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ridiculous that a rush of heat flew into her cheeks and her hands grew slippery at the mere sound of his voice.
    Today he wore a black Stetson and a brown ranch jacket above jeans and boots. His mouth turned up in one corner while his eyes twinkled at her, taking the sting out of the words, leaving her completely at his mercy. She remembered the way his gaze had followed her the last time he’d been at her house. She’d avoided eye contact, but she’d been completely aware of the way his eyes had zeroed in on her rather than focusing on his cake.
    She sighed and cut herself some slack. She was a woman after all. And Clay Gregory had that effect on just about every female in Larch Valley, including those with bifocals and old enough to be his grandmother. She reminded herself that he also knew exactly howcharming he could be. It went a long way toward cooling her jets.
    She took a deliberate sip of coffee. “I’m not a total hermit, you know.”
    He chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it. And sitting on a bench in the sunshine no less. What’s the occasion?”
    She considered for a moment and then wondered what she had to lose by being truthful. “Drowning my sorrows.”
    The half smile evaporated. “Are you feeling okay?”
    Meg fought back irritation. This is how it would always be. Something would go wrong and everyone would automatically assume it was her health. “I’m fine.”
    When she didn’t elaborate Clay shifted his weight and looked pointedly at the seat beside her. “May I?”
    The fact that he asked rather than simply took it upon himself to sit down made something warm curl inside Meg’s stomach. For all her feminine reactions, they were friends. Or at least they used to be. She slid the brownie back inside the wrapper and nodded. “Of course.”
    His large form seemed to dwarf the wood and iron bench and Meg swallowed. When she met his gaze, his chocolate eyes held concern. Maybe things weren’t as over for her as she’d thought. Being next to Clay, having his undivided attention, brought all sorts of old feelings to the surface. Feelings that would be better if they remained buried, all things considered.
    â€œAnything I can do?”
    Of all the things she expected him to say, the simple offer had been furthest from her mind. “Not really,” she answered. This was her problem, and it was up to her to find a solution—if there was one. “Looks like my big plan is a bust after all.”
    His brow pulled together in the way she knew it would. “What do you mean, it’s a bust?”
    â€œI met with the bank today. I can’t get a loan, and no loan, no expansion. Simple.”
    Only three days ago she had been on horseback, looking down over the ranch and sharing her plans with Clay. She’d been able to see it all in her head—the new building with the riding ring, the horses grazing in the pasture, the corral where she taught youngsters how to ride and put their mounts through their paces.
    Now it was all gone in a puff of smoke, and she felt foolish for telling him anything. She hated failure, but in particular she hated failing in Clay’s eyes. Clay had always done every single thing he’d put his mind to. Nothing had ever stood in his way, no matter how much adversity he’d faced, and he’d had his share.
    â€œI’m sorry, Meg. Maybe there’s a way you can get the bank to reconsider.”
    She shook her head and tossed her coffee cup in the garbage can next to her bench. The flavor had suddenly gone stale and flat. “I don’t see how. I have no collateral to back me up. The only way is to get Mom and Dad to cosign and I refuse to let them take on the burden of this project. I won’t put the ranch at risk. They’ve just paid off the mortgage and they’re still just scraping by.”
    Clay remained silent, which only served to cement the