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perfect person to take over the renovations. Even Josh had seemed happy that Logan would be spending the next month and a half in Crimson.
    Logan wasn’t used to people being happy to have him around. He’d felt as though he had an itch he couldn’t quite reach ever since he’d agreed to this plan. He didn’t know how to make it go away, so he was doing his best to ignore it.
    â€œI gave you my word,” he answered.
    She nodded as if that made perfect sense. He wanted to reach across the table and shake her. Didn’t she see that he was not worth the trouble he was bound to cause? Maybe that was what he found so irresistible about Olivia Wilder. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had believed the best about him, whether or not he deserved it.
    â€œI have the plans and the proposed budget.” She pushed a stack of papers toward him. “Not that I want to cut corners, but if there’s any way to reduce expenses, that would be a big help.”
    â€œYou know I’m cheap labor.” He was only teasing but loved the blush that colored her cheeks once again.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant. I’m going to put some of my own money into the project. At least until I can line up more outside funding. The new mayor has the best of intentions, but his plate is overly full at the moment. There’s a chance the community center could get waylaid if there’s something more critical that needs money from the town. I don’t want the work delayed any more than it has been.”
    â€œWhere did you get the money?”
    â€œWhat?” She looked at him as though she didn’t understand the question.
    He studied her. “You said at the wedding that Craig had drained your bank account. I know the community center is important, but you need to take care of yourself first. You don’t need to do anything foolish just to get money. Things will work themselves out, Olivia.”
    She busied herself with emptying her mug into the sink. “Easy for you to say. And it’s none of your business where I got the money.”
    â€œThat’s true,” he answered softly. “But remember I’m on your side in all this.”
    â€œI sold my wedding ring to a jeweler in Aspen.” She whirled around to face him. “We’ll be divorced within the month. I don’t have any use for it.”
    He held up his hands, palms facing her. “I’m not judging you.”
    â€œBesides which,” she continued, absently rubbing two fingers across the empty space on her left hand, “it was my grandmother’s diamond. My parents gave it to Craig before he proposed. He didn’t even have to spend his own money on a ring. That’s how ready they were to pawn me off on him.” She stared at him, eyes blazing, her chest heaving. “I practically had a dowry attached to me, as if I was some Regency spinster. I was twenty-eight at our wedding, not exactly an old maid.”
    â€œI hope you got a lot for it.”
    Her mouth twisted. “Enough to make sure the renovations will continue.”
    â€œIf you’re sure that’s how you want to use it. You don’t owe anyone in Crimson because of what your husband did.”
    She shook her head. “I owe this town a lot. It’s the first place that’s felt like home to me.”
    â€œHow long were you and Craig married?” he asked, coming to stand next to her.
    â€œFive years.” She took the mug from his hands, his skin tingling where she touched him. “I’m thirty-two. Way older than you.”
    â€œSix years,” he clarified. “Not way older.”
    She took a step back but he followed. “I could have been your...babysitter.”
    He tipped his head back and laughed. “My brothers and I would have had you tied up in minutes.”
    â€œI’m tougher than I look,” she whispered, turning away.
    â€œI bet you