Chapter 10

Georgina sauntered around the front of Steve’s truck.

Steve shot Diana a look he hoped said, ‘I’m sorry for the delay’. Georgina was bound to cause one.

She motioned for him to roll down the window, and when he did, she leaned against his door, reaching in to smooth her hand over a nonexistent wrinkle on the sleeve of his shirt.

“Running off so quick?” she purred. “I didn’t get to talk to you today.”

Steve curled his hands tightly around the leather steering wheel. “You know how it is. First day’s always a whirlwind.”

Georgina rested her chin in the palm of her hand, her eyelids lowering in an attempt at seduction. “We’ll have to find time to catch up. Maybe lunch. Or dinner. Or both. I could cook for you at my place.” She toyed with her necklace.

How many different ways could a man say he wasn’t interested before it finally sank in?

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not interested in dating, Georgina. Have a good day.” He popped the gear into drive.

Even if he were interested in someone, it sure wouldn’t be her—too aggressive, too forward.

As the truck pulled away, Georgina crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, shooting Diana a look sharp enough to slice through glass.

Steve let out a long breath as they exited the parking lot. The local country station played a mournful tune—something about a lost dog and a state fair. Perfect.

He glanced at Diana. His stomach clenched. He needed to convince her not to volunteer at Equal Opportunity. But how?

The truth. He had to tell her the truth.

It was time to open up about Peggy, no matter how much it hurt. Her death was a wound he would carry forever, a punishment he relived every night. He had failed her.

But maybe ... maybe he could still save Diana.

Diana glanced sideways at him as the truck veered away from Middletown’s downtown district.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her voice calm but cautious. She still had work to do—lesson plans to finish.

“I’m just taking the long way home, if that’s okay. Like I said, I want to talk.”

She hesitated, and then nodded. She needed to patch things up with Steve if they were going to work together. She slipped on her sunglasses and peeked at him.

He looked—dashing, she admitted silently. Jane Austen would’ve described him that way. The evening light danced across his hair, shifting its color from black to rich chestnut.

She shifted uncomfortably. Put the brakes on, girl. She needed to see Steve the same way she saw Scott, or her father—a man who couldn’t be trusted.

If her breakup with Scott had taught her anything, it was that white knights were fairy tales.

The houses became fewer, the road narrower. Steve turned at a sign that read Panoramic Point.

The road curled around thick trees. Trail signs in various colors dotted both sides, marking paths from beginner to expert. Then they cleared the last bend, and sunlight flooded the cab. Steve eased the truck to a stop at the edge of the pavement and turned off the engine.

Diana drew in a breath.

The lake sprawled before them like a sheet of glass, broken only by thousands of white crests. Beaches stretched along the horizon, golden and wild.

“This is beautiful.” She unbuckled her seatbelt, leaning forward with both hands braced on the dash.

Her tension eased. Maybe she could run here sometime. Maybe she could get used to this place.