Van slung an arm across her favorite runner-up’s slim shoulders and leaned close to whisper, “You’re not only gorgeous and talented and smart, but you also have way too much integrity, even about pie. I mean,nobodyhas integrity about pie. It’s too delicious. We all just want to gobble it right up.”
Charity giggled. “I love pie, too.” She drew in a big breath and tipped her head at a determined slant. “But we have a job to do here.”
And do the job they did, posing with the winners when Earl announced them. First and second place, a lemon meringue and a spiced apple, respectively, went to women who lived in Bronco Valley. One of the Dalton boys claimed third with a perfectly tart strawberry rhubarb. Each winner got enthusiastic applause, and Van heard not a single muttered complaint about the fairness of the judging.
Was it possible that her detractors were getting used to a girl from Bronco Valley wearing the Miss Bronco crown?
“I think that went well,” Charity declared with an approving nod once Earl mounted the stage again to remind everyone of all the fun still to come, including music and dancing and fireworks after dark.
Van grabbed Charity in a hug. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could.” Charity hugged her back. “But we sure are a great team.”
“Let’s face it. We rock.”
Right then, Charity’s friends ran up to sweep her away.
“Coming,” Charity promised them, then turned to Van again. “So. You have the Favorite Pet Contest tomorrow at Happy Hearts. I’ll be at your apartment at, say, eleven?”
“Just meet me at Happy Hearts, okay? I have Young Adventurers in the morning. So I’m thinking if you could be there by noonish?” The contest started at one.
“See you at noon, then.” With a last quick hug, Charity went off to join her friends.
Van watched Jameson’s little sister go, her thoughts turning bittersweet. She hadn’t spotted Jameson once all day. Had he skipped the barbecue because of her?
Though he’d only turned her offer down yesterday, somehow it felt like she’d been missing him for a long time—missing his sexy smile and that devilish look in his eyes, the look that promised things she shouldn’t even let herself think about.
Because where could it go, anyway? Yes, she wanted to spend her summer nights with him. But really, wasn’t a secret summer fling just asking for trouble? She’d never been any good at casual relationships. Consider TNTNH as an example. She’d finally indulged in a one-night stand—and then spent way too much time afterward trying not to think about the man she’d shared it with.
What made her imagine she’d suddenly become the kind of woman who wouldn’t end up getting attached?
One way or another, she always did. And so far, getting attached had only brought her heartbreak in the end.
“Hello, Nessa.” The familiar voice came from behind her—and no, it wasn’t Jameson’s voice, but the voice of the boy she’d once loved to distraction. The voice she’d once thought she would never grow tired of hearing.
How sad, really, that love could turn into ashes, into nothing but an echo of remembered pain. She didn’t even want to look at him.
In the nine years since Donnie Bell decimated her heart, she’d come face-to-face with him twice. Both times, just the sight of him had cut her to the core.
The first time, seven years ago, he’d given her a big, phony smile. He’d behaved as though she was just some girl he knew once and hardly remembered anymore. The second time, four years later, he’d bragged to her about how his father-in-law, who owned two car dealerships, had put him in charge of the larger one in Bronco Heights, where they sold the luxury cars.
That second time she’d run into him, he’d worn a fake smile, too. And that time was even worse. That time, the fake smile seemed sleazy and he’d had a certain unacceptable look in his eye. She’d felt sick to her stomach thinking he might try to make a pass or something.
If he’d tried that, she would have kneed him in the family jewels without a second thought. In high school, she’d been a lot more trusting. He’d annihilated her heart and then come back for more. She’d believed him when he said he was sorry, that he’d been so wrong, that he lovedher, that he couldn’t live without her and that he and Maura Flannigan were finished.
Van had forgiven him.
And then he’d betrayed her all over again.
Now, she just wanted not to have to deal with him. She considered her next move—walk away without looking back? Or face him for the third time in all these years?
“I just thought I’d say hi,” he said.
Her pride won out. Drawing her shoulders up tall, she turned and met the hazel eyes of the boy she’d once trusted completely, the one who was supposed to be her forever.
Not a boy anymore, Donnie still looked good. A little tired, maybe, but strong and tall and handsome. “Donnie. How are you?”
“Fine.” His gaze wandered—down over her body and slowly back up again. “You look beautiful.”
