Page 85 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

“Now that I probably don’t own this town, since Emberly, er, Ambrette forged everything, I’m not sure I’ll be in the position to fix it.” He takes a deep breath and adds, “But I don’t want to waste another moment before telling you the truth.”

My stomach leaps into my throat.

Eyes twinkling, he says, “I love you, Honey.”

I expect my breath to falter, to feel twitchy inside. To want to resist. But the fight in me has left, leaving room for only one thing.

“I love you too.”

We seal this moment with another kiss.

When I emerge from the fog of this man’s lips on mine, I say, “Maybe there is treasure in Hogwash after all. But it isn’t hidden away and buried, it’s right?—”

Maddock nods. Once more, our lips meet. Yes, this is the real treasure.

Epilogue

One Week Later

Honey

I’ve just closed the Laughing Gator Grille for the day, but instead of working on the new menu (a work in progress), I pull out a lollipop and finish writing my mother a letter.

I’ll never forget all the trouble she caused me, but I am working on forgiving her little by little. Plus, seeing pictures of Leonie seems to brighten her days behind bars, so I agreed to send her a monthly update.

Someone raps on the door and I startle. It’s Jesse looking windswept and wicked.

I open the door and let him in, concerned about what’s going on. His feet are sopping wet and he’s nearly out of breath.

“Came as fast as I could.”

The blood rushes from my body. “Is it Leonie?”

“No, she’s with Tallula.”

“Is it Maddock?”

Bracing his hands on his thighs, he shakes his head. “Nope. He’s, uh, busy.”

I tilt my head with suspicion.

“Nothing to worry about there.”

Before I can badger him into spitting it out, Molly appears with Roxanne at her heels. “Which way did it go?”

“What is going on?” I ask.

“If you’d stop peppering me with questions—” Jesse starts, sucking in a long breath.

“Can I get you some sweet tea?”

“That would be great,” He doesn’t move from the mat by the door.

Molly and Roxanne edge past him as if eager to get the scoop.

I hand Jesse the drink and he takes a long sip. “As you know, we’ve been trying to track down Ambrette since the night she appeared at the chateau then took off for points unknown.”

All three of us lean in.

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