Anything but Love

“Jet lagged.”

“Ah.” Rocky pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead then sighed. “I have to tell you, I thought I was more sympathetic to your plight—whatever that is. I didn’t think I’d feel this—”

“Betrayed?”

“We all got the letter you sent—thank you for that—but you didn’t suggest we’d ever see you again. In fact, that letter read to me like an official good-bye.”

“It was.”

“So why are you back?” Rocky asked plainly. “Why did you leave in the first place? Why did you pretend —”

“Personal issues were at play. I wanted to escape certain pressures. I wanted … I needed to be someone other than me for a while. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

“So you said in your letter. But just now all I can focus on is that you played us for chumps for a year. Was any part of Rachel Lacey real?”

“All I lied about was my name and background. I don’t expect you to believe me, but, aside from the money aspect, Rachel and I are one in the same. I’m quiet. I’m guarded. I have a brother, although he is a stepbrother, serving overseas in the marines. The son of my mother’s second husband. We’re quite close. I’m also certified to work with children. That’s part of the reason I’m back. I heard about the closing of Sugar Tots. Whether anyone believes it or not, I loved working there. Working with the children. I miss them and…”

Rae massaged her throbbing temples, stunned that she was babbling but unable to stop. “Every town should have access to affordable, high quality day care. A safe and developmentally appropriate environment for preschool and school-age children. An establishment staffed with nurturing professionals who promote education and each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Gretchen’s heart was never in the right place,” Rae plowed on. “She cared more about advancing her personal goals than investing energy into the children’s programs. Honestly, I’m glad she’s gone. Although I’m sorry she closed the doors. I’m here for those children and for their parents. I’m here to make a difference. I’m qualified and emotionally invested and—”

“Okay. Okay.” Rocky held up her hands. “Slow down. Damn. I never knew you were so passionate.”

“That’s because I suppressed my feelings and opinions while living here.” Rae blew out a breath, lowered her voice. “Who am I kidding? I’ve been suppressing my feelings and opinions for most of my life no matter where I lived. It’s safer that way. I’m learning, however, that some things are worth fighting for. Like Sugar Tots and the Cupcake Lovers and…” She palmed her queasy stomach.

“And what?” Rocky shifted to the edge of her seat.

Rae tensed. She was dangerously out of sorts—in mind and body. She reached into her purse in search of her phone. “I’m sorry, Rocky. I’m not feeling well. The jet-lag thing,” she lied. “Excuse me while I call a cab. I’ll share my idea regarding the Cupcake Lovers while I wait.”

“No need for a cab.” Rocky shoved out of the chair. “I’ll drive you.”

“I don’t want to put you out.”

“You’re not. Come on. You can tell me your idea in the car. You’re staying at the Pine and Periwinkle, right?”

“Yes. Thank you.” Rae followed Rocky into the hall, feeling weary and embarrassed. She’d taken on too much for one day, her first day. A fortifying meal and a good night’s sleep would work wonders. An ally in the Monroe camp would also help. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in town,” Rae said as they pulled on their coats. “I might even … There’s a chance I might move back for good.”

Rocky raised one brow while looping a scarf around her neck. “Aside from Sugar Tots and the Cupcake Lovers … does this move have anything to do with Sam?”

“No.”

“Luke?”

For the first time this day, Rae pulled a Rachel and averted her gaze. “It’s complicated.”

“Mmm.” Rocky opened the door then paused and turned. “Are you and my brother involved in some way? Did he come on to you when you worked at the Shack? Is that why you blew out of town? Things have been tense between Sam and Luke and I wondered…”

Rae flushed and she knew in that moment that she’d verified Rocky’s suspicions.

The woman sighed. “I love Luke, but you do know he’s a player, right?”

“We’re not involved.”

“Then why do I sense trouble?” Rocky waited a tense full minute then grunted and ventured outside.

Rae followed and climbed into her jeep. She had no intention of confiding all in this woman. Not yet. But she was desperate to strike some sort of truce. “Can I ask you something? Was it easy for you and Jayce?”

“God, no.”

“But worth the fight?”

“At the risk of encouraging you, worth every battle scar.” Rocky keyed the ignition and cranked the heat. “The thing is, Rae, we were in love. We’d been in love for years. Are you saying you’re in love with Luke? I mean, I get it. Women fall for his boyish charm all the time. And Luke, Christ, if you ask him he’ll tell you he’s been in love a hundred times.”

Rocky wasn’t telling Rae anything she didn’t already know. And she didn’t have any illusions where Luke’s feelings were concerned. Her own feelings, however, were a bit of an enigma.

“Sam probably wouldn’t appreciate me saying,” Rocky said, “but I’m pretty sure he’s still carrying a torch for you.”

“I told Sam I don’t feel that way about him.”

“That doesn’t negate his feelings. You’re the first woman he’s expressed any interest in at all since Paula,” Rocky went on. “I don’t have to tell you what a good man Sam is. If you’re attracted to my brother, you should tell Sam. Please don’t let this thing blindside him.”

Rae rubbed an ache in her chest. It seemed pointless to deny what she’d already hinted at. “I’ve been … infatuated with Luke for a long time. It’s a mess and I’m not sure it can be fixed, but you’re right, I should let Sam know my heart is elsewhere.”

“With Luke.” Rocky sighed. “You could have any guy in the world…” she said as she backed out of the drive.

Rae smirked. “Because I’m rich?”

“And beautiful.”

“Believe it or not, that’s not always a blessed combination.”

“You’re also smart and kind.”

Rae cut her a glance.

“Like you said, you’ve only changed on the outside.” Rocky smiled a little, the way she used to smile at Rachel. “Just took me a minute to get that.”

ELEVEN

By the time Jayce got home, Rocky was stripped to her undies and a cami and snuggled under the covers with a fashion magazine. She’d bought a copy of In Style and two others like it on her way home from dropping off Rae. For the first time in her life she was seriously contemplating a makeover.

She tossed aside the shallow periodical when Brewster jumped on the bed and muscled in to snuggle. “I missed you, too, fur-boy.” Rocky hugged the mixed breed then smiled into his big dopey eyes. Brewster was a rescue dog, a gift from Jayce, and her biggest source of joy—aside from Jayce himself. She glanced at her sexy fiance while ruffling Brewster’s lopsided ears. “How was your meeting in Pixley?”

“Interesting. How was your meeting with Rae?”

“Enlightening.”

Jayce eyed Brewster with a scant smile then jerked his thumb. “Off.”

The dog leaped to the hardwood floor then curled up in his own pillow-soft, fleece-lined bed along with his