Anything but Love

“Okay.”

He laughed a little. “Did you say that on purpose?”

“Yes.” She hugged a pillow to her aching chest, wishing she could hug Luke instead. “I can help you. If you want. I just need to know what type—”

“Visual.”

Her shoulders sagged with relief. Not trauma or primary. “I can definitely help.”

“I appreciate that, but … I have to tell you that would be hell on the ego.”

“Not me then. Someone else. You can tackle this, Luke.” His silence quickened her pulse. She knew enough not to push. Not now. That he’d admitted the problem at all was huge. “How about we leave off for now and discuss this more in person?”

“That won’t come easy for me.”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

After a moment, Luke said, “I should let you get some sleep.”

“It’s been a full day, that’s for sure.” She scraped her teeth over her lower lip, praying she was handling this right. She knew his disability didn’t necessarily factor into business sense, but did he? Generally those who suffered dyslexia were highly intuitive. Uber street-smart. “Luke?”

“Yeah.”

“When you get back, I was hoping I could get your two cents on Sugar Tots. My meeting went well at the bank and if everything goes smoothly the day care center will be mine—lock, stock, and barrel—by month’s end. I’ve never owned a business. You run one of the most successful establishments in town. I’d appreciate your input.”

“You don’t have to patronize—”

“I’m not.”

“All right. First thought? Change the name. You mentioned launching after-school programs for older kids. I can tell you right now, if I were a ten-year-old boy, I wouldn’t be keen on spending my afternoons at a place called Sugar Tots.”

“Good point.” Truly it was. “Any suggestions?”

“Not off the top of my head. Maybe we can brainstorm when I get home.”

“Sounds good.” She tamped down a whirlwind of emotions, thinking this would be a good place to stop for the night. “I’ll say a prayer for your dad.”

“I appreciate that. Goodnight, Reagan.”

“Goodnight, Luke.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Rae spotted the first photographer around noon. He didn’t get in her face. In fact he was pretty far away and for all she knew he could’ve been taking a picture of the white-steepled church or quaint storefronts. Sugar Creek, with its old-fashioned brick facades and Americana charm was beautiful in any season. Mid-February and the roof of every building as well as the branches of the trees were blanketed in snow. Frosty windowpanes were framed with twinkling white lights. A good many of the antiques shops, art galleries, and specialty boutiques offered displays featuring hearts and flowers, chubby cupids, sleek statues of kissing couples, and assorted romantic images. It was the month of love, after all.

Yes, indeed. It was possible that the photographer was an amateur, a tourist snapping shots of the town he’d chosen for his holiday getaway. She just happened to walk into the frame.

But Rae’s prickling hair follicles told her different.

She told herself not to panic. Not to avoid and not to engage. This is what she’d wanted, right? Free publicity for the Cupcake Lovers. A way and means to build buzz around their recipe book? It’s just that she hadn’t expected action so soon. Especially since she’d yet to broadcast her whereabouts. Although maybe Brett had tipped off the media. Except that meeting with the Highlife marketing department wasn’t taking place until later today. He wouldn’t jump the gun, would he?

Get a grip, Deveraux.

Seriously, if she couldn’t withstand one innocuous guy with a camera, what would she do when the paparazzi flocked. If they flocked. Maybe she had a skewed vision of her potential popularity. Maybe the media wouldn’t give two hoots about the daughter of a B-movie actress who intended to use her fortune to promote cupcakes and early education. Now that she thought about it her goodwill mission wasn’t nearly as titillating as the wild antics and illegal shenanigans of any number of infamous celebrity kids.

Hunching her shoulders against the blustery winds, Rae shoved that photographer from her mind and hurried toward Romancing the Stone, an artisan shop featuring handcrafted jewelry by Casey Monahan. Casey had been one of the first people Rae had met last year when she’d first settled in Sugar Creek. Although Rae had pretended to be someone else, she had been honest about certain aspects of her life. Like having a brother (albeit stepbrother) stationed in the Middle East. Something she had in common with Casey and one of the reasons Casey had invited Rae to check out the Cupcake Lovers. Rae had been hooked after one visit. Casey had been as good of a friend as Rachel had allowed, and Rae hadn’t seen the quirky artisan since she’d returned to Sugar Creek. Up until late last night, Casey had been out of town.

The bell above the door tinkled and a warm blanket of air enveloped Rae as soon as she stepped inside. The shop was just as she remembered. Small, tidy, and creative. Beautiful jewelry displayed in imaginative ways. As always, the room smelled of evergreen.

Casey popped into view, straightening from a stooped position behind her front-of-house workstation. She took in Rae’s makeover and smiled. “Wow. Just wow.”

Rae took off her big, dark sunglasses then brushed snowflakes from her wind-tousled hair. “Short and really red. I know.” She’d lost count of how many times she’d said that in the last few days.

“You look fabulous. Hang your coat on the tree and stay awhile. We have some catching up to do.”

Rae raised the logoed bag she’d been carrying. “Brought coffee from Moose-a-lotta.”

“The best in town.” Casey pulled a cushioned stool next to hers. “Mind if we talk here instead of my office? Fran was supposed to be here today but she called out sick.”

“Just happy for the chat.” They’d caught up a little over the phone this morning. Casey now knew about as much as everyone else regarding Rae’s reason for living a one-year ruse and her reasons for coming back. Rae sat next to the bohemian-dressed woman and passed her a cup of hazelnut coffee.

“So tell me about Luke.”

Rae rolled her eyes. “I knew you were going to ask that.”

“Well, come on. It’s the talk of the town. You bagged Sugar Creek’s biggest playboy.”

“I didn’t bag him.”

“He’s gotta be head over heels in love with you, girl. Why else would he go exclusive?”

Why indeed? Rae didn’t doubt Luke felt something for her. They had a physical and emotional connection. But he’d never mentioned love and she was sure a good part of his feelings were wrapped up in the baby and the prospect of being a dad. Something she understood. The moment she’d learned she was pregnant Rae’s world and her priorities shifted.

She tried to relax and enjoy reconnecting with Casey, but the longer Rae dodged mention of her pregnancy, the more uncomfortable she felt. Her reason for keeping the baby secret no longer outweighed her need to be forthright with all the people she’d once deceived. As soon as Luke got back, they’d have to talk.

Just then her phone rang. “I’m sorry, Casey. Just let me see … It’s my lawyer in L.A.”

“Go on and take it.”

“I’ll just see what he wants … Al?”

“A heads-up would have been nice, Reagan.”

He didn’t sound happy. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve had six calls in the last forty minutes from various organizations, all vying for your money.”