by Tara Randel
“Do you want me to inform my brothers?”
“Mind holding off until I have real answers? I may be close, but you know things can go sideways in an interview.”
“I can wait.” Deke jerked out his chin. “As long as you have results.”
Logan grinned. “Doubting me?”
“No, but Stanhope has been more slippery than we expected.”
“The best con men are.”
Deke glanced across the park. Logan followed his line of sight. Serena. He refused to acknowledge the regret twisting in his stomach.
“I’ll keep working on the fraud end. I have a few ideas, but let me run with the information I have first.”
His friend looked back at him. In the evening shadows Logan almost missed the censure in his eyes. “I gotta ask, Logan. What happens if Serena is up to her pretty little neck in all of this?”
It wasn’t like Logan hadn’t pondered that very question himself. He’d spent sleepless nights asking why he’d allowed himself to become intrigued by a woman with a hidden past. It still didn’t stop him from spending time with her, walking her home after her dinner shifts, stealing kisses under the harvest moon. If her con-artist dad finally got nailed, would she hate Logan? He had it bad for Serena, and if this lead panned out, it might do serious damage to his heart, and hers, but he was in too far to back off now.
“I’ll be honest—I’m not sure.”
Deke’s gaze pierced his, steady and unrelenting. “Do you have feelings for her?”
Oh, yeah.
The need to be with her every day had sneaked up on him, surprising him by the intensity of his emotions. When he’d started this job, he expected an easy case, no messy entanglements. He’d been prepared to spend time with Serena to get results, but that had backfired big-time. She’d ensnared his heart so completely, with her winsome smile and encouraging words, he would never be the same again.
But he couldn’t admit that to Deke. Was having a hard enough time coming to terms with the realization himself. “Nothing I’ll let hinder the case.”
Was that pity he spied in Deke’s eyes? He surprised Logan when he muttered, “There’s something about these Golden women.”
“Which is why when this case is over, I’m headed back to Atlanta full-time.”
“Think it’ll be that easy?”
No, he didn’t. It would take everything in his power to walk away from Serena and Golden.
Logan considered his friend. “I take it you’re speaking from experience?”
“I haven’t left, have I?”
True. Deke and Grace were solid. Logan didn’t know if he and Serena could ever be that concrete. Not with all the questions piling up. He’d never come up against personal stakes in a case until now. Didn’t like the ramifications. This entire situation could become messy and painful, but he was duty-bound to see the investigation through. He’d do everything in his power to shield Serena from the worst of the fallout and be there for her in the aftermath, if she’d let him.
Deke leaned over to clap Logan’s shoulder. “Good luck, my friend. You’re going to need it.” Then he walked into the crowd.
Truer words had never been spoken.
Expelling a deep sigh, Logan moved into the shadows to watch the activity in the park. As he stood there, Deke’s words echoed in his head. Did his friend offer him luck for the case or because of his rapidly growing feelings for Serena? Probably both. He ran a hand over his face. He should be rehearsing what he’d say to Serena when he told her he’d been investigating her to get to her father. He owed her that much.
Unable to do anything at the moment, Logan settled in for his shift. The first hour crawled by, but the second picked up. He broke up a brawl between two teenage boys, arguing over a girl. Surprise. Then he escorted an overzealous festival guest back to his hotel. He still wore a button-down shirt and jeans, but now there was a tear in his sleeve. By the time he returned to the park, the crowd had cleared out and the volunteers gathered under the tent for a bite to eat and a recap.
His chest squeezed tight when he met Serena’s gaze. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun. Long strands had escaped confinement and framed her pretty face. As soon as she noticed him, she flashed a smile so bright it hurt. She pulled out the chair beside her and nodded to the heaping plate on the table. She’d brought him dinner? After serving others all night?
“Braised brisket and potato dumplings tonight,” she said as he took his seat. The food smelled great and his stomach responded with a long growl.
Serena laughed. “Hungry?”
He picked up his fork. “Got caught up in work today and lost track of time.”
“This will fill you up.”
Her arm brushed his and her lavender scent invaded his space. If he’d actually expected to put some much-needed space between them until he finished his job, he was sorely mistaken.
Conversation flowed freely after Lissy Ann gave her nightly report. He had to admit, getting reacquainted with friends and hanging out together while doing his part for Golden hadn’t been as smothering as he’d expected. He liked living in Atlanta because of the job prospects, but the feeling of belonging here was hard to ignore. Not just with his friends, but his family as well. Could he have experienced this sense of being a part of something bigger than himself if he’d come home sooner? Too late to tell now, but he was happy with the personal strides he’d made in the past month.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Serena said after he finished his meal. He wiped his hands on the paper napkin and tossed it on the plate.
“Long day.”
Her deep blue eyes shone in the subdued lighting. “So you said.”
Yeah, this was harder than he’d imagined. He didn’t like deceiving Serena when there was a distinct possibility her father was deceiving them all. He was all about truth, wasn’t he? At least that was what he said. Could he carry this through until the end?
