those had been missing from her life for so long she’d forgotten what a sweet thrill they could bring.
“You put on a brave face for everyone but keep the real you out of reach,” he said, his voice quiet.
The way his eyes held hers was mesmerizing, but the spell broke instantly when something clanged onto the tile floor back in the kitchen.
As Myka turned toward the sound, she saw the photo of Tanner, Will and Betty that hung behind the front desk.
“I better get to work,” she said. “I promised Betty I’d help her put a coat of varnish on one of the armoires upstairs.”
“See you later then,” Joshua said.
As Joshua left, Betty walked over to join her.
“Pants warm?” she asked.
“Huh?” Myka turned around and looked directly at her.
“Liar, liar, pants on fire. We’re not varnishing anything today.”
Myka gave her a thin smile. “Oh, that.”
“What are you worried about, Myka?” she asked. “What people will think if you spend time with a man? Tanner’s gone. I loved my brother dearly, but he’s not coming back.”
“I know, but...”
“There are no ‘buts’ about this...except maybe Joshua’s exceptional one,” she said with a mischievous grin.
Myka choked.
“What? I’ve got eyes. You thought I didn’t notice?” she asked, laughing.
“I hadn’t.”
“Baloney,” Betty said.
Myka grinned. “Okay, maybe.”
“Will’s being a jerk, but he’s right, you know. Joshua has a thing for you. It dates all the way back to elementary school.”
“Why on earth would you think that? Because he’s nice to me? By that definition, he has a thing for everyone.”
“No, it’s in the way he looks at you—when you’re not looking.”
“Betty, we’re just old friends.”
Betty shook her head. “It goes beyond that.”
“You’re wrong, but even if we were both wild about each other—and we’re not—it couldn’t go anywhere. Sooner or later he’ll leave Independence, and I belong here.”
Myka swallowed hard and continued. “Joshua’s a heartbreak waiting to happen, and life’s hurt me enough. I don’t want any more pain.”
“Maybe you’re right. Josh is destined for city life, and you can’t change a man.”
Myka heard the pain laced through Betty’s words. Reaching out, she gave her a hug. “You and I bend, but we never break. That’s what makes us who we are.”
A few hours later, Myka left the inn and headed home. It was a pleasant afternoon, and the mile-long walk back would do her good. She needed time to think. She and Betty were both strong women, but being around Joshua had reminded her that even the strongest among them needed gentleness, too.
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