After their encounter, Nevada had gone back to her apartment, only to find she was too restless to stay there. She’d phoned Montana and had been thrilled to learn that Simon had been called into emergency surgery. That made her a hideous person, because that meant someone was hurt.

Telling herself she wasn’t responsible hadn’t helped much, but spending the evening with her sister had. They’d packed up most of Montana’s small house for the impending move to Max’s place. She’d gotten home late and exhausted, and still hadn’t been able to sleep.

“We were talking about her,” she said, going over the material for the four thousandth time.

“It is Cat’s favorite topic.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Sorry.”

He didn’t look sorry. He looked like a man trying not to laugh.

“I could kill you, you know,” she told him. “This is my town. They’d help hide the body.”

“You’d miss me.”

“Not as much as you’d think.”

He crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I think Cat was just being her normal, narcissistic self. It was all about her, and somehow you read that as something else.”

“Maybe.” She’d been so sure at the time, though. Scared, even. “You weren’t there. She keeps talking about being in her feminine phase. Maybe this is part of that.”

His mouth twitched again. “Were you tempted?”

She slapped his hands away. “Did I mention I hate you?”

“Can I watch?”

“Yuck. What’s wrong with you? I have a serious problem.”

“A beautiful woman wants you. That is a problem.”

She grunted in irritation, then stalked to her desk. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“And you’re taking it too seriously. Even if she did try to kiss you, this is Cat we’re talking about. She was just being her usual attention-seeking self. It doesn’t mean she’s serious about wanting to have sex with you.”

At last he was making sense. “I can buy that,” she admitted. “I was being sympathetic. I’m sure that’s all it was. Her responding to that.”

“Right. And if it turns out she is serious, are you making a video?”

She picked up the folder on her desk and opened it to study the compaction report inside. “Are you talking? All I hear is a buzzing sound. It’s the strangest thing.”

He crossed to her, turned her and kissed her. “I’m sorry she upset you. I’m sorry you were uncomfortable.”

She leaned against him. “I don’t have anything against girl kissing,” she whispered. “In theory. I just don’t want to share in it.”

“Cat was playing. She’ll have moved on to something else by the time you see her again.”

“I hope.”

“Trust me.”



WHEN A DAY OF MOVING lumber and walking the site that would be blasted didn’t make Nevada feel any better, she gladly accepted an invitation to join her friends at Jo’s Bar after work. Heidi had promised to call Annabelle and Charlie, and the other women were waiting when Nevada arrived — as was a very tall, very cold vodka tonic.

“You read my mind,” she said, slipping into the seat they’d saved for her. “Thanks.” She took a sip. “How are things with everyone?”

“Good,” Heidi said with a grin. “No recent goat escapes, which is working for me. And the feral cows are keeping their distance.”

Annabelle laughed. “You’re the only person I know who’s frightened of cows.”

“I’m not frightened. They’re a bad influence.”

Annabelle shook her head. “Keep telling yourself that. I’m fine, too. Loving the library, loving the town. Did you all see the leaves over the weekend? Talk about beautiful.”

“Leaves catch fire,” Charlie grumbled.

“Ever the romantic,” Nevada teased.

Charlie eyed her over her margarita. “Your sisters are getting married.”

Nevada took another drink, then sighed. “That sounds more like an accusation than a question.”

“I didn’t mean it to. I guess I’m surprised.”

Nevada realized the other two women were looking at her with identical expressions of concern. “Uh-oh. You’ve been talking about this.”

Heidi leaned toward her. “A little. Don’t be mad. We’re worried. You’re a triplet.”

“I kind of knew that.”

“What she means,” Annabelle said, “is you’ve always done things together and now they’re getting married. We’re worried.”

Nevada felt a rush of affection for the three of them. “Thank you, but don’t be. I’m fine. I love my sisters and I’m okay with the wedding.”

She paused, admitting to herself that she felt a little left out. “Maybe it’s a little strange, but I don’t want anything to change.”

Heidi wrinkled her nose. “I know I’m new and I shouldn’t have an opinion.”

“Don’t let that stop you,” Charlie told her.

“I like your sisters,” Heidi continued. “But it seems kind of mean to have a double wedding, leaving you out. Shouldn’t they have gotten married separately?”

“Yes,” Jo said, coming up to the table with a huge plate of nachos. “That would have made the most sense. But they’re in love and happy and people do crazy things when they’re in love. Dakota and Montana love their sister and would never want to hurt her. They really want to have a double wedding. There’s no way to reconcile the two.”

“I’m not hurt,” Nevada said. “I mean that. Sure, I feel funny about it, but I want them to have the wedding of their dreams. I’ll be part of it and that’s what is important.”

Jo put down a stack of napkins and four small plates. “You four are going to get drunk tonight, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Charlie admitted.

“Everyone walking?” Jo asked.

When they all nodded, she said, “The next round is on the house, then.”

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Nevada said, staring at the bartender.

Jo gave a slight smile. “Maybe. But don’t press me on it or I’ll rescind the offer.”

With that she strolled away.

Nevada stared after her. “I guess things are going well with Will. He’s been a pretty happy guy. Everyone’s in love but me.”

The second the words were out, she winced. “I said that aloud, didn’t I?”

The other three nodded.

“Crap. Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Annabelle told her. “Love is great. Except for when it’s ripping out your heart and stomping on it.”

“You, too?” Heidi asked.

“Oh, I’m the poster girl for picking the wrong guy. Trust me, if there’s a selfish bastard within a fifty-mile radius, I’m all over him. Or I was. I’m in the process of retraining myself.”

