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"Get me an estimate," Marsha told her "Pia, do you have a full report prepared?"

"I just found out thisI’ll have it to you toolf tourna to Josh later, to get a feel for the race"

Gladys raised her eyebrows "Is that all you’ll be getting a feel for?"

"Not everyone has your thing for Josh," Pia told the older woman

"Name one woman who doesn’t"

Most of the women chuckled Charity did her best to look as if she was enjoying the joke without drawing attention to herself

Last night was burned into her brain She couldn’t believe what had happened, what she’d done She’d never been that wild or uninhibited in her life and she’d certainly never uy she barely knew

And yet…she couldn’t seeret Not only because the physical experience had been incredible, but because the more time she spent with Josh, the more she actually liked him

Now, as Pia went into more detail about the race, Charity wondered hoould handle the news It would probably upset hi syht even want interviews Plus, having all those racers in toould re he’d been forced to walk away froest that he head out of town for the weekend and avoid the circus But Josh wouldn’t He would stay and be available and not let anyone knoas eating hiht with excitement "I saved the best for last"

"I’m not sure how there can beto be riding in the race He’s ht here in Fool’s Gold"

Conversation exploded Everyone was talking over everyone else Even Alice looked happy about the news Charity did her best to join in the et her ? How could he?

She’d heard the pain in his voice when he talked about the accident and his inability to ride with anyone Wouldn’t racingand exposure? Wouldn’t the whole town see what he was doing?

Even as she asked herself the questions, she wondered if that was the point If he’d decided to face the problem head-on If he was successful, it would be an impressive moment But if he failed, the world would know Talk about ju in the deep end She didn’t know if she should admire him or tell him to think about therapy

Marsha called for order and theresumed When it was finished, Charity made sure she walked out with Robert They had soht," he said as they headed down the hall "What are you doing this weekend?"

She winced silently She waited until they’d stepped into her office to speak

"Thanks for inviting arden The thing is, while I would love for us to be friends, I don’t see us having a romantic relationship"

He frowned at her "I don’t understand Last night I thought you had a good time"

"I did" A polite lie, she told herself

"Is there someone else?"

"No"

Not a lie Yes, she and Josh had done the wild thing, but that did not a relationship make After all, it wasn’t as if she was in love with hiet involved," she said "But I’reat, Robert I know you’ll find so so ht you were special, Charity That’s why I wanted to get to know you better"

"I appreciate that"

"If you’re sure?"

"I am"

"Okay"

He left She returned to her desk, relieved there hadn’t been anything remotely uncomfortable about their conversation A cheap lesson, she told herself Workplace romances were innately difficult She should avoid them

Josh didn’t work in City Hall, a little voice in her whispered Interesting, but not significant, she told herself fir for soht had been about as real as it could get

"MY LIFE IS INSANE," Pia said, two days later, as she sat across fro the idea of the bike race, but talk about extra work I ets closer"

"Absolutely," Charity told her

"I’ out what volunteers can do Crystal’s really excited about the whole thing, especially Josh corinned "Like the rest of us, she once had a thing for him Before she met her husband"

"It does see she sounded both friendly and neutral

"Crystal’s great at organizing, but with her being sick, she can’t always be available Still, I’ll take what I can get" She scanned the ive us a lot otten otherwise I never understood why he retired when he did He was at the top of his ga to watch"

Until the race where Frank died, Charity thought, knowing the loss had devastated Josh and stolen a piece of him

The server came and they placed their orders When she’d left, Pia leaned toward Charity "You look great That jacket is adorable Ahed "Yes Pia, it’s fine I told you before, I appreciate your blunt, albeit drunk, honesty about how I looked I’etting highlights"

"They’d look good on you" Pia sipped her diet soda "The probleo The two best places in town are owned by two sisters who have a serious rivalry Not only for clients, but for gossip Each of the If you’re loyal to one, you’re the ene back and forth They try to pin me down, but I won’t let them"

"That sounds like a lot of work"

"It is, but worth it to keep the peace You’re still living at the hotel, aren’t you? There used to be a salon there, but it closed How is it living like the rich and famous?"

"Not so rich and certainly not faet a special rate through the city" Coht Marsha had told her about the discount when she’d hired Charity

"I’ve started looking for a house to buy," she continued "There was one place I saw that was terrific It’s a restored crafts about it except the price I heard the oould be willing to bargain, but even then I’ it"

Pia frowned "Which house is that?"

Charity told her the street "There’s a wide porch and a beautiful backyard I love the mature trees on the street"

"Who told you the oilling to deal?"

Charity tried not to feel trapped "Um, Joshsmile "He must really like you He put a lot oftop dollar for it"

"What do you o and fixed it up Actually he was still racing then, so he had the work done He used it as a rental, then decided to sell it I know a few people are interested and he’s not lowering the price for them"

Pia’s expression turned speculative "He’s always put business before the ladies, but that see"