“What about me? Aren’t you worried about disappointing me?”

Minnie glanced at his lips. Wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. Really kiss him.

He grinned.

Suddenly it hit her. Matt knew exactly what he was doing. He knew she had a weak spot for him that had everything to do with a crush that didn’t have the decency to go away.

She fought to remain aloof. To remember that his company was about to put her store out of business. “Not particularly. After all, you are my competition.”

He stepped back. “Minnie Clark, I can’t help it if you don’t like my job. Don’t be mad at me forever.”

Dear Reader,

Thanks for picking up Mommy in Training! While some books have seemed to come together pretty quickly, this one sure didn’t. Over the past eight years I’ve written and rewritten Matt and Minnie’s story. The only things that stayed the same were Matt and Minnie’s characters and my belief that their romance was worth sharing. I couldn’t be more pleased with how the story turned out.

I enjoyed writing Mommy in Training because it allowed me to think about Texas and remember everything I love about the Lone Star State. I grew up in Houston, and my husband and I spent the first five years of our marriage in a little town north of Dallas. Through Matt and Minnie, I got to go back to places where everyone knows each other, heat and humidity are nothing to take lightly and where a trip to the grocery store means putting on a fresh coat of lipstick.

So, though it’s cold outside, I hope you’ll take a little break with Matt and Minnie. Sip some tea. Imagine it being as hot as July, and remember that sometimes the best things just take a while to happen. But when they do, they’re certainly worth waiting for.

If you get a moment, I hope you’ll join me at my Web site, www.shelleygalloway.com, or at the Harlequin American Writers’ blog: www.harauthors.blogspot.com.

Happy reading!

Shelley

Mommy in Training
Shelley Galloway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Galloway loves to get up early, drink too much coffee and write books. These pastimes come in handy during her day-to-day life in southern Ohio. Most days she can be found driving her teenagers to their various activities, writing romances in her basement or trying to find a way to get ahead of her pile of laundry. She’s also been known to talk to her miniature dachshund, Suzy, as if she actually has opinions about books.

Shelley is the proud recipient of a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for her 2006 release, Simple Gifts. Shelley attends several conferences every year and loves to meet readers. She also spends a lot of time online. Please visit her at eHarlequin.com or at www.shelleygalloway.com.

To my editor Johanna Raisanen,

who was instrumental in making

Matt and Minnie’s story come alive.

And of course to Tom, who one day introduced me

to a man named Matt—and, well, the rest is history.

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 One

“Matt, you’re back,” Mrs. Wyzecki proclaimed, as though it was the biggest surprise of her life.

Matt knew better. After all, the elderly lady had called his cell phone at least eleven times over the past two weeks, just to double-check that he was still heading in her direction.

But there was no sense in reminding her of that. Surely things hadn’t changed all that much in the ten years since he’d lived in her house. “You’re giving me no credit. Did you really think I wouldn’t show up like I said I would?”

Wanda Wyzecki stepped back to allow him entrance. “It wasn’t that I didn’t think you’d come back…I just wasn’t sure you’d be able to.”

“Well, I was.” Matt carefully closed the door behind him, using the moment to steady himself. The Wyzecki home smelled exactly like he remembered—lemon-fresh Pledge, tart Pine-Sol, and underneath it all, Ivory soap. Mrs. Wyzecki had always been a big fan of crisp, clean scents.

And, for some unknown reason, him.

“You comin’ in or are you gonna stand there all day?”

Just so she wouldn’t realize how good it felt to be around her—and how guilty he felt about staying away for so long, he sassed her right back. “I knew it wouldn’t be long before you started ordering me around.”

She took his elbow and led him into the rear of the house, where the overlarge kitchen lay. Its space had nothing to do with gourmet cooking and everything to do with the number of people who could sit at the cereal bar.

Matt noticed that their pace was slower than he recalled, and Mrs. Wyzecki’s arm a little frailer than he remembered. He was glad things had worked out with SavNGo and he could return as promised.

“Have a seat, Matt. Would you like some water?” Before he could answer she was on the move again. “Sit down and let me get a glass for you.”

After she set the drink in front of him and he took a few sips, Matt supposed it was time to get to the heart of the matter. “So, you really are moving.”

Faded blue eyes told him a wealth of things her words did not. “It’s true.”

“You sure you’re ready to pick up and go? Jim died just a year ago.”

“It seems longer when everything here reminds me of him. It’s time, Matt.” Hopping up again to turn on her kettle, she added, “There’s too many memories around here.”

Memories were why he’d driven all the way from Philadelphia to Crescent View, Texas, in one shot. Some things were worth remembering. “Maybe after you let things settle in for a while longer, you’ll want to stay.”

She turned to him in surprise. “And not let you move in after I promised you could? I wouldn’t do that. That’s not who I am, Matthew.”

“I could find someplace else to live,” he said slowly. “I feel I’m pushing you out.”

“I asked to you to move here, not the other way around. You haven’t pushed a bit.”

“Well, if you change your mind, just let me know. A year isn’t all that long.”

“You’re one to talk. We both know worlds can change in a year’s time.”

She was right about that. His world had changed during his senior year in high school. In twelve months, he’d lost his father, moved in with the Wyzeckis and had applied and been accepted at a number of colleges far away from the only place he’d ever known.

Linking her fingers around the glass, damp and pearly with condensation, Mrs. Wy added, “I’m really looking forward to a new place. I went and visited one of those retirement communities. For a good price, I can have a condo near a walking trail. They even have a fully staffed dining room. I’ll be able to go out to eat whenever I want.”

Mrs. Wyzecki might have just said she was going to take up tap dancing, it sounded so strange. “You, not cooking?”

“Things have changed since you left, Matthew. I don’t have a need for macaroni casserole anymore.”

That had been a favorite dish. “That’s a shame.”

“As I said, things change.” The pointy chin that he knew so well inched upward. “It has been almost ten years, you know.”

He did know.

Her expression softened, and for a moment, Matt was sure they were both back in time. Back when he was a teenager with a chip on his shoulder the size of Rhode Island and had just moved into the Wyzeckis’ house.

She’d served chicken and dumplings for dinner Matt’s first night there. It had taken everything inside him to keep his mouth shut in between mouthfuls, he’d been so afraid he was going to say something stupid—like it had been a really long time since he’d had a home-cooked meal. Not since his mother had died when he’d been in fourth grade.

“Anyway,” Mrs. Wyzecki blurted, transporting him back to the present. “I figure between the two of us, we could get this old place cleaned up and emptied out in no time at all. Then, come September, it’ll be all yours.”

The change of ownership still felt strange. “No hurry.”

“Oh, I think there might be a bit of a hurry. You’ve got things to do. We both know that.”

“All I’ve got to do is open Store 35, and it’s right here in Crescent View. This move can take all the time it needs to. I usually have to live out of a suitcase for my job, so it’ll be nice to have a home base.”

Brightening, she patted his arm. “I guess the timing was meant to be, huh?”

“I guess so.”

The timing hadn’t been a coincidence. He’d fought long and hard to get Crescent View a supercenter—the town was dying ever since the GM factory had closed. People here needed SavNGo.

