Page 80 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

I poke him in the ribs. “Don’t even try to use my devilry against me.”

We both laugh, Leonie too, even though she has no idea what we’re talking about.

Maddock outlines his plans for the area, and I’m warming to the idea because it’ll also mean more business for the Laughing Gator Grille.

When we get back to the house, the sun has sunk behind the trees, casting shadows all around. To an outsider, this might seem a spooky scene, but it’s much improved from years past.

However, I startle when I spot someone sitting on the porch steps that lead to the kitchen. A bottle of Fifolet hangs in her hand. I let out a slow breath like a ghost is stealing it from me.

My voice rasps when I say, “What are you doing here?”

The woman on the steps eyes Maddock and chuckles. “Going after my scraps, huh?”

“What?” I ask, my voice full of venom because Ambrette is unwelcome here.

It’s then I realize Maddock stopped a few steps behind me. His eyes blaze dark and forbidding.

“Hey, Macksie,” she says with a nasty smirk.

He doesn’t move so much as a muscle.

“Don’t act like you don’t know me and don’t be mad.”

His nostrils flare. “Emberly, I suggest you leave now.”

Emberly? This is Ambrette, Queen of Hearts, Babie’s daughter. My cousin.

“What are you doing with my husband?” she barks.

Two things collide inside of me. Ambrette doesn’t ask about Leonie. But does she mean that Maddock is her husband? That can’t be right.

Another thought nearly knocks me over. If that’s the case, could Leonie be his daughter? I stagger backward as I internally freak out, wishing I hadn’t let myself fall for him. This is so on brand for Ambrette to con me. First, by leaving me her child and then getting her partner in crime to fool me into thinking there’s something between us. The details are different, but this certainly isn’t the first time. Gritting my jaw and shaking myhead, I’m just not sure how quickly I’ll be able to pick myself up this time.

Maddock steadies me by gripping my elbow. “You okay?”

I jerk my arm away. “Yeah. Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

In the past, this would’ve been true. I’d just breeze on by, not letting anything ruffle my feathers. But I am ruffled. Flapped. Not cool and certainly not a cucumber. If I had a baseball bat, I’d smash something.

Trying to hide the battle of emotions raging inside, I ask my cousin, “Did you want to see—?” Never mind all that, I almost can’t bring myself to ask whether she wants to be part of Leonie’s life.

“That’s not why I’m here.” She turns to Maddock. “Macksie, baby. I was wondering if you could help me out.”

Macksie?I mouth.

Nostrils flared, he shakes his head. “I’m wondering if you can explain what is going on.”

Torn between anger and confusion, I say, “I was going to say the same thing.” If I were more of a hospitable southern woman, I’d invite Ambrette inside, pour us some sweet tea, and we’d discuss this—whatever it is—like civilized adults.

I know well enough that she’s anything but.

A pair of headlights shine and Ambrette stiffens. The roof rack on the vehicle reveals it can only be one person. Jesse exits the police SUV. My cousin could make a run for it, but she seems frozen. Like she doesn’t have anywhere to go other than the swamp—not a good idea at dusk.

“Deputy,” Maddock says with a nod.

Jesse gives me a knowing look, but I’m afraid there’s more to the story than delinquent teenagers growing up in a small town. “Ah, the usual suspect. Just who I was looking for.”

Peeved, I throw my shoulders back. I need to take control of the situation and say, “Maddock, meet Ambrette. Would you like to introduce me to your ex-wife?”

---