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“Ah. You two going on a date?”
Myka shook her head, but before she could elaborate, Betty added, “Too bad.”
“Joshua Nez isn’t right for me, Betty. The most we’ll ever be is friends.” Hearing a knock on the door, Myka stood. “That must be him now. Come on in, Josh.”
Joshua came in a moment later, wearing a lightweight sports jacket, dress slacks and an open-necked shirt. Myka bit back a sigh. No matter what he wore, he was always eye candy. Although he looked professional, there was an unmistakable ruggedness about him. Untamed—that word fit him the best.
Seeing Betty, Josh smiled. “It’s been a long time,” he said, and shook her hand. Looking down at her daughter, who’d come over, he smiled. “And who’s this?”
“I’m Evie,” the girl said.
“Pleasure, Evie.” Joshua shook hands with her, too, and she beamed.
Evie looked back at Betty. “Is it okay if I go outside to play with Teddy Bear?”
Myka looked at Joshua. “She means Bear.”
Joshua raised his eyebrows. “From what you’ve told me, that dog is way too big to play with a kid Evie’s size.”
“He’s like a big teddy bear,” Evie said. “And he’s my friend. Can I go get him, please?”
Myka crouched in front of Evie. “Bear’s not around right now, sweetie,” she said gently. “When Mr. Nez went to heaven, Bear wanted to be by himself for a while.”
“Oh, okay,” she said. Then, after a heartbeat, “Can I have another cookie?”
“One more and that’s it,” Betty said.
Myka smiled. “I love the way kids do that. No disappointment lingers for long. They can switch gears in an instant.”
“I envy her that, too,” Betty said softly, then focused on Josh. “I’m glad you’re here, Josh. I wanted to ask you a favor. Would you drop by the Blue Spruce Inn on Main Street tomorrow morning? I’ll trade you breakfast—all homemade—for your opinion on my renovating ideas. We have a tight budget, so I have to make sure I don’t make any costly mistakes.”
“Who’s we?” he said, picking up on that immediately.
Betty winced. “Myka, Will and I are partners.”
“It’s mostly Betty’s thing,” Myka said quickly. “Will and I chip in with the property taxes and help out with other expenses when we can.”
“Wait a sec. I’m missing something. You’re spending money to fix up an inn here in Independence?” he asked.
Betty nodded. “It’ll be more of a B and B. A lot of people come into this part of the state during hunting and skiing season, and on summer vacation. It’ll be a seasonal business, but I think we’ll be able to make it work.”
“I’ll be glad to stop by tomorrow and take a look,” Joshua said, “but I should warn you. One of your partners may not appreciate my input.”
“That’ll be Will’s problem, then. Myka and I would really appreciate your expertise,” Betty said.
Hearing the grandfather clock chime, Myka gasped. “Oh, no! We have to go right now, Josh. The meeting is at Liza’s house and we’ll be late.”
“Wait—you’re going to a crafter’s meeting?” Betty asked, looking at Josh. “There aren’t any woodworkers there, I don’t think. It’s mostly the knitting, crocheting and weaving crowd.”
“Tonight will be different,” Myka said. “We’re going to do some serious brainstorming and try to come up with ideas on how to help Independence. The more input, the better. Why don’t you come, Betty?”
“I wish I could, but I have to get Evie home, then it’s dinner, bath and bed. Let me know what happens.”
Myka saw Betty and Evie to the door, then came back for her purse.
“What’s Betty’s story?” Joshua asked, after she’d left. “That was Tony’s kid, right?”
Myka nodded. “Betty’s had some rough times, thanks to Tony, but she and her daughter will be okay now that they’re back home,” she said, unwilling to add any more details. “Ready to go?”
* * *
WHEN THEY ARRIVED, people were in the den hovering around a table covered with inexpensive snacks—everything from pretzels to chips, salsa and iced tea.
The gathering, normally consisting of ten or twelve, was nearly double that size. Many familiar faces were present, mostly the husbands and adult children of the regulars. Liza’s sofa and two easy chairs had been supplemented by several dining room chairs and a dozen metal folding chairs borrowed from the Independence Methodist Church.
As Myka stepped into the room, Liza caught her eye then went around to the TV, the focal point of the family room.
“Time to get started, everyone,” she announced.
As a hush descended, Myka moved to stand beside Liza. “I’m glad to see you all here. Most of you know Joshua Nez,” she said and motioned to where he stood. “I’ve asked him to join us because he’s an architect and he comes up with new ideas all the time. Joshua’s also a native of Independence and knows our community.”
