The Cowboy's Valentine. DONNA ALWARD
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really have anyone to cook for. Duke’s started coming in for coffee break each morning, and sometimes Carrie comes with him, but she’s really watching her diet with the baby and all.” Once again, the little pang of envy touched her heart but she pushed it away.
She’d never have a big family to cook for. She might as well accept it.
She took a minute and looked at Quinn. Really looked at him, and wondered what it must be like to lose a spouse and try to raise a small child on your own. Certainly he was doing a good job, but at what cost? She noticed he didn’t smile all that often, and his eyes had lines at the corners. He wasn’t that old, either. Maybe midthirties at the most. It seemed more like life had aged him.
“Quinn, how’s Amber doing?”
He shrugged and twirled some spaghetti noodles on his fork. “She’s fine. Likes preschool. Does okay at the day care.”
“It must be rough, bringing her up on your own.”
He looked up at her sharply. “We get by.”
“Oh, of course you do. I just thought that...” She hesitated. What was she thinking, anyway? She didn’t really want to get involved with Quinn’s life, did she? They’d sort of formed a truce since she’d moved in. Less criticizing and arguing, and that was good. Still slightly awkward, but good.
Truth of the matter was, Lacey was lonely. She didn’t know anyone in Gibson, didn’t have contact with colleagues since she was out of work, and she was going just a little bit stir-crazy here at Crooked Valley.
“I just thought that since cooking for one is a real pain, maybe I could send some food home with you. It’s stupid. I make a recipe and then end up either freezing or throwing out half because it’s more than I can eat.”
“Didn’t you cook for one before?”
She did, but it was different. “To be honest? I froze some, and I often gave some to a neighbor. She was elderly and alone and struggled to cook for herself and eat enough.”
Quinn’s eyes snapped at her. “So what, Amber and I look like we need charity, is that it?”
“No!” She twisted her fingers together. “I didn’t mean that.”
“We get along just fine, thanks.” His lips were set, and Lacey dropped the subject. She hadn’t meant to insult him or imply he was, well, lacking in any area.
“I’d better get going, then,” she said quietly, and picked up her handbag.
“Good luck. I hope you get it,” he answered, but his voice lacked any warmth and the encouragement stung. Sure he hoped she got it, so she’d be out of his hair. Message received loud and clear.
She reached for her coat and keys and left him sitting there at the table. Maybe he was lonely and bitter but she didn’t have to be! She was starting a new chapter in her life, and Quinn Solomon was not going to bring her down.
But fate had other ideas that afternoon. The directions that had seemed so clear earlier were suddenly not, and she got turned around. It was five minutes after her scheduled appointment time when she pulled into the parking lot. In her rush, she snagged her panty hose getting out of the car and there was no time to change or take them off, just hope that it wouldn’t be visible once she was seated.
She stopped outside the office door, blew out a breath, rolled her shoulders, pasted on a smile and walked in.
“Hi,” she greeted the receptionist. “I’m Lacey Duggan, here for the interview?”
The receptionist looked at her over the top of her glasses. “Just have a seat for a minute. Can I get you anything? Coffee?”
If she were any more hyped up she’d explode. “Maybe some water? That’d be great.”
The woman returned with a small glass of water. Lacey removed her coat and hung it on a nearby coat tree and she reminded herself to calm down. It had only been a few days. This was her first interview. She took a sip of water and at the same time, her cell phone buzzed in the purse on her lap. It startled her enough that she jumped, and splashed water on the front of her silk blouse.
For the love of Mike.
An office door opened just as she was reaching in her bag for her phone. She dropped it back into the purse and stood up as a friendly-looking woman came out and smiled at her. She would get herself together and ignore her bad luck so far...
“You must be Ms. Duggan. I’m Corinna Blackwood. We spoke on the phone yesterday.” She held out her hand and Lacey shook it.
The head of HR. And she looked approachable. Maybe Lacey could turn this around.
“I tried to call you about an hour ago,” Ms. Blackwood said, stepping back. “I’m sorry you drove all this way. We filled the position earlier this afternoon.”
Lacey swallowed, so surprised she didn’t know how to respond. “I see.” She licked her lips and tried not to sigh. “I drove in from Gibson. I must have just missed you.”
“Yes, I spoke to someone at your home number. He said he’d try to reach you. I’m assuming he was unsuccessful.”
Lacey felt her cheeks heat and struggled to keep her composure.
“I’m very sorry to disappoint you, Ms. Duggan.”
Lacey blinked and got herself together. She called up a smile. “Me, too, but perhaps you can keep my résumé on file? In case anything else comes up in your accounting department in the future.”
Ms. Blackwood’s face lightened. “I certainly will. Can we offer you a coffee or something?”
“I’m fine,” she answered, trying to mask her disappointment. “But maybe I’ll leave you my cell number as well as my home number.”
Ms. Blackwood seemed to appreciate the wry sense of humor and nodded. “Give it to Jane, here, and she’ll put it on your résumé. It was nice to meet you.”
They shook hands again, and then Lacey found herself back outside the office door.
She walked across the parking lot, the winter air freezing against her legs. Stupid shoes...she’d worn them for vanity and now it was for nothing and she was freezing her toes off. She turned on the car and finally looked at her phone. There were two text messages, one from Quinn and one from Duke.
The first one said Call home as soon as you get this. Q.
The second was the one that Duke had sent while she was in the office. Did Quinn get in touch with you?
She texted Duke back right away and let him know she was on her way back. Then she texted Quinn and simply replied that she’d just received his text and thanks.
Quinn already knew, then, that she didn’t get the job. Great. She loved looking like a failure in front of him.
Worse, his truck was still in the yard when she got home. She would have preferred to lick her wounds in peace, but apparently today was just not her lucky day. Wearily she turned the key in the door and walked in, only to hear the television going and some very girlish laughter.
Amber was here.
Lacey tried to be annoyed but she couldn’t. Amber was a total doll, clearly more like her mother than her father. She smiled easily and had gorgeous curls that set off a pair of impish blue eyes. Lacey shut the door and put her handbag on the first step of the stairs, then slipped off her heels. The office door to her right was closed; Quinn was probably in there working. She went through on stocking feet and found Amber sitting at the table, coloring some sheets that Lacey guessed were from school, and watching cartoons.
“Well, hello,” she greeted. “Whatcha got there?”
“Lacey! Daddy said you were here!”
To her surprise, Amber hopped down from the chair and hugged Lacey’s legs.