Fool for Love

by Beth Ciotta

  “Absolutely. In fact, I’m going to take advantage of the time alone to do some research. I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.”

  Since he assumed her research had to do with the club’s recipe book, his smile broadened. Monica had bragged about how, once intrigued, Chloe poured limitless energy into a project. He knew she championed the club and their mission and appreciated her attention as the group explored a new venture. “See you tomorrow?”

  “With bells on. Or something. Ooh. Maybe nothing.”

  “Something to dream on,” he said with a smile. “Good night, Chloe.” He hung up, then, on a whim, plucked Jayce’s report from his drawer. If he took half the risks in his personal realm as he did in the financial world, he’d double his chances of enriching his life. Without a second look, he shredded the file, photos and all. “Living in the moment.”

  THIRTY-NINE

  Chloe woke at the break of dawn feeling as though today were the first day of her life. Or at least a new phase. A better relationship with her dad, a healthier attitude regarding life and death, a business venture with a friend, and, she hoped, a happily-ever-after with Devlin Monroe. A girl could dream and a girl could also think optimistically. All her life she’d been waiting for that “click”: This is where I’m supposed to be. This is what I’m meant to do. She’d never felt more secure in her choices than this moment.

  Brimming with enthusiasm and joy, Chloe attacked the morning with gusto. She showered and dressed, paying special attention to her makeup and hair—understated perfection. She also agonized over her clothing, deciding on slim-cut black pants, a long-sleeved pleated floral tee, and a funky black scarf creatively looped around her neck. Since it was chilly outside, she’d top it all with her vintage leather jacket. Her goal was to appear professional but down-to-earth. Approachable. Someone who’d fit into the quaint business world of Sugar Creek.

  Her dad had agreed to meet her at Gemma’s at 9:30 a.m. They’d contacted the Realtor and arranged for a tour of the defunct bakery. Chloe’s father wanted to get a look at the interior, to help her gauge the condition as well as start-up costs, in order to estimate the amount of money she’d need to borrow in order to invest equally with Daisy. Even though Daisy was willing and able to fully cover the financial end and even though she’d been willing to allow Chloe to “buy in” at a later date, Chloe was adamant about paying her own way from the get-go. Even though her dad had agreed to cosign for a loan, she had no intention of ever missing a payment. She could and would hold up her end.

  Since she had time to kill, she breezed through the house, making sure everything was in order for Daisy’s return tomorrow. Then she hopped on her computer, checking e-mails, her heart pounding as she read one from Rocky saying Chloe’s dad had spent the evening raving about her cooking and bragging about some of the triumphs of her youth. And here she’d thought he’d been oblivious to her sporadic achievements. She’d half-expected an e-mail from Ryan, because it would be so like him to ruin a perfect day. Thankfully, she was spared. Of course there was the chance he’d called or texted, but since she’d lost her phone …

  Another thing she meant to tackle later today: New phone. New cell service. She’d also thought about asking the Realtor about the rental situation around town. Since Chloe intended to move to Sugar Creek permanently and since she was going into business with Daisy, it might be wise to have her own home rather than living under Daisy’s roof. Chloe realized then that they needed to discuss and revisit her role as personal chauffeur and cook. Partnering to run the Moose Café, or whatever, complicated their previous arrangement.

  Her brow furrowed as she contemplated the matter. Well, damn, and here she’d thought she’d had most everything figured out.

  The phone rang, stirring her out of her musings. “Hello?”

  “We’ve got a problem, kitten.”

  Daisy’s urgent tone set Chloe’s nerves on edge. Assuming her friend had had a medical setback, Chloe prayed it wasn’t serious. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I thought about our venture all night long. Couldn’t help myself this morning and started the ball rolling. Called the bank, the Realtor handling Gemma’s—”

  “Okay.” Chloe had done much the same. She couldn’t blame Daisy for her enthusiasm. Plus it gave her something to dwell on other than her injuries. “Is there a problem regarding the initial investment? You don’t have to cover it on your own, Daisy. I—”

  “Devlin knows.”

