By Request Collection April-June 2016. Оливия Гейтс

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       10

      “WELL, I SAY WE USE THE REST of the money to build a quarantine barn,” the gray-haired gent who owned the variety store said, his big hand almost dwarfing his beer mug.

      Tucker spared him a glance, but only that. The same was true for the others. He only had eyes for one person, and it killed him that he’d had no choice but to return to his seat at the far end of the table. Since it would’ve been highly inappropriate to kiss her in the middle of the board meeting. He’d settle for staring into her gorgeous blue eyes.

      “We should invest in some of them big internet sales things.” This from another old man, Cy Heber, who looked as worn as the creaking weather vane atop the Safe Haven barn. “Those ads just keep on popping up no matter what, so they’re bound to get folks’ attention.”

      “Heber, that’s spam,” Jesse said, doing an admirable job of keeping a straight face. “Besides, we’re already doing two internet campaigns.”

      Tucker watched as Annie finally put the check in her pocket and focused her entire attention on him. But instead of the heated glances from before, she seemed more confused than the money warranted. He would’ve liked her to smile at least, but he figured she was having mixed feelings.

      He wanted her to know he was on her side. No matter what happened later with the information George gathered, where the chips fell, he needed Annie to believe that he had faith in her. That check meant something to him, as well. He never had been and never would be cavalier about his wealth, inherited or earned. Damn, he couldn’t wait until there were no more secrets between them. But for now, he hoped his gesture would ease her mind in some small way.

      The older cowboy, Will, said, “I think we should hire someone who can be there for Annie so that she doesn’t have to work three hundred sixty-five days a year. A person needs to have some time off.”

      That made Annie turn. “I don’t need any such thing.”

      Everyone started talking at once, except for Shea, who just shook her head. In fact, she’d said very little since the meeting started forty minutes ago.

      Sadie slammed her hands down on the table so hard and loud she brought the chatter to a halt. “Quiet, all of you. What we’re gonna do with that check is just what we’ve done with every other donation. Leave it to Annie. She knows better than all of us combined what Safe Haven needs. And if you don’t agree, I’m bringing this meeting to a close right this second, and you can all pay for your own damn beer.”

      Finally, Tucker got his smile from Annie.

      ANNIE WANTED TO HUG SADIE for stopping the free-for-all the board meeting had become. It was torture sitting with all these people. It was no picnic sitting across from Tucker, either.

      The check and all it meant hadn’t truly hit yet. Big ideas like gratitude and what she could do with so much money were right beside the echo of his words, his belief in her that made her want to weep until next week.

      If he knew the truth, would he have been so quick to give her anything? No, of course not. Who would? But then, his generosity hadn’t been toward Leanna Warner, and she couldn’t forget that. The whole point of staying in Safe Haven was to do everything in her power to help the cause. To hide her mistakes in a coffee can under her bed, and dedicate her days and hours to something worthwhile.

      The smart thing would be to continue on as if nothing had changed. In truth, nothing had. Except for the extra-large infusion of guilt.

      Oh, and wanting Tucker so badly she found it hard to breathe.

      She’d agonized for hours last night and before the meeting, berating herself for kissing him when there was so much at stake. Intellectually she knew that Tucker wasn’t using his position to manipulate her, and she wasn’t trying to use their attraction for her own benefit. But the check and the confirmation that the foundation would make an independent decision took care of any lingering doubts.

      Forcing herself to tie up the meeting, to actually speak to Will and Cy and the rest of the board and really listen, put more strain on her than she’d have guessed. Tucker was there, right there, and every step closer made her want him more.

      Shea and Jesse lingered after the others had left, taking the time to thank Tucker and to ask him what kind of receipt he’d like for the donation.

      Annie figured that would be it. Because she had a hell of a lot to do.

      “You going back to Safe Haven?” Shea asked.

      Annie shook her head. “I’d like to go to Kalispell and deposit the check. Tucker’s bank has a branch there. Maybe I can keep out enough money for the engine so we can order it today. Spring will be gone before we know it.”

      Tucker, who’d been speaking to Jesse, joined Shea and Annie. “I could take you to the bank. Make sure you get whatever cash you need.”

      “No, that’s okay,” Annie said, ordering herself not to be nervous just because he was a foot away. “I’ll have to get back to Safe Haven tonight, and you don’t want to make all those trips. Not if you’re leaving tomorrow.”

      “I’m a damn good customer of that bank. If I’m with you, they’ll let you have the whole check in cash if you want.” He smiled, lifted his shoulder in a casual shrug. “And hey, maybe we could even splurge and get some dinner.”

      Annie sighed, knowing it would be dangerous to go to Kalispell with Tucker. She’d already proven that she had no defense against this man, and God knew, she’d already broken almost every rule in her book. Still, the tractor had been sitting there for so long, and the kids had worked so hard on the project. She looked up at Shea. “Do you think you might be able to cover for me for a few hours?”

      Shea smiled. “I know I can.”

      Jesse moved next to her. “Me, too.” Then, weirdly, he nudged Shea in her side. He tried not to be obvious, but Annie saw it. Her pulse jumped when Jesse asked Tucker to join him outside.

      “Maybe you should take a toothbrush with you,” Shea said.

      “What!” Annie groaned. Dammit, someone must’ve seen the kiss last night. “Are you crazy?”

      Despite the flush on her cheeks, Shea took a step closer to Annie and leaned in. “Maybe get some underwear. Abe’s Variety has both, you know. Then you wouldn’t have to drive back to Safe Haven.” Shea smiled. “Jesse and I can stay as long as you need us to. Honest.”

      Annie could hardly believe Shea’s suggestion, and Jesse’s part in this little maneuver. She wished she’d never kissed Tucker. No. That he’d never kissed her. Did everyone in the county know about it? Could a rumor spread that fast?

      What was she thinking? This was Blackfoot Falls. Of course it could. Even worse, the kiss wasn’t a rumor. It probably hadn’t helped that she and Tucker had been ogling each other during the meeting. Jeez, she’d never live this down. Never.

      Luckily, what the people of this tiny town thought of her wasn’t high on her list of things she cared about. Tucker was. So was his imminent departure. God, СКАЧАТЬ