Homeward Bound

“Telmon thinks he’s looking for a tax write-off. The guy checks out. He’s legit.”

“But—”

“The good news is that after the sale, there’ll be money left to tide you over until you figure out what you’re going to do after graduation.”

She struggled to summon some excitement. “Great.”

“You don’t sound ‘great.’ What’s the matter?” he demanded.

“I’m just surprised that anyone would want to buy the business.” What was wrong with her? The store was her last remaining tie to Nowhere—except for Royce. She should be elated someone wanted the dump. If she sold the business, she’d have no reason to return there. All the better. Nothing waited for her in Nowhere anymore.

Crazy as it seemed, the thought of saying a final goodbye to her birthplace saddened her. After her mother had abandoned her, she’d stopped thinking of Nowhere as her home…it had been just a place she’d survived.

“The offer is one hundred and fifty thousand.”

“That’s all?”

“Considering the financial mess your father made of the business, the amount is damn generous. You’ll be left with five thousand after paying the bank note, back taxes and creditors.”

“Oh.” Sighing, she collapsed on the end of the bed.

“Heather—”

The ominous undertone in his voice set off a warning bell in her head.

“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Maybe.” If not for Royce’s visit last week she’d probably have jumped at the offer.

But Royce had shown up at the day care and he’d sent her world spinning. Since then, not an hour had gone by that she hadn’t reminisced about the past. About the one time they’d kissed that Saturday afternoon in April three years ago…about the night she’d called him a month later before her end-of-the-year finals in May to accept his offer to spend the summer at his ranch…about the cruel way he’d rejected her, insisting that their kiss had been a big mistake.

If not for his unexpected visit last week, Heather would never have believed that Royce might have been lying three years ago when he’d told her to get lost. But she’d caught the naked longing in his eyes when their gazes first clashed—the same longing she’d seen when they’d kissed that first time. Heather was convinced Royce felt…something for her. Why he denied his feelings was a mystery she was determined to solve.

Her father’s death had brought Royce back into her life. This time she wasn’t letting him push her away until she understood why he’d rejected her. The fact that Royce wanted her to stay away from Nowhere was her first clue that he was hiding something from her.

The store was the excuse she needed to return home and do a little digging into the past.

“Listen, you can’t save the business unless you come up with a truckload of money.”

“Sheesh, Royce. Have a little faith in me, will you?” Just like all the other good folks in Nowhere, Royce believed her nothing more than an airhead.

“You’re not exactly the queen of capability and commitment.”

“I’ve changed since going away to school.”

“You haven’t changed that much.”

Royce had just laid down the gauntlet. “Oh?”

“You don’t really want to run the store.”

She cringed. Unloading sacks of corn feed held as much appeal as gutting fish on a hot, humid day. But pretending to care about the business was as good an excuse to go home as any. If she could persuade her professors to allow her to take her two remaining classes by correspondence, she’d still earn her degree by the end of the summer. Then if things didn’t work out with Royce, she’d leave Nowhere, find a job and begin a new chapter in her life. “I could run the business until I get a better offer.”

“A better offer? You’re kidding.” Yep. The hint of desperation in his voice convinced her that he was harboring a secret. “Heather…you are joking, aren’t you?”

“I’m not ready to sell.”

“The store isn’t a game or a toy you can toss aside when you’re tired of playing around.”

“I never thought of the business as a toy.”

“C’mon, Heather.”

“Decline the offer.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to call them back. Change her mind. Run for cover. There was no guarantee she’d even find the answers she sought, and if she did…could she handle the truth?

“Haven’t I always looked out for your best interests?”

“Whether you approve or not, Royce, I’m coming home.”

Returning to Nowhere might prove to be the most rash, absurd, worst decision she’d ever made in her life—so far. But once she gave voice to her plan, a sense of peace filled her.

“You’re not dropping out of college. Christ, Heather. You’re too close to getting a degree to quit now.”

“What makes you think I won’t get my degree?”

“Heather—”

“Listen up, buckaroo. I’ve managed to stay in college and not drop out. I’ve managed a B average in all my classes—and that’s a lot of classes over seven years. I’ve managed to work several different part-time jobs to help support me while in school. I’ve managed—”

“Stop.” His shout startled Heather into silence. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he added in a quieter voice. “But managing a business, an almost bankrupt business, is a lot of responsibility.”

She admitted that he had every right to believe she’d run when the going got tough. She’d done plenty of running in the past. Well, actions spoke louder than words. She was through running.

Proving she could oversee the store would be the first step in earning his respect. And for some reason, she yearned for Royce’s respect. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ve made up my mind.”

A burst of pure, sweet rebellion broke free inside her, and she reveled in the exhilarating sensation. She unknotted the towel over her breasts and flung it across the room. Stark naked, chin high, she faced her adversary…through the cell phone signal. “It’s time I, not you, decide what’s best for me.”

“Heather. Stay put.”

“Goodbye, Royce.”

“I’m warning you, Heather—”

She flipped the phone shut, cutting him off in mid threat. After returning to the bathroom, she finished her shower, then shimmied into a pair of sparkling purple panties and a matching bra. She tingled with excitement and fear. Dealing with the feed store on her own terms would help her put the past to rest and determine her future—with or without Royce.

Monday she’d visit her professors and explain about her father’s death and her wish to settle his estate. She was positive they’d allow her to complete her courses by correspondence. Tomorrow, she’d quit her job at the law library and put an ad in the paper to sublet the house. If all went well, she’d return to Nowhere by the first week of June.

Now, if she could only figure out how to save her father’s business. An idea started to form. If she used psychological profiles to chart the wants and needs of customers…Later tonight, after returning from the graduation party, she’d sit down and draw up a business plan.