But just as important to Matt was the opportunity to come back as somebody. Though he’d been a star athlete, he’d also been the kid without any family at graduation. For years before that, he’d been the kid who didn’t have a mom to help out at class parties or watch his games.

He’d also been the kid with the tough, demanding father who gave affection according to how well he performed on the football and baseball fields.

Everyone had known that.

So it was going to be nice to walk around Crescent View without a shadow hanging over him. Without a hint of talk about who he was ever going to become. He wanted to be able to hold his head up high. It meant a lot to him. So much it was embarrassing.

Ever observant, Mrs. Wyzecki narrowed her eyes at his tone. “You okay, Matthew?”

Hearing his name from her lips in that know-it-all tone never failed to bring a smile. “I’m fine.”

“When you get settled here, I hope you’ll breathe some new life into this old place. Put on some new paint. Maybe add a screen porch.” She pointed out the back window to her late husband’s pride and joy: the in-ground pool. “All the plant life surrounding the pool is overgrown. The sun hardly hits the concrete around it anymore.”

“I can trim the trees.”

“It needs more than that. Matthew, what this place needs is a family.” She looked him over. “You ought to start thinking about that.”

Well, that brought him up short. He wasn’t in the family-planning way. At all. “Don’t get carried away.”

“Oh, one day you’ll find the right woman,” Mrs. Wy said with a smile. “You’ll fill up this house with love and laughter again and life will be right as rain. Right now, it’s too quiet. When the night drags on, my mind drifts to how things used to be.”

He couldn’t help smiling. “Kids running everywhere?” The Wyzeckis had always taken in foster kids.

“Yep. Kids and dogs and mountains of laundry. Sometimes I was sure that I had more schedules to keep track of than any big-city CEO.”

“You did a fine job managing it all.”

“You did okay, too, Matthew.”

Barely. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do.”

The way she looked at him made Matt almost believe she was right. Almost. To most of the town, he’d had everything—good looks, good grades, athletic ability. Only people who knew him well realized that inside he was a mess. Unsure of other people, eager to please, and more than a little resentful of things he didn’t have—like a family.

Sliding off the stool, she said, “Well, I’ll go show you to your room and let you get settled.”

They walked up the stairs, Matt following Mrs. Wy with two duffels in his hands. Instead of heading for his old bedroom, he followed her into the “special” guest room. He raised a brow. “I’m staying here?”

“You’re pretty darn special, Matthew.” She motioned to the window. “Plus, this room has a better view than your old one.”

Obligingly, Matt looked out the window. Everything appeared to be the same except that the trees were taller and the houses seemed smaller than he remembered.

Mrs. Wyzecki pointed to a cute little white house with black shutters, a covered front porch and a cherry-red front door. “You’ll never guess who lives there now.” After the slightest pause, she announced the answer, just like she was the new host on The Price is Right. “Minnie Clark!”

The name sounded familiar, though he couldn’t quite place her. “Who?”

“Minnie is Paige’s little sister.” Tapping on the window, she said, “Let’s see. When you were seniors, Minnie was a freshman.”

Paige. They’d been a couple, off and on for a good nine months right before graduation. Paige had been vivacious, pretty in that Barbie doll kind of way, and a cheerleader. He’d truly enjoyed dating her. Well, until he’d found her making out with one of the guys on his football team. That little encounter had managed to ruin two relationships and empty a bottle of tequila in one fell swoop.

Mrs. Wyzecki pointed toward the neatly arranged flower beds that surrounded the house like a bright ribbon. “That Minnie’s such a sweetie. She owns a card shop now, you know. It’s got a real catchy name, too. Carried Away Cards.”

Turning his attention from the neatly trimmed boxwoods, he eyed his favorite woman in the world. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“I don’t know. Thought you might enjoy reacquainting yourself with an old friend. Especially since she took in Paige’s child just last year.”

Matt had heard about Paige from his buddy Lane, one of the few people besides Mrs. Wy he’d kept in touch with. “Paige died in a car accident, right?”

“She did, though neither Minnie nor her parents talk much about it.” With a frown, she added, “From what I understand, Paige and her husband met up with a semi on the highway in Arizona. In their wills, they left Minnie full custody of Kimber.”

Still gazing at Minnie’s house, Wanda murmured, “It was surely the saddest day you ever saw when Minnie came home with that little girl. They both looked like they were barely holding each other up.”

“Are they doing okay now?”

“I suppose. Minnie’s not one to complain.” With a steady look in Matt’s direction, she added softly, “Never was.”

Now what was that supposed to mean?

“Do her parents live nearby?”

“Two towns over. Anson and JoAnn help when they can, but sometimes I think Minnie does better without them around. Anson and Jo can’t last more than a minute or two without mentioning Paige and dissolving into tears.”

“Which would be hard for Kimber.”

“Uh-huh. But that’s okay. Me and that little thing have become pretty close. I get a kick out of watching Minnie deal with Kimber. Oh, but she’s getting a run for her money!”

She padded to the tiny linen closet and pulled out two towels. “After you get settled, come downstairs and we’ll make plans.”

When he was alone, Matt sat on the crocheted bedspread and took a deep breath. At the moment, it didn’t matter that he’d lost most of his Texas accent around the time he’d been doing his best to climb up the corporate ladder at SavNGo Discounters. It didn’t matter that most of the time he lived out of a suitcase, spending very little time in one place—his job of facilitating grand openings of stores kept him on the road.

For one brief moment, Matt felt vulnerable and full of hope. Like he did years ago. Just after he’d buried his dad and realized he had nowhere to go. Well, nowhere until Mr. and Mrs. Wyzecki offered their home and asked him to help with the dishes.

Once again, he felt accepted and wanted. And that—well, that felt good.

Picking up his cell phone, he called Jackie, his personal assistant. “I’m in,” he said, not bothering with small talk. “Anything you need from me right away?”

“Grab a pen, Matt,” she replied with a husky laugh. “I always need something from you.”

Chapter Two

Oh, it was him. Matt Madigan. Spiky brown hair. Eyes as blue as the sky. Perfect jaw. Flawless smile. Shoulders broad and solid. Matt Madigan was standing in her card shop.

Minnie Clark pulled the invoices she’d been reading a little closer to her face. One foot tapped in a nervous rhythm, keeping pace with her pounding heart. Funny how some things never changed.

She still was drawn to Matt like a child with a shiny new penny. Memories of ninth grade came flooding back. He used to wear frayed button-downs and old Levi’s. Scuffed boots and his hair a little too long.

She’d worn a perpetual, lovesick expression whenever he was within ten feet.

Of course, he’d rarely said a word to her—he’d been a senior and Paige had been his on-again, off-again girlfriend.

Minnie had just been a mousy replica. Oh, but how she’d dreamed things were different.

Now, years later, here he was, standing three feet away and looking at a row of cards right in her very own store.

As Minnie noticed that those worn jeans still fit his backside real fine, slowly Matt turned. Walked toward her. Down went the invoices. On the counter went a card.

“So, is that everything, Matt?”

Blue eyes blinked. “I’m sorry…do we know each other?”

She held out her hand. “Minnie Clark.” He shook it.

“Hi.” He smiled. Her eyes focused on those lips. Those cheekbones.

“Now I remember. Mrs. Wy said you owned this shop. It’s real nice.”

