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  “Why?” She glanced down at Lily’s flat stomach and arched a brow at her friend. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Lily flushed, and a hand went to her stomach. “Not exactly. Although, I might have something to tell you soon.”

  Grace hadn’t truly meant anything by it, but the possibility of Lily expecting thrilled her. She grabbed Lily’s hands. “Are you having a baby?”

  “It’s too early to tell.” Lily bit her bottom lip. “But it’s a possibility.”

  “I’m so excited. Tell me the minute you find out.” At Lily’s amused look, Grace rolled her eyes. “All right. Maybe not the minute. But tell me right after you tell Chase.”

  “I will. We’ll probably make an official announcement and have everyone meet at Ivan’s house again—if that’s all right with you.”

  Grace’s heart twisted, but she forced a smile to her lips. “You don’t need to ask to come over. As far as I’m concerned, the house still belongs to all of us.”

  Lily squeezed Grace’s hands one last time before releasing them. “But you’re the only one who lives there, and I want to respect that,” she said gently.

  Grace didn’t know what else to say, so she nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat. “Now, what do you need help with?”

  “I have a favor.” Lily moved back behind her desk.

  “And I’m guessing this has something to do with a child?”

  “Yes. The last Copper King arrived—Oliver DeHart—and he has a child. Well, a niece. Anyway, he needs someone he can trust to look after her while he’s in meetings and at the mine.”

  Grace’s stomach flipped. “He’s the last Copper King?”

  Lily’s lips twitched. “Yes. And although we’ve teased you about him being your soulmate, I hope you’ll consider helping. I don’t know the girl well, but from what I’ve seen and heard, she’s sweet and well-behaved.”

  Grace tried to look nonchalant. “Yes. Arabella is lovely.”

  Lily cocked her head. “You’ve met her?”

  “Yes.” She brushed dust off her pale-yellow skirt, looking everywhere but at Lily. “When she went missing yesterday, I found her in the library.” She prayed Lily wouldn’t perceive more. She’d be humiliated if her friend knew Oliver had all but outright rejected her.

  “I see.” Lily looked at her an extra minute.

  Grace squirmed. “What?”

  “Nothing…” Then, with an intrigued tone, she added, “Or maybe something?”

  Grace waved her away. “Definitely not. In fact, I have more of a chance with the king of England than I do with Oliver—Mr. DeHart.” She quickly corrected herself now that she knew his last name.

  Lily’s lips twitched. “England doesn’t have a king.”

  “Exactly!”

  Lily laughed. “Regardless of whether anything happened between you and Mr. DeHart, would you please watch Arabella? I would appreciate it so much.”

  Grace didn’t even have to think about it. “Of course.” She wanted to spend time with the girl, and this was the perfect opportunity. Perhaps she’d be able to help the little girl while still staying out of her uncle’s way.

  “Thank you.” Lily looked relieved.

  Grace snorted. “Did you not have any other options for caregivers?”

  Lily flushed, her head dipping. “Not really. I couldn’t think of anyone else that would be available at a moment’s notice.”

  Of course. Without a husband, children, or a job, Grace was the perfect candidate. She pushed away the trace of bitterness she felt. Truly, she was content with her life and her charity work. If she could just get rid of this desire for more, she would be perfectly happy. “Then I’m especially glad I was able to help.” She gave Lily a big smile. “In fact, I—”

  The front door opened, and excited chatter filled the air a moment before Arabella rushed in. Her chatter ceased. “Grace!”

  Grace turned to face them, her heart speeding up now that they were here. “Arabella—”

  The little girl wrapped her arms around Grace’s legs—with Fluffy, her bear, stuck between them—before she could say anything. “I was hoping you would be the one watching me.” She pulled away, her eyes wide with excitement. “Can we go on an adventure?”

  The little girl’s excitement was infectious. She ruffled Arabella’s hair. “I think we could manage that.” She lowered her voice, but she knew Oliver would still hear. “Maybe we could scrounge up a slice of cake or two as well.” Squeals of delight sounded, and Grace shifted her gaze to Oliver. “If that’s all right with you, of course.”

