A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch (17 page)

“It's not my fault that you burned your bridges in Crimson. You can't possibly expect me to help you.” When he continued to study her, Olivia felt her mouth drop open. “You
do
want my help. Are you joking?”

“I'm in a seriously bad spot, Liv. People in town won't return my calls.”

“Why is that my problem?”

“It's not,” he admitted. “But if you could throw a little kindness my way, it would help me mend fences in Crimson. I want to go to the event with you tonight.”

She managed to sputter, “No way,” before Craig held up a hand.

“Just hear me out.” He stood and paced to the edge of the kitchen before turning to face her again. “I need a couple of the town council members to vouch for the work I did as mayor. If they see me with you, that things are okay between us and we're friends, it would go a long way.”

“We're
not
friends!”

“It's one night, Liv. One event. I know how good you are at playing the part. You can make this better.” He ran his hands through his hair. “If I can't figure things out down in New Mexico, what choice do I have but to come back to Crimson?”

“You don't mean that.”

He shook his head. “I don't want to, but if there are no other options, my dad has offered me a job in his company. Just until I get my feet back under me. I know you've moved on and, for whatever reason, you're doing it in this town. Speaking of that, I thought the plan was for you to move back to Saint Louis?”

“Plans change,” she said through clenched teeth.

“You're still an outsider in Crimson.”

“I'm not—”

“I'm sure you're working to make yourself a place here, to be useful. Useful is what you do best. It would be difficult with us both in Crimson.”

“Are you threatening me?”

He sighed, all earnest contrition. “I'm asking— begging—for your help. Please, Olivia. I need you.”

Olivia gripped the counter as her head began to swim. Those three words,
I need you
, brought back a flood of memories from her childhood. It was what her father had always said to her mother after he'd returned from one of his stays in DC, when they all knew he'd been with Millie and her mother.

I need you, Diana
, he'd say.
I need you to stand by me
. Not I love you or I'm sorry for breaking your heart. Simply
I need you
.

Olivia hated that she'd grown up to be like her mother, so easily swayed by three meaningless words. She wanted Craig out of her life, out of Crimson, for good, but she was no longer willing to sacrifice herself to make that happen.

This was her home now. Despite what her ex-husband might believe, she wasn't an outsider any longer. “No, Craig. You don't get to need me anymore. I can't stop you from returning to town, but I'm not letting you back into my life. I belong here, and nothing you do can change that.”

He looked as shocked as she felt that she'd finally stood up to him. It turned out having a backbone suited her. Feeling lighter than she had in months, Olivia turned and walked away.

Chapter Fifteen

“Y
ou're fidgeting,” Natalie told her for the tenth time later that evening.

“I'm nervous.” Olivia's hands fluttered in front of her stomach and she clamped them together.

“The whole night came together perfectly,” Sara assured her. “Other than your rotten ex crashing the party. Explain again why we aren't having the guys throw him out.”

Her friends flanked either side of her, as Olivia had instructed them from the moment they arrived. But Sara was right. The open house was a definite success. It felt as if half the town had come to celebrate the dedication of the community center. Artists and teachers milled about in the different classrooms, handing out program guides and flyers. The dessert table was filled with goodies from the local bakery and a trio of musicians played near the far wall. A few older couples danced before them, although Olivia had declined Noah's playful invitation to join them.

She took a calming breath. “If Craig doesn't get a job in Albuquerque, he may move back to Crimson. I don't want him to think his presence matters to me or that he has the power to scare me off in any way. Besides, it's not a big deal.”

“If you say so,” Natalie answered. She and Sara didn't look convinced. “What does Logan think about Craig being here?”

“I'm sure he doesn't care. He's leaving anyway.” The truth was she'd been too afraid of losing control of her emotions to talk to Logan about it. She'd had a feeling her ex would still show tonight, even though she'd refused to help him. She'd texted Logan the basics of Craig's return so he wouldn't be caught off guard. He hadn't responded, which was probably for the best. Or so she told herself.

“Logan has been shooting daggers in Craig's direction all night,” Sara said, a smile in her voice. “I'd bet my last dollar that he cares more than you think.” She gave Olivia a small hug. “Right now, I'm going to find my husband and force him to whisk me out on the dance floor. We'll keep an eye on your two men and make sure they stay in their respective corners.”

Olivia chocked back a horrified laugh. “I don't have
men
and they don't have
corners
,” she called to Sara's back.

She glanced to the edge of the room where Logan stood speaking to Ted. The older man patted Logan on the back then shook his hand, grinning broadly. Logan had insisted on using local Crimson suppliers and sub-contractors instead of looking to Aspen or nearby Grand Junction for help. The town's economy had bounced back from what it had been a few years ago, but she knew how much it still meant to have money and labor kept local.

