening and Robin had been perfect, or at least Janey had thought so. She had sat with several other mothers whose husbands weren’t available for various reasons.

Still, Janey had been relieved when Robin had walked into the house last night. Thank goodness Janey hadn’t had to see her ex-husband. In fact, she hadn’t seen him since she’d returned to Hunter, which was more than fine with her. That wasn’t the case, however, with her daughter.

“Dad asked about you,” Robin had said the second she dropped her satchel on the sofa.

Janey had kept her voice even. “That’s nice.”

Robin pursed her lips. “You don’t intend to cut him any slack, do you?”

“Robin, please, this is not the time to discuss your dad and me.”

“Just when is the time, then?” Robin asked. “You never want to talk about him.”

“That’s right, I don’t.”

“I just don’t understand why you ever split up. I thought you were happy.”

“We were, in a lot of ways, but…” Janey’s voice played out but her determination did not. “Sweetheart, we’ve already been over this subject and nothing has changed. Sometimes things just happen and two people stop loving each other.”

“I think Dad still loves you.”

“Trust me, he doesn’t,” Janey said, unable to contain the bitterness. Then, changing the subject, she added, “By the way, you were the best Friday night. You didn’t miss a beat.” She smiled, then walked over and hugged her daughter. “I was so proud of you.”

As if Robin realized the subject of her mom and dad was closed, she pulled back and smiled. “You really think I did good? And looked good?”

“Absolutely, to both. In fact, I wanted to stand up and yell to everyone that you were my daughter.”

Robin groaned. “Thank heavens you contained yourself.”

Janey’s lips twitched. “And your friend Chad was good, too.”

“Man, was he ever. He’s the reason we won the game.”

“Actually, all of you did your part to bring about the win.”

“Even Mr. Reed was pepped up. He came onto the field as excited as I’ve ever seen him.” Robin’s face and voice suddenly turned anxious. “Darn it, I just wish Chad would call me.”

“He will, darling. You’ll see.”

Robin grabbed her stuff and headed for her bedroom. “He’d better, that’s all I can say. ’Night, Mom.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Janey placed a finger against her cheek.

“Sorry.” Robin crossed back to Janey and kissed her where the finger had been. “See you in the morning.” She paused. “Oh, by the way, Dad wants to take me to dinner one night this week.”

Now, as Janey flipped the shop sign to Open, her thoughts remained on Robin and Keith. She was beginning to question her good judgment in returning to Hunter.

The thought of her daughter spending too much time with Keith made her crazy. It wasn’t that Keith had been a bad parent to Robin, because he hadn’t. He had simply been a bad husband, which had left Janey embittered. She would admit that. And, she was jealous of Robin and Keith’s relationship. She would also admit that.

If Keith had wanted to continue to be with his daughter, then he shouldn’t have broken up the marriage.

The buzzer sounded as the door opened. Relieved that she was rescued from her thoughts, Janey smiled and said, “Good morning, Penny.”

Penny Giles didn’t return her smile or her greeting. Uh-oh, Janey thought as the rail-thin woman walked up to the counter and plopped down a sack. “I’m returning this candy.”

“Why is that?”

“It wasn’t the right kind.”

“I have no problem taking it back, as long as you didn’t open it.”

Penny gave her an incredulous look, then snapped, “Of course I opened it. I ate a bite, too. That’s how I knew I’d bought the wrong kind and that I didn’t like it.”

Janey didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Dealing with the public could be a nightmare. But, on the other hand, it could also be a hoot. She never knew what a day would bring. However, a few customers like this one made her want to put a permanent Closed sign on the door.

“Penny, you know I can’t return your money under those circumstances.” Janey’s tone was firm but gentle.

Penny’s lips tightened. “Well, I don’t see why not. You’re supposed to stand behind your product.”

“And I do. If the candy itself was bad, then there wouldn’t be any question, but—”

“Forget it!” Penny grabbed her sack and headed for the door.

Just as she flounced out, another lady walked in.

“Oh, boy, this is going to be one of those days,” Janey muttered.

Hazel Bishop, her part-time helper, gave Janey a perplexed look. “What was that all about?”

“I’ll tell you, but you won’t believe it.”

“When it comes to the public, honey, I’ll believe anything. I’ve worked in retail longer than I care to admit.”

It was that expertise that had landed Hazel the job in the shop. Besides that, she was a neat lady. Though gray haired and round as a silver dollar, she never seemed to run out of energy. She was a widow in her early sixties who needed a little extra cash to supplement her income. When she’d applied, Janey had known instantly that she was the right one.

Janey hadn’t been wrong.

“So tell me,” Hazel said into the silence. “I can’t wait to hear.”

When Janey explained what had happened, Hazel merely shook her head. “This world has more nuts in it than this candy shop.”

Janey laughed out loud. “I doubt that particular nut will ever come back.”

“Ah, forget her. The likes of her are not worth worrying about. Besides, we have too much work to do.”

And work they did. While Janey ran the front, Hazel unpacked several cartons of candy in the back room, then filed the invoices.

The day passed without further incidents. However, Janey couldn’t say that it had been a lucrative one. Business was slow all the way to closing time.

After sending Hazel home, she was about to lock up when another car drove up. It was her old friend Gwen Hopson.

“Get in here, lady,” Janey said, giving her an enthusiastic hug.

It seemed as if she’d always known Gwen, although they hadn’t spent much time together since her return. She couldn’t have made it through her divorce without the woman. Divorced herself, Gwen had managed to cross that minefield with surprisingly few wounds. But then, she hadn’t had children.

Gwen was short and thin with dark hair. And while she wasn’t pretty in the conventional sense, she had an infectious personality and grin. She was a social worker for the local hospital, a job to which she was perfectly suited.

“I’m not even going to come in,” Gwen said, standing just outside the door.

“Pray tell, why not?”

“I want to avoid temptation, but I heard something at work today I thought you ought to know about.”

Janey frowned. “Bad news?”

“Well, it could be—let me put it that way.”