  When he didn’t immediately answer, her back straightened. “Is there a problem, Mr. DeHart?”

  He shifted on his feet. “I didn’t realize you were the person Mrs. Eversley spoke of.” He glanced at Lily, and she stepped forward.

  “I assure you Grace is qualified to watch Arabella. But besides that, there aren’t many alternate choices.”

  “I see.”

  He looked at her again, and Grace felt her cheeks flush. Did he really have that much of an aversion to Arabella spending time with her? What had she done to make him dislike her so? She wanted to ask him outright, but she knew it wasn’t the time or place.

  He needed help, and Grace wanted to spend time with Arabella. Still, his hesitation stung. She covered her feelings by acting bold. Raising a brow, she asked, “What’s it to be, Mr. DeHart? Would you like my assistance or not?”

  He nodded. “I would, if you’re willing.”

  “Of course.” She wouldn’t be here otherwise. However, after his hesitation, she was a little less inclined to be friendly toward him.

  “Thank you.”

  Lily looked between them, a crease in her brow. “Why don’t I step out for a moment and allow you to make arrangements? There’s an errand I need to run, but I should be back in ten minutes.”

  Grace smiled at her friend, grateful she’d excused herself. Lily didn’t need to witness any more of Grace’s embarrassment.

  Once Lily closed the door behind her and Arabella was occupied looking around the room, Grace asked, “Is there anything you’d like me to know? Or any requests you have in particular?”

  “Make sure she does her lessons. She fibs about what still needs to get done.”

  She smirked. “Like every other child in existence?” He only raised a brow at her joke, and her amusement fled. “Of course.” She didn’t understand how a man who had taken on his niece and was so gentle with her could be so uptight and standoffish. “Would you like me to keep her in your suite?”

  “Suite?”

  “At the hotel,” she clarified. “The town is safe, but I want to respect your wishes.”

  He shook his head. “We aren’t staying in the hotel.”

  “Oh.” A million questions flooded her mind. “I just assumed.”

  He looked at Arabella, and again, Grace could see the tenderness there. It filled her with confusion.

  “I wanted her to have space to play. I don’t know how long we’ll be here, and I wanted her to be comfortable, so I rented a house just outside town.”

  His thoughtfulness tugged at her heart. “I bet she loves that. She probably doesn’t have much opportunity to play outdoors in the city.”

  He agreed. “Just keep her happy and safe. That’s all I require.”

  That would be easy enough to do. “I will.”

  He nodded briefly then turned his attention to Arabella. “I need to leave now, but Miss Cooper will take good care of you. You will mind her.” His eyebrows rose as if he wondered if she could manage that.

  The little girl giggled. “I will,” she promised and kissed his cheek.

  “Good. Run along then.” His lips twitched as the girl ran back to Grace, her bear tucked tight in her arm, giggling and ready for an adventure.

  Grace hugged the girl close then looked up at Oliver once again. A look of tenderness filled his eyes as he watched the two of them, but when he noticed her ga
ze, it vanished.

  Grace nodded and herded the girl out the door, wondering if she would ever see a man look at her like that again.

  Chapter 4

  When Oliver got to the office at the mine, he was still thinking of Grace—and trying not to.

  There was something about her that pulled him, and no matter how he tried, he couldn't push her from his mind. She was beautiful. There was no doubt about that. But there was something more there. The way she was with Arabella, the way his niece had just taken to her. It was so natural, a relationship that just appeared one day as if it had always been.

  He had his hands full, juggling his new life, the new responsibilities. And more often than not, he felt lacking. He hadn't had anyone to lean on when Arabella had come into his life. Sure, he’d hired the best help, the best nannies, the best tutors, but a child needed more than that. He knew that well enough from his own cold upbringing.