A broad laugh drew her attention. “You've done a fine job here, Olivia.” Marshall Daley, Crimson's mayor, walked over to her. “I wasn't sure you could pull it off, but this place has exceeded everyone's expectations.”

Except Logan's and mine, she thought to herself. “I'm glad you're happy with the outcome,” she said out loud. “The center will need support from the town as well as private funders to really be a success.”

“Right, right,” he said with a wink. “I should see about hiring you to help with all our fund-raising projects. You do have a knack for it.”

“Told you so,” Natalie whispered, nudging Olivia in the ribs.

She rolled her eyes but smiled at her friend. “Didn't you want to check out the dessert table?”

“Take care of her while I'm gone, Marshall.” Natalie started to walk away, then said to Olivia, “I'll bring you a cookie.”

“The tiles were a brilliant idea,” Marshall said as Natalie disappeared. A crowd milled around a table near the front of the room with a banner that read The Crimson Center Tile Program.

Olivia had come up with the plan to sell ceramic tiles to be used in a mural for the entrance wall, each tile personally decorated for the buyer. Natalie had arranged for a local potter to donate the use of his kiln and Natalie was handling the design of the tiles. Throughout the night a steady stream of people had filled out forms for the tiles. The last time she'd checked, they'd already raised several thousand dollars more for the center, much of it in cash donations.

“I'm overwhelmed by the community's support tonight,” she said honestly. “I wasn't sure some of them could overcome my involvement enough to see how necessary this place is to the town.”

“Nonsense.” Marshall waved off her concern as if he hadn't expressed the same one only weeks ago. “You shouldn't be held accountable for something that wasn't your doing.” He switched his gaze to where Craig stood, talking to several members of the town council. “Unlike some people who seem to have forgotten how much trouble they caused around here.”

“Are you angry that Craig is here?” Olivia had seen the two men talking earlier.

“Craig Wilder's as smooth as a greased pig, I'll say that for him. He's been spinning more tales tonight than you'd believe, telling anyone who will listen how sorry he is and how much Crimson means to him. It's still pretty odd to see him back in town.”

“You have no idea,” Olivia couldn't help but answer. “I don't hold a grudge against him at this point.” She hoped her nose wouldn't start to grow. “We all need to get on with our lives.”

“Like I said before, you always were too good for him.” Marshall tilted his head toward Logan, who was now standing with Noah Conrad. “Seems like you've got a soft spot for the bad boys.”

“Being a bad person and having a wild past are two different things, Marshall.” She waved a hand around the room. “None of this would have happened without Logan's dedication and expertise. He's as much responsible for the community center as I am.”

“Is that so?” Marshall scratched his chin. “I guess maybe a leopard can change his spots. Logan Travers is all right, although I still have my doubts about your ex-husband.”

Marshall ambled off into the crowd as Natalie returned. She handed Olivia a small plate with a piece of apple pie on it.

“Uh-oh,” Natalie muttered after a few moments.

Olivia turned to her. “What's the matter?”

Natalie pointed at her. “You're not eating the pie. No one can resist Katie's pies. Heck, I just look at a slice and my mouth starts to water. Something's wrong.”

“I'm okay. I'm just thinking...”

“About Logan?”

Olivia nodded. “He's leaving tonight.”

“No long goodbye?”

“We already had our goodbye. I'm not sure I could take anymore.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Craig lean closer to the man next to him, point toward Logan and let out a harsh laugh. “Except I need to say one thing to him now.”

She maneuvered through several groups of people until she was standing before Logan and Noah. An emotion she couldn't quite place, but looked a lot like panic, crossed Logan's face. Really? Is this what it had come to already?

“I'm not going to make a scene,” she blurted.

“I didn't think you were.”

He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, his expression was kind but distant. It made her want to scream.

“Craig isn't here with me,” she said quickly. “I told him I wouldn't help smooth things over in town for him. I wanted you to know that.”

“I got your text.” He lifted his chin to scan the room. “But thanks for the heads-up. I think Craig and I will both do our best to avoid each other tonight. I hope you remember that you're a lot stronger than he ever knew.”

Olivia bit down on her lip before speaking. “I...thank you for saying that.”

An awkward silence descended over the trio.

“This is a great evening,” Noah said, smiling at her.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, a ball of tension clogging her throat. She made a show of glancing at her watch. “I should find Marshall. He wanted to make a speech and do the official ribbon cutting before people start leaving.” She forced herself to look at Logan. “You should be up front for that. Without your work, we wouldn't be here right now.”

“I'm not one for the limelight.” He shook his head. “I want to talk to Josh, then I've got to get going. Besides, you would have found someone else if I hadn't been here.”

She looked away when her chin started to tremble. No, she wanted to scream. She'd never find someone else.

“I'll help you look for Marshall,” Noah said smoothly.

She saw Logan stiffen, but he said nothing.