“Shoot,” Janey said.

“Word has it that a candy store’s opening in the mall.”

“Oh, no,” Janey cried, feeling her spirits take a nosedive.

“Now, don’t push the panic button yet,” Gwen advised. “You know how rumors are.”

“Don’t I ever,” Janey said bitterly.

“Hey, don’t let it get you down. If it happens, just consider it another bump in the road that you have to get past.”

“But I’m getting awfully tired of those bumps, my friend.”

Gwen gave her a hug, then said, “I know. Look, I gotta run now. I’ll call you.”

Thirty minutes later, Janey was upstairs in her bathtub, surrounded by lavender-scented bubbles. But she couldn’t relax, despite the tranquil atmosphere. Her insides were wound tighter than a spool of wire.

What next?

Since she had moved back, her life had been anything but easy. If Gwen’s news turned out to be fact rather than rumor, then she was in trouble. As it was, Sweet Dreams was barely turning a profit. If it hadn’t been for Robin’s child support, she would be dipping into her sparse savings. And if business didn’t pick up, she would soon have to do that, anyway, because Robin’s child support would stop when she turned eighteen.

Still, Janey was determined to count her blessings and not her disasters. Robin was well-adjusted in school, making good grades and having a ball to boot. As long as that was the case, Janey could continue to tread her troubled waters and survive.

Thinking of Robin and school suddenly brought Dillon Reed back to mind. While idly scooping a handful of bubbles, Janey admitted to herself that his lean, hard body as he’d strolled into the shop that day had caught her attention.

And seeing him again at the restaurant had apparently kept it, she realized now, recalling how he’d looked and smelled. Suddenly Janey fought the urge to sink her head under the water to cleanse her mind of such craziness.

Thinking about Dillon Reed in those terms could turn into a real problem—a problem she didn’t need.

“Okay, what do you think?”

Janey angled her head. “Mmm, let’s see.”

“Mom! You’re supposed to tell me I look smashing.”

“Okay, you look smashing.”

“But you’re supposed to mean it.”

The teasing glint in Janey’s eyes increased. “Oh, honey, you look better than smashing. You look breathtaking.”

Robin blew out a breath. “I just hope Chad thinks so.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. This is just a date to get a cola, a date that I should have said no to. Even now, I can’t believe I didn’t.”

“That’s because you’re a good mom.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Janey said with mock severity.

As a rule, Robin never went out on school nights unless it was to a school function. But when Chad had asked her out yesterday for tonight and Robin had begged to go, Janey had caved in.

“So mind you, young lady, this is an exception. Don’t let midweek dates become habit-forming. School before play.”

“Speaking of school, have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“About the break-in. Two guys practically destroyed the chemistry lab the other week.”

“Oh, dear, I hadn’t heard. Do you think they were on drugs?”

Robin lifted her shoulders. “Who knows? But I’m here to tell you that Dil—uh, Mr. Reed was hopping mad.”

“I’m sure he was.”

Robin faced the mirror again and fiddled with a piece of hair. “And since then, he and the assistant principal have been stalking the halls.”

Janey sighed. “It’s getting to where I’m afraid to even let you go to school.”

Robin rolled her eyes, her trademark gesture when things weren’t to her liking.

Just then, the doorbell chimed. Robin’s hand flew to her heart. “Oh, my God, he’s here. Are you sure I look all right?”

Janey hid a smile, then shook her head. “Calm down or you’re going to hyperventilate.”

“I’m calm. I’m calm.”

The instant Janey opened the door and Chad Burnette walked through it, something about the young man put Janey on the defensive.

As Robin had said, he was good-looking—model material, endowed with a body made to play any sport. And he was polite, too, extending his hand to Janey immediately and saying that he was pleased to meet her.

Still, there was something about him that didn’t sit well with Janey. Maybe it was the look he gave her daughter, followed by the arm he slung around her shoulders. Both actions appeared territorial, as if he were staking a claim.

Janey strove to override those feelings, but she couldn’t. She could always count on her gut instincts; so far they hadn’t failed her. At the moment, they were screaming at her. She considered telling Robin she couldn’t go. But she couldn’t embarrass her daughter that way, even if Robin would forgive her—which she wouldn’t.

She would just have to tough it out and pray that this one time her instincts were wrong.

“You kids have fun,” she said, trying to hide her anxiousness. “But be careful.”

Robin took her adoring eyes off Chad and faced Janey. “We will, Mom.”

“Be home by nine o’clock and not a minute later,” Janey added.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Mayfield. I’ll have her back.”

Chad’s words should have reassured her, but they didn’t.

Six

Dillon patted his mare on the neck. “Come on, girl, let’s head back to the barn.”

He’d been working with Dandi all Saturday morning, something he did most every weekend and on the rare afternoons when he could sneak away from his office a little early.

On this particular morning, he was really enjoying his outing. Since the unsolved break-in at the school and other teacher problems heaped on top of that, he’d been tense. Now he felt some of the stress ease out of his body, leaving him relaxed.

Dismounting at the barn a few minutes later, Dillon shoved his hat back, wiped his brow, then lifted his head heavenward. He was ready for fall. Here it was the beginning of September, but so far no cool weather or rain. Both were needed, but as far as the eye could see, there were no clouds.

Soon, though, summer would ease into fall, and the huge oaks, maples, and sundry other trees would flaunt their foliage like bright pieces of ribbon flowing gracefully in the wind. A sight to behold.

And, cooler weather went hand in hand with football, his favorite sport. The home game last weekend had gone off without a hitch. In fact, he couldn’t have asked for it to have gone smoother. On the whole, the kids had been well behaved. Only a few minor incidents had cropped up, which his assistant had taken care of. Not only had the football team done exceptionally well, but so had the cheerleaders, band and drill team.

Thinking about the drill team brought Janey Mayfield suddenly to mind.

He frowned, wondering why thoughts of her continued to sneak up and bite him on the butt. Although it disturbed him to have to acknowledge it, he’d actually thought a lot about her since their last encounter.

