Hope’s hand settled over her own, stalling the haphazard process. Lexi looked down at the mess she’d made. Ribbons of caramel trailed across the floor, counter and tray. It spread like a molten pool beneath the apples she’d just ruined.
“Fudge,” she said, the single word choking in the back of her throat.
Her friend settled her hip against the counter, pulling both of her hands into her grasp and forcing her to turn and look at her.
“You’re in love with him?”
Hope stared at her. Her friend’s eyes were filled with compassion and it was her complete undoing.
Silent tears slid over the edge, tracking down her face as she nodded.
Hope enveloped her in the comforting hug she desperately needed. Guiding her across to the table, Hope pressed her into a chair. She handed her a cold bottle of water and one of the lemon bars.
“Eat.”
Lexi tried to protest, but Hope wouldn’t hear it.
“You look like you’ve lost five pounds in the last few days.”
Which didn’t really surprise Lexi, since not even chocolate had been appetizing. She’d barely eaten anything, forcing herself to sample her product for no other reason than testing its quality.
Her relationship with Brett was affecting her work, which was something that had never happened before. In the past, baking and cooking had been her refuge, where she could be alone and find peace.
But he’d even taken that. Her kitchen reminded her of him. Her store reminded her of him. Hell, even her treadmill reminded her of him. Brett had taken all of her coping mechanisms and smashed them to bits.
So that Hope would stop hovering, Lexi forced herself to chew and swallow. The pastry was good. She was objective enough to taste the complex flavors that burst across her tongue. The crust was light and flaky. And the lemony treat turned to a solid ball in her stomach the minute she swallowed.
God, she was a mess.
“What are you going to do?”
Lexi grimaced. “I’m going to get through today, go home, go to bed, get up and do it all again tomorrow.”
Hope frowned. “I meant about Brett.”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“What exactly do you think I should do, Hope? Run after him? Why? It wouldn’t change anything. He used me. And even if he didn’t, it was a fling. An affair. And it’s over.”
The creases across Hope’s forehead deepened. She opened her mouth, but Lexi cut her off.
“I’ll be fine, Hope. I knew it would end. I’m not going to deny that it hurts, but eventually, I’ll get over it.”
Maybe if she said it enough, one day she’d be able to make the promise a reality.
* * *
BRETT WAS UTTERLY at a loss. He’d been home for a week, but his nice, modern apartment no longer felt right.
Driving out of Sweetheart had bothered him—more than he’d ever expected. In the short time he’d been there he’d come to appreciate the place.
He’d miss the people. Even the nosy Mrs. McKinnon. Maybe especially her. There was a sense of belonging that he’d never found anywhere else and now that he was gone, he noticed the loss. Hell, he didn’t even know his neighbor’s names. That had never struck him as strange before Lexi, but it did now.
Brett wasn’t entirely certain when the plan had begun to form. Perhaps it had been a kernel rolling around in the back of his brain for days, waiting to pop fully formed to the forefront on the flight home. Either way, he knew exactly what he had to do—for Sweetheart, himself and Lexi.
He was not looking forward to his upcoming conversation with Bowen, but there was nothing for it. Everything hinged on whether or not he could get his boss on board.
Setting his laptop into the docking station, he settled back into the desk that had been his for years. Firing up his machine, he opened the redesigned plans he’d been working on at the inn.
The excitement he felt was hard to dismiss. These plans were so different from the first drafts. There was pride, an emotion he hadn’t really experienced in a while when thinking about his work. When had he lost that?
He stared at the bold lines of the drawings. He hoped what he was about to do would convince Lexi that the resort had nothing to do with what they had. But even if it didn’t, he wouldn’t regret the decision he’d made. It was the right thing to do—for everyone.
He just needed a bank to agree and accept the seed money he had put aside as a down payment on some prime lakeside real estate.
Assuming he could talk his boss into selling.
* * *
TWO WEEKS AFTER Brett left, Lexi walked into the town hall for another meeting. The building was older, built in the early fifties. It probably could have done with a face-lift. The facade was nice enough, but there were still cracks, peeling paint, broken fixtures and chipped linoleum.
After a long day at the shop, she was exhausted, and would rather be at home, but her dad had asked her to come so...
The low rumble of voices drifted up the stairs from the basement, greeting her. She descended into the wide-open space and what looked like the entire adult population of Sweetheart.
She hadn’t asked what was on the agenda, but maybe she should have. Large crowds usually meant something controversial, but no one had mentioned anything to her.
Lexi moved through the crowd, smiling and passing out generic pleasantries as she went. Her goal was the front of the room where her dad would be preparing to start the meeting, but she didn’t make it.
The loud boom of her father’s voice rose above the buzz. “Would everyone take their seats?”
General shuffling ensued. Out of the crowd someone grasped her elbow. When she turned, Lexi realized it was Hope. Greeting her, Hope patted the open seat beside her.
