Key Of Valor by Nora Roberts

along with them. Got a note here.” He dug into his pocket. “From Mr. Vane for a Ms. McCourt.”
    â€œI’m Ms. McCourt.” Frowning, she took the envelope, ripped it open. Inside was a single sheet of letterhead, with a single line of message.
Don’t argue.
    She opened her mouth, shut it again, then looked back at the driver. She saw two other men now, getting out of the truck to lean against the hood.
    â€œMr. Vane, he said you should give him a call if there was any trouble with this. You want us to get started, or you want us to wait?”
    â€œNo. No, go ahead and get started. Thank you.”
    She walked back inside, rubbing the back of her neck as she watched Dana and Malory set another section in place. “The replacement windows are here.”
    â€œThat’s great. Maybe we should angle this,” Dana suggested.
    â€œThere’s a crew here to install them,” Zoe continued. “Bradley—HomeMakers—included installation.”
    â€œBrad’s such a sweetie,” Malory commented.
    â€œPays to know the owner.” Dana stepped back, shook her head. “No, let’s keep this one flush.”
    Unsettled, Zoe nudged a sheet of cardboard with her toe. “Don’t you think we should pay for it?”
    â€œGift horse, Zoe.” Huffing a bit, Dana muscled the shelf into position. “I’d rather kiss it on the lips than look it in the mouth.” She glanced back, added a quick leer. “Of course, this particular horse would rather you be the one giving out the smoochies.”
    â€œHe’s coming to dinner tonight.”
    â€œGood. Give him a big, wet one.”
    â€œI’m afraid.”
    Malory set the box cutter aside. “Of Brad?”
    â€œYes. Of him, of me.” She rubbed a fist between her breasts as if something inside ached a little. “Of what’s going to happen.”
    â€œOh, honey.”
    â€œI don’t know what to do, or what to think. It’s one thing if it’s just for the fun, the excitement. But I’m not looking for fun and excitement. Not this kind.”
    â€œYou think he is?”
    â€œI don’t know. Well, I mean, sure he is. He’s a guy. I don’t hold that against him. And I think maybe he’s caught up in the romance of the whole thing. How we’re supposed to link up and slay the dragon. But see, I have to think about what happens after that.”
    â€œHe isn’t careless with people, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Serious now, Dana shook her head. “I’ve known him most of my life. He’s a good man, Zoe.”
    â€œI think he is. I can see that he is. But he’s not my man, and he’s not likely to be. Still, if he keeps on the way he is, he’s going to wear me down. I’m afraid, if that happens, I’m going to start wishing for something I can’t have.”
    â€œI don’t think there is anything you can’t have,” Malory told her. “We wouldn’t have this place if it wasn’t for you.”
    â€œThat’s silly. Just because I found the house—”
    â€œNot just the house, Zoe. The idea, the vision, the faith.”Impatient, Malory laid a hand on Zoe’s shoulder, gave it a little shake. “You started this. So I think when you figure out what you really want, you’ll figure out the way to get it.”
    To keep her hands busy, Zoe picked up the box cutter and started on the next carton. “Were you ever in love, really in love, before Flynn?”
    â€œNo. I’ve been in lust, experienced infatuation, had some very heavy like. But I’ve never loved anyone the way I love Flynn.”
    Zoe nodded. “And it was always Jordan for you, Dana.”
    â€œWhether I wanted it to be or not, yeah.”
    â€œI’ve been in love.” She spoke quietly as she worked. “I loved Simon’s father. I loved him with everything