  “What?”

  “He’s friends with Vernon Rusk, president of the First Fidelity Bank. Apparently, Vern was concerned that I was making a rash and risky decision with my funds, so he alerted Devlin. Why is it folks in this town can’t mind their own beeswax? Why does everyone think I’m incapable of acting responsibly?”

  Chloe could’ve offered an opinion on that last question, but she was too worried about the apparent fallout. Knowing Devlin’s fierce commitment to his family’s welfare, she could fairly guess his reaction to the banker’s news. “Let me guess: Devlin called and grilled you about your potential investment and you told him about our proposed business venture.”

  “He made me so danged mad, as if I don’t know how to handle my own danged savings, I rallied by pelting him with all our great ideas.”

  Chloe’s stomach dropped. She could imagine Daisy giving him an enthusiastic sales pitch without backing their vision with grounded business aspects. “He’s angry.”

  “He’s a conservative killjoy!”

  Someone knocked on the door. Every molecule in Chloe’s now-tense body said it was Devlin. “I’ll take care of it, Daisy. Please don’t fret anymore.” She meant to calm the woman and at the same time herself. “I think he’s here. I’ll call you later.”

  “Give him what for, partner!”

  She disconnected with a shaky smile. Everything would be fine. She’d just sit him down and calmly explain why this was going to be a great investment for both her and Daisy. If Chloe’s dad, a longtime businessman and operator of a successful franchise, had gotten it, so would Devlin. Now that he was here, she’d even invite him along to Gemma’s so that he could be privy to specifics. A show of good faith on her part, faith that he’d trust her instincts and wouldn’t try to take control.

  She opened the door, her confidence faltering after she noted the look in his expressive eyes. She’d expected anger but not … betrayal. “I can explain,” she said as he pushed inside.

  “Looking forward to it.” He turned and faced her, angled his head. “It’s fascinating, actually, how you continually charm people into financing your whims.”

  His words struck like a knife to the heart.

  “At least I assume this risky prospect was a whim, because you couldn’t have known when you arrived in Sugar Creek that the bakery would be going out of business. According to Daisy, you two had an epiphany at almost the same magical moment.”

  His sarcasm plunged the knife deeper. “I know it sounds crazy, but…” Reeling, Chloe planted her feet and crossed her arms. “What are you saying? That you think I proposed the idea out of the blue yesterday and talked Daisy into financing this venture lock, stock, and barrel?”

  He shook his head, looked away, then back. “I don’t think it was calculated. I think you can’t help yourself. You get an idea in your head, an impulse, and you act on it without thought. Daisy adores you and shares your impulsive spirit. I can imagine her offering to back you—”

  “She did.”

  “And you didn’t refuse.”

  “Not entirely. For your information, she brought up the idea first. Expressed interest in buying Gemma’s, and then when I said I’d had the same idea she suggested partnering up. I couldn’t imagine stepping on her dream in pursuit of mine. Partnering sounded like the perfect solution, and I don’t mean just because she has money and I don’t. Daisy brings a lot to the table, as do I, dammit.” Furious now, she jabbed an angry finger at him. “You are … I can’t believe you.… I ha
d no intention of letting your grandma foot the bill. I asked my dad—”

  “This from someone who was so adamant about doing everything on her own.”

  “An ass. That’s what I started to say before. You are an infuriating, cynical jackass.” Just now all she could see was shades of the man who had initially thought the worst of her based solely on the fact that she was a stranger moving in with his grandmother. “I didn’t ask Dad for money. I asked if he’d consider cosigning because I knew I’d be unable to acquire a loan on my own.”

  That shut Devlin up. For a minute anyway. He dropped his head as if retooling his thoughts, seeking composure. When he refocused, his expression had softened, but his attitude still sucked. “What do you know about operating a business, Chloe? Do you know how much time and effort is involved in getting a new business off the ground? Do you know how long it takes to turn a profit? How could you? You’ve never held a job for longer than six months and your schooling is all over the place, not that you ever followed through with any of your studies. Culinary school notwithstanding.”