Lexi sank down and then almost immediately popped back up. At the front of the room, Brett Newcomb stood talking to her father.
Her heart stilled and then began to race. Her body flushed hot and then went icy cold.
“What is he doing here?” she hissed at Hope.
As if he’d sensed her scrutiny, Brett’s gaze jerked up and somehow managed to zero in on hers. She felt the punch of his cool blue gaze straight to the center of her soul. Her mouth went dry. Without realizing what she was doing, her tongue darted out to lick across parched lips. And heat kindled deep inside his eyes.
But then he looked away, taking all the warmth with him. Lexi fought against the feeling of being dismissed. Unneeded and unwanted.
Clenching her jaw, she shifted in her seat. He wasn’t there for her. If he had been then he would have let her know he was back in town.
It was well and truly over. Lexi wasn’t certain why that realization had surprised her, considering she hadn’t spoken to Brett in weeks. But it did. Until that moment she hadn’t realized she’d been harboring a hope that he’d come back for her.
Instead, he was here for the resort, reinforcing everything she’d thought about his intentions in the first place.
“We’re suspending our regular agenda tonight to focus on a request for rezoning that’s been brought before the council.”
Brett stood tall and silent at the front of the room, an expensive and impressive business suit highlighting his beautiful body. He looked amazing. And Lexi wanted to leave, but she couldn’t do it now without making a scene.
Something she’d avoid at all costs. Most everyone in this room knew—or thought they knew—what had happened between her and Brett. She would not give them any more grist for the mill.
So she was stuck, staring at the screen erected behind Brett and her father instead of at the man himself. A logo she’d never seen bounced around the blank white background—Sweet Heart Consortium, with the heart made of two entwined letters sh
e couldn’t identify.
A hush fell over the room as the lights dimmed. Brett stepped forward. The logo disappeared and a beautiful rendering of a building popped into its place.
Lexi gasped. She recognized it. It was the same computer-generated drawing he’d shown her that last night. Several people around her clapped. Brett waved his hand as if to silence everyone.
The design was just as perfect as she remembered. All rustic browns with pops of blue and green. The structure blended into the surroundings, using banks of windows to reflect back the setting around it.
Large pines and oaks towered behind the rendering. The lake sparkled. And the blue sky was drenched in sunlight. This resort looked sophisticated, integrated and relaxing.
How had he convinced Bowen to accept the design?
She listened silently as Brett clicked through slide after slide. He showed detailed architectural drawings and talked about green technology. Romantic touches. Providing space for both couples and families. Expanding their brand to cater to different clienteles at different times of the year.
Lexi listened, but her brain had hit saturation point and she was having trouble taking it all in.
Brett’s presentation ended. The logo appeared again on the screen, bouncing lazily. The lights popped back on and he stood at the front of the room, his feet planted wide and his hands loose at his sides.
He appeared completely relaxed. At ease with being in front of the crowd and presenting this new concept to everyone.
But she knew better. She could see the tension in the tight lines that bracketed his mouth, the vein that pulsed just beneath his jaw.
“I’m happy to answer any questions.”
One of the council members inquired about the expected timeline.
“That depends on approval and funding. By our calculations, construction could take anywhere from nine to twelve months after we break ground.”
A single question kept bouncing around her brain, just like the logo behind Brett. “What’s this consortium? What happened to Bowen?”
His cool gaze swung to hers. He paused for several moments. The dark edge of his tongue swept across the tempting surface of his bottom lip.
“Bowen is out.”
“What do you mean?”
“He sold the land.”
Lexi’s gaze searched his. There was something he wasn’t saying. She could see the hesitation deep inside his eyes.
“To who?”
He swallowed. Lexi watched the smooth column of his throat with fascination. His skin brightened with a flush of heat. He was nervous.
The realization startled Lexi. Nothing flustered Brett Newcomb. He was always confident and coolly in control.
“Me.”
She stared at him, silent and dumbfounded.
“How?” How had he been able to afford that? The land was prime real estate.
With a negligent shrug that seemed completely out of place, he answered, “I had some money. And took out a huge loan.”
Was she the only one who could see the slick edge of fear lurking deep in his eyes? He’d used the money he’d been saving. The nest egg he’d spent years building. Why in heaven’s name would he give up that security?
She stared at him, unable to process just what that meant.
“I’ve purchased the land, but I’m going to need the support of other investors to make the resort feasible. A consortium of private owners. I know this town is full of savvy business owners. In the last few weeks I’ve had a chance to speak to quite a few of you. Not only will there be an opportunity for a return on your investment when the resort opens, but opportunities to cross-promote your other businesses.”
Money. Of course, that’s what all this was about. Brett had seen an opportunity and had taken a calculated risk. Lexi had to admit it was a good one. With the new designs, she couldn’t see how the venture could fail.
That’s why he’d come back. Not for her.
And now she’d have to see him around town. God, it hurt. Lexi’s body curled inward, protecting herself in the only way she could.
