They arrived in Blackfoot Falls midafternoon on Monday, and Kylie couldn’t wait to see the new counter so they went straight to the bakery. A tarp hung in the window, which made sense. Not only did people tend to ignore the closed sign, too many busybodies would be peering inside and bothering Joe. He was just getting ready to lock the door when they pulled to the curb.
He waited for them, then passed the key to Kylie. “Guess I won’t be needing this anymore.”
“You’re finished?”
“Said I would be, didn’t I? Have a look.”
Kylie’s excitement woke her up completely, after having slept for most of the return trip home.
“Wow, Joe. You did an amazing job.” Kylie drew her hand over the sleek gray and black surface, trimmed with polished ash. It wasn’t granite but it looked and felt like it. She glanced over her shoulder at Landon. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Gotta admit, it came out better than I pictured,” he said, bending over to get eye-level with the lower ledge where customers would be able to set down their drinks. “You can’t even tell this isn’t part of the original counter.”
Joe looked pleased, but then shook his head. “It’s a wonder I got anything done at all. Didn’t get a moment’s peace, what with Rachel McAllister and Celeste yammering at me.”
“Rachel was here?”
Joe eyed Kylie. “I figured you sent them.”
“Celeste was supposed to work half a day on Saturday, but other than that, no.”
“Well, glad you like it. Now I gotta get to my other job.”
“You have any material left?” Landon asked. “In case we want to use it for trim?”
“I have scraps in my truck. Trim would be just about the only use for them. I cut the measurements close to keep the cost down. By the way...” He stopped at the door and reached into the pocket of his coveralls. “Might as well give you the final bill.”
Landon reached for it the same time she did.
Kylie snatched it first and almost choked at the amount. It couldn’t possibly be right. She distinctly remembered telling Joe to let her know if the material or labor exceeded his quote by more than ten percent before he proceeded.
He already had his hand on the doorknob. “If you can pay the balance by the end of the week I’d be much obliged.”
Just as she was about to call him back, Landon gave her hand a squeeze. “No problem,” he said to the man. “We’ll get it to you tomorrow.”
Joe had barely closed the door behind him, when Kylie lit into Landon. “What is wrong with you? Not only is this more than we agreed upon,” she said, waving the paper at him, “you had no business interfering.”
Landon looked surprised at first, then he smiled. “Look, you’re still tired from the weekend,” he said, as he cupped her cheek with his big hand. “I understand my family can be overwhelming at times—”
“None of that has anything to do with it.” She inched back and his hand fell away. “I know you’re trying to help but—”
“It’s my fault. I asked Joe to order something for me and I think he added it to your bill by mistake. So I figured I’d look it over before saying anything to you.”
“Added what? Material for the tables and bench seats?”
“No, something for me, personally. For my truck. I need sheltered cargo space.”
She wasn’t sure she believed him, but why would he lie?
“May I?” He nodded at the bill.
Reluctantly, Kylie handed him the invoice, the ringing of the bell above the door reminding her that she hadn’t locked it.
Patty stuck her head in. “I just clocked out and didn’t know if you were open...”
Kylie sighed, still thinking about the bill. “Come on in, but I don’t know if I can help you.”
“I was hoping you still had turnovers. Oh. Guess not. Nice counter, though.”
“Sorry, we just got back. Celeste only made enough Danish and muffins for the motel this morning.”
Patty looked over at Landon. “We wondered where you were. You haven’t been to your room in a while.”
Kylie stared at him. He seemed startled but didn’t correct Patty.
“Well, you two look beat,” Patty said. “See you tomorrow.”
Kylie summoned a smile, then watched as Landon locked the door behind Patty.
She got tired of waiting for him to say something. “I thought you checked out.”
“I was going to, but I saw Kevin in the lobby that morning. That’s when I realized if I gave up the room and people saw me around town, they’d know I was staying with you.”
“So?”