“Thanks.” A moment passed. It felt like an eternity.

Filling the gap, Matt gestured to his right. “I, uh, really the like your front windows.”

Minnie turned to where he pointed at her Back To School display. “Thanks. Alice and I tried real hard on them.” Oh, for heaven’s sakes! Tried real hard?

“And, Minnie…I was sure sorry to hear about Paige.”

Just hearing her sister’s name still brought pain. “I appreciate that. She’s missed by a lot of people.”

“I suspect so.” Leaning forward, Matt braced two elbows on the counter. “I heard you’re raising her daughter, Kimber.”

“I am.”

A tiny silence stretched for what seemed like an hour, or maybe just a couple of seconds. No matter what, it felt too long.

Minnie picked up the card and scanned it. “Two fifty-seven, Matt.”

He pulled out a five dollar bill. “I guess we’ll be seeing each other around town some. I’m buying Mrs. Wyzecki’s house. Heard you live right across the street.”

“I do.” She handed him his change. “I sure am going to miss Wanda living there.”

His eyes narrowed.

Minnie realized she’d effectively said she wasn’t looking forward to him being there. Great. Yet another super interchange between her and Matt. “We’re real close.”

“Oh.”

She pasted on a smile. “If you need anything…just let me know.”

“Thanks. I’ll do that.”

Minnie watched as he walked to the door. She was tempted to ask exactly why he’d come back, what he’d been doing since he’d been gone. But it wasn’t the time and, frankly, none of her business.

As a matter of fact, she should know better than to even care. She had Kimber and work. And, well, it hadn’t been all that long since Peter had dumped her like a pile of logs. Only six months.

She did not need to be mooning over Matt Madigan.

At least not anymore.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE Kimber would do something that was exactly like Paige. An idiosyncrasy that made Minnie want to laugh and cry all at the same time.

Or, like at that very moment, want to go back to bed and retreat from the world because things were just too hard.

This was one of those moments.

Arms folded across her chest, the five-year-old held her ground. “Why can’t I go down the street by myself? I’m real good on my bike.”

Minnie’s dad had taught Kimber to ride a two-wheeler last week. Now, in the little girl’s mind, there was no turning back.

“Kimber, you just learned to ride. You’re not ready to go out by yourself.”

“I am, too.”

“No, I don’t think so. You don’t even know everyone around here yet. What if you got lost?”

“I won’t.”

“But you could. Sweetheart, if something happened to you, I’d be so sad. Besides, it’s too early to go out and play. It’s only seven. Most people are still eating their cereal.” Minnie pointed to the little girl’s bowl, a pile of soggy rice puffs floating on the top. “Sit down and eat.”

“I’m done.”

“Then you’ll just have to be patient. I’ll have time to go out with you in an hour.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Oh, well.”

“I wish I was home.” With a scowl Kimber went back to her room and closed her door, just as Paige had done when she hadn’t gotten her way.

And Paige had always wanted her way.

For a split second, Minnie glanced at the phone. She could call Mrs. Wyzecki and ask for advice. In a flash, Wanda would stride over and come to the rescue.

It’s what she’d done ever since Kimber arrived. Time and again Minnie wondered why Paige had named her Kimber’s guardian. Not her parents.

Had it been because they were closer in age? Or was it because Paige had figured Minnie would never have her own kids?

Or had Paige just not been thinking? Her sister had always been the type of girl who never thought anything bad would happen.

And usually nothing ever had.

From birth, Paige seemed to have been born under a lucky star. School had been easy for her. So had everything else. She’d never had a weight struggle, never had a pimple that she couldn’t wish off her face.

Boys had liked her, college entrance exams had, too. Paige had not only gotten into every university she’d applied to, but had been awarded scholarship money, as well.

Yep, Paige had been the type of woman who people stopped and stared at. She’d been striking and confident. Polished and successful. Her husband, Jeremy, had been the same way. They’d gotten married in Jeremy’s hometown of Phoenix and began their careers. Two years later, Kimber had been born.

Yes, Paige’s life had been perfect. So perfect she’d never had a problem reminding Minnie of that.

Which was yet another reason she and Paige had never been especially close.

Minnie was trying to do her best by Kimber, who was willful and grieving. But most of the time, her best didn’t seem good enough. Once more, Minnie imagined everyone around her knew it. Peter sure had.

Chapter Three

Matt tried to remember the last time his arms had felt like they were on fire. In high school when the coach had called practices both morning and night? Last January when he’d hired that personal trainer who’d damn near killed him in one session?

As he gingerly stretched his arms overhead, Matt wished he’d been lifting weights with a little more frequency. Maybe then he wouldn’t be glaring at the thirty boxes of hardcover books he’d just sorted, packed and lugged to the garage. They now sat in the middle of two bedrooms’ worth of furniture and a box of cast-iron pots and pans.

He was coming to find out that everything in the house was practically built of lead.

“You sure you want to give all of these away, Mrs. Wy?”

“Positive.” As if to show him that she had no problems with muscle strain, she gamely tapped her temple. “I’ve got a whole storage closet worth of memories in here. Besides, the library has a new bestseller program. I can get most any book the month it comes out now, so I don’t have to buy the books anymore.”

“But these are in good shape.”

“Brigit at the library wants them, so they’ll be put to good use. They’re sending a truck here to pick them up.”

“I’m glad of that.” At first Matt thought he was going to need to transport the books to the library, too. He wouldn’t have minded, but his back and arms were already releasing a heartfelt sigh.

Sitting on one of the stacks of boxes, perched on the edge like a parakeet, so bright and vivid in her yellow and lime-green jogging suit, Mrs. Wy said, “Matt, we’ve been moving things out here for a whole week. Have you noticed that the place isn’t looking much emptier?”

He’d noticed that from the moment he’d lugged down a mattress and discovered five storage containers underneath it, each filled to the brim. “You, Mrs. Wy, are a pack rat.”

She laughed. “I didn’t think I was…but you may be right.”

“You have four different sets of china.”

She twisted her lips in a pretend pout. “And darn if I can’t use but one cup and plate at a time. Well, don’t worry about that. Minnie’s going to be here any minute to look at those dishes.”

That brought him up short, though he didn’t really know why. Minnie Clark had been a nice kid at one time, and seemed nice enough now. She was pretty to look at, if you were more into the girl-next-door type instead of cover-girl wanna-be’s.

“You close to her?” he asked, figuring he might as well get her whole story since Wanda seemed to be bringing her name up on a regular basis.

“We have gotten close over the years. Minnie is the type of genuine person that comes few and far between.” Mrs. Wy lowered her voice, even though there was just the two of them in the warm garage. “Her last beau was handsome as all get-out, but a real stick-in-the-mud, I’ll tell you that.”

Before he knew it, Matt was perched on a box of books, too, looking out her garage opening at two rows of rosebushes and feasting on gossip. “What happened?”

“Peter decided to move on to a bigger city and left Minnie in a state of shock.” She lowered her voice. “He’d led everyone to believe he was going to propose.”

“He never did?”

She paused and blew out a heartfelt sigh. “Nope. I tell you, when Minnie came knockin’ on my door, all teary-eyed and sputtering, I was sure she was going to be flashing a diamond, not telling me a tale about how Peter had cut and run. She was in a sad state, I’ll tell you that.”