He needed the next few days out of town to straighten his head.
“Serena. I have a lot on my mind right now.”
He ignored the sting when her sunny expression turned to uncertainty. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“You’re not...” He blew out a breath. What more could he say?
She scooted away from him, taking her warmth with her. He missed it immediately. When he glanced across the table, Deke, who sat with his arm around Grace, looked at him questioningly.
Serena jumped up and started clearing away the empty plates. He joined her, not wanting her to take on the burden alone.
After dumping the paper plates in the trash bin, Serena stepped around him for a pitcher of iced tea to refill glasses.
“Let me,” Logan said, reaching out to help.
“I’ve got it.” As she swung away, tea splashed over the rim. She stopped and steadied her grip.
“You’re making a mess.”
She shot him an annoyed look and tried to walk away, but he grabbed her hand. “Serena.”
Long seconds passed before she looked up.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m acting like a jerk and you deserve better than my bad mood. Can we start over?”
She considered him for a long, drawn-out moment and finally said, “Hello, Logan. How was your day?”
He released a breath. “Productive. Yours?”
“Lots of sales at the store.”
He nodded to the table. “Why don’t we take our seats.”
He followed her back to the others to find only Deke and Grace remained. At Deke’s scowl, Serena hesitated before sitting.
“So, Grace,” Logan said to cut the tension, “how is the vacation business?”
Grace perked up. “Deke has been busy, so I’m not complaining. The festival is drawing all kinds of crowds.” She glanced at Serena. “Your store must b
e busy as well.”
“It is.” Serena’s gaze darted from Grace to Deke and back. “Super busy, in fact.”
Grace glanced up at her boyfriend. Elbowed him in the side before rising. She turned to Serena. “Mind coming to the restroom with me?”
Serena jumped up, sending a shaky smile to Logan and completely ignoring Deke.
After the women walked away, Logan rested his elbows on the table. “Dude, why don’t you hold up a sign saying you don’t trust Serena?”
“Blame it on your earlier news. I keep picturing my mother with that con artist and it makes my blood boil.”
“Well, stop it. You’re going to spook her and then I may never get to the bottom of your case.”
Deke ran his hand down his face. “You’re right.”
Logan leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m always right.”
Deke chuckled. “I’ll weigh in on that after you bring me results.”
Yeah, Logan thought, there was the pesky need for results. To wrap up this case once and for all. Worst-case scenario meant losing Serena, the most honest, real thing that had ever happened to him.
* * *
SERENA WASHED HER HANDS, meeting Grace’s gaze in the mirror over the sinks. “Something is going on, isn’t it?”
Grace quickly looked away to pull paper towels from the dispenser. “Everyone is tired. It’s week two of Oktoberfest and we’ve all been pulling multiple shifts.”
Serena took the towel Grace offered. “You’d tell me if there was, right?”
Something resembling sympathy flashed in Grace’s eyes.
Serena slumped against the sink. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“It’s not my place to say.”
“I knew Deke was glaring at me.” She crumpled the towel and tossed it in the trash. “Why?”
“Maybe it’s not about you. I know he’s worried about his mother.”
Oh, no. Had her father decided to tell the entire Matthews family about his past? Because if he had, they’d discover her part, too.
“Serena, I really like you. If there’s anything that might be...questionable in your life before you moved here, now would be the time to fess up.”
Her eyes grew wide. They knew. Somehow Logan and Deke had discovered her father’s scams. But how? “What do they think I need to confess?”
“The guys are probably wondering where we are,” Grace said, trying to make her wobbly voice lighthearted but ignoring the question.
“You go on.” Serena took her phone from her back pocket. “I forgot to return a text earlier.”
Grace gave her one last long look and left. With shaky fingers, Serena pulled up her father’s number and dialed. Right to voice mail. Biting her lip, she quickly sent him a text informing him that she was afraid Deke and Logan were on to them and she needed to speak to him pronto.
Taking one last peek in the mirror—and cringing at her haunted appearance—she exited the restroom. There were only a few park lights still on. An odd silence had settled over the festival area. She took a few steps before noticing Logan, leaning against a nearby tree. Waiting for her.
“Everyone cleared out,” she commented as she joined him.
He pushed away from the tree. “It’s late.”
She hadn’t noticed, not with her mind awhirl.
“Ready to head home?”
She nodded, making sure there was plenty of space between them. As much as she craved his steady strength, tonight she was afraid his intensity might make her start spilling her secrets.
Conversation lagged as they walked under the stars back to her apartment, this journey so different from previous nights, when they’d talked for hours. Once they reached the steps, she wanted nothing more than to run upstairs and hide behind closed doors, but she stayed put. Took a seat on the bottom step, where Logan joined her.
“Something is wrong, isn’t it?” she finally said.
“Why would you ask that?”
“You’ve been...distant tonight. And Deke? He was staring bullets at me when we sat across the table from each other.” She swallowed hard. “Why?”
