Page 42 of Just Add Mistletoe

He held up a sack she had just noticed. “I brought you some soup in case you’re hungry,” he said. “Or you can warm it up for another time.”

“Oh, thank you.”

He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open, and she slipped past him.

“Love your costume,” he said. “I thought it would be more witchy though.”

She set the box on a nearby table. She’d organize more tomorrow, but right now, she was dead on her feet. The door shut behind Malcom, leaving the two of them in the cozy yellow light of the dimmed shop.

“I’m a fortune teller,” she said, spreading her arms, “which doesn’t have to be all that witchy.”

He chuckled. “The bat earrings are a nice touch, and the purple hair.”

Lori grinned as she touched her wig. Then she reached for the sack—it was still warm. “I think I’ll eat the soup now before I collapse. What about you? Do you want to share the food?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I already ate, but enjoy.”

She tilted her head. “How did it go with your brother?”

His gaze dropped, and after a pause, he said, “Not well. I confronted him, and he denied everything. But I found out Penny’s been hacking into my emails, and that Kari is also involved. I’ve made several phone calls already, hired a lawyer, and I forwarded all of my company emails to a private account since I’m sure my company one will be disabled. Might have already happened by now. I doubt Bronson wasted any time before calling Penny.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Malcom.” Lori stepped closer to him, wishing she could erase the pain in his eyes. What must it feel like to be so thoroughly betrayed by a sibling—even if he was a stepbrother. “What can I do to help you?”

Malcom hooked a hand around the back of his neck and blew out a breath. “I don’t know what anyone can do—unless you’re a lawyer.” He gave her a half smile. “I’m leaving the company immediately. I told my brother I’d finish overseeing the condo project, but that’s only because I don’t want to let Everly Falls down. Although now I’m doubtful of that—I’d have to bill him as a freelance contractor, and that would keep me involved in his financial web.”

Lori nodded. She had a lot more questions, but Malcom looked beat. “Come say hi to Tiger at least. He’ll make you feel better.”

Malcom raised his brows, but he didn’t beg off, and in a few seconds, he was following her up the stairs to her apartment.

As soon as she opened the door, Tiger came trotting toward her, meowing.

Lori set the sack on the kitchen table, then scooped up the kitten and crooned, “Are you hungry, little guy?”

Malcom chuckled and pulled out the soup container, and another smaller sack with rolls. Next he drew out a plastic utensil set. “That cat has you wrapped around its little fingers—or claws.”

“Haven’t you heard?” Lori said. “I’m merely the butler for Tiger—here to fulfill his every command.” She put out more cat food, and Tiger settled down to eat, purring. Adorable.

She joined Malcom at the table, where he looked like he was about to wilt. “Are you sure you don’t want any?”

“I’m sure,” he said.

As she ate, she told him about the costumes she’d seen that night and how cute the kids all were. “I don’t mind the older kids coming as well. Marci thinks that trick-or-treaters should be under twelve. But I’m okay with any age.”

Malcom frowned. “I hope no one knocked on my trailer door tonight—I mean, I forgot about the candy anyway.”

Lori gasped. “You forgot to buy candy for trick-or-treaters? That’s like sacrilege.”

This earned a genuine laugh from Malcom. “Next year, I’ll be sure to make up for it. I’ll even decorate.” He hesitated. “Although I might be in another trailer somewhere, or maybe living out of my truck.”

Lori winced. “You really don’t have your own place?”

“I don’t,” Malcom confirmed. “I need to change that though—eventually. The trailer belongs to the company, so that might not last too long.”

“Maybe you can move into your own condominium complex when it’s finished?” It was surprising when just as she said it, she was suddenly filled with hope that he’d stick around and live in Everly Falls.

He smiled. “Maybe.”

Lori’s phone rang, and while it wasn’t exactly late at night, it was Halloween. So it was kind of strange. She pulled the phone from her pocket. “Sorry, it’s my mom.”

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