He’d seen her at the football game, too, though he’d made sure she hadn’t seen him. He’d told himself to look away and forget her. Instead, he’d found himself watching her every move; her slender hands as they had clapped in an exciting moment, the vulnerability of her exposed throat when she’d swallowed, and that hint of sadness in her eyes.

It was the sadness that had remained with him. Perhaps it would never leave her. After all, no one could come through such a horrible ordeal unscathed.

He certainly hadn’t, so he couldn’t very well pass judgment. But that was exactly what he’d been doing. Hell, at one time he’d been bitter, too. But the difference in them was that he’d put the past behind him and gone on. He suspected she hadn’t.

In some ways it had probably been easier for him. He hadn’t had a child to consider. Thinking of Robin made him smile. As a young adult, she was already lovely. When she really matured, watch out. She would be a knockout.

In her own way, so was Janey. Robin seemed to have some of her dad’s personality, though.

Thinking of Keith Mayfield darkened his mood again. Despite the fact that they had been friends, he’d never felt comfortable with Keith, probably because the man had a controlling nature and drank far too much. Even before the divorce, Dillon had often wondered why Janey stayed with Keith. Robin, of course.

Suddenly he shook his head to clear it. What the hell had gotten into him? Janey Mayfield and her daughter were the last people he wanted to occupy his mind.

But as long as Robin was a student in his school, he was bound to come into contact with Janey. Most likely she would become involved in her daughter’s activities, especially the drill team. Eventually all moms did their part, even the working ones.

So she’d better get off her high horse and treat him as if he belonged to the human race. Just the thought of the small-town rumor mill having any more grist sent a chill through him—though that wasn’t likely to happen. He and Janey were old news. Still, he wasn’t about to take a chance. He abhorred the idea of anyone talking about him in the past or present, except when it pertained to his job.

His personal life was off-limits.

Ah, to hell with it. What did it matter what Janey thought about him? It didn’t, not really. Besides, there wasn’t one thing he could do about it. He wasn’t about to avoid her.

If she had a problem with him, that was her concern, not his. It would all come out in the wash, anyway, as his granny used to tell him. And it usually did.

With that uppermost in his mind, Dillon concentrated on brushing down his mare, then feeding her. He was striding outside when he looked up and saw his foreman and brother-in-law, Mike Townsend.

“How’s it going?” Mike asked in his lazy drawl.

“I just finished giving Dandi a workout.”

Mike was tall and wiry, with ruddy cheeks and what looked like a beer belly, though he didn’t drink. Instead he fattened up on Allie’s cooking.

“I just finished taking care of the creek in the upper pasture,” Mike said, wiping sweat off his brow with the back of one hand.

“What was wrong?”

“Debris and leaves had the flow blocked.” Mike led his horse to the drinking trough.

Dillon noticed immediately that Mike seemed to be dragging his leg more than usual. Thanks to the injury he’d gotten while on the oil rig, Mike now walked with a strong limp. However, that didn’t usually slow him down. He was always on the move, looking for new projects to keep the farm in tiptop shape. Dillon prized his work and couldn’t have maintained the place without Mike.

Another plus was that Mike loved the outdoors, and so did Allie. With someone living on the property, Dillon never had to worry about anything, especially his horses.

Mike faced him again. “Anything in particular you want me to do? I have several things going, but nothing I can’t put on the back burner if need be.”

“Not right offhand,” Dillon said. “It looks like you’re pretty well caught up.”

“How did Dandi do today?”

“Fairly well, though she seemed to be moving slower than usual, now that I think about it.”

“I sorta noticed that, too. I’ll check her over.”

“For sure,” Dillon said, trying not to push the alarm button. Nothing could happen to Dandi. She was the one he was counting on to jump-start his business.

“Are you coming to the house for lunch?”

“Speaking of lunch, how’s your better half? Last time I saw her, she was feeling a bit under the weather.”

Mike rubbed his slightly grizzled chin. “Still is, as a matter of fact.”

“Has she been to the doctor?” Dillon asked.

Mike snorted. “You know better than that. She’d have to be dying before she’d take off from work and tend to herself.”

“She might not have any choice,” Dillon said sharply.

“Well, you try and tell her. She’s not happy if she’s not burning the candle at both ends.”

Dillon slapped Mike on the back. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks for the lunch invite,” Dillon added, “but I had a late breakfast. Anyway, I’m headed back to town. I’ll see y’all after a while.”

Later Dillon couldn’t say what wild hair had made him head to the candy shop instead of home. He wanted to think his motive was nothing more than to purchase a box of candy for his sister in hopes of making her feel better. However, he couldn’t be sure why he’d done something so out of character for him. Maybe it was to clear the air between Janey and him, using Robin as an excuse.

When he opened the shop door, disappointment socked him in the gut. Someone else, an older woman, was behind the counter. But then Janey walked out of the back room. She saw him and pulled up short.

“Hello,” he said, then cursed silently because his voice sounded unnatural, even to him.

She looked as good or better than he’d ever seen her, dressed in a pair of print leggings that called attention to her slender legs, and a long pink summer sweater that left no doubt as to the swell of her breasts.

He swallowed hard as he jerked his eyes off that part of her anatomy before he got caught. When he was drawn back to her, he concentrated on her red hair, pulled back in a ponytail with some loose tendrils at the neck.

She looked young enough to be Robin’s sister instead of her mother.

“Hi,” she finally said, clearly as uncomfortable with him now as she had been before.

The elderly lady’s eyes were pinging back and forth between them as if she could feel the heightened tension in the room. Janey was the first to break the awkward silence by introducing her helper. Because Hazel was behind the counter, Dillon didn’t extend his hand. Instead, he nodded and smiled.

“What can I get for you today?” Janey asked pointedly.

Though her tone irritated him, he kept his cool. “I’d like something new and different for Allie. She’s not feeling so hot.”

A slight frown marred Janey’s forehead. “I’m sorry.”

Is that the best you can do? Dillon wanted to ask. Especially when it comes to someone you used to consider a friend? But he didn’t. He kept his mouth shut.

