Mandy took her glass to the sink. “We’ve been over this before. I don’t want to marry Jed. Besides, he hasn’t asked. He hasn’t made one move to suggest he has anything but platonic feelings for me. Ever.”

“He would if he thought you were interested.”

“I don’t love him. Not like that.” Sadness doused her desire like a bucket of cold water. “I’d rather be alone than settle for a marriage without love.”

“Love can grow out of friendship.” Mae looked over the half glasses perched low on her nose. “Marriage isn’t about romance. It’s about commitment through the drudgery of everyday life, when the moonlight and roses have turned to sick children and medical bills.” Mae’s voice turned bitter. “I wish I’d have used some sense in picking a husband instead of following my heart. This heart attack has made me worried about your future. I’m not going to be around forever.”

Mandy looked away. Her father’s betrayal had left a deep imprint on all of them. “I’m sorry Dad left us, but that doesn’t mean I should marry Jed.”

Mae was right, though. Jed had always been there for Mandy. He was her best friend. The person she called if she needed help with anything.

But was friendship enough? After the disastrous affair with Nathan, maybe that’s exactly what Mandy needed to do. To use her head instead of her emotions. To ignore the flash of desire that heated her blood. The tension coiling in her belly made her forget the reasons she needed Danny to leave. Desire was dangerous, addictive, and should be doused at its first spark. He was hypnotic, like truth serum. Unless she could figure out who was threatening her and why, the absolute last person she could get involved with was Danny.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

In the lot behind the inn, the spring air was still morning cold. Today, Danny welcomed the chill. He tossed his jacket in the passenger seat. He needed to cool the fire rushing through his body. Being that close to Mandy made him want things he hadn’t had in a long time, since before his last tour. He could imagine Mandy’s soft body under his far too clearly.

Now that he knew she wasn’t Jed’s girlfriend, his imagination was doing all sorts of speculating. He brushed away the prickling of guilt. How could she not see Jed was in love with her? Maybe she was too close to the situation.

He needed to think. He also wanted to do some research. There was no way he was going back into the inn to ask Mandy for her laptop. Did Huntsville have a library? If it did, it couldn’t be that hard to find.