  His parents’ marriage had been an unhappy one, and Oliver guessed that once his parents lost interest in each other, they’d also lost interest in the two children they’d made together.

  He wanted better for Arabella, but no matter what he tried, he couldn't seem to give enough. How could he fill in the gaps left by her doting mother and father? It was impossible. But for the first time since the accident, she seemed happy. Genuinely happy.

  And even though his attraction to Grace was a problem, he refused to let that damage Arabella's happiness.

  Feeling a little more settled, he dismounted from his horse and secured him to the pole outside the small building in the yard.

  The area outside the mine was alive with workers. Each had their own jobs they saw to, their own responsibilities, as they worked as a unit. He didn't know all the intricacies of the operation, but he could tell his partners had done a good job here. And if Oliver did his part, things would continue to thrive.

  He walked up the wooden steps, hearing masculine laughter, and his shoulders loosened. He stepped into the office, seeing his five partners relaxing and joking with one another. Together, they’d built something larger than they ever could have imagined. They were business partners, but they were also friends.

  But now that they all lived in the small town, having found wives and settled down here, Oliver realized how much he missed spending time with them.

  Lucas noticed his entrance and grinned, standing to greet him. “Oliver, it’s good to see you.”

  His other partners joined in, shaking his hand and slapping him on the back. It was rare to find peers whom he both respected and enjoyed the company of. “I’m glad I’m finally here.” He looked around the office and out the window. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

  His partners laughed as they seated themselves around the desk again, Lucas sitting behind the massive piece of furniture. “Things have been running smoothly.”

  Oliver nodded. “I never doubted. I’ve been impressed with each report you’ve sent me.”

  “We got lucky.”

  “I think it’s more than that.” Oliver looked at his other partners: Chase, Max, Everett, and Nathan. “I’m impressed with all you’ve done. I just hope I can continue to pull my own weight.”

  Chase smiled, and it reminded Oliver yet again why they’d chosen him to be their spokesperson. He was smooth, cultured, and could charm money from Scrooge himself. “You’ll pull your fair share while you’re here. That’s for sure.”

  Max leaned back in his chair, his chuckle deep and dark like his looks. “You got that right. We need another rich pocket to dig in. If anyone can find it, it’s our leading scientist.” He tipped his head almost as he would giving a toast.

  Max was the efficiency specialist of their operation. He cut down cost and squeezed out every ounce of profit he could.

  “I’ll do my best,” Oliver said. And no matter what, he’d find the next rich source of copper. It was the one thing his partners were depending on him for, and he wouldn’t let them down.

  Everett, the town’s doctor and the partner in charge of safety for the operation, cocked his head to the side. “Where’s Arabella? Were you able to find someone to watch her?”

  “Yes. Actually”—he glanced at Chase—“Lily was able to find someone for me. Miss Cooper.”

  “Ah,” Nathan said, amusement filling his eyes. “I was wondering if that’s who would end up stepping in.”

  There was a wealth of unsaid things in Nathan’s statement. Of all Oliver’s partners, Nathan was the most cunning and secretive of the bunch. Thankfully, they were on the same team. He never wanted to be on the opposing side from Nathan. “I was grateful she was available.” He could hear the stiffness in his own voice, and he cursed silently, knowing his partners would pick up on it as well.

  Nathan exchanged a look with Max. “She has a good heart. She’s been volunteering quite a bit in town, helping wherever she’s needed.”

  “I gathered that. We actually met on the first day I arrived. Arabella had run away, as you know, and was hiding in the library.”

  “Where Grace was volunteering,” Everett finished for him.

  Oliver nodded. “Yes. Arabella seems comfortable with her. So it was easy to leave her in her care.” He thought about how excited his niece had been, and his lips twitched before he could stop the action.

  Nathan snorted. “I find it intriguing that the women we brought to settle this town are almost all married—to us.” The others chuckled their agreement. “Except one, that is.” His eyebrow rose in Oliver’s direction.

