They locked gazes. “Are you okay?”

  She swallowed hard. “I have to be,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

  He glance at her arm and made an angry expression. She looked and, sure enough, her arm was red and swollen with finger marks.

  Stone shocked her when he pulled her into his arms and held her close. He caressed her hair and kept his other hand over her waist.

  “You’re safe now. You’re okay,” he reassured her.

  For a moment, she felt herself giving in to his hold. Stone was so muscular and big. Of course his hugs were amazing. But the fear of how men treated her, and always had, had her pulling back. When his hand held her still, it touched her back and she gasped.

  His eyebrows crinkled up and he slowly turned her around.

  “Let me see your back. When I saw him shove you against the counter and grab at your breasts, I fucking lost it,” he told her.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Let me look.” He reached for the hem of her tank top. She stood rigid, unable to move despite the pleasurable way his hands grazed over her skin. He lifted her tank top higher and she heard him curse. “Fucker. I should have knocked him out.”

  “Breaking his nose was good enough,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder. “Thank you, Stone.” The tear escaped from her eye and she quickly wiped it away, then stepped away from him and pulled her tank back down.

  She didn’t look back at him. She couldn’t, or she would wind up in his arms, or maybe even kissing him. She shouldn’t, couldn’t have these feelings. He was a man. He would do her harm. Her focus needed to be this store and its success. Nothing more.

  * * * *

  Stone helped her clean up the mess of paint on the floor in silence. He was still revved up and wished he’d put a real beating on that low-life ex-boyfriend of Lacey’s. This was the shit she was going through. He was the guy that made her leave her job and career, who hurt her, thought nothing of striking her, and who still sought her out. Stone wanted to ask her questions. He wanted to ensure she took precautions and perhaps pressed charges against the guy for today’s incident, but she seemed to handle it with experience, and that concerned him more.

  Could she have been abused by this guy for so long that she didn’t think today’s incident was worth reporting? What else did Jeb do to her? Did she not realize how beautiful, how sexy and sweet she was? He thought about Louie and Junior. When he told them what happened today, they would flip. As much as he wanted to keep his distance and not get involved romantically with Lacey, today changed things. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to ensure her safety and to show her that she was special, not a nobody, as she had expressed earlier.

  The door chimed as someone entered the store. He turned around so fast he nearly knocked over the bucket of water. He was relieved to see it was Suzette.

  “What’s going on in here?” she asked. Lacey looked at Stone and then Suzette stepped closer.

  “What happened to your arm?” Suzette asked and Lacey pulled her bottom lip between her teeth then lowered her eyes.

  “Jeb showed up this morning. Made a mess, but we got it all cleaned up,” he said as he wrung out the mop then leaned it against the counter.

  “Did he hurt you?” Suzette asked, stepping closer to Lacey. Lacey shook her head in denial.

  “He was being his typical asshole self. He knocked over the paint, threatened me, and told me he wanted me back and a bunch of other crap,” she said.

  Stone hadn’t heard any of that. He just saw Jeb attack her and then he sprang into action.

  “I can’t believe he came here. Did you call the police? Did he hurt you?” Suzette asked.

  Lacey looked at Stone, and Stone stepped closer. He reached out and caressed her cheek. “I’ll take this stuff in the back and rinse it. Give it a few minutes to see if we have to go over the floors again.” She nodded her head, and he winked at her before he released her cheek and then lifted the bucket and mop up and walked out of the room.

  * * * *

  Lacey’s heart was pounding inside of her chest. Something was happening here between her and Stone, despite her trying to fight it.

  “What happened?” Suzette asked as she smiled and winked.

  Lacey explained and Suzette smiled wide. “Oh my God, he broke Jeb’s nose? That must have been great. That asshole deserves it. How dare he come in here like he can do whatever he wants.”

  “I know. I was so worried and now I’ll have to continue to worry.”

  “What do you mean? Stone scared him off. Maybe that’s enough to make Jeb move on and leave you be.”

  “If not, what if he returns when I have expensive merchandise in the store and he wrecks it? I wouldn’t put it past him. He was so angry.”

  “Maybe you should have pressed charges. Let me see your back.”

  Lacey turned and Suzette lifted the tank top, then cursed. “That piece of shit. You should call the police, and while you’re at it, get an order of protection against him.”

  “That will enrage him more.”

  “I told her to do the same thing. Maybe you can talk some sense into her,” Stone said as he joined them again.

  “I told you, Stone, it should be over now.”

  “Guys like that don’t take no for an answer. You should press charges. Don’t you realize you don’t deserve to be treated like that?”

  “I do,” she said softly.

  He held her gaze and his voice was firm and caring. “I don’t think you do. I don’t think you realize how beautiful you are, and how good of a person. That guy is trouble and I don’t think you should take today so lightly.”

  “He’s right, Lacey. Maybe think about pressing charges and getting the order of protection. It wouldn’t hurt,” Suzette added.

  “I’ll think about it,” she said.

  “Good. I’ll be in the back. I’m good friends with Chief Chancellor. One phone call and he can have someone over here and begin the process, okay?”

  She nodded her head, and Stone walked to the back of the store.

