Page 24 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

“This is Hogwash. Get used to it. But this means you’ll need a new plan to sabotage your ex. I have a love-hate relationship with this town, but you’re not running it.”

He makes a sound as if that’s not off the table but says, “I’ll come up with something.”

He’s quiet for a long beat as if tapping into options for Plan B.

Instead of leaving as planned, lest I go the way of Chick Jagger, I gravitate deeper into the house, recalling the shadows in my life that follow me even on sunless days.

Faint footsteps follow me until they catch up. Maddock stops by my side where I look at the grandfather clock.

His gaze strays to me as if wondering if I’ll give him the time of day.

Not a chance, buddy.

He says, “I can see how it was once grand.”

“Times change,” I repeat.

“I wonder if fixing it up and bringing this place back to life would be a more apt act of revenge.”

“Restoration as an act of retaliation? That’s a novel idea.”

“Like I said, I’m a work in progress.” He winks.

I tell my smile muscles to stand down, but they defy my orders.

A sliver of light shining through the stained glass window separates Maddock and me. I tell myself it’s more than space and light and time. There are circumstances in my life that prevent me from even entertaining so much as a hug with this man.

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Jesse was right. You have a pageant winner smile.”

I scoff. “Those days are long behind me.”

“But you said it yourself. Times change.”

“Exactly. I’m about as far from being a true pageant winner as the clock tower is to telling the correct time.”

Maddock tips his head from side to side. “Except twice a day.”

A sinister part of his potential plot slithers into my thoughts. “Do you want to use me to make your ex jealous?”

He chuckles. “Aren’t you deviously minded?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” I mutter.

Maddock squints his eyes as if he’s trying to get a better look at me. “No. I’d never do that. I wasn’t sniffing around or inquiring. Seeing if you were interested. If I was, you’d know it. Plus, due to the aforementioned ex, if I were to become involved with someone, it would be a no-strings-attached arrangement.”

My stomach doesn’t sink. I’m just hungry. “Lucky for you, I come with a lot of strings.”

“So, no casual dating for you.”

“And nothing serious for you.”

“We won’t be taking part in anything romantic.”

He winks. “Definitely not.”

“There’s a reason I’m single. You’re not going to change that no matter what you do.”

“I wouldn’t dare. You’re looking for someone honorable, long-term. I respect that.” His head bobs like it’s settled.

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