treat Landon like everyone else. Even though he was nothing like the rest of Gary’s friends. He’d always complimented her cooking, never once forgot to thank her, and always insisted on helping her clean the kitchen.
That small rented house had been open to Gary’s friends. A lot of the guys had come and gone as they pleased. But Landon Kincaid had been the only one who’d kept her up at night with guilt.
“Kylie?”
She blinked. “What?”
Landon smiled. “We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
“I don’t know.” She felt a little dizzy. “Are we?”
“I wouldn’t be standing here if I thought otherwise.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your mom.”
“My mom. Figures. Does Gary know?” she asked, holding her breath. All she needed was him showing up and causing a scene.
Landon’s expression tightened. “If you’re still hung up on him, Kylie, you need to tell me right now.”
“Are you serious? Do I look like a doormat?” She bristled, then gave in to curiosity. “Why would you even care?”
His eyes narrowed, then flickered with amusement. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said quietly. “Maybe because we’re friends.”
She knew—they both did—that it was more than that. But a year had come and gone, and he still thought about her? She’d never stopped thinking about him, either, but that was different. Wasn’t it?
She couldn’t do a thing about the heat of embarrassment crawling up her neck and into her face. But she could stand her ground. “Friends or not,” she said, “you didn’t even give me the courtesy of a heads-up.”
“True. I guess I was worried you’d—” Lifting a shoulder, he glanced away and dragged a hand down his unshaven jaw as he watched a truck cruise by. “Is that motel with the red roof the only one in town?”
“There’s a small inn at the other end of Main Street.” Kylie’s heart fluttered. “How long are you staying?”
“A week, maybe two.” He stared back, watching her closely enough it made her edgy. “If that’s all right with you.”
Jeez, it was hard to keep her expression neutral. To shove aside the curiosity, excitement and fear churning in her stomach. Normally she wasn’t one to compare people, but the difference between her ex and Landon was glaringly obvious.
Gary had been strictly a rodeo junkie, but Landon was the real thing. The epitome of the strong silent cowboy depicted by Hollywood. Not only was he a born rancher, he was unfailingly polite and he always managed to hold on to his temper no matter how angry or disappointed he was. In fact, Landon seldom gave away his thoughts. He could be so stoic at times, unless he was trying to make a point.
But he also didn’t make promises to women that he had no intention of keeping. Or at least that’s what she wanted to believe.
She shouldn’t have been angry with him. He hadn’t encouraged Gary to start drinking and cheating. But he hadn’t told Kylie about Gary two-timing her, either. And that hurt. Everyone following the tour must’ve known. Sure, he’d toed the line when she’d joined him at the nearby rodeos, but when she hadn’t been in the stands, he’d indulged to his heart’s content. All while she was back in Iowa being the good girl, keeping the home fires burning and waiting for her man.
Her useless, lying, cheating man.
Well, to hell with being the good girl. She wouldn’t touch her neckline. It could plunge to her navel for all she cared.
“Last I spoke with Gary, he didn’t know where you were,” Landon said, breaking into her thoughts. “Is he still calling?”
Surprised that he wouldn’t know what was going on with his best buddy, Kylie wasn’t quick to reply. “He slowed down six months ago. I still get the occasional call but I haven’t spoken to him. The times he left messages he sounded drunk.”
Landon gave a slow, troubled nod. His gaze wandered down the front of her dress to her high heels—only three inches, but high for her. He lingered on her red-painted toenails, a ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth. “Did I tell you how nice you look?”
“Yes,” she said. Great. Here her blush had just begun to settle. “Thank you.”
“I don’t recall ever seeing you in anything but T-shirts and jeans.”
“They’re comfortable and practical.” She gestured to the bakery. “No point in dressing fancy. I’m always spilling something.”
Landon chuckled. “I remember,” he said, and looked into the bakery window and then at the sign. “You always said you’d open a bakery someday. And you did it. Good for you, Kylie. I’m proud of you.”
Sincerity darkened his eyes and stirred something in her chest. “Save the sentiment until I start making a profit. I’m in debt up to my eyeballs.”
“You can’t have been open long. Wait till word spreads. You’ll have people coming from miles away for your apple turnovers and chocolate dream cake.”
“Oh, word is going to spread all right,” she muttered when a truck nearly rear-ended a white compact because the driver was too busy gawking at her and Landon. It wasn’t the first curious stare either.
Landon glanced down the street. “Ah, small-town living,” he said. “You getting used to it yet?”
“Well, it’s not like I came from the city. Sage Springs isn’t that much bigger and just as bad for gossip.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when the memories rushed back. The pitying looks, the averted gazes, the whispers...
And not just in the neighborhood. She hadn’t been able to put gas in her car or run into the market without someone mentioning they’d heard she and Gary had broken up. And wasn’t it just awful, especially with them being high school sweethearts and all. The day Kylie decided she’d slug the next person who used the stupid term was the day she started packing her things.
Clearly it hadn’t been enough that Gary had spent most of his time on the road and she’d moved across town. She had to get away from everything and everyone. Her mom included. Darlene couldn’t understand why Kylie was unwilling to give Gary a second chance. And a third and fourth, had it come to that. Though not because her mom liked Gary all that much. Darlene had always been quick to overlook a man’s flaws as long as he kept coming back.
Landon had moved closer without her noticing. “I guess I should’ve called first,” he said and touched Kylie’s hand. “I can see you’re on your way out.”
“What?” Once again she’d lost track of the conversation. And then it registered.
Kevin.
How could she have forgotten? He was likely to show up at any minute. Talk about awkward. She moved her hand so Landon was no longer touching her.
“So,
