place isn’t so bad,” Paige said. “It’s a perfect space for what I have in mind, and there’s even an apartment upstairs.” She shrugged. “I don’t mind the work. And I have a lot of family to help paint.” She glanced at Holt. “And a brand-new brother-in-law.”
Holt groaned. “Leah already has me working on the ranch house.” He glanced at his friend. “Reed’s the expert on remodeling. You should see how he’s redone his mother’s house.”
Reed noticed Paige tense at Holt’s suggestion. He didn’t take it personally. What with a new career and…a baby on the way, her life was complicated enough. But he couldn’t help but feel protective of her, wanting nothing more than to get a hold of the jerk that had deserted her. He’d like to teach him a lesson or two.
“Hey,” he said. “If you find you need help, I can paint walls and sand floors.”
She looked at him. “Thank you, Reed. First I have to discuss the rental agreement with Lyle. I might not be able to afford the place.”
Her mother laughed. “If you handle Lyle like you did Billy this morning, he’ll probably agree to your terms without argument.”
Reed frowned. “You talked with Billy Hutchinson?”
“Only for a few minutes,” Paige said, suddenly feeling guilty. “My mother saw him in the lounge when we left Sally’s room. I just stopped by to say hello.”
“Billy recognized Paige right away,” Claire said. “And he just began chattering away. It was more than I’ve heard him say in a long time.”
A familiar sinking feeling overcame Reed as he leaned toward Paige. “We need to talk…later.”
The waiter arrived to take their order. Paige didn’t look pleased, but Reed couldn’t let this go. His only link to his father’s disappearance was Billy Hutchinson. Reed was almost afraid to hope, but this was the best news he’d had in a long time.
Now, if he could just get Paige to help him.
CHAPTER THREE
BY THE end of the evening, Paige was positive that the members of her family were playing matchmakers. Her mother practically insisted Paige ride back from Durango with Reed, and she didn’t protest.
In the passenger seat of Reed’s late model truck, she planned ways on how she’d set her family straight. There was no future for her and Reed. What if she just came out and told them she was pregnant with another man’s baby?
With a sigh, she leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes, happy that Reed also seemed to enjoy the quiet, too. Drowsiness took over and she let the soothing vibration of the road lull her. All Paige’s problems were temporarily erased from her mind as she recalled the pleasant evening with her family…and Reed.
Paige thought back to the shy, thin boy. How he’d walk her home from school and they would sit at the Keenan kitchen table and do homework while his mother cleaned the guest rooms upstairs. Sometimes they’d go outside and look for toads along the creek. They’d talked sometimes, about how it hurt him when people said things about his father. A lot of people in town had decided Mick Larkin was a thief and had run out on his family.
Besides her sisters, Reed Larkin had been Paige’s best friend. But things changed when they went into high school. Girls started noticing tall, good-looking Reed, and other boys had shown interest in Paige.
Reed didn’t like it and he’d told her so. Then he kissed her for the first time. She’d been surprised by the strong feelings he invoked in her.
No one could kiss like Reed Larkin.
“Paige…”
She heard Reed’s husky voice calling to her. She blinked and finally opened her eyes to be met by Reed’s dark gaze as he leaned toward her. She quickly realized her dream had definitely become a reality. And she couldn’t resist him.
“Reed…” She reached for him.
Then she felt the soft caress against her lips. A too-brief touch of his mouth on hers, but it was enough to send her heart racing. Unable to stop, Paige turned her head toward him and the kiss deepened…grew bolder. She felt the tip of his tongue against her lips. With a whimper she opened and let him slip inside to taste her.
Wanting more, Paige slid her arms around his neck and combed her fingers into his thick hair. She opened to his caresses and returned his fervor as she stroked her tongue against his. It had never been like this before…she’d never wanted anyone like this. She struggled to get closer.
Abruptly he pulled back, looking pleased with himself. “I have to say your kissing skills have improved since high school.”
She shoved at him to see they were parked in the Inn’s parking lot. “Get away from me. You took advantage of the situation. I was half asleep,” she lied.
“You whispered my name. What’s a guy to think?”
Embarrassed, she worked at straightening her clothes. “You’re supposed to be a gentleman.”
She heard his sigh. “You’re right. I apologize.”
He stared out the windshield. “Let’s just say we were both curious as to what it would be like after all these years.”
“Reed, I’m pregnant,” she said, barely holding it together. The last thing she wanted to do was fall apart. “I can’t afford the luxury to be curious…” Tears clogged her throat, but she swallowed them. “My baby is all I can think about.”
“I’m sorry, Paige.” He paused. “So the baby’s father isn’t going to be a part of your life?”
“No. I realized too late, he was never really in my life,” she admitted. “It’s better this way. Look, I’ve got to go in.” She went for the door handle when he reached for her and stopped her. Somehow she ended up back against him.
Reed had never felt anything as natural as having Paige in his arms. “I’m sorry, Paige. Not because the guy’s gone from your life, but because he treated you so badly. You don’t deserve that.” His hand moved soothingly over her back. “It’s going to be all right, honey. Just let me hold you. Nothing more. No pressure…just lean on a friend.”
She finally released a trembling sigh and buried her face against his shirt. Her tough act broke his heart. No matter what had happened to end their relationship, it didn’t change the fact that he still cared about her.
“You’re better off without the guy…and so is the baby. How can I help?”
She pulled back and gave him a little smile. “Some things I have to do on my own, Reed.”
“And sometimes you have to rely on a friend.”
She looked unconvinced. “That kiss—”
“Won’t happen again—not unless you want it, too,” he told her. He straightened. “Look, Paige, I’m content with my job. I came back here to make a life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for me to deal with the past.” He saw her surprised look. “And yes, I’m still searching for clues about my father’s disappearance.”
“Reed, it was so long ago.”
“I can’t give up, Paige.” He studied her for a long time. “I need your help. You talked with Billy today.”
She nodded. “But…but he didn’t say much.”
Reed rested his arm on the steering wheel. “Look, Paige, Billy Hutchinson was the last person to see my father the night he disappeared. He also accused Mick of stealing from him. So whatever comes out of his mouth might have meant something.”
Paige nodded, then began to repeat everything she remembered Billy had said to her—that he’d thought all lawyers were crooks, and to stay away from all Larkins.
Even