Today, the men planned to finish painting the foyer. The desk area was ready and Cyndi absolutely loved it. It wasn't large or obtrusive, but made the most of the small alcove it sat in front of. It was perfect for one person and the heavy oak and the trim matched the rest of the room. Shamus had built it himself, and Cyndi could see the quality and care that he'd put into it.

She'd already brought tables and chairs down from the attic. Most of the furniture just needed a good cleaning and waxing. The various chairs needed their fabric changed and she also planned to upholster all the seats for the dining room.

She figured she could tackle the dining room chairs herself. If she ran into problems, she could always ask Shamus for help. She'd never done any upholstery before, but the simple dining chairs didn't look too difficult. She was eager to try her hand at it.

Her plan was to get at it first thing, but one look in the refrigerator during breakfast changed her plans. It was almost bare. There was plenty to eat in the freezer, but there was nothing fresh. She needed milk and fruit and vegetables at the very least.

She'd bought food for one when she'd first arrived, but Shamus had a huge appetite. If he hadn't brought the occasional item home from the store, she'd have had to go before now. As it was, there was no longer any choice. If they wanted to eat, she needed to grocery shop.

Working her way through the refrigerator and the cupboards, she made an extensive list. When she was done, she went to the foyer to find Shamus. He was staining the desk he'd built for her and it looked gorgeous. He looked up from his work and smiled at her.

"It looks amazing."

"I aim to please.” She blushed because he'd said the same thing to her last night, except he'd had his face buried between her thighs at the time.

"I'm going grocery shopping."

"Hang on and I'll go with you."

She shook her head. “There's been nothing for three days now, and besides, I can't live like a prisoner in my own home forever. If I'm afraid to go out into the community by myself, that's what I'll be."

"I don't like it.” He wiped his hands on a rag as he came toward her.

"I'm going straight from here to the grocery store and home again. Nothing is going to happen to me in that length of time. I'll be on the busy streets of Jamesville and in a public store. I'll be fine."

He didn't look convinced.

"You took time off earlier in the week to go to City Hall with me. You're needed here to keep the workers busy.” As if on cue, one of the men stuck his head out of the library and hollered for Shamus.

"I'll be right there,” he called back as he raked his fingers through his hair. “I don't like it."

"I know, but it's something I have to do."

"Just to the grocery store and home."

She bristled at his command until she saw the concern in his eyes. Reaching out, she patted his chest. “Promise. I've got my cell phone in my pocket and I'll lock all my car doors."

"Park right in front of the store.” His scowl was fierce as he pulled her toward him.

"I will.” She knew he was worried, and with good reason, but if she was going to live in this town, she had to start acting like it. The only way to put the past to rest was to start living in the now. People had to get to know her for the person she was, not the person she'd been. The only way for that to happen was for her to actually go out into the community.

"Call me when you get in the store and just before you leave."

She frowned, thinking he was getting a little zealous, but she agreed. “Don't worry.” She kissed his chin and his lips. “I'll be back before you know it."

One of the men hollered for Shamus again and he growled in frustration. “Go.” He dropped another quick kiss on her lips before he headed toward the library. “Oh, and pick up some potato chips for me."

She could see the worry in his eyes even though he was grinning at her to try to put her at ease. “I will."

Grabbing her jacket from the coat rack by the door, she slipped it on and hurried outside, not stopping until she was locked safely inside her car. Mike had returned it as promised, good as new, with all new tires. It started easily and she quickly backed out of the driveway and headed down the road. Within minutes, she was pulling into the supermarket parking lot and luckily found an empty space not ten feet from the door.

Her hands were clenched tight around the wheel and she could feel her blouse sticking to her back beneath her coat. In spite of her bravado with Shamus, she was scared and nervous about being out in the open. Prying her fingers from the steering wheel, she took a deep breath and turned off the ignition. Collecting her purse, she climbed out and locked the door behind her, pocketing her keys.

The automatic doors slid open as she approached. She walked inside and grabbed a cart. Making sure she wasn't blocking anyone, she pulled her cart to one side as she took out her cell phone and pressed the first number on her speed dial.

