It would be a great experience for Jake. I can try to get him in.”
Why did her guard go up? Wyatt was only being Wyatt. “Thanks, but no.”
“Well, think about it. And when it comes to college, I’m a Harvard alum. I can put in a good word for him. If he wants to get into a top vet school, he’ll want the best undergrad education he can get.”
“Wyatt.” Her stomach bunched up into one tight, impossible bunch. “I’ve got it covered.”
“Sure, but I’m just trying to help. Throw out ideas.”
“I don’t need help.” She softened the words as much as she could, hoping he would understand. The tangled knot in her stomach expanded until it filled her entire middle.
“You mean you don’t want my help.” A muscle ticked in his square jaw. This man was used to running a successful company, and he looked the part, with his polish and authority.
But she didn’t need any man’s authority. Not back in high school, not in her marriage and not now. He’d crossed a boundary she wasn’t comfortable with. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I can handle it.”
“I didn’t mean to take over.” The muscle in his jaw bunched again with tension. Apology pinched the corners of his eyes—along with sincerity. That was another reason why it was easy to like Wyatt. He took a breath and eased back a bit. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to overstep. It was good seeing you, Mariah. I’ve always wanted the best for you.”
“Me, too—for you.” Her throat closed as she watched him walk away. Even his gait posture of his strength—shoulders squared, back straight, his dark suit a shadow among the bright colors of the crowd.
Shadows clung to her too, ones she’d thought she’d banished with counseling, determination and the new life she’d built. Wyatt had stirred up memories of Jasper’s control issues and temper. Times best forgotten.
“What a nice man.” Sunni sidled up to her, turning to watch Wyatt in the crowd. “I can’t believe you went to school with Wyatt Royce. The Wyatt Royce.”
“It was a lifetime ago.”
“I think he likes you. Did you see the way his eyes lit up when he looked at you?”
“It must have been a trick of the light. Honestly.” She squeezed her friend’s hand, glad for Sunni’s friendship. Wyatt was the past. But this day, this moment? It was a gift, and Mariah was deeply grateful to Nellie’s for it. The women’s shelter in Toronto was full of wonderful people who had been there when she and Jake needed them desperately. The shelter she’d founded and ran here in Buffalo was fashioned after Nellie’s. Thanks to Wyatt, her dreams for expanding Mary’s Place were coming true.
“Well, I think he’s really something,” Sunni gushed. “So down-to-earth. Not to mention incredibly good-looking.”
“I know where you’re going with this.” Mariah turned and waved at the reporter waiting for her. The sun had disappeared behind gathering clouds. “I’m not going to see him again, and even if I did accidentally bump into him, I’m not interested.”
“Just hear me out. You’ve been single a long time. There are good men out there. I’m thinking Wyatt Royce might be one of them.”
Sunni didn’t know him like Mariah did. A drop of rain fell, brushing her cheek as she glanced over her shoulder. No sign of Wyatt. She’d lost him in the crowd. Emotion lodged in her throat, feeling strangely like loss.
How foolish was that? There was no way she and Wyatt were ever meant to be.
Chapter Two
“Mom, it’s time to go or we’ll be late.” Jake strode into the kitchen dressed in his team sweats, dragging his duffel with him.
Mariah turned her attention back to stacking plates in the dishwasher. “I’m ready. All I need is my coat. Do you have all your stuff?”
“Yep. I triple-checked. Guess what I found?” Something clanked against the counter. A flash of silver caught her eye.
Ugh, no. She groaned. Not that picture from high school. She refused to look at it. “I should have tossed that thing ages ago. I don’t know why I didn’t. It’s just one I’d forgotten about.”
“Like I buy that.” Jake hooked his gym bag over his shoulder and grabbed his coat. “I think he still likes you.”
“What a thing to say! Wyatt Royce was over me long ago, I assure you.” She dried her hands on the towel slung over the oven door handle. “Why are you so interested, anyway?”
“Curiosity, Mom.” There was a tell-tale sparkle in his eyes. “I can’t picture it. You, my age? It boggles.”
“Why? You’ve gone through the yearbooks. You’ve seen those pictures of me as a teenager.”
“Yeah, but pictures don’t tell the whole story.” He led the way through the house. “Mr. Royce would know all the good stuff about you.”
“There is no good stuff. Just boring, straight-A me.” She wriggled into her jacket, remembering the girl she’d been, so in love with Wyatt. After a few quick months, they’d broken up and he’d left town.
“Not going to believe that for a second, Mom. I looked him up on the internet.”
“You what?”
“It’s no big deal.” Her son bounced out into the crisp night. “Not unless you still like him.”
“No! Absolutely not.” She closed and locked the door. “How could you do such a thing?”
“It was easy. I just typed his name into a search engine.”
“Funny. That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s no big deal, Mom,” Jake repeated, circling around the SUV parked in their driveway. “He’s megarich. He was on the cover of last month’s Financial Weekly magazine. FYI, he’s not married.”
“That’s information I don’t need to know.” Honestly. She hit the remote and the locks popped. “Get in, smarty.”
“Hey, I’m just making conversation.” Jake dropped into the front passenger seat. “I saw the way his eyes got all bright and shiny when he looked at you.”
She settled behind the wheel. “Must have been an optical illusion.”
“Yeah, right.” Her son rolled his eyes. “I’m thinking he’s interested. Hey, you could have married him instead. That makes him my almost-dad. Funny, right?”
“Really hilarious.” The engine roared to life. She shifted into Reverse and twisted in her seat. Of all the people she could have run into today, why did it have to be Wyatt? Headlights shot through the darkness, so she waited for the approaching car to pass. It pulled up short and swung into the driveway next door.
Looked like the Lindstroms were home. Mariah backed into the street in a quick arc, spotting the family