“How’s that going?” Charlie asked.

“Slow. What about you?”

“Guys find me intimidating.” Charlie shrugged. “Most days I like that.” She glanced around the table. “So Heidi is dealing with her fear of cows, Annabelle’s trying to get over falling for the wrong guy.”

“Again and again,” Annabelle added. “Let’s be specific.”

“Sure. I’ve given up on finding anyone because men are stupid.” She turned to Nevada. “It’s all up to you. You’re going to have to represent us all on the road to happily-ever-after.”

Nevada had been swallowing as Charlie spoke and now she started to choke.

“Me? No way. I’m not good at relationships.”

“You’re seeing Tucker,” Heidi said. “Someone told me that at the grocery store, so it must be true. All the most accurate gossip comes from the grocery store.”

Nevada felt a scream building up in her chest. “‘Seeing’ is a little strong.”

“So, you’re just using him for sex.” Charlie touched her glass to Nevada’s. “I can respect that.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Nevada asked weakly.

Annabelle used her fork to slide several chips onto her plate. “Sure. That artist in town, Caterina Stoicasescu, came into the library this morning. She’s really interesting. Famous, but approachable. Do any of you know her?”

Nevada told herself that banging her head against the table wouldn’t help. But this was a good reminder to be careful about what she wished for.



TUCKER STARED at his calendar. “Why?” he asked, suddenly realizing his perfectly good day was going to spin slowly down the toilet.

Nevada glanced up. “Why what?”

“Our appointment with the mayor. Why?”

“I have no idea. She didn’t send an agenda.”

“Of course she didn’t. She wants to blindside us with something. That’s what city officials do.”

“Not here,” Nevada told him. “She’s happy about the construction. She wants the resort and casino. Because of the treaty with the last of the indigenous Máa-zib tribe, the city gets to tax whatever is built here. It’s not a high percentage, but this is a huge project. Do you know what this is going to do for city revenues? I wouldn’t worry about it.”

He wished he could be as confident. In his experience, local government officials could be a pain in his ass. Until recently his biggest concern had been avoiding Cat. But being around her wasn’t an issue now, which had set him free of the past. Things had been going great, and now this.

“We’re up to date on the paperwork?” he asked.

“Yes. I double-checked that when she asked to see us. I’ve known Mayor Marsha all my life, Tucker. She’s not out to get us.”

He heard a car pull up outside. “I hope you’re right,” he said as he stood and crossed to the door. He stepped outside and walked down the two steps to greet the mayor.

As always, Marsha Tilson was well-dressed in a suit and low heels. Her white hair was in that puffy style women of her age seemed to favor. She had her purse over one shoulder and a folder in her right hand. He eyed the folder, knowing in his gut it was going to mean trouble.

“Good morning,” the mayor said cheerfully.

“Mayor Tilson.” He crossed to her and held out his hand. “Nice to see you.”

“Please, Tucker. I’ve asked you to call me Mayor Marsha.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he murmured, before he could stop himself.

They shook, then she glanced around.

“You’re making progress. The land is nearly cleared. I understand there is to be some blasting soon. If you would make sure you schedule it on a school day so we don’t have too many young bystanders, I would appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

“Excellent.” She motioned to the trailer. “Shall we?”

He wasn’t exactly sure how she’d gotten control of the conversation, but there she was, leading him inside his own trailer as if she were the hostess.

He climbed the stairs and walked in to find her settling on the chair by Nevada’s desk.

“Cramped quarters,” she said, taking the mug of coffee Nevada handed her. “I suppose you don’t want to waste the money on an expensive office. Very sensible.”

“Thanks.”

He pulled up a chair and sat across from her. Nevada sank into her own seat.

The mayor set the folder on the desk. “The city council and I are very pleased with how things are progressing here. You’re ahead of schedule, which is wonderful. The team you’ve brought in is an excellent addition to the town. They’re well-mannered and eating out nearly every night.” She smiled. “Something our local businesses appreciate.”

Nevada shot him a “See?” look. He relaxed a little. Maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe there wasn’t a problem.

“Mr. Janack, you’ve been a pleasure to work with.”

“Tucker, please.”

Mayor Marsha nodded. “Tucker.” She glanced at Nevada, then back at him. “Which is why it pains me to have to come here and talk about something less than pleasant.”

He held in a groan. Here it comes, he thought, trying to figure out what could have the good mayor’s panties in a bunch.

“What’s wrong?” Nevada asked. “All the permits are in order, we’re paying our fees, the plans have been approved.”

The mayor reached across the desk and patted Nevada’s hand. “Not to worry. I have no complaints about the construction. I wish the rest of my city business ran as smoothly. What I have instead is a more delicate problem. One I need your help with.” She turned to Tucker. “You, especially.”

He didn’t like the sound of that. “All right,” he said slowly. “What’s the problem?”

“Caterina Stoicasescu.”

“Cat?” Nevada asked. “What has she done?”

“More important,” Tucker said. “What makes you think I can help?”

Nevada glanced at him. “Give it up. Our mayor knows everything.”

He didn’t know what to say about that.

Mayor Marsha drew in a deep breath. “Returning to the topic at hand, this must be fixed. On the surface, Ms. Stoicasescu has been nothing but generous. When we invited her to our artist series, we never dreamed someone of her caliber would attend. She’s been delightful, giving interviews, speaking with students at the schools. She even taught a class at the college.”