Crossing her knees, Mrs. Wy confided, “I heard his rejection had a lot to do with little Kimber. He didn’t want any part in taking care of another guy’s child, even though that little dear is just about the cutest thing you ever saw.”

Though Matt guessed he could imagine some men not being too interested in a rival’s child, holding it against Minnie for taking in her orphaned niece was a whole other matter. “That guy, Peter, sounds like a—” he tried to come up with a term safe for a lady’s ears “—jerk.”

“Oh, he was a jerk.” Folding her arms over her chest, Mrs. Wy nodded. “It’s good he went. I never liked him anyway. But he could have been nicer about everything, you know? There was no need to just go on out there and trample poor Minnie’s heart. Especially when she was trying to do her best. Nobody deserves that.”

Matt was saved from saying a word by a sunny greeting from the topic of conversation herself. “Hello? Wanda, you around?”

“We’re in the garage!”

Footsteps click-clacked on the cement walkway that led from the front of the house to the garage in the back. Before he knew it, Matt was returning a smile just like the one Minnie was gifting Wanda with. “Hey.”

Her steps faltered. After nodding in his direction, she wandered over to his companion. “Wanda, you shouldn’t be outside in this heat. It’s gotta be ninety degrees in here.”

“I’m always cold. This feels better than that blasted air-conditioning.”

“You can change the thermostat. Raise it higher, you know. Then you won’t be so chilled inside.”

“I’m fine, dear.” Mrs. Wyzecki pointed to the boxes of china. “Matt brought these out, but it’s up to you to choose your set. After you do, Matthew can carry them over to your house.”

Minnie glanced his way. “You don’t need to do that.”

“It’s no trouble.”

Dark brown eyes finally met his, sparking in him a new wave of interest. Minnie was far more than simply pretty, Matt decided. She was…lush.

Mrs. Wy cocked her head, obviously listening for the pitter-patter of tiny feet. “Where’s your shadow?”

Matt liked how Minnie smiled at that.

“Kimber’s helping Mom make cookies today.”

“I was just telling Matt here about what an angel that little pea pod is.”

“I don’t know if angel is the best descriptor, but she is a good girl.” Her voice softening, Minnie added, “I never knew how much I needed hugs at the end of the day until I had her. Now I can’t imagine life without Kimber sleeping down the hall.”

Looking for something to say, Matt stated the obvious. “I’m glad she’s getting settled in.”

A shadow formed behind her eyes. “Well, we’re working on the settling in. Sometimes I think Kimber’s adjusting. Other times, I don’t know if she ever will.”

“Give it a while more. Time heals. It always does,” Mrs. Wy said.

Matt knew those words were true. Too bad Minnie didn’t look as if she agreed. She kept flitting her eyes to him, then to Mrs. Wy, then back to him like a firefly that couldn’t stay away.

Minnie pointed to the boxes. “Wanda, I was thinking…I don’t need any of your dishes.”

“You better take a set, I’ve been planning on it.” Mrs. Wy clucked. “You said you could use them.”

“Y’all are busy. And you don’t need to bother.”

Matt flexed his arms and pretended he felt no pain. Pretended he didn’t feel a pull toward her. Something about Minnie made him want to go all he-man. Maybe because she looked so surprised that someone would go out of his way to help her? “It’s no bother. Believe me, you don’t want to carry them around. Those boxes are heavy.”

“Oh. Well, then, thank you.”

Matt was just thinking that her show of appreciation was definitely lacking when Mrs. Wy got right to the point. “Minnie? You look a little peaked. Is something wrong?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, what is it? Honestly, I haven’t see you so sad since that Peter took off.”

Minnie visibly winced as she turned Matt’s way. “Please don’t tell me Wanda’s been telling you about Peter.”

“Not too much,” he said. But he couldn’t help looking at Minnie meaningfully. “Not too much” meant Mrs. Wy hadn’t yet told him Peter’s social security number.

“I bet.” Minnie rolled her eyes.

“What is wrong, then?”

As if they were at a coffee shop, Minnie plopped down on yet another box of books. “SavNGo Discounters is coming. They just put up a big sign in the front field of the old Crocker Ranch.”

It took about half a moment for Matt to realize two things. One, Minnie didn’t like SavNGo, and two, she didn’t know he had anything to do with it.

Mrs. Wyzecki sighed in relief. “I know that, dear. Now we won’t have to drive to Wichita Falls for toilet paper.”

“One of my customers, Zenia, mentioned that when SavNGo comes, she won’t have to come to Carried Away anymore. She’ll be able to get her cards and gifts cheaper there.” Flipping that thick brown ponytail off her left shoulder, Minnie exhaled softly. “And the thing of it is…I’m afraid Zenia’s right.”

Matt suddenly felt as if Mrs. Wy’s hot-as-blazes garage had just sucked all the life out of him. Usually he surrounded himself with folks who couldn’t say enough good things about the coming of his store. SavNGo brought jobs and good prices. Healthy competition.

Now, looking at Minnie, he was terribly afraid SavNGo might cut into her business. It was always a possibility.

While Matt fumbled for a comment that wasn’t full of false hope, Mrs. Wyzecki jumped to the rescue. “People will still come to your store, honey. And I wouldn’t pay any mind to that silly Zenia Hardt. Everyone likes you. And they like all your cute gifts and fancy stationery. Business is going to be just fine.”

“What am I going to do if they don’t?” Pursing her lips, Minnie added, “I’ve been talking to other people in my shopping plaza. Brenda Martin, who owns Mystery Books is worried, too. So is Abel Pierce at the hardware. We’ve been doing the math, and it doesn’t look good. If I lose even a fourth of my customer base, I’m going to be in a heap of trouble. And I’ve got Kimber.”

Matt was surprised. Hadn’t Paige left Minnie money for the girl? And…why wasn’t Mrs. Wy saying a word about how Matt practically was SavNGo? At least to the town he was. Things were getting awkward. He’d just opened his mouth to set Minnie straight when Mrs. Wy spoke.

“Don’t fret, honey. We’ll come up with something. We always do.”

“Oh, I know. I’ll figure it out.” With a look of apology his way, Minnie hopped off the box she’d been perching on. “I’m sorry I even brought it up. I guess I haven’t put the office behind me yet today.”

“Don’t you worry. Matt here can’t seem to stop talking on his phone and that silly blueberry.”

“BlackBerry,” he corrected. “And I’ve got work colleagues expecting me to take their calls.”

Mrs. Wy harrumphed. “Morning, noon and night?”

“Especially then.”

“One day you’re going to find out that work won’t stop for the day unless you do the stopping.” Heading to the door leading into the kitchen, Mrs. Wyzecki fanned herself. “I think I’m going to take a little break for a bit. It is warm out here.”

As the door shut behind the elderly woman, Matt stood up, too. And, he was just about to tell Minnie the God’s honest truth—that he worked for SavNGo—when he took a real good look at her.

She turned his way and then stepped a little closer. When she smiled, a dimple appeared. So did a set of pretty white teeth.

His senses came alive. Suddenly, talking about work seemed like a real bad idea.

Minnie smelled like lemons and something like cherries or spring. Her pink T-shirt clung to her breasts in the midday heat, making it near impossible to keep from sneaking a peek at her chest every time he tried to do the right thing and keep his eyes focused above her neck.