“I think we can help you with that,” Janey responded in an even tone, though she refused to meet his eye.

That riled him even more. “Whatever you suggest will be fine with me.”

Once the purchase was made, Dillon knew he should have turned and walked out, but he didn’t. Instead he said, “How ’bout going for a cup of coffee?”

Janey looked startled. “With you?”

He cocked his head and gave her a sardonic smile. “Yeah, with me.”

She flushed, then looked quickly over at Hazel, who said, “It’s fine with me, honey. I’ll watch the store. You take all the time you want.”

No doubt Janey was at a loss. The warring expressions on her face told him that. But he wasn’t about to back down now. He’d already opened his mouth and inserted his foot. He would have to take whatever came next, then choke on it, if need be.

“I won’t be gone long,” Janey said to Hazel, her tone tense, as if she were barely hanging on to her temper.

Thank goodness they didn’t have to go far, Dillon thought. There was a place that sold doughnuts and coffee a couple of streets over. During the drive there, neither said a word. Had he lost his mind or what?

It was the “or what” that worried him the most.

Once they were inside and the coffee was served, Dillon’s lips stretched into a smile.

“What’s so damn funny?” Janey snapped.

“Your expression,” he responded. “You’re pissed.”

“I wouldn’t have used that word, but it works.”

Dillon let out a deep sigh. “This is ridiculous, you know.”

“What?”

“Don’t put on the innocent act with me. You know what. Us scratching at each other like two cats tied in a sack.”

“I hardly think that’s the case.”

An eyebrow shot up. “I disagree.”

“What do you want from me, Dillon?”

“I wish the hell I knew,” he muttered harshly. Once he’d said that, he realized he was telling the truth.

Neither had touched the coffee that was sitting in front of them. Dillon did pick his up, only to set it right back down.

“What I wish is that you’d take me back to the store.”

That really made him mad. He leaned forward and said, “Not until I say one thing.”

“All right, say it.”

His lips twisted. “Don’t you think it’s time you got over the fact that your husband had an affair with my wife?”

Seven

Janey’s first impulse was to slap his face. It was close enough that with little effort she could do just that. Instead, she curled her fingernails into her palms until she felt the self-inflicted pain.

“That was a hateful thing to say,” she spat.

As if sensing he was in harm’s way, Dillon eased back, his dark T-shirt tightening across his broad muscles.

“It’s the truth.”

“It is not the truth,” Janey stressed tersely, fighting her anger. “And I don’t give a damn how you feel.” She would hate to make a spectacle of herself. But if he didn’t stop taking unfair shots at her, she just might give him a taste of her fury.

Dillon leaned forward again and said in a low tone, “Hey, take it easy. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Janey glared at him, feeling an ache in her throat. “Well, you did.”

“It’s just that every time I come near you, I feel like I’m getting jabbed with a knife. And I don’t deserve that.”

Janey averted her gaze from his delving blue eyes, sensing that his appraisal of her was deliberate. Was he out to intimidate her, or was he simply testing her?

Either way, she hardened her resolve, determined to regroup while trying to figure out how she’d gotten herself into this situation in the first place. She should have known better than to leave the shop with him, that it would do no good.

In her mind, Dillon’s friendship and trust had died along with her marriage. Maybe that was irrational thinking, but that was how she felt. And so far he’d given her no valid reason to resurrect that friendship. Suddenly her thoughts jumped to her daughter, and she flinched inwardly.

He ran Robin’s school. She couldn’t avoid him indefinitely. Even if that was what she wanted, it wasn’t realistic. So where did that leave them? She didn’t know, and she didn’t think he knew, either.

“Janey?”

His gruff-sounding voice drew her back. For a second, their eyes held, and her breathing increased.

His dark lashes hid his thoughts, but she couldn’t suppress the shiver of apprehension that went through her. And annoyance, too, that he had the power to disturb her with those intense looks. Not sexually, she assured herself, but she couldn’t deny that she was seeing Dillon in a new and different light.

Dillon coughed lightly. “Your coffee’s getting cold.”

“I don’t care.”

“Fine,” he said, reaching for his cup and taking a healthy drink from it, though he never took his eyes off her face.

Janey felt herself flush. But she didn’t turn away. She wasn’t about to let him get the better of her. Maybe it would be a good thing if they did, indeed, clear the air between them. Then she could go on with her life and he could go on with his. And when she saw him again, it wouldn’t be such an awkward event.

“You have to know how difficult this is for me,” Janey finally said into what seemed a hostile silence.

Dillon blew out a breath. “It’s not exactly a piece of cake for me.”

“No, I’m sure it isn’t.” She paused. “For a while, I thought it might be a good idea for us to talk about the past, about what happened that awful afternoon. But I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think it would be productive at all. I want to go back to the shop.”

“No.”

Janey gave him an indignant look. “No?”

“Of course I’ll take you back if you really want to go,” he said in an irritated tone, “but I’d rather we got some things off our chests.”

“Like I just said, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“God, I don’t remember your being this stubborn.”

“You didn’t know me that well.”

“Oh, I think I did. After all, our families spent just about every weekend together, plus a lot of time during the week.”

“So what’s your point?” she demanded, digging her teeth into her bottom lip. She didn’t want to do this, so why was she letting him bully her this way?

“My point is that I get the idea you blame me for what happened.”

Janey took a deep, shuddering breath, then stared at him. Did she somehow blame him? Was that the reason she felt so antagonistic toward him and uncomfortable around him? “Maybe I do.”

“Why, for chrissake?”

“If you’d been a better husband to Elaine, paid more attention to her, then maybe she wouldn’t have gone after Keith.”

He laughed a mirthless laugh. “Surely you don’t really think that?”

“You asked how I felt.”

“I could say the same about you, that you should’ve been a better wife, then he wouldn’t have wanted to stray.”

“Damn you, I was a good wife! And you know that.” She felt tears sting the back of her eyelids and turned away, horrified that he would see them.