  She stared, shocked by his insensitivity. Stymied by his knowledge.

  “Not to mention,” he plowed on, “if you open a café you’ll be in direct competition with the Sugar Shack.”

  “No, we won’t,” she said, feeling coldcocked. “Two different animals.” She blinked. “How did you know about my education? And my work history? I never said…” She thought back on previous conversations. “You knew about my expunged police record, too. I assumed Sheriff Stone…” When Devlin broke eye contact, she sensed something else. Some other force.

  Jayce.

  “The friend who rarely visits Sugar Creek who just happened to arrive in town soon after me. A private detective based in New York.” Her chest and eyes burned with the realization. “You had me investigated.”

  He at least had the decency to look embarrassed. “Considering the circumstances—”

  She slapped his face.

  Palm tingling, heart breaking, she spun away. “No wonder you thought the worst of me,” she said while searching for her purse. “You pried into my background, my life, and without knowing specifics, without knowing me, you formed an opinion.”

  “Chloe—”

  “Even after … our truce. After this past week … You said you believed in me, but you don’t. You implied you care, yet…”

  “I do care, dammit.” He reached for her, but she stalked away, into the kitchen.

  She nabbed the keys to Leo’s loaner.

  “Where are you going?”

  She didn’t answer, just plowed past him, toward the front door.

  “You told me you’d changed,” he said, hot on her heels. “You implied you care, yet instead of working this through, you’re running away. If you walk out that door—”

  The threat only accelerated her exit, the ultimatum hanging in the air as her heart imploded. Cursing her crappy judgment, for allowing herself to fall for Devlin when she absolutely knew they were a disastrous mix, she floored the borrowed two-door, destination unknown.

  * * *

  Devlin had suspected midway through the argument that he’d severely overreacted, but instead of stepping down he’d allowed his doubts and concerns to flow unchecked. No matter where the money was coming from, launching any new venture was a risk, and in spite of her culinary expertise and diverse background, Chloe had no experience with finance and business administration. In addition to the start-up costs and the day-to-day operations, there were legal and tax considerations.

  He couldn’t imagine his grandma had thought about any of that. She was just high on an idea, another thrill-seeking adventure. Except this one could end up costing her upwards of fifty thousand dollars. When Vern had called saying Daisy had inquired about the complexities of sinking her savings into a trendy café, Devlin had been stunned. After speaking directly with Daisy, he’d seen red. Between Rocky’s flagging inn, Luke’s burgeoning payroll, J.T’s competition, and his stock loss, he was up to his eyeballs in financial unrest, and now this?

  In a heartbeat, he’d reverted to his old self—protect the family at all costs—and because Jayce’s damned report was still fresh in his mind, Chloe had been in the direct line of fire. He’d thought the worst. And, as accused, he’d behaved like an ass. He gave her that. But then she’d tweaked his deepest misgivings by walking out. In the past, whenever things had gotten tough, she’d moved on. All he could think as she’d stalked to that car was if she didn’t have it in her to brazen out an ugly quarrel, to work out their differences face-to-face, what could he expect when they really hit a rough patch?

  Pissed at the present situation and influenced by the wounds Janna had inflicted years before, he’d let Chloe go. Now he was sick with worry because she’d sped off in a fury. Unfocused, what if she got into another accident? He couldn’t even call her to talk her down, because she didn’t have a goddamn phone. Where had she run to? Monica? Her dad? Daisy? Rocky? Stalking toward his Escalade, he started making calls.

  * * *

  Chloe didn’t know where she was driving until she arrived.

  Gemma’s Bakery.

  She glanced at her watch. Nine twenty a.m. The Realtor and Chloe’s dad would be here any minute. She couldn’t think straight, so she put herself on automatic, checked her makeup, tempered her expression and left the car to wait in front of the store.

