Page 46 of No More Secrets

Shiloh looks at him through narrowed eyes. He shrugs, confused. What else is he supposed to say without compromising them?

Shiloh turns back to Ivy. “He is.”

Both of them look at Shiloh. “Is what?” Ivy asks.

“Doing something,” she clarifies, her fork nudging a chunk of ground meat across her plate. “He’s letting me live here. I’m better off with him than my mom.” She crams lasagna into her mouth.

For pete’s sake. Why does his throat feel tight? What’s with the warmth expanding in his chest? That’s the third time today.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Ivy announces. “I hope your uncle lets you stay as long as you need.” She looks pointedly at Lucas.

“I already told her she can.”

Ivy nods, satisfied for the moment.

Shiloh drags a fork tine through sauce. He begs under his breath that she doesn’t start going off about Finn and her plans to move to Hollywood to live with him. The way Lucas sees it, if the guy is worth anywhere close to the sauce on her plate, he would have shown his face by now to collect her. Doesn’t he give a lick about her safety?

Ivy changes the subject. “I’ve rented out Mike’s old apartment.”

That gets Lucas’s attention. “You have?” The apartment has been listed for some time.

“A nice young woman passing through town who needs a place to stay for a week.”

“A week? It’s an apartment, not a hotel.”

“I need the money. She’ll be paying by the day. We agreed over the phone.”

“You didn’t meet her?”

Ivy’s mouth pinches. She sips her water, dodging Lucas’s pointed gaze.

He shouldn’t care who Ivy rents to or for how long. But he’s finding it hard to not care after everything Ivy’s done for him. Plus he’s got Shiloh. He has to think of her safety. He doesn’t want some random loitering around the property.

“How much is she paying you?”

“None of your business.”

“How do you know she isn’t taking advantage of you?” She could be a con artist, and this is only the beginning of her scheme. She’ll squat and never leave. In fact, it’s unsettling Ivy doesn’t know anything about this woman.

“Did she sign a lease?”

Ivy sets down her glass with a firm clunk. “You didn’t sign anything.”

Pot, meet kettle.

He scowls at his plate.

Ivy’s hands lower to her lap. “I’ll make sure she signs one tomorrow,” she acquiesces, making him feel better. “But I need the rent money, however little it is. The building has been on and off the market for three years, and there’ve been no takers. No one in town wants to get stuck with it. You won’t buy me out. I’m done, Lucas. I’m too old for this. I want to retire. Travel.” She looses a heavy sigh. “Sorry. I didn’t want to bring this up during dinner. I know you’re tired of hearing about it.”

He’s starting to feel guilty for declining, and that bothers him as much as if not more than the way he’s starting to realize he cares for her.

Done with her lasagna, Shiloh puts down her fork. “You want Lucas to buy this building and run the store?”

“Yes. I think he’ll be very good at it. He’ll turn this place around.”

He’d redesign the building’s facade and market’s layout, bring in seasonal products that specifically targeted the needs of the locals, drew in tourists. He’d upgrade each apartment, new fixtures, flooring, and appliances. If he wasn’t worried about his future, or lack of one, he’d jump at the opportunity.

“Why don’t you?” Shiloh asks.