Page 58 of The Damaged Hearts Bargain

“That must have been very hurtful,” Lucy said quietly. She took Cal’s hand. “But I’m not your mother, Cal. I’m me. I’m me and I’ve believed you from the very beginning. I told you that I’d ask you once and then that would be it, and it has been.”

“So why were you talking to everyone? Why were you askingquestions?”

“Because I watched too much Poirot and Miss Marple growing up,” Lucy said with a quiet laugh. “Because I thought maybe I could solve the mystery and clear your name and then you’d never have to worry about it again. Then…” She paused.

“Then what?” asked Cal, blue eyes shining.

“Then maybe you wouldn’t have to go away so fast. Or at least you could come back and visit or something.”

“I see.”

“I know, it’s not really what we agreed. But I like you, Cal.”

Cal smiled. “I like you too. But, you know, I have this rule. No more than six weeks. For anyone.”

The words both hurt and gave her hope. Lucy grinned. “Well, I’ve had nowhere near six weeks, have I?”

“That’s true, I suppose,” Cal said, smiling right back.

“And I’m going to London, so you could always go there. I mean, after you’re done here. Not just for me or anything.”

“There’s plenty of bar jobs in London,” Cal agreed.

Lucy squeezed her hand. “Would meeting you again in London give me another six weeks?”

Cal tilted her head to one side and narrowed her eyes. “You know, it just might. I mean, that’s a whole new place.”

“Cal, I really, really like you. I really feel like we’re making something here. I don’t want to scare you, and I’m not asking for any commitment. I’m just asking that we see where this goes. For six weeks. Or twelve. Whatever. What happens after that is… the future and not important right now.”

Cal looked at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. “Alright,” she said. “You’re right. And, um, just for info, I like you too.”

“Careful,” Lucy said, looping her arms around Cal’s neck and pulling her in. “Or I might start to take you seriously.”

For a few seconds there was no sound at all. Then, very, very quietly, Lucy heard Cal whisper into her neck. “Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”

Chapter Twenty Four

What was she doing? Lucy was bending over a box and as much as Cal appreciated the view, she couldn’t help but feel a little… out of her depth perhaps.

She’d never done this before, never allowed herself to do this before. But she had to admit that she was falling for Lucy. The fact simultaneously delighted and terrified her. Okay, there were no commitments. Except she’d already practically agreed to double her normal limit to twelve weeks.

When she thought about it too hard she started to feel a little sick, a bit sweaty, like she was standing at the top of a mountain preparing to jump off.

But then Lucy would turn around and smile and that was all it took to leave Cal feeling at peace.

To be honest, she had zero idea what she was doing. But… but spending time with Lucy made her happy enough that for the most part she could forget about everything else.

She wasn’t promising to break all the rules. She didn’t know what she could have to offer someone like Lucy and she certainly wasn’t going to stick around to… She took a shuddery breath. To be dumped or left or anything else like that.

But for now, things were… nice.

“What about this?” Lucy said, turning around with a shoeboxin her hands.

Cal pulled a face. “Oh god, don’t even open that.”

Lucy grinned and ripped the top off the box. “Oh my god,” she shrieked. A pile of photos and letters and mementos poured out of the box.

“That would be my memory box,” Cal said, cringing at the sight of it.

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