Minnie leaned forward an inch. “So…were you about to say something?”

“No.” Actually, no words were coming to mind. Not a one.

“You sure?”

“I mean, it can wait.”

“Oh. Well, then I think I’d like these dishes,” Minnie said, pointing to a box filled with delicate china covered in hand-painted roses. “Wanda used to serve me tea on this set when I was little.”

“All right. I’ll carry it over for you.” Matt wiped his suddenly sweaty hands against his thighs.

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

Matt bent down and stifled a grunt as he lifted the china-filled box. “No trouble at all,” he muttered as Minnie Clark, once very young and very forgettable, started leading the way to her house.

And he, Matt Madigan—former high school quarter-back and current director of store planning for SavNGo Discounters, aka Minnie Clark’s nemesis—was following Minnie like she was the next big thing.

Chapter Four

“Just set that box right here, Matt,” Minnie said, pointing to the one clear spot on her back kitchen counter.

As he did that, she asked, “Would you like a glass of tea?”

“Thank you.”

Quickly Minnie poured some into a mason jar and handed it to him, trying not to notice that their fingers brushed. That he was standing in her kitchen. To give herself something to do, she poured herself some, too. “This tastes good.”

A ghost of a smile lit his lips. “It does.”

They’d run out of conversation. After darting a glance her way, he wandered down the length of her counter. “What’s all this?”

“Samples. I’m thinking of expanding a bit, hoping to hook some more people before SavNGo comes in. I’m looking into selling some local artists’ work and also carrying more fancy stationery.” Pointing to the cards encased in plastic, she said, “These run a little on the expensive side, but they’re real pretty, you know? Some of my older gentlemen customers love to pick up fancy cards for their wives’ birthdays and such.”

Matt jumped back as if they were on fire. “They’re real pretty.”

She laughed. “Don’t worry if you couldn’t care less. Most men don’t think about cards until they need one. And that doesn’t happen too often.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that I probably ought to tell you something, but I’m not real sure how to do it.”

Minnie wondered what he could possibly have to say to her that would worry him. Maybe it had something to do with Mrs. Wyzecki?

When he still seemed tongue-tied, she playfully patted his arm. “My mother always says it’s best to get tough things over with. Just tell me.”

“It’s not easy.”

With amusement, Minnie watched Matt sip his tea, examine her silly 1950’s era kitchen clock, run a finger along the edge of her white laminate countertop. “Come on. Whatever it is can’t be all bad. What is it?”

“I work for SavNGo.”

Thank goodness her glass had been out of her hand! “What do you mean?”

“I’m the Director of Store Planning.”

He said that title with a bit of importance, like she was gonna be impressed.

She most certainly was not. “A director?”

He nodded. “I travel around the country, helping to open new stores. It’s one of the reasons I decided to move back home right now. Store 35 is about to break ground.”

“You came out because it fit in with your schedule?”

“And I wanted to help Mrs. Wyzecki.”

Remembering their conversation in the garage, Minnie folded her arms over her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

He played dumb. “When? I’ve barely been here a week.”

“There’s been loads of opportunities. Like when you were in my card shop. Like when we were in the garage.”

To his benefit, Matt did not point out that it would have been pretty darn awkward to bring up his job while she was complaining about her financial future. “Minnie, I don’t go around telling everyone my business.”

There it was. To her, he was special. To him, she was “everyone.” “Well, now I know. Thanks for telling me.”

Blue eyes blinked. “You don’t have to put your arms over your chest like I’ve done something wrong.”

She glanced at her arms, then glared at him. “Don’t tell me where to put my arms, Matt Madigan.”

“Then don’t say my name like it’s your next favorite curse word.”

“It just might be.” Memories of her whining about SavNGo kept slapping her in the face. “I wish you would have told me before I sat there and complained about you in Wanda’s garage.”

“Minnie, I’m not your enemy. I just work for SavNGo…I don’t own it. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them. I answer questions about SavNGo for a living.”

“No questions come to mind, but I’ll let you know.” As a matter of fact, Minnie didn’t know what was in her mind at the moment. All she could deal with was the sudden loss she felt. She’d been so excited to see him again.

Now he was the reason she was going to lose her business. “I’m not mad. I’ve just got things to do.” She pointed to the long line of cards. “As you can see.”

“I do see.”

“And thank you, Matt, for carrying over the dishes. It was really kind of you,” she said, all super sweet and fake.

He stepped forward. “Minnie—”

The front door slammed, followed by the patter of tiny feet in sparkly purple tennis shoes. “Minnie?”

In alarm, Minnie looked at Matt. Kimber had had enough to deal with without witnessing an argument. For one second, she met his eyes and forgot to be angry. Please don’t say anything, she silently pleaded. Please just act like we’re old friends.

“I’m in the kitchen.” Turning to Matt, Minnie whispered, “Listen, don’t—”

And then, to her dismay, in popped Kimber, a bright smile on her face as big as the Royal Gorge. The smile was unexpected. In her experience, Kimber didn’t smile for anyone without a whole lot of coaxing.

Why was Matt different?

“Who are you?” Kimber asked.

“Matt.”

“Are you Aunt Minnie’s boyfriend?”

Minnie was sure she couldn’t blush anymore. “No, he isn’t. He’s just an old—”

“Friend.” Matt leaned closer and held out a hand. “You must be Kimber. Glad to meet you.”

With wide eyes, Kimber shook his hand.

“Oh my goodness, look at you, Matt,” JoAnn Clark said, hauling in a Tupperware container filled with what had to be a hundred cookies. “It’s so good to see you. I had forgotten you were back.”

“Mrs. Clark, nice to see you again.” He squatted down to Kimber’s level. “I like those shoes.”

“They’re purple.” Kimber was all girl. As if she was stepping right out of Sex and the City, she pointed a foot so Matt could have better access.

Matt touched the toe. “Cool sparkly lights.”

Floppy bangs that begged for a trim shielded her eyes. “Minnie got them for me. Where did you come from?”

Matt stood up. “Pennsylvania, but I’m here now for good. I’m going to be your neighbor. I’m going to live in Mrs. Wyzecki’s home.”

JoAnn looked like Christmas had come early. “Did you hear that, Minnie?”

“I did.”

Matt took a step back. “I suppose I best get a move on. Kimber, Mrs. Clark, it’s nice to see you again.”

Kimber blocked his way with a sparkly two-step. “Guess what? I’m getting me a guinea pig.”

“When?”

Kimber turned to Minnie. “When did you say?”

She’d never wanted a guinea pig. “Soon.”

“I’m gonna name him George.”

Matt flashed another smile. “Maybe when you get him, you can introduce him to me.”

Minnie was pretty sure that would only happen when it snowed in July.

Chapter Five

“Why didn’t Matt tell me that he worked for SavNGo the first chance he got?” Minnie griped as she grabbed hold of a dandelion and yanked hard on its stem. “He had any number of chances to tell me the whole reason he was here, but he didn’t.”

As a tiny gust of warm wind floated around Minnie’s front yard, Wanda repositioned the brim of her floppy straw hat. “Maybe it was because he knew you’d react this way?”

“React how?”