“Look, I’m sorry.”

She whipped her head back toward him. “That’s not good enough.”

“We both know that we could sit here and throw blame around until doomsday,” he said in a softer and more conciliatory tone. “But what good would it do? We both have to move on.”

“Have you?” she snapped. “Moved on, I mean?”

“Have I healed completely? No. And I probably never will, but I’m not letting what Elaine and Keith did sour the rest of my life. You can bet on that.”

“I’m not, either.”

“Then prove it by calling a truce with me, if only for old times’ sake.”

“I was thinking more about Robin’s sake.”

“Certainly that, too. Whatever works.”

“We could just avoid each other, you know, like we’ve done for the past few years.”

“Only because you left town,” Dillon said bluntly.

Janey stared down at her now-cold coffee, then back at him. “And I’m not sure it was a smart move to come back.”

“Why did you?”

“Robin.” She paused, then went on. “You knew we went to Colorado at my brother’s insistence.”

“Allie told me.”

“Since our parents’ deaths, I always turned to Drew when the going got tough. I was so sure that being near him was the answer. But Robin was never happy there, though Drew did everything in his power to make us both feel at home.”

“What about you?” Dillon asked. “Were you happy?”

“Not at first, of course. Keith’s betrayal was still too fresh, and I was miserable.”

“I know that feeling,” Dillon admitted grimly.

She picked up on the pain mixed with bitterness, and questioned his honesty. Had he moved on, or was he kidding himself? Was he still harboring the pain of the past, the same way she was? Fearful of getting involved, she refused to dwell on his feelings.

“However,” she said in a rush, “I was able to use my marketing degree and get a really good job with a department store as their head buyer.”

“That’s great.”

“It was, up to a point. But I wanted to spend more time with Robin than the job would allow, so I was torn.”

“Still, you wouldn’t have left.”

“Probably not. Returning to Hunter wasn’t easy.”

“How did Robin persuade you?”

“She whined a lot.”

Dillon chuckled, which seemed to cut the thickness in the air in half. She released a pent-up breath. Maybe she would survive this ordeal, after all.

“That’s not exactly true,” she continued. “Though Robin did pull several ‘poor me’ stunts. Really, I guess Aunt Lois was the key.”

Dillon’s eyebrows lifted. “Ah, I’m starting to get it. Lois owned Sweet Dreams.”

“Right, but she wanted to retire. So one day, out of the blue, she called and asked if I wanted to take over the shop, said that it was mine. The catch was, I had to come back and run it.” Recalling that conversation, Janey’s lips eased into a smile. “Anyhow, Robin talked me into it, only I couldn’t sell the house or walk away from my job responsibilities at that point.”

“So you sent Robin on.”

“I did, which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But she missed her friends badly and wanted to try out for that blasted drill team, so she talked me into letting her come ahead and live with Aunt Lois.” Janey paused, noticing that it had started to rain outside.

“Go on,” Dillon prodded.

“Other than being away from her, everything else was working out. Then Lois had a stroke and had to go into an assisted living facility. I had no choice but to come back, which meant I had to take a loss on the house.”

“That’s too bad.”

“I couldn’t take a chance on Robin moving in with Keith.”

“I can understand that,” Dillon added in a harsh tone.

“Have you run into him?” she asked hesitantly.

“Nope.”

“I guess that’s a good thing.”

Dillon shrugged. “At one time I would’ve decked the bastard, but now I wouldn’t bother. He’s not worth the effort.”

“So far, he’s left me alone,” said Janey, “but I worry about his influence on Robin.”

“Is he still drinking?”

“I’m sure he is, though Robin’s careful not to mention it around me.”

“At least Elaine and I didn’t have any children to get caught up in this mess.”

She picked up on that bitterness again and knew that even if he didn’t realize it, he was still smarting. “Speaking of Elaine, how did you manage to hold yourself together?”

He regarded her from beneath lowered lids. “You do what you have to.”

“Still, it must’ve been tough to continue living with her after she betrayed you.”

“Under the circumstances, what choice did I have? When I found out about the cancer, I couldn’t just desert her.”

“I couldn’t have, either,” Janey said, her voice shaking. “If I’d stayed around, that is. At one time Elaine was my best friend.”

“I know.” His tone was bleak. “Anyway, she didn’t suffer long. Her death six months later was a blessing.”

“I still can’t believe it all happened.” Janey felt the back of her eyelids sting again.

As if he sensed she was close to tears, he lightened his tone and asked, “So, have you found someone else?”

“As in a man?”

His lips twitched. “Yep.”

She gave a quick, derisive laugh. “Not just no, hell no.”

“Ouch!”

“I’ve grown too independent. I’ll never depend on a man again.”

“Never’s a long time.”

“That’s the way I feel.” Janey tilted her head. “What about you?”

“I go out,” he said. “But it’s no big deal.”

The wariness in his voice didn’t escape her, but she wasn’t about to let him off the hook. This was his party, and he damn sure was going to pay for it. “I thought there was about to be a ring on your finger.”

His features darkened. “What makes you think that?”

“The woman you were with at the restaurant.”

“What about her?”

“The way she looked at you, like she could eat you with a spoon.”

His face lost its color, and he muttered an expletive. “She’s just a friend.”

“I think you’d better tell her that.”

She was obviously rubbing salt in another open wound, and didn’t know why. All she could figure was that this whole bizarre outing had gotten to her. Her nerves had had it.

“I have,” he said emphatically. “She knows the score. Like you, I’m not particularly eager to get involved in another lasting relationship.”

“Whatever.”

He tightened his lips before staring at her for a heartbeat. “It appears the two of us have more in common than we thought.”

“Don’t count on it.”

He shrugged and smiled. “We’ll see.”

Resisting the urge to lash back with No we won’t, Janey rose. “I really do have to go.”

His eyes made a disturbing sweep of her slender figure, seeming to linger on her moist, parted lips as if fascinated by them.

“No problem,” he finally said.

Long after they reached his vehicle, Janey’s face was still on fire.

