Fool's Gold Collection Part 1: Chasing Perfect / Almost Perfect / Sister of the Bride / Finding Perfect. Susan Mallery
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riding in the race. He’s making his comeback right here in Fool’s Gold.”
Conversation exploded. Everyone was talking over everyone else. Even Alice looked happy about the news. Charity did her best to join in the moment, but it was difficult for her to get her mind around the information. Josh racing? How could he?
She’d heard the pain in his voice when he talked about the accident and his inability to ride with anyone. Wouldn’t racing mean training and exposure? Wouldn’t the whole town see what he was doing?
Even as she asked herself the questions, she wondered if that was the point. If he’d decided to face the problem head-on. If he was successful, it would be an impressive moment. But if he failed, the world would know. Talk about jumping in the deep end. She didn’t know if she should admire him or tell him to think about therapy.
Marsha called for order and the meeting resumed. When it was finished, Charity made sure she walked out with Robert. They had some unfinished business.
“I had a great time last night,” he said as they headed down the hall. “What are you doing this weekend?”
She winced silently. She waited until they’d stepped into her office to speak.
“Thanks for inviting me over,” she began. “Your home is lovely. Especially the garden. The thing is, while I would love for us to be friends, I don’t see us having a romantic relationship.”
He frowned at her. “I don’t understand. Last night I thought you had a good time.”
“I did.” A polite lie, she told herself.
“Is there someone else?”
“No.”
Not a lie. Yes, she and Josh had done the wild thing, but that did not a relationship make. After all, it wasn’t as if she was in love with him.
“When we first went out, I thought I was ready to get involved,” she said. “But I’m not. I’m busy with working and getting settled. You’re great, Robert. I know you’ll find someone.”
“In this town, finding someone is the easy part,” he said, sounding more confused than annoyed. “I guess I understand. I thought you were special, Charity. That’s why I wanted to get to know you better.”
“I appreciate that.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I am.”
“Okay.”
He left. She returned to her desk, relieved there hadn’t been anything remotely uncomfortable about their conversation. A cheap lesson, she told herself. Workplace romances were innately difficult. She should avoid them.
Josh didn’t work in City Hall, a little voice in her whispered. Interesting, but not significant, she told herself firmly. Josh was a fantasy. She was looking for someone real. Although the way she’d felt in his arms last night had been about as real as it could get.
“MY LIFE IS INSANE,” Pia said, two days later, as she sat across from Charity at the Fox and Hound. “I’m loving the idea of the bike race, but talk about extra work. I may come after you for help when it gets closer.”
“Absolutely,” Charity told her.
“I’m lining up a team, then figuring out what volunteers can do. Crystal’s really excited about the whole thing, especially Josh coming out of retirement.” Pia grinned. “Like the rest of us, she once had a thing for him. Before she met her husband.”
“It does seem to be a universal condition,” Charity said, hoping she sounded both friendly and neutral.
“Crystal’s great at organizing, but with her being sick, she can’t always be available. Still, I’ll take what I can get.” She scanned the menu. “The Josh angle is the best part. It’ll give us a lot more press than we would have gotten otherwise. I never understood why he retired when he did. He was at the top of his game. That last season, he couldn’t lose. It was amazing to watch.” Until the race where Frank died, Charity thought, knowing the loss had devastated Josh and stolen a piece of him.
The server came and they placed their orders. When she’d left, Pia leaned toward Charity. “You look great. That jacket is adorable. Am I allowed to say that?”
Charity laughed. “Yes. Pia, it’s fine. I told you before, I appreciate your blunt, albeit drunk, honesty about how I looked. I’m having fun remembering how to do the girly stuff. I’m even getting highlights.”
“They’d look good on you.” Pia sipped her diet soda. “The problem is where to go. The two best places in town are owned by two sisters who have a serious rivalry. Not only for clients, but for gossip. Each of them has to be the first to know anything. If you’re loyal to one, you’re the enemy of the other. I get around the problem by alternating back and forth. They try to pin me down, but I won’t let them.”
“That sounds like a lot of work.”
“It is, but worth it to keep the peace. You’re still living at the hotel, aren’t you? There used to be a salon there, but it closed. How is it living like the rich and famous?”
“Not so rich and certainly not famous. It’s fine until I can find a place of my own. I get a special rate through the city.” Compliments of Josh, she thought. Marsha had told her about the discount when she’d hired Charity.
“I’ve started looking for a house to buy,” she continued. “There was one place I saw that was terrific. It’s a restored craftsman-style house. I love everything about it except the price. I heard the owner would be willing to bargain, but even then I’m not sure I can swing it.”
Pia frowned. “Which house is that?”
Charity told her the street. “There’s a wide porch and a beautiful backyard. I love the mature trees on the street.”
“Who told you the owner was willing to deal?”
Charity tried not to feel trapped. “Um, Josh mentioned it.”
“Did he?” Pia’s mouth turned into a knowing smile. “He must really like you. He put a lot of money into that property and was expecting top dollar for it.”
“What do you mean?”
“He owns the house. He bought it a few years ago and fixed it up. Actually he was still racing then, so he had the work done. He used it as a rental, then decided to sell it. I know a few people are interested and he’s not lowering the price for them.”
Pia’s expression turned speculative. “He’s always put business before the ladies, but that seems to be changing.”
Charity did her best not to blush. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t know Josh owned the house.”
“You do now.”
“But he didn’t tell me.”
He hadn’t even hinted when he’d shown her the house. Although looking back, she should have guessed something was up when he’d had a key.
“Why would he do that?”
Pia raised her eyebrows. “You tell me.”
“We’re not together.”
“Maybe he wants to be.”
“No. Guys like him don’t…” She shook her head. “He’s too…”
“Rich, successful, hot?”
“I’m not his type.”
“How do you know?”
“Then I’ll pose it as a question. Am I his type?”
“Until today, I would have said no. But maybe times are changing.”
CHARITY