  When she looked at Suzette, Suzette was wiggling her eyebrows up and down and being silly.

  “What else has been going on here the last two weeks, huh, Lacey?”

  Lacey felt her cheeks warm and she shook her head. “Nothing, and nothing more will happen. So are you ready to paint?”

  “I am ready to paint, and hear more about working with sexy handyman Stone Slane,” Suzette teased, and Lacey chuckled as she gave her arm a light slap. “Cool it. All men are off limits.”

  “Even the perfect ones?” Suzette asked.

  “There’s no such thing, Suzette. All men are ultimately the same, at least the ones I seem to attract. Let’s get started. We’re behind schedule as is.”

  “Okay, boss. Let’s do it,” Suzette said as she saluted Lacey. Lacey chuckled. Having Suzette here, and soon her other friends, would lighten up the atmosphere and make her happy and excited about the store. No more thoughts of Jeb. She had to focus on the positive things now. Nothing else.

  * * * *

  Music was blasting on the radio when Louie arrived at Lacey’s store. She and her friends were painting and laughing as he entered through the front odor.

  “Hey, Louie!” Suzette called out, and then Lacey turned to look at him from the ladder she was standing on. She appeared to lose her smile at the sight of him and he felt disappointed. He had been looking forward to seeing her again and perhaps assisting her with her advertising and promotional needs.

  “Hello, ladies. This looks fantastic. What a great color,” he said, complimenting the gold walls and white trim.

  “Thank you,” Sonya called out, and Bethany chuckled.

  Lacey climbed down off the ladder and wiped her hands on the rag.

  “We’ve got a few last-minute touches to do, but are almost finished. What’s going on?” she asked.

  “I mentioned to Stone to tell you I was stopping by.”

  “Oh, he didn’t mention that.”

  “No? It was this morning when he called me on his way to the hardware store.”

  “Oh,” she said. Her coloring changed and she looked upset. She quickly turned away. He reached out and touched her elbow. That was when he noticed the bruising and redness.

  “Hey, are you okay? What’s going on? When did you get this? It looks sore,” he rambled, and she took a deep breath then released it.

  “I guess Stone hadn’t called you.”

  “No. Should he have?”

  “Well, it’s just that there was a bit of a situation here this morning. It’s fine now. He probably forgot to mention you coming by. Did you bring some of those ideas we talked about?”

  “Sure did.” He didn’t feel right. His gut clenched and it was like she was holding back information from him. Maybe something happened to cause her arm to look red and bruised?

  “Why don’t you guys go into the back room? There’s more space to lay papers out, and the music is on in here. We’ll finish up,” Suzette said and smiled.

  “Sounds good to me,” Louie replied, and Lacey seemed reluctant to go to the back room with him, but she directed him that way and he followed.

  “This place is a lot bigger than it looks from outside. The floors look amazing, too. I really like the refinishing job.”

  “Oh, thank you. The older charm is what got me so interested in buying this storefront. I’m hoping once I get some stock in and plan the grand opening, it will work out great.”

  “I’m sure it will. I have some great ideas, some things that have worked for smaller businesses in the area and in the city. It would be a beneficial to spend some of your advertising money in metro newspapers, too. After all, a lot of the people who own the upscale cabins and properties live and work in the city and use the cabins as vacation homes.”

  “Yes, definitely. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe even contacting a few of the stores and getting some recommendations. But that might be hard, since they wouldn’t want to recommend me if I have nothing to show yet.”

  “Not a problem. We can coordinate a staging, similar to what they do in real estate when they’re trying to sell a house. We stage a cabin. You do your thing, decorate it, take lots of pictures, and use those as examples of your ability and eye for decorating. Use key items you’ll sell here and it should fall into place.”

  “My God, Louie, that is a great idea, but I need a cabin to redecorate or at least stage, as you mentioned, in order to showcase my work.”

  “Oh, don’t you worry about that. When we’re ready for that step, I have a few friends who owe me.”

  She smiled at him and his heart soared. They looked over some other papers and ideas he had. Promotional ads, pictures for local newspapers and magazines. She seemed to be favoring her back a bit, as she would stretch out and then shift positions, leaning from one foot to the other, and cringe.

  “Painting can be hard work on the back,” he mentioned. Her eyes widened and she nodded her head.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You don’t seem to be. Are you feeling okay?” he asked her. She was so close he could smell her perfume, the scent of her shampoo mixed with a little hint of paint. He saw a piece of gold paint on her hair and reached out to wipe it away from her hair. She froze in place and looked stiff and afraid.

  “Just removing paint from a strand of your hair.”

  “Oh,” she replied softly, but didn’t move.

  “Do you have specific suppliers you’re going to use to stock up on inventory?” he asked.

  “I do, but I want to just photograph some of the things and then only display a handful of items. In case I completely fail at this, I don’t want to be left with items I can’t sell.”

  “That’s smart thinking, but something tells me you’re going to be a great success. You’re approachable, and your enthusiasm about decorating and looking for unique items is apparent. People like that. They like when someone they hire focuses solely on them. Plus, you’re very attractive, even with paint on your cheek,” he told her, and she blushed as she reached up, trying to feel where the paint was.

