“So I’ve heard,” he murmured, wondering when she would drop her next bombshell. Unless she was here to nag him about Cat’s giant vagina. A gift he’d yet to figure out how to undo. Not that he’d tried especially hard. He frowned as he realized he hadn’t seen much of Cat since her arrival. And to think that at one point in his life, she’d been his reason for breathing. Time really did heal.
“The last two years have taught me a valuable lesson,” the mayor told him. “We haven’t been vigilant enough in our planning here in Fool’s Gold. We’ve let outside events guide us. That disastrous reality show is just one example. Now the gold find. It’s not that we could have predicted either, but we should have been better prepared. To that end, I’m starting a committee of business leaders. People who understand about forecasting and projections. Our purpose will be to provide a new kind of leadership for us all. I’m looking for suggestions for myself and for the city council.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” he said, wondering when she would get to the part that would make him uncomfortable.
“I’m glad you think so. I’d like you to be a part of the group. Perhaps even head it up.”
She was good, Tucker thought. He hadn’t seen that one coming.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not the right person.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not a permanent resident. Once the job site is up and running, I’ll head on to the next project. I’m in town a year at most.”
The mayor pressed her lips together. “I don’t understand. I was under the impression this was the last job you’d be running. That once this was done, you would be taking over the company.”
She was better than good at getting information, Tucker told himself. She was practically a witch.
“How did you know that?”
The older woman sighed. “I know everything, Tucker. I would have thought you’d know that by now. Aren’t you taking over the company?”
“Yes, but—”
“And once you’re in control, you can locate the headquarters anywhere?”
“Sure, but—”
“And isn’t it true that you’re not completely happy with living in Chicago and were thinking of moving the office somewhere else?”
He sprang to his feet. “Wait a minute. I haven’t talked with anyone about that. I haven’t even made up my mind.”
She stared at him pointedly until he settled back in his chair.
“Fool’s Gold would be an excellent place for you to settle your company. We’re very supportive of business. Housing is reasonable, the schools are some of the best in the country. You should think about it.”
He couldn’t get past her knowing things he’d barely articulated to himself. He hadn’t told Will or Nevada. He’d discussed moving the company with his father. Once. Three years ago. In Argentina.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“I’m someone who pays attention. Please, don’t go reading any more into what I said than that. It’s obvious you’re looking for something more than the vagabond lifestyle you’ve known since you were a child. You find the town charming. You came here because of Nevada. Now that the two of you are together, thinking you want to stay is the next logical step.”
If he hadn’t already used up the drama of jumping to his feet, he would have done it again. While he couldn’t disagree with anything she’d said, even he hadn’t put all that together in a reasonable way.
But he wasn’t staying. He’d never planned on staying. Staying meant taking things to the next level with Nevada. He wasn’t interested in that. He didn’t believe in happy endings or forever. Love was…
“I can see by your expression you’re not ready to commit to being in town longer than the job requires,” the older woman said. “I hope you’ll change your mind. You need us, Tucker, even more than we need you.”
With that, she collected her purse and left.
He continued to sit at the small table, trying to figure out what had just happened. Talk about unexpected and just plain weird, he thought. Sure, he liked Nevada and he liked the town, but staying? Moving the company here? That wasn’t going to happen.
He wasn’t looking for permanent. Not personally or professionally. Sure, he would be taking over the company, but he still planned to go around the world for the big jobs. Maybe not to be in charge, but he wasn’t going to become some guy, stuck in an office. He needed more.
As for Nevada, he knew he’d screwed up there. Let things get too far. He’d been trying to back off before, but then Cat had happened. As always, having her around was like dealing with a natural disaster. He’d reacted to the situation and now Mayor Marsha thought things between him and Nevada were more than they were.
That made him wonder if Nevada thought the same thing.
He stood and returned to his desk. But once he was there, he found himself restless. He swore.
He didn’t want to hurt her. She was great and he really liked being with her. She got him and he got her. They were a good team, both in and out of bed. He liked watching her move, he liked making her laugh. He wanted to be around her.
Sure, he trusted her more than he’d ever trusted another woman and maybe, if things had been different, she would have been the one. But they weren’t different. He knew what would happen if he gave in to love. He knew the price and he wasn’t going to pay it. Not again. Not for anyone.
TUCKER’S LONG MORNING turned into an even longer afternoon. Nevada showed up after lunch, flushed and chilled from working with the guys. She talked about how the digging was going and which pipes had been delivered. Rather than pay attention, he watched her, trying to figure out how badly he would miss her when he was gone.
“Are you even listening?” she demanded.
“Sure. To every word.”
“I don’t think I believe you. You have the strangest look on your face.”
Will’s arrival was the perfect interruption. His second in command bounced into the trailer, grinning like a fool.
Nevada glanced at her watch. “Nearly two. Guess you’re not an early riser anymore.”
“I called.”
“You left a cryptic message on the voice mail saying you’d be late. Not exactly the same thing.”
“Good enough for the likes of you two.” Will crossed the small trailer, grabbed Nevada by the waist and spun her in a tight circle. “Congratulate me. I’m engaged.”
“Woohoo!” Nevada flung her arms around him. “Finally. I was tired of being mad at you.”
Will laughed and released her, then walked over to Tucker and held out his hand.
“I’m the luckiest guy ever,” Will told him.
Tucker did his best to conceal his shock. Will engaged? They’d always been nomads together.
“Congratulations,” Tucker said automatically.