She’d figure out a way to deal with this, but not today. Today it was too much and she needed to get out of here before she lost it and made a fool of herself in front of the entire town.
Standing suddenly, Lexi tried to slip out quietly, but it didn’t work. She wasn’t even halfway down the aisle when the smooth, even tone of Brett’s voice stopped her. “Don’t leave.”
Lexi paused, but she didn’t turn. She didn’t trust herself to look at him and not fall apart.
“Lexi.” His voice was rough, cracking halfway through her name. “Please don’t leave.”
16
HE WAS LOSING her. Panic surged through him. Without thinking, he closed the gap between them and grabbed for her. Anything to keep her here this time. Anything to make her listen. To believe.
Behind him, Gage surged to his feet. He and Lexi’s brother had come to an unsteady truce, but he knew one wrong move would have those heavy fists swinging straight for his head.
“Let me go,” she whispered, refusing to look up at him.
“No, Lexi. I won’t let you go this time. You’re too important to me.”
She finally looked at him and the expression in her eyes was a punch straight to the gut.
“So important you came into town and didn’t even let me know you were here.”
He swore beneath his breath. “I didn’t think you wanted to see me. I was hoping after you heard about the resort everything would change.”
“Why would it?”
His fingers tightened around her arms. He saw her slight wince and wanted to ease up, but couldn’t. “Woman, you would try the patience of a saint. Because I did it for you. I bought the land for you.”
“You bought the land because it was a sound investment and you have the skills to make it hugely profitable.”
His teeth clicked together with a snap that echoed through the room. Everyone around them had gone perfectly silent, hanging on every word of their exchange.
Beside them, something shifted and caught his eye. His gaze darted sideways long enough to notice Mrs. Copeland smirking a bit gleefully at them.
Without taking his gaze from Lexi’s, Brett hollered behind him, “Mr. Harper, I’d like to sign the land over to the town. Do you think the council would approve paying me a dollar?”
Several people gasped and shifted uncomfortably on their chairs.
Lexi’s eyes widened. Her father responded, “The council might, but I won’t. Son, I won’t let you do something that stupid.”
“Fine. Anyone else like to take me up on the offer?”
No one answered, but then they didn’t have to.
Hope unfurled deep inside Lexi’s eyes, crowding out the fear and hesitation.
“Don’t,” she said, barely audible.
“What?”
“Don’t,” she said again, this time loud enough for everyone around them to hear. “Don’t you dare, Brett Newcomb.”
“Does that mean you believe me when I say I don’t care what happens to the land or the resort? The only thing I care about is you. Lexi Harper, I love you.”
Her eyes widened and her lips trembled.
“You and this little town you call home. I want to build this resort because I think it’s a great project. I think it’ll succeed and I think Sweetheart needs something like this. But I can’t—won’t—do it without you.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, magnifying the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. The combination nearly brought him to his knees. He hated that he’d hurt her, adding to the harsh lessons she’d already learned.
Wrapping his hand in her hair, he pulled her close. His forehead touched hers an
d he whispered, “I’m so sorry, Lexi. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I promise I’ll do my best to never do it again. If you’ll give me the chance.”
She stared straight into him. He stilled, holding nothing back and hoping she could see the truth behind his words. And waited.
Slowly, hope, love and the flickering flame of need flared deep inside her beautiful chocolate eyes.
“I love you, too,” she finally breathed out, the words caressing his face. “I was miserable when you left. I’ve spent most of my life worrying about what I was doing wrong. From the first moment I met you, you felt right. This feels right.”
Her palms bracketed his face. She shifted, bringing their mouths together in a soft kiss. The warm press of her lips was perfect, and yet it wasn’t enough. Two weeks was a long time to go without touching her.
Brett crushed her to him and deepened the kiss, uncaring that the entire town watched. He asked her to open to him, pouring every ounce of shaky euphoria and need into the moment so that she could feel and taste just how much she mattered to him.
Several people sighed. A loud harrumph followed by a sour voice ruined the moment. “Y’all should be ashamed. Get a room.”
Lexi squirmed in his arms. He could already see the angry rush of embarrassment flaming up her skin. And it pissed him off. Breaking away, Brett kept his arm firmly around Lexi’s waist and glared across several heads at Mrs. Copeland.
“After we ruined Mrs. McKinnon’s spread, I don’t think she’ll give us one.”
“You got that right,” she interjected, her normally surly voice tinged with humor.
Several people around them laughed, but Brett wasn’t content to let Mrs. McKinnon’s comment defuse the situation.
“If you ever speak to Lexi that way again, Mrs. Copeland, you’ll have me to deal with. For someone who teaches etiquette you know nothing about being polite.”
A smattering of applause rippled through the crowd.
But he wasn’t content with that either. Instead, he picked up where Mrs. Copeland’s rudeness had interrupted them.
To hell with the prying eyes; he didn’t care about them. As long as he had Lexi in his arms.
She's No Angel Page 17