Shamus answered on the first ring. “Cyndi?"

She laughed. “I'm here and I'm fine.” There was no way she'd tell him about her white knuckles and cold sweat.

"I know you're fine. I just worry."

"Me too,” she added softly. “I'll get potato chips,” she said more briskly. “Anything else?"

"Just you.” His husky voice sent shivers of a different sort down her spine.

"Be home soon.” She ended the call and tucked her phone away. Pulling out her list, she began to shop.

It took her longer than she expected, but she soon had everything she came for and then some. The amount of items in her cart kept growing as she saw foods that Shamus might like. She laughed at herself, but it didn't stop her from adding two thick steaks to the cart. There was a grill out back and she was hoping to talk Shamus into firing it up later tonight. Of course, then she needed steak sauce and mushrooms, as well as a host of other things she hadn't thought to put on her list.

As she wheeled her cart out into the parking lot, she was pleased with her trip. No one had bothered her. Sure, a few folks glared at her and stalked off, but just as many nodded at her. She'd smiled and nodded back. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Her good mood disintegrated when she saw a woman leaning against the cart corral. She hesitated, but then wheeled her cart forward. She'd known it was only a matter of time until she had to face Dani Black.

"I saw you getting checked out inside.” Dani crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought we should talk."

Dani looked good. Obviously marriage to Burke Black agreed with her. Her hair was still long and there were only a few light lines around her eyes. She was wearing jeans and a blue sweater that flattered her coloring. Cyndi tried to think of what to say to her. But really, what did you say to a woman whose relationship you'd tried to sabotage?

"I'm sorry.” The words tumbled from her lips, surprising not only herself, but from the looks of her expression, Dani as well. The other woman seemed taken aback. Cyndi pulled the cart to a stop at the trunk of her car and took a deep breath. She'd already started so she might as well keep going. “I know I can't change what happened all those years ago, but I am truly sorry for any harm I did to you and your family."

Dani's eyes, a carbon copy of Shamus's, narrowed as she straightened away from the cart corral and walked over to stand by Cyndi's car. “That was a long time ago."

"Yes, it was,” she agreed.

"What do you want with Shamus?"

How could she answer this question without upsetting Dani? Cyndi didn't think there was any way to do it. She certainly couldn't tell his sister that she thought he was the hottest man on the face of the planet. No, that wouldn't go over well at all.

"Shamus is a wonderful man. He's kind and thoughtful and extremely intelligent."

"I don't understand you.” Dani canted her head to one side, studying Cyndi.

Slightly uncomfortable with the scrutiny, Cyndi dug her keys out of her pocket, unlocked the trunk, and began to pile the bags of groceries inside. “There's nothing to understand."

"You always had an angle, Cynthia."

She flinched at the sound of the name she'd discarded so many years ago. “Like you said, that was a long time ago. Maybe I've changed. Are you the same person you were all those years ago? Would you let another woman come between you and Burke now like you did then?"

"Of course not,” Dani insisted.

"So you've changed. Can't you give me the same credit?” She finished loading the groceries into the car and shut the trunk. A cart corral sat only a few feet away, so Cyndi wheeled the cart over, pushing it into the metal stall. Dani was still standing in the same spot, watching her.

"I'm not sure I believe that anyone can change that much.” Dani sighed, her fingers twisting in the strap of her purse. “I want to believe.” Cyndi could see the torment in the other woman's eyes. “I don't want Shamus hurt, not any more than he already has been."

Cyndi flinched, the keys gripped so tight in her hand that the metal dug into her palm. “I never wanted anyone hurt. I tried to get Shamus to leave me alone at first, but he's very stubborn. He's also an adult who can make his own decisions. I like him a lot and I want to be with him."

This time it was Dani who flinched away. Cyndi had stopped short of saying that she was in love with Shamus. One step at a time.

They stood there for what seemed like the longest time. Finally, Cyndi decided to make the first move. “Shamus is working out at the house every day if you'd like to stop by and have a look at it."