  She couldn’t remember ever feeling this hurt, this angry. Even the crushing breakup with Ryan paled. The scariest part was that the anger wasn’t fully directed at Devlin. She was furious with herself. He was right. If she had truly changed, she would have stayed and ridden out that argument until they’d both cooled off and been able to talk reason. Instead, she’d let his angry words dent her newly won confidence. As if she didn’t have what it took to run her own café. She knew she had a lot to learn, but she was smart and capable and, dammit, driven. But instead of giving Devlin what for, she’d shown him her backside.

  Just like with her dad. Rather than enduring their tattered relationship or fighting harder to save it, it had been easier to move to New York City. The same could be said of her breakup with Ryan—rather than facing, fighting, or enduring, it had been easier to escape to Sugar Creek.

  When she’d stormed away from Devlin, her first thought had been to call Nash. When was the soonest he could fly her out to … Indiana? New York? But nothing clicked. Sugar Creek clicked. She looked up and down the main street of the picturesque town and beyond to the rolling mountains now fully vibrant with the bold colors of autumn. She breathed in the crisp, fresh air and felt at home. That she could feel so content and comfortable, so confident, in such a short time was astonishing, and yet deep down she believed some things were just meant to be.

  She turned and peered through the plate-glass window, into the bakery formally known as Gemma’s. She envisioned the décor she had discussed with Daisy, imagined them bouncing between the kitchen and counter. Tourists and locals alike would flock to their unique café in search of snacks, java, delectable cupcakes, Internet access, and an old-fashioned sense of community.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder, recognized her dad’s aftershave.

  “Second thoughts?” he asked softly.

  “Yes.”

  FORTY

  Devlin had always considered himself the good guy. Always doing the right thing, or at least making a grand attempt. Although he knew his family often cursed his meddling, they knew his intentions were pure.

  By midday Wednesday he was certain most of them, including and perhaps foremost his sister, Rocky, and Chloe’s friend Monica were having serious problems with his sensitivity chip. Being the in-your-face caring people they were, no one, including Nash and Sam and especially Luke, would accept Devlin’s concerns about Chloe’s safety and whereabouts without details. Which universally led to, You accused her of taking advantage of Daisy? As if it was the most repulsive assumption he could make. Never mind that it was.

/>   Through the grapevine he’d learned Chloe was okay. She’d met with her father; she’d visited Daisy at the hospital; she’d touched base with Monica and Rocky. Unfortunately, she’d yet to call him, even though he’d spread the word that he needed to speak with her. Obviously she wasn’t talking to him, and no one else would divulge her present mind-set or future plans. If he heard It’s not for me to say one more time, he’d explode.

  Desperate for distraction, he’d buried himself in work at J.T.’s. Finally, at 4:00 p.m., he got the call he’d been waiting for all day.

  “We need to talk, Devlin.”

  “The sooner, the better.”

  “Meet me at Grenville’s Overlook,” she said.

  “The covered bridge?”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  * * *

  Confrontation had never been her strong point, but over the course of the day Chloe had determined her new life, her happiness, was worth fighting for. Whether or not that pretty picture included Devlin remained to be seen, but she had every hope. She’d known from the beginning that he was controlling by nature and quick to attack when it came to protecting his family. Intimidating, infuriating, and, when angered, irrational. Some hefty faults. But she’d also learned that his admirable qualities—sense of humor, generous soul, kind heart—by far overshadowed his darker sensibilities. He was a complex man. Then again, she wasn’t exactly a piece of cake. Maybe Monica had been right all along. Maybe they could balance each other out.

  When he joined her on the bridge, her senses simultaneously rejoiced and panicked. Even though they’d parted on angry terms, her first impulse was to throw herself into his arms. The love she felt for this man was fierce and deep and filled her with an overwhelming sense of wonder. In spite of their many differences, in spite of their short association, in her heart of hearts she felt they were destined to be together … forever. Tempering her reckless optimism proved a challenge, but she dug deep, breathed deep. Even though she ached to rush blindly and blissfully forward with their relationship, she played it cool.