Several shout-out welcomes to Joshua went around the room, then Myka continued. “We’re all having a tough time getting by these days. Individually, none of us are in the position to help the community. What we need to do is pull together. A lot of you already know that I’ve got my own small internet business,” she said, and saw people nod. “Business is good, so I’ve been thinking of expanding my inventory to include a variety of crafts. I don’t have the cash to buy your pieces, but I could take them on consignment. Almost everything I’ve listed over the past months has sold within a week or less. Something like this could help everyone’s bottom line and, ultimately, the town’s economy.”
Robyn, Liza’s daughter, stood up next. She had a stately five-foot-eight frame that always commanded attention, as did her beautiful black hair and blue eyes. “Myka, what you’re proposing wouldn’t even make a dent in the town’s economy,” she said in a quiet, nonjudgmental voice.
“I’m not saying it’s a cure-all, or that we’d be rich, but we need to start somewhere. Extra money in our pockets could mean all the difference in the world to Mabel’s Coffee Shop, for example, or Shorty’s Burgers,” Myka said.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Daniel’s grandmother, Elise Medeiros, added.
“Thank you, Grandma,” Myka replied, then glanced around the room. “We have something to offer the world. Our crafts are based on Rio Grande traditions, and there’s always a market for beautiful, handcrafted things.”
“The consignment store idea is good, but we’d each have to work pretty quickly to keep things rolling,” Bertie said. “We have to think this through. Once we start making stuff to sell, it’ll no longer be just our hobby—what we do to relax or take our mind off our troubles.”
“Which means we’d be sucking all the fun out of it,” said Fran Brown, a town councillor. “Then, if we start depending on it, and it dries up...”
She didn’t have to finish the sentence. They’d all been shocked when IVA had shut its doors. Myka glanced around as a heavy silence fell over the room.
“Anytime you try something new, especially in business, there’s a risk,” Joshua said. “But from what I’ve seen of the town, doing nothing is no longer an option.”
“Time’s working against us, but let’s take a few more days to think about this,” Myka said. “Maybe someone else can come up with a better idea by the time we meet again.”
After more discussion, the gathering finally disbanded. Myka and Joshua stayed behind, answering questions and trying to help the others overcome their reluctance.
Finally ready to call it a night, she and Joshua went to the door.
“You’ve planted the seed, Myka. That’s all you can do,” Liza said.
Joshua walked beside her as they headed back to his truck. “I wanted to brainstorm, but I did most of the talking and ended up scaring them,” Myka said.
“Not everyone can greet change with open arms. Some of the people there tonight have lived their entire lives in Independence, and they want things to go back to the way they were.”
“The old days aren’t coming back,” Myka said softly.
“I know, but they’ll have to accept it before they can move on and take action.”
As they crossed the street to where he’d parked, she felt the warmth of his body close to hers. It was a welcome awareness, one that contrasted sharply with the familiar ice-cold blasts of fear and sorrow she’d lived with these past few years.
He held the door open for her. “Give them time, Myka,” Joshua advised. “Their backs are to the wall and they’re scared.”
They were driving down the street at a leisurely pace when they heard a siren behind them and saw the flashing lights of a police cruiser.
Joshua cursed and pulled over, turning off the engine.
Seeing Will behind them in the side mirror, Myka tried not to cringe. He was the last person she’d wanted to run into tonight.
“There was no stop sign back there, right?” Joshua asked.
“No. Just stay cool.” A moment later, her brother-in-law came up to the driver’s side window. Seeing Myka on the passenger side, he glared at her.
“What’s the problem, Will?” Joshua asked.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” Will said. “Did you have car trouble, Myka?”
She tried to keep her temper in check. After Tanner’s death, Will had been there for her—day or night. She knew he meant well, but this time he was going too far. “My car’s fine. Joshua’s next door now, so we decided to ride to the Spinning Wheels’ meeting together.”
He scowled at Joshua. “You taking up crochet?”
“I asked him to come,” she said, and explained, though she knew she didn’t have to. “You would have been welcome, too. Your welded sculptures, like that rearing horse you made out of scrap metal, are just stunning. They’re too large to ship easily, so it’s not a good match for my online business, but everyone would have valued your input.”
He expelled his breath in a hiss. “So far your online company’s doing okay, but I still think it’s dangerous for you to do business on the internet. There are too many crazies out there looking for trouble.”
“I really haven’t had any problems, not big ones anyway,” she said. “I’m very careful about protecting myself and my privacy.”
He looked at Joshua. “You never cared much for Independence, so why were you there?”
“To help brainstorm. I have a house to sell, and to do that, Independence will need to get back on its feet.”
“Had to go to college to figure that one out, did you?” Will snapped, then said “Myka, can I talk to you privately?”
