Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)

“Carter, I told you last night that you can stay with me. I’m all in.”


“I’m all in, too.” He glanced around. “This place is nice, but the kitchen is too small. Where will you put all your cooking stuff?”

“I know.”

He shifted on his feet. “Can you afford something bigger? Because this place is fine if you can’t.”

She squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t worry about money. I’ve been earning my way since I was only a little older than you. I developed a few patents years ago. In addition to my salary, I get very nice licensing checks every quarter and semiannual royalty checks from technical books I’ve written.”

His eyes brightened. “Are you rich?”

“No, but we can afford a larger house.”

“Cool!” He raced to the stairs. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.”

She leaned against the counter and told herself that everything would be fine. She was strong and capable, and she had a support system. As soon as her friends found out what had happened, they would surround her with love and encouragement. And, most likely, casseroles.

She had no empirical evidence for her supposition, but she believed it down to her bones. Until then, until she was brave enough to let them know she’d been desperately wrong about Gideon and her ability to handle a broken heart, she would focus on Carter. On getting him settled with her and figuring out how to keep breathing through the pain of missing the only man she’d ever loved.

* * *

ON THE THIRD day, Gideon went into town. Without Felicia and Carter with him, he felt exposed, but that was the point. He was ready to take what was coming. To have the stones thrown at him. He knew he’d been a bastard and he deserved the punishment.

He’d hurt Felicia. He’d thought only of himself, of what he wanted, and never considered her feelings. He wasn’t sure exactly what she’d wanted or expected, but it hadn’t been to be dumped with no warning. He owed her an apology. Barring that, he should stay the hell out of her life. In the meantime, he fully expected the town to take her side.

He walked by the park and thought about stopping in Brew-haha. Patience was Felicia’s friend. She would sure have something to say to him. But before he got there, he spotted Eddie and Gladys, who waved cheerfully and kept on walking. A few other citizens nodded as he passed, some called out greetings.

No one was pissed. No one yelled. He couldn’t think of why, except that maybe Felicia hadn’t said anything yet.

His chest ached at the thought of her going through this alone. While he wasn’t sure if she’d fallen in love with him, he knew she cared. Felicia didn’t hold back anything. So she had to be hurting. She needed someone to talk to. He had to speak to Patience and make sure she knew.

He turned and walked toward the coffeehouse. When he was across the street, Justice stepped out and moved toward him.

The other man’s stride was purposeful, and Gideon knew this meeting wasn’t accidental. Justice had been waiting. Justice, who considered Felicia a sister.

There was going to be hell to pay, Gideon thought, more than ready to take whatever the other man offered. He wouldn’t defend himself. He would accept it, and maybe when it was over, he would feel better.

Justice stopped in front of him. “Come on,” he said, pointing down the street. “We need to talk.”

Gideon nodded and fell into step with him. He didn’t know where they were headed, and he didn’t care. Maybe back to CDS where Justice could work him over in the quiet of the gym. Or somewhere in the woods. He wasn’t concerned. There was nothing Justice could do that hadn’t been done to him already times a thousand, and in this case, he deserved it.

But instead of a dark alley—something tough to find in Fool’s Gold on a Wednesday afternoon—Justice stepped into Jo’s Bar and led the way into the back room.

Gideon avoided Jo’s. Too many people, too many lights, and during the day, a play area for small children. Justice walked past all that. When he stopped, they were in a much smaller space. One with only a couple of windows up high on the wall. Flat-screen TVs were tuned to ESPN and a car auction. A couple of old guys sat at the bar, nursing beers.

“What can I get you?” the man behind the bar asked.

He looked familiar, but it took him a second to place the old guy. “Morgan? Shouldn’t you be at your bookstore?”

“I will be,” the white-haired man said with a smile. “I have some work to do here, first.”

Justice took a seat on one of the stools. “What they’re having.”

Morgan poured two beers and pushed the glasses across the bar. Justice took one. Gideon ignored the other.

“You brought me here for a reason,” he said.

Morgan nodded. “Good. You’re not stupid. I’d hate to think of Felicia with an idiot.”