But I want Matt to believe that his father had tried to make things up to him the only way he knew how.”
His brows puckered, Trace studied her with no less concern. “You’re taking this a whole lot better than I imagined.”
“You should’ve seen me an hour ago. I thought, wow, Wallace was scum and he thought I wasn’t good enough to be a part of his family.”
“Jesus, Nikki.” Letting out a harsh breath, he forced her to look at him. “Don’t ever go there. You’re amazing.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “And you’re...” She touched his stubbled jaw. “I was so wrong about you.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “You figured I was just another pretty face, and hollow inside like a chocolate Easter bunny.”
“Actually, yes.” She laughed. “Not the chocolate bunny, that part didn’t occur to me.”
Trace hugged her, his quiet growl the sound of pure contentment. “That’s a lot of money you’re about to get. More than enough to go back to school if you want. They have a few good colleges in Kalispell. Not that I’m being selfish.”
Nikki stiffened. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to accept the money.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
“I never wanted anything from him. You know that.”
“Hell, Wallace isn’t here. You’d only be hurting yourself by turning it down.”
She slipped off his lap. “I’d know the money came from him.”
Trace caught her hand. “Don’t be hasty. You need time. And don’t forget about school,” he said while doing light circles on her wrist with his thumb. “Is your hesitation about the Lone Wolf? You know Matt would never let you give up your share.”
“I don’t want the Lone Wolf, either. I don’t even know if I’m cut out for this slow country life.” She hadn’t meant to raise her voice or be quite so honest, but it shocked her to see the raw disappointment in his eyes.
“Maybe not,” he said grimly, tugging her close again. “But if you don’t take the money and just disappear, Wallace wins.” Trace put his hands on her waist. “You’re still emotional, and you and Matt have a lot to discuss. Promise me you’ll take your time to decide.”
She nodded, not sure if he’d pulled her toward him or if she’d stepped forward. He cradled her between his spread thighs, his arms wrapping around her and hers circling his neck. Their foreheads touching, neither of them moved. He was right. She was still emotional. For the better part of an hour, she’d thought about the past, from the mess with Garrett and the prom to how she’d foolishly tried to find comfort in Luis. Worst of all was how often she’d hurt her mother.
She didn’t want to do that to Trace, too. He was so amazing in many, many ways, and much more than someone like her deserved. Wallace had been a bastard, all right. But who was to say he was wrong? Maybe she really wasn’t good enough. Maybe she never would be.
* * *
TRACE MISSED OBLITERATING his thumb by a hair. He threw the hammer down and cursed his stupidity. “That’s it. I’m done for the day. You quit, too, if you want,” he said to Josh. “These warped boards will still be here tomorrow.”
Tempted as he was to leave the tools scattered, Trace crouched down and started throwing everything into the toolbox. The way they landed all helter-skelter, he’d never be able to close the damn thing.
“I’ll do that,” Josh said. “Go.”
“Nah, that’s all right.” He’d feel guilty as hell leaving his friend with the mess. Bad enough Trace had been moody since seeing Nikki, no need to let Josh take the brunt of it.
“I’m not trying to be nice.” Josh collected the rags. “It’s self-defense. Get out of here before I end up on crutches.”
A grudging smile tugged at Trace’s mouth. “I haven’t been that bad.”
Josh gave him a long look. “You almost ran over my toes with the four-wheeler. And I’m pretty sure you’ve used every cussword you know in English and Spanish.”
Trace gave up on closing the toolbox. “Not all of them.”
Josh took it from him. “You going to the Watering Hole after supper? I’ll buy you a beer.”
That was part of Trace’s problem. He couldn’t decide if it was better to go see her or stay away. What he really wanted to do was talk to Matt about her, but he knew that would only lead to trouble—if Nikki went behind his back and discussed him with Rachel, he’d sure be pissed.
“Yeah, I’ll