Hold Me (Fool's Gold #16)(23)

“I do.”

“No, you don’t. Music is the most important part of my life, and you’re keeping me from it.”

“I’m sorry. Sorry that I lied and sorry you’re hurt now.” She paused, knowing what she had to say and not wanting to say it. No. It wasn’t the words she regretted, it was the actions that would follow.

“I can teach you to play,” she said softly. “Guitar and piano. I have a keyboard in my room.”

Starr turned away. “Never mind. I don’t want to learn anything from you.”

Destiny flinched as if she’d been hit. She’d screwed up. “Please, Starr. Don’t punish me by punishing yourself. That never goes well. Let’s spend some time playing this weekend. I can show you a few things that—”

“I said no.” Starr turned back to her computer. “It’s late. I’m tired.”

In other words, get out of my room, Destiny thought.

“Okay.” She stood. “Good night.”

She walked out and closed the door.

She told herself she would do better next time. The subject wasn’t over. She would give Starr a couple of days then bring it up again. Teaching her a few chords wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe it would give them something to talk about. A way to get to know each other.

Because while Destiny might not know everything Grandma Nell would do, she was sure the older woman would make Starr feel welcome and loved. It was a lesson Destiny knew she had to learn.

* * *

ANGELO’S ITALIAN CUISINA was across from the park. The whitewashed building had a large patio with plenty of outdoor dining. Kipling tasted the red wine that had just been delivered to the table.

“Very nice,” he said.

Their server nodded and poured. When he’d left, Shelby leaned toward him.

“Do you ever send the wine back just because?” she asked with a grin.

“No. Not my style.”

“I know. I’m just messing with you. I’m sure in your life, you get enough attention in other ways.”

Not lately, he thought, thinking it had been a long time between women in his life. Between recovering from the crash and then moving to Fool’s Gold, he’d avoided romantic entanglements. But if all went according to plan, he was going to be tangled up very soon. Which wasn’t a subject he would be discussing with his baby sister.

“How’s work?” he asked. They were having dinner at five in the evening. A ridiculous time, but Shelby’s job at the bakery required an early start.

“Good. I’m learning a lot. Amber is trusting me with more and more responsibility. The tourist season is bringing in a lot of business. I had no idea how many people come back year after year. They remember what they ordered last time, and we sure had better have it now.”

He nodded to show he was listening. He admired Shelby’s enthusiasm. A year ago she’d been dealing with a mother dying of cancer and a father who thought nothing of putting his fist into his only daughter’s face.

“I suggested we have a food cart at the last festival. Amber wasn’t sure it would work, but we sold out of everything before noon. It was a huge moneymaker.”

“Congratulations on impressing the boss.”

“Thanks. I have a lot of ideas.” Shelby glanced down at the table then back up. “Amber and I have been talking.”

Kipling recognized the tone and the strategy. He braced himself for something he knew he didn’t want to hear. “And?”

“When her dad retires, she’s going to take over the bookstore. There’s no way she can run two businesses at the same time. So she’s looking for a partner in the bakery. I was thinking I want to buy into the bakery with her.”

Kipling deliberately inhaled, giving himself time to think before speaking.

“That’s a great opportunity,” he said slowly. “Are you sure you’re ready for it?”

“I know what I’m doing. I love the work, and I want to stay in Fool’s Gold permanently.”

“You’re more than capable of making a decision about this on your own. I’m just asking that you think it through. You haven’t been here that long. You’re coming off a very difficult emotional loss. Buying into a business is a big responsibility. What if you and Amber want different things for the business? It won’t be just a job anymore. You can’t quit and walk away.”

“I don’t walk away,” she snapped. “I don’t leave. I stay where I am.”

He told himself not to take her comments personally. That she wasn’t talking about his leaving. Because he had left. When he’d gotten the opportunity to work with his ski coach, he’d jumped at it. He’d been all of fourteen. Shelby had been a half dozen years younger. He’d told himself she would be safe. Mostly because their father hadn’t started hitting her yet.

“I worry because you lead with your heart,” he told her gently. “I worry because I want you to be sure you’re doing what you want and not simply acting to help Amber. Helping a friend is a good thing, but in this case it could tie you to something permanently.”

She sagged back in her seat, as if the fight had gone out of her. “I know you care. I love you, too. But, Kipling, you have to stop taking care of me. I’m not one of your projects. I don’t need fixing.”