Page 19 of Chance

He walked over to her and smiled. “Hey. I wanted to bring some people down to meet you.”

Her brow furrowed. “O-kay.”

Another man moved forward and shook her hand. “I’m Trey Stone. This is my wife, Ava, and we own the Stone family inn where Chance is staying.”

As if sensing her confusion, Chance leaned into her. “This group of people knows that I’m Chance. But most of the time we need to use Rob.”

Trey nodded. “My bad.”

A very dressed-up woman slipped into the conversation. “We met briefly the other day.”

“Right. Lucy.”

She grinned at her. “I’m friends with the Stones, and I didn’t realize that this guy knew you.”

Kelly was surprised at all of the connections and a bit unsettled by it. “It’s crazy.” She gave a ‘what is going on’ look and Chance only shrugged.

Lucy looked confused. “Kelly, tell us how you got into art.”

Kelly found herself explaining to Lucy—and everyone else, because they were all listening—how she had studied in Europe and had run a gallery there for a couple years, and now she wanted to create and sell her art here. “I want to have a special emphasis on the things around South Port that make it historic. I ran into Chance yesterday at the church in Wilmington. We actually got a good look at the cross, and I want to re-create it to sell.”

The others lost interest as the conversation drew on, and Matt started showing them the construction that needed to be done.

Trey cut in. “I don’t know how much Rob has told you, but I feel like we should probably bring you into the loop, because we want to make sure that no one knows who he really is.”

Taken aback, Kelly said, “Okay.”

Chance cleared his throat. “Trey, I’m actually going to dinner with this lady tonight. Would you care if I just fill her in then?” He looked around, and Kelly noted that a few tourists had walked into the shop. “I think there’s already enough people who know the story. Let’s keep it quiet.”

Trey nodded. “Good point.”

“I am happy to do whatever needs to be done,” Kelly said. “But I have to admit, I am totally confused.”

Ava patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’ll bring you up to speed tonight. I’ll have you over another day, and you can meet the family and we can get to know you better too. Maybe Sunday would work? We all go to Pastor Henry’s church in the center of town. You’re welcome to join us. Or if you don’t want to do church, just come at about four for lunch or dinner. We just combine it on Sundays.”

“Thank you. I’ll go to dinner for sure.” Honestly, Kelly couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so included. It was probably when she’d been in Cross Creek and her grandmother would invite people over for Sunday dinners.

Lucy flitted her fingers at Matt. “Okay, handsome. I’m heading back to my shop. Get to work.” She gestured to all the men. “The rest of you could help for an hour. I think he has some demolishing to do, and then you could start framing in the back area.”

Kelly liked Lucy immediately. She was a take charge and strong-headed kind of woman.

The men groaned, and then Trey turned to Matt. “We can give you an hour. Right, guys?”

The one named Marshall put a finger in the air. “One hour. I’ll just have to tell Kat she has the shop by herself.”

A sudden wave of nausea had Kelly putting her hand to her stomach. She looked at all of them and said, “Thank you. Sorry, I’m not feeling well.”

She rushed to the back and then into the alley just in time to throw up out of earshot. There wasn’t much in her stomach, but she was shaking and felt unsteady.

Then a hand settled on her back. “Kelly, what’s going on?”

Kelly’s cheeks burned. “Nothing.” She tried to wipe her mouth clean, and Chance was quick to offer her his handkerchief again. She couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t know if any other man in this whole town has a handkerchief in his pocket. What else would I expect from a cowboy sheriff?”

He frowned at her. “What’s going on, Kelly?”

She wouldn’t explain here—wouldn’t tell him the whole story. Honestly, she didn’t want to tell anyone. “I’m fine. I just haven’t been feeling well.”

Chance looked her up and down, then put his hand on her forehead. “No fever.”

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