She nodded. “Let's go.”

Noah took her arm and they walked away. With each step, the urge to sink to the ground grew until she could hardly move forward. Noah kept her going with an arm around her shoulder.

“Think of rainbows and unicorns,” he whispered to her.

“What?” She pulled back, her confusion over his words temporarily diverting the grief that pulsed through her body.

He flashed a boyish grin. “I just wanted to distract you.”

“Mission accomplished.” She couldn't help but smile back at him. “You're a good man, Noah.”

“But not the man for you?”

“Apparently I'm a glutton for heartbreak.”

A woman walking by caught her attention. “Speaking of gluttony in the best of all possible ways.” She reached out a hand. “Katie?”

The brunette turned.

“Thank you so much for providing the dessert table for this evening.” She smiled sweetly before her eyes widened a fraction at Noah. “Do you know Noah Conrad?”

“Of course she knows me.” Noah wrapped Katie Garrity in a hug that lifted her off her feet. Olivia noticed that Katie's eyes closed in a way that almost made her seem like she was in pain. “We've been old friends since high school. How are you, sweetheart?”

“Fine as always,” Katie answered, her smile strained. “I didn't realize you were going to be in town this weekend.”

“I drove up just for the opening. Added bonus that I got a slice of your apple pie as part of the bargain. You know it's my favorite.”

Katie's smile tightened so much Olivia thought her mouth might break. Noah didn't seem to notice. He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned close to Katie's ear. “I'd tell you I was working my magic on Olivia, but much to my shock and dismay, she won't go out with me.”

“Smart woman,” Katie answered.

Noah playfully chucked her on the arm. “I thought you'd be on my side.” He looked at Olivia. “Katie knows me better than almost anyone else on the planet. She can tell you I'm quite a catch.”

“I don't think that's necessary.” Olivia placed a hand on Katie's arm. “He's joking, you know. We're not dating. At all.”

“Noah's always good for a laugh.” Katie dabbed at the corner of one eye. “My allergies are acting up. I'm going to get a tissue. I'm glad you like the sweets, Olivia. The community center has turned out beautifully.” She turned to Noah. “Enjoy your weekend.”

“Let's have lunch tomorrow.” He tugged on Katie's long ponytail. “I miss talking to you, bug.”

“Lunch,” Katie repeated, her voice thick. “Sure. Text me in the morning.” She turned and headed toward the bathrooms down the main hallway.

“Did you two used to date?” Olivia asked, still unable to put a finger on the vibe she was getting from the other woman.

“Katie and me?” Noah laughed. “No way. She's like my sister. I went out with one of her friends in high school.” He shook his head. “We've always been just friends.”

Olivia didn't know Katie Garrity well enough to argue with Noah. And she couldn't imagine the affable, easy-going Noah riling anyone's feathers.

“Olivia,” Marshall Daley called from a few feet away. “It's time for the dedication.”

“Are you ready for this?” Noah asked quietly as they made their way forward.

She nodded. “I wish Logan would come up front with me. So much of this is because of him.”

Noah studied her for a few moments, as if he realized she was talking about more than just the building renovations. “I'm sorry things didn't work out for the two of you.”

She thought about her time with Logan and forced her mouth into a smile. “No apologies,” she murmured. “This is a celebration.”

The crowd in the room turned as Marshall tapped on a mic one of the musicians had handed him. “I'd like to introduce the woman we have to thank for bringing this historic building back to life.”

He tugged Olivia forward as people clapped. “Olivia Wilder has been a member of our community for only a few short years, but already she's an integral part of Crimson's future success. Olivia, tell us about the work that's been done to renovate this building and your plans for the community center.”

There was more applause as Olivia took the microphone from Marshall. “Thank you, everyone, for your support this evening. As much as I appreciate Marshall's kind words, there are many people who were involved in the community-center project.”

She scanned the crowd and found Logan in the back of the room. He gave a small shake of his head, as if he didn't want her to publicly recognize him. He was an expert at playing down the good he did in people's lives. Even though he was leaving, Olivia wanted him to share in this moment as much as she wanted her next breath.

“There's one man in particular who was critical to the success of this renovation. I'd like to take a moment to—”

She was interrupted by a commotion at the side of the podium. Without warning, her ex-husband made his way through the town council members on either side of her. He enveloped Olivia in a huge hug, and she felt his lips brush the top of her head.

“I owe you for this, Liv,” he whispered. “You really are the best.”

“Craig, stop,” she said on a hiss of breath. “What are you doing?”

“Fixing my life.” He nudged her to the side and leaned forward to speak directly into the microphone. A disgruntled murmur went up from the crowd, but Craig ignored it. He began to speak about his initial vision for the community center, the dreams he had for the building and what the renovation would mean to the people of Crimson and how grateful he was to Olivia for carrying on in his absence.