Eight

Just one healthy swig. What could it hurt? Keith asked himself, reaching for the bottle of bourbon. Who could it hurt? That was the important question. No one except himself, and he didn’t give a damn.

Right now, he wasn’t seeing Sabrina. After she’d more or less given him an ultimatum, then walked out in a huff, he hadn’t even bothered to call her. But that was all right. The bitch had served her purpose, anyway. They had been together nearly three years. Following the split with Janey, she’d kept his bed warm. That was all he’d cared about.

Now Janey was back.

That thought suddenly panicked him, and he took a drink straight out of the bottle, but not before gazing out from the glass cubicle that was his office and making sure no one was watching.

He felt the liquor burn all the way to his gut. Yet it gave him a much-needed shot of adrenaline. He found he had to have that to begin his day, and to end it.

Selling cars sucked.

He couldn’t quit, though. He made too much money at it. He couldn’t afford to give it up. Not only were his tastes expensive, but he had Robin’s child support to pay. And pay he had, until recently. Suddenly he had fallen behind.

He winced against the prick of his conscience. He’d made some bad investments, and they had come back to haunt him. Even so, he intended to make good on his financial commitment to his kid. He wasn’t dead broke, just strapped for the moment.

Anyway, he didn’t have much choice. Something told him he’d better adhere to the court orders, or Janey just might file charges.

He couldn’t have that. Besides, he wanted to do right by Robin. That was important to him. He might have fucked his wife over, but he would never do anything to hurt his daughter.

Despite what Sabrina had said, he wasn’t using Robin to get to Janey. He suddenly felt another prick to his conscience. Well, maybe that wasn’t entirely true. But he did care about Robin. He hadn’t realized how much until she’d returned from Colorado and they had had time alone, without Janey’s mistrustful influence.

Maybe that was why he’d been having these crazy thoughts about getting his family back together again. Raising a teenager hadn’t turned out to be nearly as scary as he’d imagined.

And he missed Janey.

Dammit, he hated to admit that, but he couldn’t deny it any longer. Since she’d been back, he’d been by the store, had even parked across the street and watched her as she’d worked. Once she’d come out onto the porch to sweep it off, and he’d gotten a good look at her.

The sight of her had actually shocked him. She had lost so much weight, yet she looked great, especially her breasts. They were as voluptuous as ever.

Something he’d thought was dead—his attraction for her—had roared back to life. He’d been hard-pressed to remain in the vehicle. Yet he’d known better than to approach her, fearing she might clobber him with that broom.

Besides, he hadn’t been ready, either. He had to be a hundred-percent sure Robin was on his side. She was the key that could reopen the door into Janey’s heart.

Although Robin herself hadn’t said outright that she would like them to be a family again, he sensed it. However, he was treading softly with her, as well, though he wasn’t sure it was necessary.

So far, Robin hadn’t stopped loving him.

Should he thank Janey for that, or was Robin enough of her own person to make that choice? He didn’t know the answer to that question yet.

He wasn’t even sure Robin knew the truth about why he and Janey had gotten divorced. But it didn’t matter. If she hadn’t found out by now, she probably never would. If she did, he would handle it. When necessary, he could turn up the old charm another notch.

He shouldn’t have let Janey go so easily. Moreover, he should never have gotten caught with Elaine in his arms. But he had, and he’d paid the price. He’d lost Janey and Robin.

And he was a damn poor loser.

The idea that Janey hadn’t and wouldn’t forgive him had festered all these years. He’d learned a hard lesson, though, and he was definitely smarter. When he got Janey back, he wouldn’t make the same mistake again. If he dallied, he would make sure he didn’t get caught. That way he would have his cake and eat it, too.

“Hey, Mayfield, whatcha doing in there?” A coworker stuck his head around the door. “Playing with yourself?”

“Go to hell, Kendrick,” Keith shot back at the big, burly man with a beard and mustache. “I can do what I please. I’m on my own time now.”

“So you’ve clocked out?”

“Yeah, not that that’s any of your business.”

Kendrick held up both hands and backed out of the doorway. “Hey, man, don’t be so touchy.”

“Get lost,” Keith muttered darkly.

Kendrick merely laughed. “I’ll be glad when you get that bug out of your ass. You’ve been hard to live with this entire month.”

Keith gave him another threatening look.

“I figure you’re not gettin’ any.”

“Get the hell out of my face or be prepared to get yours smashed.”

“All right already. I’m outta here.”

Kendrick swaggered off, though not before Keith saw the strange look he threw him.

Thank God he hadn’t seen the bottle, Keith told himself, or there would’ve been hell to pay. Or had he? The blood in Keith’s veins suddenly ran cold. Was that what that look had been about?

Nah, he was just paranoid. Still, he couldn’t let anyone get an inkling that he was drinking his breakfast and his dinner. The only meal he was eating was lunch.

So far, he’d managed to keep his drinking problem to himself. However, he was playing a dangerous game. Even though he was not on company time now, he was still on the premises. His boss wouldn’t take kindly to his drinking on the job. He would get fired in a heartbeat, which would be another big and stupid mistake.

If he had to work, he couldn’t beat selling cars. He was a natural at it, having sold two just today. If that pace kept up, he would be out of debt in no time.

To reward himself, he was about to get his little girl and take her out to dinner.

That reminder gave him the courage to walk away from the drawer that held the booze. Seconds later, he was in the bathroom, straightening his tie while scrutinizing himself in the mirror.

Not bad. At forty-five, he didn’t have a speck of gray in his dark hair. He was tall enough, and despite his penchant for booze his stomach was only slightly pooched. He had no complaints about his eyes, either; the whites didn’t look like a road map.

But the best thing he had going for him was his gift of gab. More often than not, he could talk his way into or out of anything. His features suddenly turned grim. He was going to need that gift and more to lure Janey back into his life.

But he had no doubt he would succeed—especially thirty minutes later, when he was sitting at a table at Chili’s Restaurant facing a smiling Robin.

They had just placed their orders for two bacon cheeseburgers, curly fries and colas.

