Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

HEIDI SAT IN THE BOOTH at Jo’s Bar, her hands wrapped around her diet soda. Charlie and Annabelle were with her, making sympathetic noises. Actually, that was mostly Annabelle. Charlie was more into action and thought they should go find Rafe and punish him. She was a little vague on the details of the punishment.

“It’s not his fault,” Heidi said firmly, determined to not complain. She’d made a choice, and now, as the judge had pointed out, she would deal with the consequences.

The sound of the banging gavel still echoed in her head. She’d heard the news and run. Run from Glen, run from May, who called after her to wait. Run from them all, because she couldn’t face them or what she’d done.

“Rafe didn’t do anything,” she continued. “He had some ideas, made plans, but he didn’t act.”

“Only because he didn’t have time,” Charlie grumbled. “I could take him.”

Heidi was less sure of that. Charlie might be strong, but Rafe’s muscles were honed through hard, physical labor. And he was a guy—which meant he started with an excess of upper body strength.

Annabelle’s delicate features were sharp with anguish. “It’s my fault. I encouraged you to fake the find. I helped with the cave paintings. If I hadn’t gotten in the way, you would have talked to Rafe, and none of this would have happened.”

“Even I know it wasn’t all because of you,” Charlie muttered.

“She’s right,” Heidi said. “I don’t blame anyone but myself. I didn’t like what I was doing, but I did it, anyway. I asked you to put the word out because I was hurt. Rafe had gone on a date without telling me.”

Both her friends stared at her.

“What does that…” Annabelle caught her breath. “You were sleeping with him.”

Charlie’s blue eyes widened. “No way.”

“Way,” Heidi told them. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“He is hunky,” Annabelle said with a sigh. “I miss hunky. Honest to God, I can’t remember the last time I slept with a hunky guy. Or a not-so-hunky one. Sex is a distant memory. I think it was a Tuesday.”

Charlie leaned toward her. “Not about you.”

Annabelle blinked. “Oh, right. Sorry.” She put her hand on top of Heidi’s. “Putting the pieces together, you didn’t just lose your home, you lost the man you love.”

Charlie straightened. “You love him? When did that happen? Why didn’t I know this?”

Heidi started to say she didn’t, but there had already been too many lies. “I’m not sure when it started, but yes, I love him. I’ve been so scared to trust myself and my heart. I worried about getting lost, about not being strong enough.” She drew in a breath. “I lost everything this morning. My home, my plans for the future, my pride. I’ve learned a lesson about who I am, and here’s what I know. I’m strong and I’ll survive this. I have my goats and my business.”

Ironically, her business was in better shape than ever, thanks to Rafe. She had product going overseas; she’d started selling in specialty stores in L.A. and San Francisco.

“It’ll take me a few years to save the money for a down payment, but I’ll buy other land eventually.”

“So you’re not leaving?” Annabelle asked anxiously.

“No. I belong here.”

Fool’s Gold was where she wanted to be. This town had become her home.

“What about him?” Charlie asked.

Heidi assumed her friend meant Rafe. “I don’t know. He’s leaving, if he’s not already gone.”

“He was in court this morning. He didn’t look happy.”

“I can’t imagine why not. He’s getting everything he wanted.” Heidi fought against hopelessness. “May will be upset. She’s not the type who revels in winning, but Rafe doesn’t believe in taking prisoners. He’ll get over any guilt he might feel.”

Along with any other emotions, she thought sadly. Because she honestly didn’t know what their relationship had been to him. What he wanted, she couldn’t be. And even if she could, she wouldn’t do that to herself, wouldn’t try to change to fit some preconceived mold of the perfect wife and mother.

Jo walked over and slapped a piece of paper on the table. “I’m not sure why everyone thinks I like taking messages.” She slid the paper toward Heidi. “Take it.”

Heidi looked at the sheet. There were notes about different rental houses. The number of bedrooms, the locations, the cost per month. Beside each listing were notes.

Tell Heidi no deposit required. She’s family.

There are two master suites. Perfect for Heidi and her grandfather.

Big yard. Pets okay, and I wouldn’t mind if she used the goats to mow the lawn.

Heidi looked at Jo. “I don’t understand.”

“Word spread. Everyone knows what happened in court this morning. You need a place to stay, and we take care of our own.” Jo shrugged. “It’s pretty simple.”

Heidi opened her mouth, then closed it. Whatever shame lingered in her body was pushed out by