  He stepped closer and cupped her chin and cheek, then used his thumb to caress along the dried paint.

  “It’s dry already. Can’t wipe it away.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll get it later.” She reached up, her hand covered his, and he held her gaze.

  He didn’t know what came over him, but Louie leaned closer, his gaze locked with Lacey’s, and he pressed his lips gently to hers.

  She stood still, eyes closed, and when he released her lips she took a step back.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “I’ve been wanting to do that since the boat ride,” he admitted, then saw Stone approach.

  “You shouldn’t have. I should have stopped you.”

  “Didn’t you like it?” he asked, smiling softly at her.

  “That doesn’t matter.”

  Before he could ask her what she meant by that comment, his brother approached. He had seen him kiss Lacey. Louie couldn’t help but wonder if Stone was interested in Lacey, too. He seemed to be.

  “What’s going on in here?” Stone asked, and Lacey swung around to look at Stone.

  “Nothing. We were just going over some things.”

  “Like what?” Stone asked, moving closer toward Lacey. She stepped back and wound up close to Louie. Louie smiled as he lifted his hand and caressed her arms and shoulder. “Like making plans for dinner tonight. Our treat, Stone,” Louie said, still holding her gaze.

  Lacey shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Why not? You do eat, don’t you?” Louie teased.

  Stone gently placed a hand toward her back. The two of them exchanged some sort of quiet acknowledgement and Louie wondered what that was all about.

  “It’s a good idea. I’ll be finishing up my work here in the next couple of days and we should make some plans to still hang out,” Stone said, making it sound like it was a friendship dinner. Louie was hoping to get to know Lacey better and maybe even steal another sweet kiss from her. She was gorgeous.

  “Now isn’t a good time, Stone. I’ll be working late tonight. It was an exhausting day and I’m so tired.”

  “We could order something out. I’ll pick it up when you guys are finished here and we can meet at your place or ours?” Louie asked.

  She took a retreating step back. Her face was flushed and she shook her head from side to side.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. I have a lot on my plate and I really wouldn’t be good company.”

  He was disappointed. “I understand,” Louie told her, and gathered the papers he had brought with him.

  She touched his arm and he turned to look down at her. She was so feminine and petite compared to him. She smelled really good, too.

  “Don’t be insulted. It’s not you, Louie. It’s me. I’m not in any position to even consider going out with a guy. It’s not a good time for me right now.”

  He heard the sadness in her voice and his gut clenched, but he forced a smile.

  “I understand. Maybe another time, when things are less hectic?” he asked.

  She gave a small smile and nodded her head.

  “I’ll look over those other ideas of yours tonight. I have someone bringing by some merchandise samples on Friday.”

  “How about meeting at Crossroads with everyone after that?” Stone chimed in. It seemed his brother wanted to get to know Lacey as well. He was relieved.

  “We’ll see. There’s a lot to get done here before the weekend, and Monday night Suzette is accompanying me to an art gala in the city. We have to leave here by three to get ready and drive the thirty minutes there.”

  “You’re not talking about going to La Fontaine, are you?” Louie asked.

  “Yes, that’s the place.”

  “I received an invite from some clients of mine. I’m supposed to meet one of their friends who’s opening up a restaurant. Pierre Marquee. It’s like French pub style, a mix of French cuisine, and also burgers and bar food. His partner is a best friend of his from Texas.”

  “That sounds so cool. Where is the restaurant going to be opening?” she asked him and he told her the location.

  “I love that area. It’s so crowded all the time. Lots of tourists and foot traffic, and an ideal location for exposure.”

  “Sounds like you considered the area for your shop.” Stone chimed into the conversation as he leaned against the table with his hands in his pockets. Louie couldn’t pay Stone to stand there and listen to him talk about snobby banquets and schmoozing clients. That wasn’t Stone’s thing. He was a man of the land, more down to earth and laid-back.

  “In a fantasy dream, maybe. The rent is high. Only someone already wealthy can open a new place in that area of town. So are you going on Monday, then?” she asked him.

  “I’m pretty sure I am. Maybe you’ll let me buy you a drink?”

  “Louie,” she half scolded, but it sounded so lame. She must have realized, too, as she lowered her eyes, pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and blushed.

  He chuckled.

  Stone reached out and caressed a strand of hair away from her cheek.

  “He’s going to be relentless. You should just say yes and let us share dinner tonight with you.”

  Louie watched her look between him and Stone.

  “I do have to eat.”

  Louie smiled. He wanted to hug his brother for getting Lacey to say yes to dinner.

  Now he would need to call Junior so he wouldn’t miss out on getting to know Lacey even better.

  * * * *

  Lacey looked around the room before she locked up. Everyone had gone home to shower and change. It was so quiet here. Earlier in the day, music and laughter had filled the room and echoed around the empty space. She loved the gold color she chose for the walls. It wasn’t too bright, too rich or too bold that it would take away from the art work and pieces she would eventually display. It was more like a golden silk, neutral yet appealing, and soothing to the eyes. Everyone had complimented her on it.