  There was no mistaking his meaning. “I too find the situation amusing. No doubt the locals are disappointed over how things have turned out.”

  Chase clucked his tongue. “You have no idea. This town is even more worse off than we thought and desperate for women. Six beautiful and intelligent women were dangled in front of them, only to be snapped up by outsiders. Luckily, they still have Grace to set their sights on.”

  Lucas laughed. “And they all have. Grace has her pick of anyone in the town.”

  Oliver knew it had to be true, but still, the thought of others pursuing her, the possibility of her having feelings for anyone else, irritated him. He didn’t even want to think about what that meant.

  “Of course,” Nathan said with a sly look, “we could always put them out of their misery. Six women for six Copper Kings.”

  Oliver refused to squirm in his seat. He knew what Nathan was doing. He was digging, trying to worm information from him. It was what he excelled at, but Oliver was no slouch. Instead, he tossed his partner an amused smile. “Wouldn’t that be convenient?”

  Nathan chuckled, but he still had a curious look in his eye, and Oliver knew he hadn’t heard the end of it.

  Lucas shook his head. “Leave the man alone,” he told the other partners before looking back at Oliver. “We’re just a bunch of happily married fools now. Pay no attention to us.”

  They all agreed, laughing. And although Oliver joined in, he couldn’t help but feel the sting of jealousy. He’d focused on his career, pushing away any opportunity for a long-term attachment.

  He wasn’t opposed to marriage, exactly. He was wary of it. His parents had given him a terrible example in that area, but from his brother’s happy marriage, he knew joy was possible—even if it were rare.

  But surprisingly, his partners had all found that, and by the satisfied looks on their faces, it was better than Oliver had even imagined.

  Perhaps he should reconsider marriage. He needn’t rush into anything though. He could get to know someone until he was certain of his choice. Such a union would also benefit Arabella.

  Lucas held everyone’s attention. “And now that we’ve all talked about our love lives and teased Oliver like women, let’s get down to business.”

  Oliver nodded at Lucas, grateful for the change in topic, and his friend and partner seemed to understand. There were too many emotions he’d need to work through before considering such a relationship.

  “First
thing I want to touch on is the one-year celebration for the mine,” Lucas continued. “Lily informed me today that everything is planned, musicians are booked, refreshments procured, and some sort of entertainment has been found?” He looked at Chase expectantly, as if hoping that he would have more details.

  Chase held up his hands and chuckled. “Don’t look at me. My wife hasn’t told me anything.”

  “Well then, it sounds like we’re in for a surprise,” Lucas said. “In any case, Lily seems to have things well in hand. We’ll announce the bonus at the beginning since most everyone will be there at that point.”

  Oliver nodded. “It’ll also boost morale, and everyone will enjoy the party even more.”

  “Agreed,” Lucas said. “So now that that’s settled. I’ll turn the time over to Oliver.”

  “Thanks.” Normally, Oliver would have stood, but everyone was so relaxed, he didn’t bother. “I don’t have a lot to add just yet, but my plan is to take a few days and survey where we’ve found the richest deposits so far. From there, I’ll determine where we’re most likely to find other thick pockets of copper.” He explained what tools he’d use, his plan for going about it, and which tests he’d implement.

  When everyone was satisfied, they spoke about a few other matters of business and decided to have another meeting the following week to discuss any updates.

  It was late afternoon when they were finished, and Oliver found himself wanting to stay and spend more time with his partners—but Arabella came first.

  “I’ve enjoyed this,” he said as they left the office. “Maybe we could get together and have dinner this week.”

  Lucas grinned. “I’d like that. I think my wife would too.”

  The others laughed, agreeing.

  “I know Charlotte likes any excuse to meet up with the other women,” Max said. “Let us know when and where.”

  With final goodbyes, Oliver took off toward town, feeling more content than he had in awhile.

  When Oliver mentioned he’d rented a house, Grace had imagined a small, charming residence like the homes on Main Street. She hadn’t been prepared for the sprawling structure before her.