Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)(77)

One of the archaeologists glared at her. “The intrinsic value of a find isn’t determined by whether or not it’s shiny.”

“My viewers are a whole lot more interested in gold than a few wall paintings.”

“Perhaps if they were more educated.”

“Perhaps if you lived in the real world.”

Heidi cleared her throat. “As I was saying…”

Both women turned to face her.

She forced a smile. “We don’t know exactly what we have here. Something valuable, obviously. Important to our history here in Fool’s Gold. As most of you know, there has always been a connection between the town and the Máa-zib tribe. They were a matriarchal civilization, and we have strong women here.”

Women strong enough to solve their problems without deception, she thought grimly. Women who acted instead of lying. She answered a few questions, then led everyone to the cave paintings. As they took pictures and studied the primitive art, she knew she’d made a mistake.

This wasn’t who she was. She’d spent her whole life doing the right thing. This time, when everything she wanted in life was on the line, she’d cheated and lied. Even if Rafe had gone out on a thousand dates, she still should have talked to him and found a point of compromise. She should have talked to May, figured out a way to make it all work. Now she’d set events in motion, and she didn’t know how to stop the runaway train. She could only hope everyone got out before there was a hideous crash, and that the aftermath wouldn’t destroy everything she cared about.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“I HAVEN’T SEEN NINA in a while,” Heidi said.

Rafe came to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Crowds flowed around them.

“Let’s make a deal,” he said. “We won’t talk about Nina, and I’ll buy you anything you want at the carnival.”

“I like to think I have higher standards than that. It would take at least three Ferris wheel rides and cotton candy to buy my silence.”

“Done.”

A little boy ran into the back of her legs. Rafe pulled her off the sidewalk and into a brightly lit alley by the sporting goods store.

“I didn’t ask Nina to come here.”

His gaze was steady as he spoke, as if he wanted to be sure she believed him.

“I didn’t think you had.”

“She just showed up.”

“I’m sure that’s true.” She smiled. “You looked shocked when she walked over.”

“You have no idea. I’d already told her we were done. I’m not using her services anymore.”

She studied his familiar face, the dark eyes, the strong line of his jaw. He looked different these days. Tanned, even more muscled. In his cotton shirt and jeans, he was just a guy. Not Rafe Stryker, dangerous tycoon.

But he was as dangerous as he had always been. Not only because of their pending case before the judge, but because of what he could do to her emotionally. His making sure she knew he wasn’t going to be dating Nina’s picks was both good and bad news. At least she didn’t have to think about him out with other women. On the other hand, she could now pretend it was because of her. That he cared and they were involved and she wasn’t going to get her heart broken.

“She’s determined,” he added. “I guess she doesn’t believe in letting clients get away. That’s why she came.”

“It’s okay,” she told him.

He stared into her eyes. “I wanted to be sure you knew.”

He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. His hold was strong and sure. As if he would protect her from danger. They stepped back into the Friday evening crowd.

Fool’s Gold was the kind of place that loved festivals. There were year-round events, celebrating everything from summer to harvest to the traditional holidays. For the few weeks when the average calendar didn’t provide an excuse to party, the town made up events.

The locals came out to participate, and tourists arrived from all over. Hotel rooms were booked weeks in advance, as friends, couples and families took advantage of the affable atmosphere and easy fun.

“Now about that Ferris wheel ride,” he said.

Heidi shook her head. “I was kidding. I don’t need to ride the Ferris wheel.”

“Who said anything about need?”

“You said you like the Tilt-A-Whirl.”

“I did as a kid. I don’t think it would be as appealing now.”

They stopped and bought churros, because dessert before dinner was important. As they were waiting in a line for drinks, Heidi waved to one of her friends.

“Nevada Hendrix,” she said, then laughed. “I mean, Nevada Janack. From the construction site.”

“Where we went to get Athena.”

She watched him carefully as he spoke, wondering if he would give a hint of his real plans, but he only nodded.

“An impressive project.”

Nevada and Tucker joined them.

“I love when the carnival comes to town,” Nevada said, after they’d greeted each other. “It’s fun. Dakota is taking Hannah on the Ferris wheel for the first time. Finn is trying to juggle a camera and the baby, so we have to get back to help.” She hugged Heidi. “I don’t see you enough. Let’s have lunch this week.”