but then you’ll so annoy one of the city council members that she’ll snap and kill you. What is it, Pia?”
Pia cleared her throat. “Remember that bike race that lost its sponsors and had nowhere to go? We’re getting it! I’ve spoken with the committee leaders and they’re very excited about the opportunity to bring their event to our town. The bike race is only one day, but there’s a celebrity golf tournament, as well. We’re talking three, maybe four nights of people staying.”
She paused as the council members started murmuring to each other.
“That’s huge,” Gladys said. “Four nights? We’re talking some major revenue.”
“It’s going to be a logistical nightmare,” Alice said. “I’ll need overtime approval and money to hire a few temporary people to help with crowd control.”
“Get me an estimate,” Marsha told her. “Pia, do you have a full report prepared?”
“I just found out this morning. I’ll have it to you tomorrow. Most of the preliminary work is done. We did that golf tournament last year, so I’ll use that for a blueprint. I’m talking to Josh later, to get a feel for the race.”
Gladys raised her eyebrows. “Is that all you’ll be getting a feel for?”
“Not everyone has your thing for Josh,” Pia told the older woman.
“Name one woman who doesn’t.”
Most of the women chuckled. Charity did her best to look as if she was enjoying the joke without drawing attention to herself.
Last night was burned into her brain. She couldn’t believe what had happened, what she’d done. She’d never been that wild or uninhibited in her life and she’d certainly never made love with a guy she barely knew.
And yet…she couldn’t seem to find even a hint of a regret. Not only because the physical experience had been incredible, but because the more time she spent with Josh, the more she actually liked him.
Now, as Pia went into more detail about the race, Charity wondered how he would handle the news. It would probably upset him, she thought, feeling sympathy. His past would be discussed, the press might even want interviews. Plus, having all those racers in town would remind him of everything he’d been forced to walk away from.
If he were anyone else, she would suggest that he head out of town for the weekend and avoid the circus. But Josh wouldn’t. He would stay and be available and not let anyone know how it was eating him up inside.
“There’s more,” Pia said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I saved the best for last.”
“I’m not sure how there can be more,” Marsha told her.
“There is. Josh is going to be riding in the race. He’s making his comeback right here in Fool’s Gold.”
Conversation exploded. Everyone was talking over everyone else. Even Alice looked happy about the news. Charity did her best to join in the moment, but it was difficult for her to get her mind around the information. Josh racing? How could he?
She’d heard the pain in his voice when he talked about the accident and his inability to ride with anyone. Wouldn’t racing mean training and exposure? Wouldn’t the whole town see what he was doing?
Even as she asked herself the questions, she wondered if that was the point. If he’d decided to face the problem head-on. If he was successful, it would be an impressive moment. But if he failed, the world would know. Talk about jumping in the deep end. She didn’t know if she should admire him or tell him to think about therapy.
Marsha called for order and the meeting resumed. When it was finished, Charity made sure she walked out with Robert. They had some unfinished business.
“I had a great time last night,” he said as they headed down the hall. “What are you doing this weekend?”
She winced silently. She waited until they’d stepped into her office to speak.
“Thanks for inviting me over,” she began. “Your home is lovely. Especially the garden. The thing is, while I would love for us to be friends, I don’t see us having a romantic relationship.”
He frowned at her. “I don’t understand. Last night I thought you had a good time.”
“I did.” A polite lie, she told herself.
“Is there someone else?”
“No.”
Not a lie. Yes, she and Josh had done the wild thing, but that did not a relationship make. After all, it wasn’t as if she was in love with him.
“When we first went out, I thought I was ready to get involved,” she said. “But I’m not. I’m busy with working and getting settled. You’re great, Robert. I know you’ll find someone.”
“In this town, finding someone is the easy part,” he said, sounding more confused than annoyed. “I guess I understand. I thought you were special, Charity. That’s why I wanted to get to know you better.”
“I appreciate that.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I am.”
“Okay.”
He left. She returned to her desk, relieved there hadn’t been anything remotely uncomfortable about their conversation. A cheap lesson, she told herself. Workplace romances were innately difficult. She should avoid them.
Josh didn’t work in City Hall, a little voice in her whispered. Interesting, but not significant, she told herself firmly. Josh was a fantasy. She was looking for someone real. Although the way she’d felt in his arms last night had been about as real as it could get.
“MY LIFE IS INSANE,” Pia said, two days later, as she sat across from Charity at the Fox and Hound. “I’m loving the idea of the bike race, but talk about extra work. I may come after you for help when it gets closer.”
“Absolutely,” Charity told her.
“I’m lining up a team, then figuring out what volunteers can do. Crystal’s really excited about the whole thing, especially Josh coming out of retirement.” Pia grinned. “Like the rest of us, she once had a thing for him. Before she met her husband.”
“It does seem to be a universal condition,” Charity said, hoping she sounded both friendly and neutral.
“Crystal’s great at organizing, but with her being sick, she can’t always be available. Still, I’ll take what I can get.” She scanned the menu. “The Josh angle is the best part. It’ll give us a lot more press than we would have gotten otherwise. I never understood why he retired when he did. He was at the top of his game. That last season, he couldn’t lose. It was amazing to watch.” Until the race where Frank died, Charity thought, knowing the loss had devastated Josh and stolen a piece of him.
The server came and they placed their orders. When she’d left, Pia leaned toward