“When did this happen?” Nevada asked, hugging him again.
“Last night. Technically, early this morning.” Will laughed. “She made me work for it, though. I’ll tell you that.”
“Married.” Nevada clapped her hands together. “I’m not sure Jo is the big wedding type. Are you two going to do something in town or run off and get married?”
“Whatever she wants is good with me.”
Will sounded happy. Or whatever was beyond happy, Tucker thought, confused by the rapid change of events.“You’ll be staying here,” he said.
“Yup.” Will chuckled. “If I don’t, Jo’s gonna hunt me down. Gotta love that in a woman.” He sighed. “I’ll finish the job, then look for work in town.” Still looking pleased with himself, he laughed. “I guess I’m giving my two-year notice.”
Will leaving the company? Just like that? For a woman?
Nevada walked to her desk and picked up a stack of magazines. “My sisters left these for me,” she said, waving the bridal magazines at him. “Want to look them over?”
Tucker waited for his friend to make the sign of the cross and then run for the hills. Instead Will grabbed them.
“Sure,” he said with a chuckle. “That’ll get her attention. Hey, is there a jewelry store in town? I need to buy my woman a ring. A big one.”
“I know just the place. Jenel’s Gems. Jenel will be able to help you find the prefect ring.”
Will tucked the magazines under his arm, then headed for the door. “I’m out of here, boss. See you tomorrow.”
With that, he was gone.
Tucker stared at the closed door, not sure what had just happened. Everything was getting out of hand and somehow he had to figure out a way to stop it.
“THIS IS REALLY SUDDEN,” Nevada said, not sure how she felt about Cat’s announcement. Despite everything that had happened, Nevada wasn’t sure she was ready for Cat to leave. They’d barely become friends. Well, as much as anyone could be a friend with Cat.
“I’ve created and now it’s time for me to move on,” Cat told her.
They were in front of the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort. A long, dark limo idled next to them, the driver and Herbert, her assistant, already loading piles of luggage.
“You know the sculpture is finished,” Cat said. “You’ll be the one to present it to the town.”
“Lucky me.”
“I knew you’d enjoy being the one.”
“You’ll miss the unveiling,” Nevada reminded her, thinking there was a whole lifetime of things she would rather do than be in charge of giving her hometown a giant vagina.
“I’ve done the important part,” Cat told her, then touched her shoulder. “Come with me.”
“Cat, you know I can’t.”
“No.” Cat’s green eyes darkened. “You don’t want to. There’s a difference.”
Nevada bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. I know this is important to you, but there’s no way I can be in that kind of relationship with you.”
“Your loss,” Cat said lightly.
“Tell me about it.”
Just then Cody, one of the college guys who rented from Nevada, walked up.
“Hey,” he said, handing Herbert a duffel bag. He slid into the back of the limo.
Nevada looked from the open door back to Cat.
“No way.”
Cat’s smile turned mischievous. “He’s not you, but he gets me through the night.”
“He’s a boy.”
“Yes. All that youthful enthusiasm and energy. He’s good for at least three times a night and I’m teaching him exactly how to please me. There are worse fates.”
“He didn’t give notice that he was leaving,” Nevada said, knowing she should probably be more worried about Cody’s future than her rental income.
“He’ll be back and, in the meantime, I’ll pay his rent.”
Cat leaned in and kissed her. Nevada didn’t turn away in time, or maybe she felt she shouldn’t. Either way, Cat’s soft lips pressed against hers, then lingered for a heartbeat before she drew away.
Cat sighed. “If I could convince you.”
“It’s not just the girl thing,” Nevada admitted. “It’s that I want something permanent. Like what my parents had. A forever kind of love. My sisters have found it and I’m hoping it’s out there for me, too. You’re amazing, Cat, but you don’t do long term. You can’t. Not with your gift.”
Cat’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re right,” she whispered. “My art always comes first. Eventually I’d feel confined and my work would suffer.”
Nevada realized that for once, they were both speaking the truth. Even if she was interested in Cat, the other woman couldn’t give her what she wanted.
“I’ll miss you,” Nevada told her.
“And I’ll miss you.”
They hugged.
When they straightened, Cat smiled at her. “If I could have loved anyone, it would have been you.”
Nevada touched her cheek. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”
Cat climbed into the limo. Herbert shut the door, then scurried around to the passenger seat and got in. Seconds later, the long, black car drove away.
Nevada stood there in front of the hotel. The afternoon was clear, but the forecast called for snow that night. It was perfect weather for a fire and maybe a man in front of that fire.
But she wanted more than that. Telling Cat the truth had opened up something inside of her. Something she’d been afraid to admit.
She did want more than a lover. She wanted a husband and a family. She wanted to have roots and traditions. She wanted to hear the man she loved tell her he loved her back. She wanted to know they would be there for each other, no matter what. She wanted it all.
THE DRIVE TO THE WORK SITE had never taken so long or seemed so short, Nevada thought as she parked her truck next to the trailer. She’d had enough time to try to talk herself down, all the while considering what she was going to say.
She knew there was risk involved, that the conversation could go very badly, but still she had to try. She owed herself that.
She walked into the trailer. Tucker was on the phone. He smiled when he saw her and motioned he wouldn’t be long. A few seconds later, he hung up.
“What did Cat want?” he asked.
“To say goodbye. She left.”
“What about the statue? Did she change her mind?”
“No such luck. It’s finished and she wants me to present it to the town.”