“So how was your day, sweetheart?” he asked, realizing again just how important it was for him to get Robin on his side. Without her, he knew his chances of getting Janey back were slim to none.

“Great, Dad.”

“So you’re not having any problems keeping your grades up?”

Some of the light went out of her eyes. “Well, Trig’s starting to give me fits, but Chad’s promised to help.”

Keith’s eyes widened. “Chad? That’s a name I haven’t heard before.”

Robin’s cheeks turned rosy. “He’s the team quarterback.”

“And?”

She giggled. “And I went out with him the other night.”

“And he’s about the coolest thing on two feet.”

“How did you know?”

“Your old dad’s been there before.”

“I wish Mom saw it that way.”

Keep your cool, he cautioned himself. “She has a problem with your friend?”

“We haven’t really talked about him yet, but I don’t think she likes him.”

“Oh, I bet she does. She’s just being her usual protective self.”

“Maybe,” Robin replied, her expression still on the glum side. “Chad doesn’t think she likes him, either.”

“How many times have you been out with him?”

“Once.”

“Then give her a chance, okay?”

“Why are you taking up for Mom?”

He forced himself not to react. “For one thing, because she is your mother, and for another, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the young man.”

“Well, he’s drop-dead gorgeous.” Robin grinned. “And every friend I have is green with envy.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Oh, Dad, I’m so glad I came back. I wouldn’t be having nearly this much fun in Colorado.”

“How’s your mother adjusting?” he asked with what he hoped was casual concern.

Robin shrugged. “I’m not sure. The candy shop’s doing okay, I guess. Mom tries to shield me, but I know she’s had some problems.”

“Problems go with owning your own business. But if I can help, I’m around.”

“I just wish you lived with us,” Robin whined.

“Me too, sweetheart.”

His words appeared to stun her. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“You mean you still love Mom?”

“And you, too.”

“But what about Sabrina?”

He hadn’t wanted Robin to know about the other women in his life, but in a weak moment he’d given in to Sabrina’s demands and invited Robin to dinner. Only once. Consequently, he was taken aback that Robin still connected them.

“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” he lied.

“Good. I didn’t care for her much.”

“Me either.”

She giggled again, then her pretty face sobered. “Oh, Dad, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be a family again—you, me and Mom?” Tears welled up in her eyes.

God, he needed a drink, if for no other reason than to celebrate. His plan was coming together much faster and better than he could have imagined. He could barely contain his excitement. This was the first time his daughter had ever said anything like that to him.

Of course, he had the biggest hurdle yet to jump—Janey. But he was confident he could meet that challenge. Suddenly he felt like Superman. He could do anything—except take a drink.

“Dad, are you all right?”

“Of course,” he said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “Why?”

“You look funny. I mean—”

“Now is that a nice thing to say about your old man?” he interrupted, feigning anger.

She smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that you sorta turned green, and I thought you might be getting sick. You know, there’s a flu bug going around. Lots of kids at school are out with it.”

“I’m fine,” he said, averting his gaze while trying to get his shakes under control. “Ah, here comes our food,” he added, hearing the relief in his voice.

“Mmm, that looks yummy.”

“Once we chow down, I have something for you.”

“What?”

“Not now. Be a good girl and eat all your dinner, then you’ll get your surprise.”

Again her face clouded. “I just wish Mom was here. I remember we all used to have such fun together.”

“If I have my way, we will again.”

“You mean you want her and me back?”

Keith reached over and squeezed her hand. “You bet I do, sweetheart.”

Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Daddy, that’s wonderful.”

“But for now, that’s just between us, okay?”

She nodded.

“I want to be the one who tells your mother.”

“You have my word,” she promised, the tears no longer in evidence. “Mum’s the word.”

“Good girl. So how’s your burger?”

“I’ll let you know,” she said, taking her first bite.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, though it was all he could do to force his food down. He wasn’t the least bit hungry. But God, he was thirsty, and not for water. He needed a drink in the worst way.

Robin pushed her empty plate aside, then groaned. “I’m going to have to go on a diet tomorrow.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“You know we’re not allowed to gain an ounce, which makes Mom mad.”

“How’s that?”

“She doesn’t like for Mrs. Morrison to harp on our weight—says it’s not healthy, that we’re growing girls.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Robin frowned in the direction of her plate. “I’m depressed now. I wish I hadn’t eaten all that.”

Keith reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package. “See if this doesn’t make you feel better.”

Robin reached for the gift, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Go on, open it,” Keith told her.

Seconds later, she gasped, then stared at him. “Are these real?” Her voice was filled with awe.

“You betcha.”

Robin jumped up, ran to his side and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the greatest.”

Nine

This had not been a good day.

Janey almost asked herself what else could possibly happen. But fear of jinxing herself further kept that question at bay.

Robin had left drill team practice and come home, burning up with fever and shaking with chills. After giving her some over-the-counter medication to bring the fever down, Janey had called the doctor. Robin was now on a strong antibiotic.

Janey thought her daughter might need to be in the hospital, but the doctor had assured her that home was the best place for her, that the hospitals were full.

Although he had eased her anxiety somewhat, Janey had kept Robin under close scrutiny, dashing upstairs between customers to check on her.

Now, Hazel had come to work. Since the store wasn’t busy, Janey had been certain that would free her up. Wrong. No rest for the weary. Not long after Hazel had arrived, the toilet in the downstairs bathroom had stopped up. Water had soaked the carpet. Janey had cleaned up as best she could, but it remained a mess.

Now she was waiting for the plumber. And not very patiently, either.

“When it rains, it pours,” Hazel said, her brows furrowed in concern.

“I won’t argue with that.” Janey eased onto the bar stool at the far end of the counter and ran her fingers through her already tousled hair, then cast her eyes toward the stairs.

“You should be upstairs yourself. You look exhausted.”

“I am, but I’ll make it. It’s Robin I’m worried about. She’s so sick.”

“That stuff is everywhere.” Hazel shivered. “I sure don’t want it.”