“I did it so there wouldn’t be gossip—”
“I didn’t ask you to.” While he claimed he needed to save money, he’d been needlessly paying for a motel room.
Her gaze caught on a sticky note on the back shelf and she suddenly remembered she had to prep for tomorrow. She could have cried. There was no way she’d get through it still being this exhausted.
Landon was staring at her with what appeared to be concern. But did she really know what that looked like on him? He didn’t have to lie about the motel room. Unless keeping it while he stayed with her made it feel less like a commitment. Though she’d never given him the impression she expected anything from him.
Dammit, going to meet his family had been a mistake. A giant, hurtful mistake.
Just as he took a step toward her, she pulled out her cell phone and started texting, her focus never leaving her flying fingers. First, to Celeste, letting her know she was back and that everything looked wonderful.
“Kylie...”
Next, she started typing a thank-you to Rachel, but her phone rang... Rachel’s ring tone, so Kylie answered. “So, I hear you were nagging Joe to finish up,” she said. “And that we’re down a dozen brownies.”
“Hey, I didn’t touch anything. I sniffed. Cried buckets. Moped a lot, but I didn’t take one bite. Anyway, doesn’t the counter look great? By the way, I know you know how to use the espresso machine, and I’m allowed to have lattes as long as I don’t add sugar, so anytime...”
Kylie chuckled. “I just got back. I haven’t even been home yet.”
“I want details. Everything from the drive to the family to the long Wyoming nights.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes we just can’t get what we want. But I’ll make sure you’re the first to know when the coffee bar is operational.”
Rachel quieted for a moment. “You all right, kiddo?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. I’ll be in touch, okay?” Kylie hung up, anxious to leave, ready to take a long, hot bath and stop her thoughts from beating up on her.
“Should we head home?” Landon asked, wisely keeping some distance between them.
“Yeah. Everything looks good here.”
“I admit Joe did a great job. I can’t wait to see the whole thing finished. The bench seats and tables. You’re going to have customers lining up all day.”
She forced a smile. “I’m sorry for snapping at you,” she said, even though she wasn’t. But she probably wasn’t being fair to him either. Just...she needed a little more time to process things. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was tired.”
“I know, sweetheart.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get you into bed.”
She shivered. Despite her anger, her confusion, her certainty that things were about to implode, his touch still managed to turn her into a lovesick teen. It would have been easy to walk ahead to the door, but there was comfort in his scent, his body so close to hers.
Before they made it out, someone tried the knob, then knocked. Kylie held back a moan. At least it was just Sadie.
“Kylie, I’m glad I caught you.” She noticed Landon and nodded to him.
Kylie made the introduction.
Landon shook Sadie’s hand. “Ah, you’re the mayor. I’ve heard good things about you.”
Sadie winked at Kylie. “He’s a good liar.”
Kylie forced a smile.
“Hey, I wanted to let you know the city council voted to move to a bigger facility. I figured I’d let you know before we make it public.”
“Wow. So soon.”
“Well, you know how those slowpokes operate,” Sadie said. “Nothing will be done for months.”
Still, Kylie was in no way prepared. “Thanks, Sadie, I appreciate the heads-up.”
“Think about it and let me know.” Sadie turned to Landon. “You just passing through?”
He hesitated, then smiled. “I do have places to be.”
“Well, nice meeting you.”
Kylie waited until Sadie had stepped outside before she turned off the lights, hearing Landon’s answer on a loop inside her head. It felt like everything was suddenly closing in on her.
* * *
AS THEY WALKED to the truck, all Landon could think was that since they’d gotten back, every single thing had gone to hell in a handbasket.
It would help if Kylie could get more sleep, but dammit, he’d told Joe to show him the bill before he gave it to Kylie. And Joe had agreed. Stupid old buzzard. Landon wasn’t quite as worried about Patty’s revelation. Once Kylie got some rest, she’d understand better. And now, the expansion option was more than just a maybe. Shit.