Wanda motioned to the limp weed Minnie was clutching in her hand. “Like you’d pay money for his body to be buried in the ground near here.”

In reflex, Minnie dropped the dandelion as if it were covered in red ants. “That’s unfair. I certainly don’t wish Matt was dead.”

“Just maimed?”

“No, of course not.” Minnie fumed as she pulled up another weed, grasping it in a chokehold the way she was envisioning wringing Matt Madigan’s neck. “I just hate being surprised, that’s all. And I embarrassed myself, too.”

“Embarrassed yourself? When?”

“I don’t know. A couple of times.”

“What did you say when he brought the dishes over?”

“Too much.” Minnie tossed a handful of weeds into her wheelbarrow. “Wanda, I know you love Matt like he was your own, but you have to try and see things from my point of view.”

“Oh, I think I can see your side, plain as day. But I can see Matthew’s, too.” As if weighing her conscience, she slowly said, “Matthew never could abide conflict or confrontations. He doesn’t trust easily, Minnie. I don’t know if he ever has.”

This was news to Minnie. “Because of his dad?”

“Because of a lot of things. Matt is a pleaser on the outside. He does what people expect, says what they want to hear. It’s charming. But unfortunately, it makes all those feelings and emotions inside of him get all bottled up. He hasn’t been able to count on too much, you know. His mama died when he was nine, and, well, his daddy had never been the type to listen to complaints or secrets.”

Minnie picked up her spade. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course.”

“Years ago, I had such a crush on Matt.”

“Oh, honey. I already knew that.” Under the brim of her straw hat, Wanda grinned broadly. “Everyone knew that.”

Well, that was mortifying. Minnie pushed at the ground with her spade to cover up her embarrassment. “Oh.”

Wanda chuckled. “Don’t worry, Minnie. You weren’t the only girl who was sad to see Matt leave town. And I don’t think you’re the only one who has entertained a thought or two about Matt Madigan over the years.”

Watching a bumblebee zip around her geraniums, Minnie added, “Maybe I’m just thinking about what could have been.” She looked Wanda’s way. “I guess you remember about Matt dating Paige?”

“I do. I remember she failed him, too.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “Oh, Paige. What a mess that girl was!”

“Paige was so mean to him.”

“She broke his heart.” Incredibly, Wanda was probably the only person Minnie could trust to be objective when it came to her older sister. Paige had been born thinking that she knew everything, and the sad part of it was that most people thought she was right. Minnie sometimes felt that she was the only person to see that Paige had a healthy case of impulsiveness and arrogance that got her into trouble.

Minnie looked down the street, thinking of Matt, thinking of Kimber. “It’s not just broken dreams I’m anxious about, Wanda. I’m worried about everything. I’m worried about Kimber. I’m worried about SavNGo coming in and taking away my only means to support her.”

“You have every right to be troubled, dear. Those are all justified fears.”

Minnie brushed off her hands. That was why she liked her neighbor so much. Wanda Wyzecki never tried to shrug off Minnie’s concerns or sugarcoat bad news. From the day Minnie had met her, Wanda had always been the kind of woman to call a spade a spade.

“Have I told you lately how glad I am that you live across the street?”

“No.” But the lady’s lips twitched. “But I love you, too, Minnie. Don’t worry so, okay?”

Minnie glanced at the new pile of weeds next to her knees, their leaves and stems already shriveling up in the hot afternoon sun. “What should I do about Matt?”

“Whatever you think best, I suppose.”

“I’m going to have a real hard time looking at him every day if his SavNGo puts me out of business.”

“Some might say you would have every right to feel that way.”

“But not you?”

“I’ve been around long enough to know that feeling bitter doesn’t help a person sleep at night. Just like I know that work isn’t the only thing that matters.”

“The only people who say that are the ones whose jobs are going real well.”

Wanda stood up. Minnie noticed that her crisp white capris were still, well, crisp and white, and her red T-shirt looked straight out of the dry cleaners. She, on the other hand, had a coat of dirt all over her.

“I best get going,” Wanda announced. “Matthew said he’d help me organize Jim’s golf things this afternoon.” Looking fondly at Matt’s truck, Wanda smiled. “I tell you what, though, no matter how you must feel about that man, one thing just can’t be denied. He sure is handsome.”

Saying Matt was handsome was like saying the sky was blue. Neither did the reality justice.

As Wanda walked back home, Minnie scooped up the last of the weeds and tossed them and her spade into the wheelbarrow. After pulling off her gloves, she walked to her front porch. The shade was a blessed relief. She sat down on one of the wicker rocking chairs and tried to look everywhere besides Matt’s shiny black pickup truck across the street.

It was sure hard to realize that heroes were made of flesh and doubts.

“NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE the day when this field would be made into a parking lot,” Lane Henderson said as they watched yet another dump truck roar out onto the street. For the past five hours, earthmovers had cleared out shrubs, grass and rubbish while Bobcats had followed, smoothing over what used to be the Crocker Ranch. “If all goes well, you’ll be opening right on schedule, in eight months’ time.”

In less than a year, Crescent View would be making progress. Providing jobs. Giving people like Lane a good bit of money that was sorely needed in the current economy. “Yep. Everything’s moving along like clockwork,” Matt said.

“The town council couldn’t be more pleased. Some are even talking about moving the Chicken and Bread festival to next March.”

The Chicken and Bread festival was the town’s biggest event. Years ago, Crescent View’s founding fathers had decided to capitalize on the three things their sleepy town had going for it: area poultry farms, wheat fields, and the beautiful countryside covered with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, a byproduct of Lady Bird Johnson’s efforts to beautify the nation’s highways and byways. Consequently, Crescent View hosted thousands of people in the summer, people ready to enjoy the beauty of wildflowers and fried chicken. “Think so?”

“Maybe. Lots of tourists come in for the festival. We’ll be pleased as punch to show off our new SavNGo while we’re at it.”

Matt felt a hearty surge of satisfaction. He could hardly count the number of times he’d sat in his Ford pickup and watched a ground-breaking. Usually he oversaw one or two construction sites and did his best to meet with the town councils and local construction crews at the same time. He’d also become adept at putting the best possible spin on the incoming store.

Here in Crescent View, he hadn’t had to do any fast talking at all. He genuinely believed that SavNGo was going to help boost the town’s economy, and he’d do everything he possibly could to ensure that the vision became a reality.

What people didn’t know was he’d done a lot of fast talking to even get SavNGo in the county at all. Not everyone in the company had thought Crescent View had a future.

Lane rolled back on the heels of his work boots. “Things are going to be a lot different round here soon.”

That was no lie, SavNGo might have a bad rap for taking out small businesses, but it had also given back to a lot of communities. Jobs were created, other businesses flocked to the areas surrounding the supercenters, and people enjoyed paying less money for everyday necessities. He liked working for the chain.

Of course, he’d never had to come face-to-face with brown eyes that filled with tears at the thought of SavNGo’s impending arrival.

“We’re real pleased you asked our company to install all the heating and air-conditioning,” Lane said. “Henderson HVAC is going to make sure everything goes as smooth as silk.”

“I’m sure it will be that way. And don’t act like I did you a favor, y’all turned in the best bid. The decision was strictly based on business.”