“Would you rather not be here?” Janey asked, thinking that if Hazel deserted her, she would just turn the sign to Closed and forget it. That was the beauty of owning your own business. Yet she really couldn’t afford that luxury.

As it was, Sweet Dreams still hadn’t come up to its sales potential, which both worried and aggravated her. If that other candy store materialized in the mall, then she would certainly be in a world of hurt. She had meant to call Gwen and see if she’d heard any more about that, but she hadn’t had the time.

“Why, I wouldn’t think of leaving you,” Hazel said in a rather huffy tone. “If I get the crud, then I’ll just get it.”

Janey half smiled. “Thanks, Hazel. I owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything, except to take care of your daughter. I’ll see to the plumber and the store. Now skedaddle.”

Janey didn’t hesitate, dashing back upstairs and into Robin’s room. Her daughter was sound asleep but her face was still flushed. Janey crept to the bedside and laid a hand on Robin’s forehead. The girl was still warm, but her temperature was definitely down.

Sagging with relief, Janey sat in the rocker across the room, leaned back and closed her eyes. Soon they popped back open. Even though she was dead tired, sleep wouldn’t come. She was too wired, had too many things on her mind. Robin’s relationship with Keith had her nearly crazy, especially after the stunt he’d pulled last week when he’d taken Robin out to dinner.

The second her daughter had arrived home, Janey had known something out of the ordinary had taken place. Robin’s eyes were wide and filled with excitement. Janey’s heart had taken a nosedive. What was her ex up to now?

Seconds later she knew.

“He did what?” Janey realized her voice had almost reached the shouting level, but she didn’t care.

“Mom, calm down.” Robin’s eyes widened even more. “You’re stroking out over nothing.”

Janey’s lips thinned. “You can’t keep them.”

Robin gave her a dumbfounded stare, then stuttered, “But…but they’re diamond studs.”

“I know what they are. That’s why you have to give them back.”

Robin’s expression became more confused. “But why?”

Janey drew an unsteady breath, knowing she was probably handling this all wrong. At the moment, she was operating on pure emotion, but she couldn’t help it. Damn Keith and his bribes. That was exactly what this was. The only missing piece of the puzzle was the reason. She didn’t know what he was up to, but it was no good.

“Robin, those earrings are at least a carat apiece.”

“So?” Tears rimmed Robin’s eyes.

Janey ignored them. “So, he can’t just go around giving you expensive jewelry like that.”

“Why not? I’m his daughter.” Now Robin was almost shouting.

“It’s your turn to calm down,” Janey said, struggling to gain control of the eroding situation.

“You’re just jealous,” Robin cried, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.

“That’s not true.”

“You’re just jealous that he loves me!”

“Oh, honey, I want him to love you,” Janey responded with a catch in her voice and a pain in her heart. “It’s just that I don’t want him trying to buy your love.”

“How can you even think that, much less say it?” Robin lifted her head in a defiant gesture, and her eyes sparked. “Anyway, I don’t care if he gives me anything or not. I’d still love him.”

There was so much pressure in her chest that Janey could barely breathe. She had indeed handled this all wrong. She knew that, but she couldn’t call back her words. All she could do was try to make amends, amends she wasn’t sure Robin was interested in hearing.

“Look, honey…”

Robin backed up, her lower lip trembling. “No, Mom. Don’t say any more. I just don’t understand why all this is happening, why you and Dad just couldn’t have stayed married. It’s…it’s all your fault!”

With that, Robin turned and left the room.

Now, as Janey jerked her mind off that awful conversation and back to her daughter, who was still sleeping soundly, she felt that same awful pressure in her chest.

She hated it when there was a breach between her and Robin. And there had been since the brouhaha over the jewelry, which to date hadn’t been resolved. Robin hadn’t returned the earrings, but she hadn’t worn them, either.

Maybe her reaction to the whole thing had been jealousy, Janey told herself. But she didn’t think so. She would admit, however, that it sometimes smarted that she wasn’t able to buy more frivolous things for Robin.

Still, Janey hated to think that she had stooped so low. Closer to the real reason was Keith himself. He was a user and a manipulator. And he wanted something. What that something was, she still didn’t know. That was what frightened her the most.

To make matters worse, she and Robin remained at odds over Chad. Robin was smitten with the boy; she chattered about him constantly. All Janey could do was hold her tongue until the phase passed. But it wasn’t easy; she still didn’t trust Chad. Thank God, she trusted Robin.

She wondered if Robin had said anything to Keith about Chad.

Janey shook her head and focused her attention back on her sleeping daughter, while trying to sort through her own mixed emotions. Perhaps she should have ignored Robin’s pleas and stayed in Colorado.

Life there had certainly been much simpler.

Suddenly Janey heard her phone ring. Seeing it as an escape from her unpleasant thoughts, she crossed the hall to answer it.

“Janey?”

This time her heart upped its pace, and she didn’t know why, which added another dimension to her anxiety. “Hello, Dillon.”

“I hope you don’t mind me calling.”

“Of course not,” she said with a slight catch in her voice.

What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she behave normally around him, for crying out loud? He was not in any way part of her life now. So why did he matter?

After they had gone for coffee, she hadn’t heard from him. But then, she hadn’t expected to. Maybe their intense conversation had shaken her more than she cared to admit, made her realize they were forever linked by a past that was sordid and painful—but linked nonetheless.

“Janey, are you still there?”

“Uh, yes.”

“How’s Robin?”

Though his question surprised her, she answered without hesitation. “I think she’s a little better.”

“That’s good. I was worried.”

“How did you know she was sick?”

He chuckled, and for some unexplainable reason her heart acted up again.

“I happened to be talking to the drill instructor, when Robin came up and asked if she could leave. I wanted to drive her home, but she insisted she could make it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.”

Her words were followed by a moment of silence. Then he asked, “So how are you doing?”

This time she heard the hesitancy in his voice and knew that he was as uncomfortable as she was. She wished that made her feel better, but it didn’t.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.