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“What does that mean?”
“Some guy wanted to meet her for coffee this morning in Reno. She was going to put him off because she was supposed to be here, but I told her to take the day, drive over and go see her man, that I’d attend the meeting in her place.”
Patience exaggerated a gasp. “You did a good deed? You’d better hope word doesn’t spread. It could damage your reputation.”
His teeth flashed in a devilish grin. “My reputation’s ironclad. I’ve seen to that. Anyway, are you saying I can’t trust you? That you’re going to spread what I tell you around?”
She raised her right hand as if taking an oath. “Your secrets are safe with me.” She couldn’t believe it, but she was actually flirting with Kanon Kincaid. That was probably reckless, but she hadn’t been attracted to anyone in so long. And he was quite charming—when he wanted to be. “Are you going to give away a magnet or some other tchotchke at the festival to promote the inn?”
He crossed his arms, inadvertently causing his biceps to bulge beneath his long-sleeved Lucky Day Motor Inn T-shirt—something she found more than a little distracting. “I might take the Bibles out of the rooms and give those away. They’d make a nice doorstop.”
She covered her mouth so her father wouldn’t hear her laugh. “You are so sacrilegious!”
“Might as well use them for something. They’ve been gathering dust for decades.”
She was about to ask how he was feeling about the inn—if he liked the work—when her father appeared, coming from the hallway leading to the back offices. He eyed Kanon for a moment before speaking to Patience. “How’d the meeting go?”
She shoved her hands into her pockets. She’d dressed casually in a cropped sweatshirt-like top and baggy boyfriend jeans, but at least she’d styled her hair and put on some makeup. “There’s a lot left to be done, but the festival is on track.”
“Happy to hear it.” He turned to Kanon. “It’s good to see you here. We’d love to have you back anytime you’re willing to come. The dates and times for services are on the front of the building.”
Despite the invitation, there was a note of dismissal in Carl’s voice that embarrassed Patience. She hoped Kanon wouldn’t notice, but she knew he was far too savvy to miss it.
He looked her father up and down with a speculative expression before speaking to Patience. Apparently, he wasn’t even going to respond to Carl. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m willing to take a stab at designing the card for the promotion—you know, the one with the stamps to get the cookie?”
This was the last thing she’d expected. “You’re willing to do the design?”
“I figure I owe this town a few hours of volunteer service,” he said wryly.
“Okay.” She had no idea whether he knew what he was doing, but she was certainly willing to let him try. “That’d be great.”
“If you’ll give me your email address, I’ll send it to you as soon as I can get to it.”
She held out her hand for his phone, and he unlocked it before letting her take it.
She created a new contact record with her name, phone number and email address, and handed it back. “Thanks for the help.”
His eyes flicked toward her father, who was still watching them. “No problem.”
After Kanon left, Carl waited for her to join him before heading back down the hallway to the offices. She hoped he’d let Kanon’s appearance at the church go without comment. She could feel his disapproval, didn’t need him to vocalize the warning she’d seen in his eyes. But as she sat at her desk, he spoke anyway.
“I don’t have to tell you how dangerous it would be to get involved with someone like Kanon, do I?” he asked.
“Dad, I’m thirty-two. Please, don’t,” she said, pretending to be intent on getting right back to work so she wouldn’t have to glance up.
“I’m just saying. He doesn’t believe in what we do, honey. He’s a godless man, and that matters when you forge a partnership. You, of all people, should know that. Besides, I doubt he has two nickels to rub together. No education, either. And he might not stick around very long. You don’t want to be left holding the bag when he leaves.”
Was he referring to another pregnancy?
She believed he was. She hated that she’d made such a huge mistake she could never escape the long shadow of it. “Dad, after my divorce I’m leery of all men. You don’t have anything to worry about,” she said. And she meant it. She didn’t want to screw up her life again.
But even hours later it was difficult not to think about Kanon and how his smile transformed his face. The way his faded jeans fit his narrow hips and long legs was pretty nice, too. He made her so aware of the fact that it’d been years since she’d felt a man’s arms around her.
Too bad keeping up her defenses was the only way to truly remain safe.
Chapter Seven
Her phone buzzed against the desk, loud in the quiet office—and Patience nearly panicked at the sound. She thought she’d gotten so immersed in putting loan packages together she’d forgotten to pick up her daughter. But a glance at the clock informed her that it wasn’t quite two-thirty, and Ari didn’t get out until three-fifteen.