“We’re going to do a good job. Crescent View needs this store in a bad way. We need the work now, and we need the jobs it will bring in the future. Did you know a couple of restaurant chains are now considering coming here?”

“I heard.”

“Things are going to turn out real good, I just know it. For years I’ve been putting everything I’ve earned back into my business. But now things might get a little easier. I might finally be able to put something in the bank.” Gazing off toward the twin water towers that marked the entrance of their town, population 5500, Lane grinned. “Shoot, I might have to start thinking seriously about getting married.”

“Married? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone special.”

“I’m not, but it’s about that time.”

“Remember when jobs and marriage seemed a lifetime away?”

“It used to be. ’Course, we had other things on our minds.” Looking into the distance, Lane said, “I was going to become a chemist or something.”

“You always were damn smart. All I ever wanted to do was move on.”

“You did that.”

“Yeah. And now I’m back.”

“So…how is being here? As hard as it used to be?”

“In some ways, yes.” Matt knew his buddy hadn’t asked the question lightly. Lane had witnessed his father yelling at him when he’d fumbled the ball and lost the championship game his freshman year. He’d also sat by Matt’s side during his father’s memorial service. Lane was one of the few people who knew that Matt was haunted by his past.

Changing the topic, Lane said, “My folks asked if you’d like to come over for dinner soon.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

“I’ll let them know. How’s the move coming along?”

“About as well as can be expected. Mrs. Wyzecki has too much stuff, but we’re getting there.”

Lane laughed. “She’s always had too much stuff. Some things never change. When are you going to officially move in?”

“I’m in enough. And there’s no hurry. Wanda’s new condo won’t be ready for another month and a half, sometime around the beginning of September.”

“I don’t know how you’re doing it, living with her again.”

“She and I get along great, and it’s not like there’s that much involved. She does her thing, and I do mine.”

“No curfew?” Lane asked with a grin.

Matt played along. “Nope, she’s been coming in before eleven, so I thought I wouldn’t press her.”

“You know what? I wouldn’t put it past her to stay out later than you!”

“Me, neither. That woman’s phone rings more than any teenager’s.”

After another hour, Lane went on his way and Matt stood alone, watching the trucks come and go and thinking for the first time that maybe Lane had gotten it all wrong. All this time, he’d been thinking how good it was to be in Crescent View because it felt familiar and like the only real home he’d known.

But as he thought of Wanda’s upcoming move to the retirement condo, the changes that SavNGo would bring, as well as his move back to Crescent View, maybe the opposite was true. Maybe nothing stayed the same. Maybe nothing ever did.

And if that was the case, Matt wondered what he was going to end up holding on to when he finally decided to trust someone besides Wanda Wyzecki.

Chapter Six

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful with yet another argument. Minnie was beginning to think that the sun wouldn’t come out without a whole lot of fussing from a certain curly-haired five-year-old. “You’ve got to come out of the bathroom sooner or later,” Minnie called out from her side of the door. “There’s no food in there.”

“I don’t care. I don’t wanna go to church.”

They’d already gone through this. Several times. “You don’t have a choice. It’s what we do on Sundays. Besides, last week you said you had fun.”

“I don’t remember sayin’ that.”

“I do. Come on, I bet some of those girls can’t wait to say hi.”

A pause lasted just long enough for Minnie to think she had won. Then all reason went out the window. “George should be able to go, too. I don’t want to leave him here.”

“Guinea pigs can’t go to Sunday school. You know that.”

“Then I’m gonna stay here, too. I want to be with George.”

Minnie tried the door handle one more time. Shoot, it was still locked. And because she was tired and frazzled and sick to death of trying to do her best, even when she didn’t know what that was, she snapped. “Kimber, if you don’t start listening, George is going to have to leave us and go to another home. The home of a little girl who minds.”

“Nooo!”

The scream and the wails that followed on its heels made Minnie feel like the Wicked Witch of the West.

And, the worst of all things, a liar. Minnie didn’t think she’d ever be able to actually give away that silly little guinea pig. George was pudgy and cute and almost cuddly.

Minnie supposed this was what she got for giving in to Kimber’s constant request for a pet. In a moment of true weakness, she’d bought the fifteen-dollar guinea pig and forty dollars’ worth of guinea pig supplies.

Kimber loved him, and that made Minnie happy. But after finally receiving what she wanted, Kimber had moved on to the next item on her willful agenda.

“Kimber, you’re going to have to learn to leave George home sometimes. He needs his sleep and you need to be with your friends. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t have any friends at church.”

No, she didn’t. And that’s why she needed to keep going to Sunday school. The teacher had confided that after a rough beginning, things were finally on an upward swing. Minnie was about to deliver yet another ultimatum when Kimber shouted, “There’s Matt! Hi, Matt!” Minnie heard a creak and a groan as the bathroom window slowly slid upward. “Hi, Matt! You coming over?”

His voice echoed through the crack below the door. “Maybe.”

“Please come over. Now. Minnie’s being so mean.”

“I find that hard to believe. Your Aunt Minnie’s about the sweetest person I know.”

“Not today she’s not.”

Minnie heard Matt’s boots on the front porch. Great. Just who she needed to see…the other person in her life who was attempting to drive her crazy.

After knocking a few times, Matt turned the knob and peeked in. “Minnie, how you doing?”

She leaned against the wall. “About how you might expect.”

“She wearing you out?” Minnie felt his eyes roam over her for a second before meeting her gaze. “Can I help?”

Her insides warred. She wanted some reinforcement, but she didn’t want Matt…did she? When Kimber kicked something in the bathroom, the offer of assistance won out. “Maybe. We’re in the midst of yet another battle. I seem to be losing.” Again.

His lips twitched, telling Minnie that her Kimber problems were not a surprise. “What’s this one about?”

“Sunday school, her lack of friends and one pudgy orange guinea pig.” A little more loudly, Minnie said, “Kimber, you’re about to be in a heap of trouble, and once more, Matt’s going to see you be in it.”

“You’re in trouble, too. I don’t like you, Aunt Minnie.”

Words from a fuming five-year-old weren’t supposed to hurt so much, but they did. Minnie closed her eyes to keep from reacting in front of Matt.

But obviously she wasn’t doing a very good job. “Hey,” he murmured, stepping a little closer. Close enough for Minnie to smell his aftershave and see the faint shadow of his beard. With the edge of a callused thumb, he gently brushed a wayward tear from her cheek. “It’s going to be okay.”

Even though she didn’t like him—Correction. Even though she didn’t want to like him, Minnie accepted his touch. “I know. I’m just tired of constantly battling.”

“One day, Kimber will be tired of it, too.”

“Promise?”

“I’ve been where she is, more or less. I promise.” After treating Minnie to one more reassuring smile, Matt stepped over to the door, rapped a knuckle against the wood and deepened his voice. “Kimber, I heard every mean word you’ve been saying, and I have to tell you, I’m kind of shocked. Little ladies don’t speak to their elders that way.”

After a pause, Kimber answered. “They don’t?” Her voice was small and insecure.

“No, they don’t. Nice girls remember how to listen and say yes, ma’am. Especially with people who love them.”

“But Minnie’s going to take George away.”

“George?”

“The guinea pig,” Minnie provided.

