Wild Iris Ridge

“Oh, that would be the perfect place!” Charlotte exclaimed. “People would love a chance to stay in one of the early silver mansions.”

“I have no idea how much work awaits me. My plan after breakfast is to go through room by room and start making lists.”

That panic began pressing in on her again. She felt completely out of her comfort zone with the whole idea—but maybe that was exactly what she needed. Maybe she had become too settled, too complacent with her life.

“If you need any help,” Charlotte said, “Genevieve is just opening an interior design business. She does amazing work.”

The mayor’s daughter looked pleased and a little embarrassed at the endorsement. “I’m only just starting out. I’m sure Lucy has other plans in mind for what she wants to do with the place.”

“Not really. I’d love for you to take a look at it and give me your thoughts.”

Before Genevieve could respond, Dermot came out from the kitchen and spotted them.

“Why, look who’s here! It’s my lovely daughter and my lovely daughter-to-be.”

Genevieve blushed at this, and both women greeted him with kisses on the cheek. Lucy studied the mayor’s daughter more closely.

“You’re engaged to one of the Caine boys? Really? You’re a brave woman, Ms. Beaumont. No offense, Dermot.”

He laughed cheerfully. “None taken. Believe me, I know exactly how brave she is to take on this particular son.”

He hugged Genevieve again, who seemed to light up with happiness. Lucy was aware of a sharp pang of envy that Genevieve apparently had been absorbed into the huge, boisterous, loving Caine family.

“Which brother?” she asked. “Let me guess. Aidan.”

The tech genius had accrued a fortune in Silicon Valley and was worth millions, which would probably suit the elegant Genevieve. She had met him a few times over the years at various business functions.

Because of their shared connection to Hope’s Crossing, he always found a few moments to speak with her, earning her jealous snake-eyes from some of her female associates, who tended to go a little out of their heads for Aidan’s brilliant mind and his sexy-nerd good looks.

“Good heavens, no,” Genevieve exclaimed. “I barely know Aidan. I think I’ve only met him two or three times. He terrifies me, if you want the truth.”

“Jamie, then?” She never would have thought the sexy charmer of a helicopter pilot would settle down, even for someone as lovely as Genevieve.

“Wrong again,” Charlotte said with a grin.

Lucy did a few quick calculations. She knew the older two of Charlotte’s brothers were married. Surely not...Brendan. Impossible.

Why was it impossible? she asked herself. Jess had been gone more than two years. Did she really expect him to hold on to her memory forever? But still. Picturing Genevieve Beaumont as stepmother to Faith and Carter left a cold, tangled knot in her stomach.

“So you’re marrying...”

“Dylan!” Genevieve said, with obvious relish, as if Lucy couldn’t have made any other guess.

Just like that, the sickly feeling eased. “Dylan! Wow. That’s...terrific.”

And wholly unexpected. Last she heard, the youngest Caine brother had nearly died while fighting in Afghanistan and had been left with lifelong scars.

He seemed an odd pick for a woman who was obviously very aware of her appearance and who was starting an interior design business. But what did she know?

Nothing in Hope’s Crossing was turning out as she expected.

She couldn’t doubt the woman was deeply in love with Dylan, not when she saw the joy bloom on her lovely features.

“We’re having a quiet sunrise ceremony this summer in a meadow near his house in Snowflake Canyon.”

“Followed by a huge blowout bash that’s going to take over the entire ski resort,” Charlotte added dryly.

Genevieve beamed. “It has to be huge!” she protested. “What else do you expect from a double reception? Half of that is from your side.”

“Who else is getting married?” Lucy asked, feeling a little lost.

Charlotte waved her hand, which Lucy now saw sported a tasteful princess-cut diamond.

“Oh, congratulations. I hadn’t heard.”

“Thank you.”

“She’s marrying Smokin’ Hot Spence Gregory,” Genevieve said.

“Spence? Really?”

“Yes. Spence.” Charlotte’s joy was softer than Genevieve’s but every bit as genuine.

Though Lucy had lived in Seattle, she had been a big fan of the Portland Pioneers and had even driven down a few times to watch Smoke Gregory’s amazing fastball. His fall from grace as a Major League Baseball pitcher a few years before had been a personal blow—and the way he had clawed his way back from a dark place just as inspiring.

Maybe she should learn a few things from him.

“They’re getting married at the church the night before Dylan and I are tying the knot. We’ve decided on separate ceremonies and a combined reception. Doesn’t that sound fabulous?”

“It really does. Wow. A girl leaves town for a decade and everything changes. Congratulations, both of you.”

“Thank you! We’re meeting people for breakfast. You look as if you have nearly finished eating, but we would love to have you join us for coffee and conversation.”

Lucy was sorely tempted, struck again by how very few female friends she had. She was suddenly greedy for friends—and not just any friends, these women.

At the same time, she wasn’t sure she could pull off being warm and friendly when she felt so wrecked by everything that had happened the past few days. It wasn’t every week a woman lost the job of her dreams or tried to burn down the only thing she had left.

“Another time, I would love that. Right now I need to head over to Iris House and take a look at the damages.”

“Oh, good luck,” Charlotte said. “We’ll definitely catch up while you’re in town.”

“Genevieve, if you’re serious about helping me with Iris House, I would greatly appreciate any input. Maybe we could make an appointment next week for you to walk through with me and at least give me some idea where to start.”

The other woman looked thrilled. “That would be fantastic! I just had these really cute cards made up.” She reached into the funky fabric bag she carried and pulled out a slim black case. She extracted a business card and handed it over to Lucy. “My cell, business line and email are on there. Call me and we can work something out. Do you have a card we can exchange?”

She had about a jillion and three of them, but they wouldn’t do her any good anymore. “Not on me,” she answered, which wasn’t precisely a lie. “I’ll call you, though.”

“Great. I can’t wait.”