No One But You

kid.”
    “Obviously. And although it’s killing me, I’m not going to mention the summer camp again. I’m keeping my mouth shut.”
    “But you mentioned it all the same.”
    “Okay, I guess I can’t stay quiet. Now, this might make you mad, but I think he’d benefit. I’m just tossing it out there one more time.” Those dimples played at the corners of his mouth. “Go ahead and yell. I can take it.”
    “I’m not sure yelling will work. Why is this so important to you?”
    “He just reminds me of someone, is all.”
    “You at that age?”
    “Now that you mention it…” Something that looked like sadness crossed his face, but he shrugged it away. “I’m just trying to help.”
    “Whether I need it or not?” Mariah arched an eyebrow, not sure why she was amused.
    “See, this is what always got us into trouble. Me wanting to help, and you not wanting it.”
    “That’s not necessarily true. I’m more grateful than you can imagine for the land donation. There is no way we could afford to buy such a prime piece of property, and that check you wrote for the diaper drive was truly generous. I’m grateful for the shelter’s sake—“
    “You don’t have to be. I wanted to do those things.”
    “That’s great. It’s a lot coming from a man new to town. Not that I’m complaining. Just curious.”
    “I have my reasons.” He paused thoughtfully, watching a towheaded boy shooting from the free-throw line. Shadows haunted him. “Someone really helped me once when I was down and I didn’t think I could get back up. I owe him big time, and I’ve been trying my best to pay it back.”
    Mariah had worked with broken hearts enough to recognize a wounded soul. No one was immune to life’s hardships. Regardless of class, race or creed, the human heart hurt the same.
    “I know how it feels, Wyatt. I’ve been there, too.” That’s what Nellie’s had done for her. The amazing people there had helped her get back on her feet, and had shown her there was light at the end of the tunnel. “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “No, I’m not ready.” Their gazes caught and held.
    “Mr. Royce? Wow, I can’t believe it’s really you!” Jake trotted up, genuine gladness widening his smile.
    “What are you doing here?” Wyatt asked. “Shouldn’t you be at practice or something?”
    “Nope. No practice on Mondays. Tomorrow’s a different story. So, you’re here checking things out?”
    “More or less.”
    “Hey, you aren’t catching up with Mom, are you? Got any more stories to tell?”
    “Let’s see.” Wyatt turned thoughtful, but his twinkling eyes served as a warning. “There was the time your mom was caught smoking behind the gym.”
    “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. And all that valedictorian stuff is just bogus, right?”
    “Absolutely. She spent more time skipping classes than in them. She was a bad influence on me.”
    “Honestly, you two.” Mariah shook her head, not at all liking them uniting against her. “You know I was the kind of girl who asked for extra homework from my teachers. I was a total bookworm.”
    “I’m just kidding, Jake. Your mom was the nicest and the smartest girl in school.”
    “Yeah, that’s what I figured.”
    “Some guys even thought she was the prettiest.”
    Mariah couldn’t say why her heart warmed. “Nope, that’s not going to work with me, not now. I’m wiser to a man’s flattery. That’s the supper bell. Jake, would you mind rounding up the kids and putting the balls away?”
    “I live to serve.” The teenager winked. “See ya later, Mr. Royce.”
    “Bye, Jake.”
    Her time with Wyatt had come to an end again. Mariah couldn’t say why that made her sad as she walked him to the door. Or why that sadness clung to her, refusing to let go after she’d said goodbye.

Chapter Four
    Although it was Wednesday, it felt like a Monday, Wyatt thought as he crossed his office. Constant phone calls, new crises cropping up, and now that the meeting called to deal with all of it was finally over, he dropped into his chair. He breathed in the calm, hoping it wasn’t the lull before another storm. He was beat.
    Carol, his executive assistant, knocked on his door and opened it. “Sorry, I know you didn’t want to be interrupted.”
    “It was inevitable. What’s up?”
    “The projections from accounting. You said you wanted them as soon as they arrived.”
    “That I did.” He stood, meeting her halfway across the spacious room, saving