Matt’s blue eyes danced for a moment before he knocked on the door again. “Open up this door. If you still have that window open, I bet George is about to have heat stroke.”

One minute later, the lock clicked and the knob turned. Out peered a very flushed and freckled face. “I’m going to come out now.”

Matt crossed his arms. “It’s about time.”

Face all splotchy, Kimber stepped out, holding a cage tightly. “Minnie, are ya really going to send George away?”

“I should.”

Kimber pulled on Matt’s cuff. “Tell her no.”

“Why do you think I should say that?”

“Because Minnie likes you.”

Minnie felt her cheeks heat. “Don’t bring Matt into this.”

Kimber puffed up her chest like a medieval warrior. “But Matt, don’t you see—”

Matt looked tempted. But then he shook his head. “You’re making us late.”

“Are you going to church, too?”

“I am.”

“Really? Why?”

“Learn to be agreeable, Kimber.” Minnie felt her control on the situation slipping, which was actually pretty laughable, because she really didn’t have any control at all. She didn’t know what she was doing with Kimber. She didn’t know how to act around Matt Madigan.

Before Kimber and Matt had come back into her life, she’d thought she’d had everything she could handle with Carried Away.

Which just went to show what happened when you started thinking that everything was going to be just fine. Trouble came along. In spades.

Kimber was back to fighting about church. “I don’t wanna go. I never get to do what I wanna do.”

Minnie stifled a moan. Did that statement come from sheer willfulness and disappointment at their current argument, or was she speaking of other things? Like the fact that she’d been moved across the country and was still having to adjust to new people, new faces and new rules?

Kimber wasn’t spoiled, but she definitely had a stubborn streak, not unlike Paige’s. Added to the mix was the fact that she was still grieving. It sometimes made the simplest of decisions major battles.

And because the counselors had said that the best thing for dealing with losses like that was a firm, steady hand, Minnie did her best to be that way. “Kimber, we’re not going through this again. Say goodbye to Matt and go put George down.”

“But—”

“Or I’m going to pick up the phone and start calling everyone I know who might want him.”

After glaring at Minnie, Kimber looked sorrowfully Matt’s way. “Bye, Matt.”

“Bye, Kimber.” As the little girl marched to her room, Matt glanced at Minnie. Now that they were alone, she once again felt the tension that seemed to sizzle between them, just under the surface. “You going to be all right?”

“I’ll be fine. Thanks for your help.”

“No problem, Min. No problem at all.”

MATT HAD JUST SETTLED into the back pew and picked up a hymnal when his cell phone started vibrating. Quickly he fished it out of his pocket and noticed that it was Ben Lambright, the vice president of finance at SavNGo. This call had to be taken.

With a couple of nods in the direction of the folks around him, none looking too pleased that he was getting up and leaving before the service had even started, he moved to the entryway and answered. “Madigan.”

“Hi, Matt. Sorry to bother you on a Sunday. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time?”

With another nod toward the people entering, Matt pushed open the wide oak doors and trotted out to the parking lot, the bright sun blinding him as he did. “Not at all, Ben.” After all, if a guy at his level in the company was working on a Sunday morning, Matt couldn’t very well say he didn’t want to work either. Could he? “How may I help you?”

“I’ve got some bad news. Second-quarter earnings are about to be announced. They’re not good, Matt.” He paused. “I’ve been told to tell you that we’re going to need to rebid all the subcontractors for Store 35.”

Matt had been through this before. Although the chain was huge, the board and financial officers watched every transaction like a hawk. Two years ago in Arkansas, they’d had to rebid, too. But in Arkansas, he hadn’t known a lot of the subcontractors. Asking people to rebid had just been business. This felt vastly different. “All of them?”

Papers shuffled in the background. “All the contracts that haven’t begun. You know the drill, Matt. Explain the situation and tell them they’re going to have to rebid.”

“But—”

“They’ll do it, they always do. Cement poured yet?”

“It’s scheduled for end of next week.”

“Keep the cement contractors, but tell everyone else that we need lower bids, pronto.”

“Yes. All right.” Matt’s shoulders slumped. He’d fought like hell to get Store 35 built in Crescent View.

“It’s going to be busy. I appreciate your extra time on this, Matt. You’ve got quite a reputation of sticking to budget and getting things done the way we want them. I know you’ll meet our expectations for Store 35, as well.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” After a few words about baseball, they hung up. Matt slumped against his truck, deflated.

Nearby, a car zipped into the parking lot and a couple hurriedly unbuckled and then ran into the building, just as the faint hum of the organ and church choir started drifting his way. Folding his arms across his chest, Matt figured his spot outside felt somewhat typical. Once again, he was standing on the outside, looking in.

He’d brought the supercenter to town as a way of trying to do good. Of trying to show everyone that he was worth something. He’d contracted friends of his and local businesses, in an effort to spark the local economy and fire up hope in everyone.

Now he would have to tell Lane that he was going to have to rebid, and most likely wouldn’t have near the money he’d planned to have in the bank. His journey into the community’s good graces was about to get bumpy.

In fact, the only saving grace seemed to be Kimber, who came over to visit Wanda a lot, and therefore him. Little Kimber who liked him but was so fragile, her moods were mercurial and ever changing.

Kind of like his, come to think of it. More often than not, Matt found himself rethinking every decision these days. He wanted to do the right thing for SavNGo. He wanted to do the right thing for Wanda.

But he also wanted to show everybody that he was just as successful and worthy as they thought he was. Even though inside he didn’t feel worthy at all…just a fake.

And then there was the whole Minnie thing. He found her attractive. He found himself thinking about her at odd times, in the middle of the night. Or in the morning, when he had a cup of coffee outside by Wanda’s pool.

He wondered about his attraction to Paige’s little sister. Was it because she reminded him of Paige?

Or because she was a link to the past?

Or because he felt bad that the store he’d pushed into Crescent View was going to put her business in jeopardy?

Or was it none of those things? Was he merely attracted to her because she touched something in him that made him feel valued and good inside, and worth more than his dad had ever guessed? He wanted her to need him. He wanted to be her protector.

Minnie Clark, the darling of the neighborhood, her family and the town, still seemed so alone.

Was he the only one who thought that was strange?

Chapter Seven

It was Back to School Night. A whole week had passed since the first day of school. And, like the Texas summers that hung with tenacity through August, Minnie felt as though her efforts to get a handle on things were never ending.

With a frown, she tossed yet another sweater set and skirt on the bed and looked down at it. She needed to figure out why she was so nervous and change her attitude, fast. It wouldn’t do for Kimber to get a whiff of her vibe. She’d be sure to catch it and adopt a bad case of the shakes, too. Just like the flu.

She knew what was wrong. Plain and simple, Minnie was nervous about being a parent and doing parent things. Hmm. Funny how knowing what the matter was didn’t help things in the slightest.

Kimber rolled in with a stuffed bear. “Whatcha doin’?” she asked, hopping up on the rumpled bedspread.

“Trying to get ready to meet Mrs. Strickland.”

“She’s nice.”

Forcing a smile, Minnie said, “I’m anxious to meet her. She’s going to tell me all about what you’ve been doing at school. I want to hear about your progress.”

Kimber looked away before speaking. “I wrote my name and made a book.”

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