The short drive home was tense, and he hoped the surprise he had waiting for her would take care of that. He parked next to Barry’s truck, counting on the kid’s promise that he’d have everything finished.
He raised the garage door, keeping his eyes on Kylie. Her look of delight when she saw her new furniture made his heart start beating again.
She walked in slowly, right to the seats, smiling as she ran a hand down the distressed wood.
Landon breathed out a sigh of relief when she whispered, “Wow,” at the tables that he’d made without anyone’s help.
“It’s all gorgeous. Better than I even imagined.”
“There’s still trim to add to the bench seats,” Landon said. “Barry’s idea. Thanks for finishing this up.” Landon nodded at him. “Nice job.”
She turned again to Barry, who was standing awkwardly next to a chair Landon hadn’t seen before. It was a nifty design, compact, yet sturdy, that fit perfectly with the tables.
“What’s this?” Kylie said, running her hand over the back of the chair. “Is it all right if I sit down?”
Barry nodded just as Landon said, “Of course.”
“This is very comfortable.” She leaned back. “But I probably wouldn’t want to sit in it all day.”
“Which makes it perfect,” Landon said. “I think you’ll find that’s true for the bench seats as well.”
When she stood, she turned to Landon. “I knew your brothers had to be teasing. You could do this professionally.”
Barry let out a laugh that turned quickly into a cough.
Kylie glanced his way, a slight frown forming. “I understand you were a terrific help. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
She paused, still looking troubled, then pulled out her cell phone, and snapped several pictures. Including one of Barry backing up toward the door, his face flushed, and trying not to laugh again.
Landon closed his eyes, wanting to strangle the kid. Was every person in this town trying to sabotage him?
“He did all of the work, didn’t he?” Kylie said, keeping her voice low.
“Not all of it.” He met her eyes, and wished he hadn’t. It would’ve been fine if his idiot brothers hadn’t opened their big mouths.
“You lied to me. Again. You didn’t ask Joe to order anything for your truck. Did you?” She blinked. “How much did all this cost, Landon?”
“Look, Kylie, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I honestly thought I could do this myself, but then Chad convinced me that I wouldn’t be up to the task. Which I saw for myself that first day. But I was embarrassed, okay? It was nothing more than my damn ego. Although I did distress the wood, and I built the tables on my own.”
She kept staring at him with wounded eyes.
“I just wanted to make you happy.”
After a sigh that was louder than Barry’s truck backing up, her shoulders lowered. “I appreciate the thought, but it wasn’t your place to do that, Landon. It’s my business. My expenses. Which I’ll pay for. I may not be able to pay it all right away, but I’ll go to the bank tomorrow and—”
“Kylie, please—”
“If I can’t get a loan, I’ll set up a payment plan. I love the chair Barry built, but he needs to stop now. You need to stop.”
“I understand.” Landon felt as though his entire world was crumbling under his feet. A loan? Shit. “I’m sorry there were things I didn’t take into consideration. You’ve worked hard for everything you’ve built, and I wouldn’t want to take any of that away from you.” He approached her slowly. “I just wanted to make you happy.” He reached out to put his hands on her shoulders, but stopped before he touched her.
She nodded. “I know you meant well. Although I’m still confused about the motel...”
“I’ll explain, I promise. But one thing you need to know. I paid Barry a bonus, but that was more about Barry than you. I wanted to give the kid and his family a hand. That’s all on me, and nothing you need to worry about.”
“That was good of you.”
He pulled her close, relieved when she didn’t resist.
“Landon? Just one more thing.” She looked deeply into his eyes and there was no question she wasn’t counting on the truth. “When are you leaving?”
“Physically, I’m ready to ride again. I realized that over the weekend,” he admitted. “But I don’t want to leave.” Especially when they were on shaky ground.
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
He cupped her face. “Soon, sweetheart.”
Before she could look any more disappointed, he swept her up in his arms, and took her straight through the house to the bedroom. At least he knew what he was doing in there.