A beautiful woman was in the car. Her face was made up perfectly, but naturally. She had long dark hair that softly curled about her shoulders.

“Could I help you?” Seth asked from behind Cait.

“I hope I’m in the right place.” Her voice was like liquid honey.

“What do you need?” Seth asked. He was practically purring in the presence of such beauty.

“I’m looking for Dr. Jones.”

“There.” Seth nodded toward the trailer, and then he nudged Cait to stop gawking and speak. She just kept staring.

“Oh, my,” the woman said. “That is rather forlorn looking. It—”

“He’s buying a house,” Cait blurted. “Beautiful house. A big one.”

The woman smiled.

“Is he expecting you?” Seth asked.

“No. I’m his surprise.” She paused. “But it’ll be all right. I’m his wife.” Still smiling, she drove to the trailer.

When Cooper opened the door, he wasn’t surprised to see his ex-wife. He’d known she’d show up eventually. He felt that pulse-quickening moment he always experienced when he first saw her, but then, she was always more beautiful than he remembered. He got himself under control.

He didn’t speak but he opened the door for her to enter. He saw Seth and Cait standing together and watching them. He dreaded to think what Rilla had told them. Something to establish possession, for sure.

He didn’t invite her to the living room, not that it was an actual room, but nodded toward the cheap, plastic-covered banquette seat.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he remained standing and looked at her. “Dumped you, did he?”

For a moment she blinked as though fighting back tears. It was an act he’d seen many times.

But his look told her he wouldn’t fall for it anymore.

“She took him back. Forgave him. He told her it was all my fault. She always hated me, so she believed him.”

When Coop raised an eyebrow, she had enough conscience to blush.

“You never let me explain. He was always watching me. I knew he wanted me. I’m human. I couldn’t resist.”

Coop knew that what she was saying was true. If Leo had more than two beers, as a joke he’d start asking what Rilla was like in bed. Coop had brushed it off with laughter, then listened as Leo complained about what a dud his wife was. It had all seemed like drunken barroom talk and Coop never took it seriously. That had been a mistake.

“What do you want?” His jaw was set. Maybe Leo’s wife forgave, but he didn’t.

“I’m broke.” Her eyes were pleading.

“Get a job.”

“Doing what?”

“Something in an office with lots of men.”

She glared at him, but then she softened. “You and I were good together.”

She was looking at him in that way he used to find irresistible. But no longer.