A Town Called Valentine(44)

“Why are you so quick to defend a store you know nothing about?”

She hesitated, then found herself saying, “Because my mother owned a new age store.”

He shot her a surprised look. “I didn’t think anyone from Valentine Valley had such free-spirited ideas.”

“Why do you think she left?” Or that’s what Emily had always been told. Her grandmother’s revelation rose unbidden in her mind. “Delilah was born too late to be a hippie though she’d have fit right in.”

“Delilah?”

“She liked me to call her by her first name. I always thought she felt too young to be a mom. She was only nineteen when she had me.” So young and hotheaded. Delilah fled Valentine rather than admit to her own mom that she was pregnant. “Her real name was Dorothy, but she changed it in San Francisco.”

“Part of her new age image?”

Nate seemed curious rather than condescending, and she felt herself relax as they slowly strolled down Main Street. “Or her image of herself. She had different ideas about everything, from the Wiccan religion to tarot readings.”

“But not you?”

“No, I’m more practical, like my dad.” She’d thought about him with love and fondness for so many years, she was surprised to feel her eyes sting. “He died when I was seven. He loved my mother, and didn’t care what her beliefs were, as long as they made her happy.” Had he loved her so much he could accept another man’s baby? Oh, why couldn’t she forget about that?

“So if you’re practical like your dad, it sounds like maybe you and your mom didn’t get on real well.”

She eyed him even as she came to a stop outside her building. “We didn’t understand each other. She was happy with her popular store and her succession of men.”

“But not happy with you?” he asked in a teasing tone.

She couldn’t answer lightly. “No.”

His smile faded. “Sorry if I’m prying.”

“It’s okay. She didn’t understand how I could drop out of college to get married. Frankly, I think we disappointed each other.”

“You were practically a baby when you got married.”

“I know. But I was in love, and people in love can make the wrong decisions.” She was revealing too much. “So that’s why I know all about new age stores. Honestly, I’m as surprised as the old guys that you have one here. Your preservation-fund committee didn’t have a problem with it?”

“They don’t control the town,” Nate said, then sighed. “And Mrs. Palmer likes to read tarot cards.”

She was delighted to hear him almost sounding annoyed. “I’m glad they’re not too conservative since I just discovered that an unusual company is showing interest in my building.”

“Unusual company?” he echoed.

“Uh-huh. It’s called Leather and Lace.”

“I don’t suppose it specializes in Stevie Nicks stuff,” he said, arching an eyebrow.

“Nope. It’s a lot better than that. But I am impressed at your musical knowledge.” She grinned.

He sighed. “So what’s the store?”

“Naughty lingerie. They want to see the building when I’m done.” His wince made her laugh aloud. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a prude, Nate Thalberg.”

“You of all people know I’m not.”

She choked on her laugh.

“But Valentine prides itself on being family-oriented,” he said. “A store like that might get some protests—not from me, of course.”

“Of course. But Valentine is a romance-focused town, after all. Brooke told me the B&Bs host wedding showers all the time. Lingerie is the perfect gift. Besides, I’m sure the window displays will only hint at what’s inside. And is this about the preservation-fund committee?”

“They’ll be overly interested,” he said with a sigh. “And I’ll get to hear all about it.”

“Oh, I see. So you have a personal motive for your complaint.”

“Well, I can hardly object to the store itself, and call myself a red-blooded man.”

“This isn’t a chain store, so they can’t object to that. This will only be their third store, and they’re all owned by one person.” They had reached her building, and as she unlocked the front door, she took the bag from him. “Thanks for your help, Nate, and your offer to lend me tools. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.” She went inside and closed the door behind her, giving him a little wave through the glass.