She bristled at his tone of voice. Nodding to Will, she glanced at Joshua and added, “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Moments later, Myka stood with Will beside his cruiser. “Will Solis, why are you acting like such a horse’s butt, pulling Joshua over for no reason at all?” she demanded, keeping her voice low. “One of the reasons I asked him along tonight is because I know what it’s like to get a house in order after someone you love passes on. His dad died less than two weeks ago. Cut him some slack, and me, too. And on top of that, mind your own business.”
“Myka, you mean well, but—”
“Will, back off. Joshua’s got some real tough days ahead, getting his father’s things packed and sifting through a million memories. On top of that, he’ll have to deal with regrets—all those things he might have said or done if he’d known his dad was going to die...”
“You’re identifying too much with what he’s going through, Myka. He didn’t lose a spouse—you did.”
She swallowed hard. “Maybe you’re right, Will, but here’s what I think. This isn’t really about Joshua. It’s about you guarding what was Tanner’s—in this case, me—because you think he’d expect that of you.”
“There’s truth there, Myka, but Nez is still bad news,” Will said quietly. “People don’t change. He may have lived here most of his life, but he never really belonged. From what I hear he couldn’t run a business out in San Francisco, either. He’s a loser. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of him.”
“You’re really high and mighty tonight, aren’t you? Instead of playing bully cop and judging Joshua for who you think he was, why don’t you show a little objectivity for once and get to know him?” Myka stopped for a moment, realizing she was getting louder by the word.
“Look who’s getting...” Will began.
“I’m not finished yet, Will,” Myka whispered harshly. “Joshua is stopping by the B and B tomorrow. Betty asked him for advice on some renovations, and he agreed to help in exchange for breakfast. Come by, keep an open mind and leave your attitude in the squad car. Hear what he has to say. This isn’t high school anymore, Will, and you’re not the same kid you were back then, either. Grow up on the inside, too.”
His face turned red, then he took a deep breath. “All right, okay, I’ll give him a chance, but don’t expect miracles. I see things for what they are, not the way I’d like them to be.”
“Fair enough. Just take off the blinders.”
“I want you to do something for me, too, Myka. Don’t trust Joshua, you hear?”
“Trust is something I can figure out on my own. You’re reading way too much into this. To me, he’s just an old friend and neighbor going through a rough time. Back off and think before you get in someone’s face again.”
By the time Myka returned to Josh’s truck, she found that his mood had soured considerably.
Once Will drove off, Joshua put the truck in gear and pulled out. “I don’t know why he’s got a problem with me. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“You got into a lot of trouble back then, though you were usually provoked. I’m not apologizing for him, but with his brother gone, Will’s looking out for family,” Myka said. “He’s rough around the edges, sure, and he tends to go overboard sometimes. Hopefully he won’t act like such a jackass next time you meet.”
“I promised Betty I’d take a look at the inn, but I may have spoken too soon, considering Will’s attitude. I won’t take his bull, cop or not.”
“I’ll be there, and I can stop his nonsense without having to throw a punch. What if I buy you a cup of Mabel’s coffee, then we’ll both cross the street to the Blue Spruce Inn? Betty can cook breakfast burritos that are second to none, but her coffee’s just awful.”
“Mabel’s was my favorite haunt. I’m glad to hear it’s still there. Even when I was broke, I’d stand out on the sidewalk so I could enjoy the scent of fresh coffee and those incredible tiny doughnuts.”
“She only serves coffee these days but, yeah, Mabel’s is still there and her coffee’s better than ever. Money’s tight for everyone, but we all consider her signature blends a guilty pleasure.”
“Okay, then. You’re on. What time do I pick you up tomorrow?” he asked.
“How about we get an early start? Seven too early, city boy?” she teased.
He laughed. “By that time, I’d already battled traffic and was sitting at my desk.”
It didn’t take long for them to get home. As he parked in Myka’s driveway, she spotted movement by the juniper hedge. “Bear!”
She bolted out of the pickup and ran toward the dog, calling his name, but the animal vanished back into the dark.
“Are you sure that was him?” Joshua asked, catching up a heartbeat later. “It could’ve been a coyote.”
“Coyotes aren’t that big, and there aren’t many left around here these days,” she said, still trying to peer into the darkness.
“Bear!” she called again, but there was no response.
“If that was him, then it’s clear he stuck around. He’ll probably come back when he’s ready. All the activity around Dad’s house might have made him nervous, not to mention Dad’s absence. Once things settle down, I’m sure he’ll be back.” He walked her to her door. “Myka, one last thing...thanks.”
