She reached out and touched his hand briefly, enough to grab his attention before pulling back. “Some things, some people are too important to mention aloud.”
Instead, they were to be held close to the heart and treasured, she thought, feeling a lump rise to her throat.
“You saved my life, Ty.” Without second-guessing herself, she reached into her shirt and pulled out the locket he’d given her. “And when I crossed my heart, I meant it.”
His gaze settled on the small gold piece he’d bought with his own money, his eyes opening wide in surprise. “That was a long time ago,” he said gruffly.
She’d embarrassed him with the reminder. But she’d also eased the slap he’d felt over her conversation with Alex and that was all that mattered.
“This got me through some really tough times.” She delicately fingered the treasured piece around her neck. “You got me through.”
That long-ago night, she’d sworn she’d never forget him. And she realized now that no matter where she went or who she was with, she’d always had him with her-his strength, his courage and his caring.
She reached out and touched his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. “I never forgot you. Cross my heart,” she whispered, before she turned and ran for the safety of the rest stop.
TY AND LACEY MET UP with Hunter at Ty’s place as soon as they hit town. They entered through the back entrance off the bar. There were no awkward hellos when Hunter saw Lacey for the first time, Ty thought, watching stiffly as she bolted across the room and into Hunter’s arms.
“It’s so good to see you!” Her voice rose in an excited squeal.
Hunter pulled her into a tight hug. “You, too.” He pulled back, looking at her with a grin. “You’re still as gorgeous as ever.”
She laughed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”
“He works at it,” Ty muttered.
He hadn’t received such an easy greeting and rationally he understood why. She hadn’t expected to see him, so she’d been caught off guard. Once she adjusted to his presence, he’d dropped one huge bomb about her uncle.
Ty knew he was consoling himself with platitudes and tempering his jealousy, neither of which sat well with him. He was normally a guy who went about his business with few highs and lows. Man, things had changed.
Ty cleared his throat. “Hey you two, break it up. We have some planning to do.”
Lacey turned toward them. “That sounds like old times. So how do you want to handle things?”
Ty stepped toward her. “I suppose the first order of business would be looking into the terms of the trust and finding out exactly what you need to do in order to claim the money.” Ty glanced at Hunter. “Am I right, lawyer man?”
The other man nodded. “You’re right. And I’ll look into that as soon as possible. I’m going to need some help because I’m a criminal attorney.”
“That’s amazing,” Lilly said, her eyes glowing with pride in what Hunter had accomplished.
Ty felt the same way.
“What kind of cases?” she asked.
“A little of this and a lot of that,” he said and laughed.
“Don’t be so modest,” Ty said. “Hunter’s well known around town. He’s one of the biggest trial lawyers in the state. His clients are pretty high profile even for upstate New York standards.”
Hunter actually flushed at the complimentary description. “I take those cases to make money so I can afford the pro bono ones for people who couldn’t otherwise afford decent representation.”
Lilly wrapped her hands around her forearms and nodded in understanding. “And I am so proud of you! I should have known you’d end up helping people.”
His cheekbones flushed even redder. “Ty’s the one who played savior while I went along for the ride. I guess I learned from him.”
“Well as far as I’m concerned, you’re both the best.” She grinned at them both. “Thanks for looking into things for me,” she said to Hunter. “I can’t afford to hire anyone without depleting my savings.”
“Which won’t make a difference once you get the trust fund away from the bastard who calls himself your uncle,” Ty said.
She nodded. “Still, having a friend to depend on is so much easier.”
“I’ve got an important trial next month, but I have some time now and I’ll handle it for you.” Hunter hoisted himself onto the kitchen counter, making himself at home, which considering how often he came by, he was. “So what will you do while I’m researching?” he asked Lilly.
Ty raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. “I’m curious about that myself.”
She shrugged. “I thought I’d reacquaint myself with my hometown. I need to relax and maybe feel like I belong here again.”
“I understand how you feel.” And he sympathized. “But you can’t just go walking around in broad daylight and risk alerting your uncle to your reappearance. You need to be discreet, at least until your uncle’s been told that you’re alive, well and intend to be rich.”
“Man, I wish I could see his face when he finds out he’s waited ten years for nothing.” Hunter rubbed his hands together, his anticipation of the other man’s downfall as understandable as it was shared by everyone in this room.
Lilly laughed but Ty heard the shakiness in her voice. For all her strength, she wasn’t quite ready for the reunion. A few days of breathing room would do her some good.
“So how do you think we should let him in on the secret? I can’t just walk up the front steps, ring the doorbell and say, Hi, Uncle Marc, I’m home!”
Ty grinned. “Maybe not, but I’d pay good money for tickets to that show.”
“We’ll have to go about this in a more subtle manner,” Hunter said.
“And I take it you have the answer?” Lilly walked up beside him and leaned, one hip propped against the counter.
He nodded. “That I do,” he said, cryptically. “But I’m not ready to explain just yet. In the meantime, you should lay low and relax.”
“I think I can handle that. Starting now. I’m going to walk around out back. It seemed quiet enough. Digger, come,” she called to her dog, who came running from her spot on the floor.
After hooking Digger to her leash, Lilly gave both Hunter and Ty an obviously forced smile. Then she walked out the front door.
Ty started after her, intending to catch up.
“Let her go.” Hunter placed a restraining hand on Ty’s shoulder. “We can’t begin to imagine what she’s feeling. Give her some time to deal with things.”
Ty clenched his jaw as he turned around to face his best friend. “When did you turn into an expert on Lilly?”
“When did you turn into a jealous son of a bitch?” Hunter asked.
Ty groaned. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows you.” Hunter ran his hand through his hair. “You have no competition from me. No matter how I felt about her once,” Hunter said, shocking Ty by laying his feelings out there for the first time.
“Once and no more?”
Hunter nodded.
“Is that because you don’t want to compete with me?” Ty asked, not comfortable with the direction the conversation had taken.
Hunter shook his head. “I may have felt that way once. Back when we were kids, I knew there was no way I could win against you. I’d never have even tried.” He slapped Ty on the shoulder in a brotherly manner. “But those days are gone. If I had those old feelings, only our friendship would stand in the way. Not my insecurity.”
Hunter’s admission shocked Ty. He gave his friend credit for knowing his mind and admitting the truth aloud. “So what gives?” Ty asked.
Hunter grinned. “My focus is on someone else.”
And Ty knew who. “Molly?”
“The woman’s said no so many times I’m lucky I still have an ego left,” he said, somehow managing a laugh. “But I keep asking her out anyway.”