Riley hummed in thought. You know that's your old coat in that box, right?

Yeah. A sad smile spread over her face. What else is in there?

Books. Crayon drawings. A stuffed animal.

Kat's eyes darted to the living room floor, then back at Riley.

Let's get out of here, she said.

After a quick stop at the Bohland House, where Riley threw a change of clothes in the truck along with Loretta, they took off toward the west side of town. Within minutes they were at the clinic construction site, and Kat was shocked at the progress made since she'd shown up that day more than a month ago, with revenge at the top of her to-do list.

It's looking wonderful, Riley, she said. Kat saw that the blacktop had been poured in the parking lot and the curbs and sidewalks put in. She watched one cluster of people unload rolls of carpet padding and vinyl flooring from a delivery truck while another group readied the ground for landscaping.

We've been working in shifts, Riley explained. There's a community sign-up sheet down at the Independent Grocery, and a bunch of the college sororities and fraternities have been helping for community service credits.

That's amazing.

Riley brought the pickup to a stop near the front sidewalk and he looked at her with a frown. It is. The problem we've got now is the cost of the interior supplies and furnishings. Do you know a single exam table costs about six thousand dollars? It's ridiculous!

Kat suddenly felt guiltyshe'd paid that much for her leather couch.

We've got some county funds. Plus, I've squeezed out a dozen or more sponsorships from the business community, and a whole bunch of in-kind donations, but it's not like Randolph County is an industrial powerhouse.

How about the mine?

The operation is a shell of what it used to be, but they did pony up something. The bank came up with about a hundred thousand, and it was much appreciated, but I'm having to do some real creative financing to make all this happen.

Kat's brain started to gallop ahead of her. She was suddenly thinking of a hundred ways she could help get Riley's clinic up and running, and one of them was a huge cash donation. I've got a few ideas, Riley. Let's sit down and look at the numbers later, OK?

He shook his head. Hell no, Kat. I don't want your money. That is not why I'm telling you this.

I know that, she said.

I wouldn't take it, anyway. It's yours.

She strained to reach Riley over Loretta's large body but only managed to plant a kiss somewhere near his cheek. First of all, it's Phyllis' money, not mine. Kat saw the doubt in Riley's eyes. She had a giving heart and would love this idea. Let me talk to her brother and see if maybe we can do something.

Riley shook his head. I can't ask for that.

Kat smiled at him. You didn't, my sweet man. I offered. She smacked her palms on her jeans. Besides, that's not my only idea. I think I know how we can get everyone to come together for one last push so you can open by Christmas.

Riley's face was flooded with a combination of relief and joy. It occurred to Kat that he'd been carrying this burden by himself a long time, probably because he hadn't trusted anyone to share it with him.

Tell me what happened with that grant money from the state. You never did explain that to me.

He nodded, sliding his hands together so they met at the top of the steering wheel. CarrieI told you she was the head of rural health policy for the state, right?

Kat nodded. I meant to tell you I saw her on a TV public-service announcement the other nightshe's stunning.

Riley let out a groan. She sure screwed me over in a stunning way.

What did she do, exactly?

Riley took a minute before he answered Kat, and she could tell he wanted to choose his words with care. I can't prove it, I have to say that up front, but right after I called off the wedding and broke up with her, everything went to hell. One day we were told the money was ours, and the next day it was as if nobody knew a thing about it. By the time I realized what was going on, the legislative session had ended. I hired a lawyer, who's been trying for a year now to bulldoze his way through a mountain of bullshit. I eventually took out a personal loan just so we wouldn't have to scrap it.

You /what/? Kat's mouth fell open.

I took out a second mortgage on the Bohland House.

Kat's body hummed with agitation. How much, Riley? How much was the state supposed to give you? A couple hundred thousand?

He shrugged. A little more than that.

How much, Riley? Kat was suddenly filled with trepidation. How much do you owe?

They say real estate is location, location, locationwell, the location of the Bohland House is the middle of nowhere, obviously, but it has some serious value because of its architecture.

She knew he was stalling. Just tell me how much you're in debt.

He shook his head. A little too much, I have to admit.

Brutal honesty, Riley. You promised me.

He looked at her and chewed the inside of his cheek. About one-point-five million dollars.

Kat thought she'd throw up. Oh my God, she said, looking back and forth between Riley and the single-story stone-and-siding office complex. What does Matt think about this?

Riley shrugged.

Is he in the position to help you pay it back?

Riley laughed. I'm sure if he knew, he'd double up on his weekly Mega Millions tickets.

No way. Kat thought her eyes would pop out. Please, please, /please/ don't tell me you did this behind his back.

Riley's face fell. He couldn't look her in the eye, so looked down at his hands on the wheel. I've been meaning to tell him. I really have.

And now I have to.

Really? Why? Did you suddenly grow a conscience?

Riley looked stunned. Ease up, Kat. I made a serious error in judgment and I'll take responsibility for it. I'll tell Matt what I've done and I'll get his share of the money to him somehow.

She stared at Riley blankly as the realization hit herhe was capable of large-scale dishonesty with his own brother. What would Riley hide from her if given the opportunity?

I really thought I could pay off the loan without Matt ever being the wiser. Riley leaned his head against the seat back. I kept hoping the state money would show up somewhere. But it didn't, and I missed several payments and was short on others. I'm trying to hold them off, but the bank says it's going to file for foreclosure. I need to tell MattI don't want him to hear it from someone else.

How noble of you.

You know, I feel plenty disgusted with myself all on my own.

Did you know about the foreclosure before you persuaded me to move back here?

Riley's head shot up. Yes. But what are you?

You're absolutely certain you didn't bring me up here for my money? The second Kat said it, she regretted it, but there it was.

Riley's mouth went hard. One of the reasons I got so behind is because I cleaned out my savings and investments and lost three months of income running around the country looking for you and Aidan.

Kat nodded, fury engulfing her. She reached for her purse and began fumbling around for her checkbook with shaking hands. Here, let me reimburse you. What are we talkinggas, hotel, food, and three months of salary? Can you give me a ballpark?

I don't want a damn check.

Oh, but I damn sure want to give you one. I need us to be even. I don't want to be indebted to you for a damn thing.

Please, Scout. Don't do this.

Kat scrawled out the check. Don't call me Scout.

Loretta began to whimper.

I see. Riley let go with a bitter laugh. I wasn't aware I was the only imperfect human being in this truck. Thanks for setting me straight.

Kat's head shot up. What is that supposed to mean?

Haven't you ever made a decision you now regret, Kat? Riley paused, waiting for some kind of answer. You know, maybe something like denying a man his right to be a father, all because of pride and spite?