“Family issues.”
“That’s what Grace said, but it feels more personal.”
He went still. “Why would you think that?”
How much should she tell him? They’d gotten this far in their relationship without spilling their secrets. Or hers, anyway. Would he believe her side of the story? Understand her dilemma? And if she decided to unburden herself, where would she start?
“You’ve mentioned how much the truth means to you,” she began, knowing this would be a stumbling block between them. “Because of what your parents kept from you.”
“That’s right.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. “What if I were to tell you there are things I haven’t revealed about myself.”
A flicker of emotion flashed over his face before he contained it. “I wouldn’t be totally surprised.”
Was she that transparent? She rubbed the tattoo on the inside of her wrist, wishing her mother was here to tell her what to do. She’d never wanted to risk all her secrets over a man, but that was what she’d be doing if she told Logan the truth—risking her livelihood. Her plans. Her future.
But he was worth it.
She angled her knees until they brushed his leg and took his hand in hers. Absorbed his quiet strength. “When you were a kid, before the falling-out with your father, did you think he could do no wrong?”
“Sure. He was bigger than life.” He paused. “I didn’t see any flaws until I got older.”
“I never talk about my dad. He was...all I had after my mother died. But he couldn’t cope. Got tangled up in things that weren’t in his best interest.”
“Did you know about it?”
“Not until it was too late.”
Logan stared into the night.
“He got sick when I was in high school and I feared I might lose him, too. Thankfully he recovered, but it was a wake-up call. He got on the straight and narrow afterward and stayed there.”
Logan sat back, resting his elbows on the steps behind them. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because no one is perfect, Logan. Sometimes life deals us a hand we can’t win.”
He looked at her, his eyes shadowed by the dark, but remained quiet. “What did your father do, exactly?”
“It’s not my place to say. I don’t want...” She glanced at him, her voice pleading. “I’ve built a good life here. And I want to stay.”
He sat up. “You’re thinking of leaving?”
“No, I mean... My business may grow bigger than I expect and I’ll have to adjust as I expand.”
That wasn’t even remotely what she meant, but she didn’t know how to come clean with Logan. If her past caught up to her, she’d have to leave. She needed more time to pay back her father’s victims before she could start a real life. A life with no regrets hanging over her head. A life with a man like Logan.
He broke the thick silence. “You know you can trust me.”
“Can I?” Years of self-preservation warned her to be cautious. To convince Logan to keep taking a chance on her until she could unburden herself without lasting repercussions. “I’m sure everyone trusts you, Logan.”
“But not you?”
He was much too sharp. Unable to answer him truthfully, she broke their locked gaze. Blinked into the darkness as her eyes stung and a lump settled in her throat.
He untangled his hand from hers. Stood. She slowly rose beside him.
“I’ll be out of town for a while,” he informed her. “You’ll be here when I get back?”
She nodded, struggling to find her voice. “I have the store, so...”
Not what he was asking, but she couldn’t reveal any more
of herself tonight. It hurt too much and she was already buckling under the strain.
“Then I’ll see you in a few days.”
Logan strode away, shoulders straight, then turned into the alley to take him to Main Street. No kiss, even on the cheek. No promises of missing her while he was gone. No charming smile or jaunty wink goodbye.
What if she’d just ruined the best thing to ever happen to her by opening the door to her past even the slightest bit?
Either way, keeping the truth from him or telling all, she’d probably lose him anyway.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THURSDAY, SERENA FOUND herself bone-tired. Since Logan had left she’d been on edge, waiting for the truth to come out. She’d been awake before dawn and found herself dragging by late afternoon, so she left Heidi in charge and drove up to the overlook. Even sketching couldn’t provide a diversion that would get her mind off Logan. She kept reliving her last conversation with him. She wondered where he was. When he’d be back. What the state of their relationship would be when they spoke again.
When she returned, Heidi had closed the store for the night. Serena carried her art supplies with her up to the apartment, hoping for a few hours of quiet. When she opened the door, her gaze landed on Carrie, who jumped up from a chair at the kitchen table.
“Hey, Serena.” Carrie held a hand out to her side. “You have visitors.”
Serena’s eyes went wide as her father hurried over to wrap her in his embrace. She hugged him back, eyes filling with tears as she drank in the familiar scent of him, his solid arms ensuring her she wasn’t alone in this mess.
She pulled back. Let her gaze take in his beloved face, then asked, “Daddy, what are you doing here?”
“After your message last night I couldn’t stay away. We got in the car this morning and drove up here.”
“All the way from Florida?” she asked then stopped, noticing the other person in the room. “Daddy?”
“You needed us, so we came.”
He gestured for the attractive older woman to join him. She stood tall and regal, her skin tanned, with dark hair that had streaks of gray in a bob style and sharp brown eyes that led Serena to believe she didn’t miss a thing. Her father took the stranger’s hand and a slow smile curved the woman’s lips. “Serena, I’d like you to meet Jasmine.”
