Page 66 of Made for You

I’ve just pulled my last batch of cookies out of the oven and set them on the cooling racks. And now it’s time to search for Alexander and find out what is really going on.

I don’t have to look too far because I find him in front of the fire on the couches, his phone to his nose and his laptop open on the table.

I creep up behind him, trying to read his screen, maybe whatever he’s doing will shed light on the situation.

“You know, if you want to know what I’m doing, all you have to do is ask.” Shit. Guess I’m not as quiet as I thought I was.

“Do you work for my stepfather, Larry Archibault?” I spit it out faster than my brain can think about it.

“Larry Archibault? The state commissioner?” He stares at me open mouthed.

“Yes.”

“I wish. I’d love to meet him. He’s doing amazing things as our comissioner, I could only be so lucky to get a job for his office! Where is that coming from?”

He pats the seat next to him for me to join him on the couch. Instead I take the seat next to him in my favorite chair, sitting on the edge.

“Liam said he overheard you on the phone last night. That you’re trying to buy the inn, and that you’re working for my step-father.” I twist my hands in my lap. I feel awful for betraying Liam like that, but maybe if Alexander trusts me, and thinks that I’m on his side, he’ll tell the truth.

“I see. He did overhear a phone call yesterday and I’m sorry to say he very much misunderstood. He huffed past me and wouldn’t let me explain.”

I lean forward in my seat, urging him to go on. Getting angry and huffing past someone does sound like Liam.

“My company is buying a local farm. The farm is failing and the family reached out to us for help. So while it’s true that he heard me say we want to build condos or a boutique hotel, it isn’t on this property. We are only here to help. And part of that is assessing the property itself. And the area.” Shockingly he closes his laptop to turn and face me. Letting me know he’s sincere about clearing up the misunderstanding.

“But what about him overhearing you talking to my stepfather?”

“I imagine it’s because my boss’ name is Larry. Although, certainly not Larry Archibault. I assure you, I’m not here to do anything iniquitous.”

I stare at him. Everything he says sounds plausible. Many farms in the area are strugglings after losing most of their crops this summer due to an unseasonable amount of rain.

“Thank you for explaining it to me, and not being defensive.” I stand. “Would you like a coffee and pastry?”

“I would love one.” He smiles at me and goes back to his laptop.

I pull out my phone and text Emma to let her know what Alexander told me. Maybe she can investigate the farm angle more. She knows more people in Balsam Cliffs. And I can tell Gran tomorrow when she comes to take over the kitchen so I can go back to New York City. I don’t believe that story, but for now I can’t question it until I have more information.

That reminds me, one dead giveaway of working with Larry will be if he’s going to be at the re-election gala. Everyone who is in his circle, close or not will be at the gala. It’s the event of the year. If he is on the invite list he won’t miss it.

Placing his mug down on the table in front of him, I smile politely before taking my own seat with my mug. I need to play like I believe his story.

“So do you have any plans this weekend? Any big parties in the city?” I sip my coffee to hide my face. I’m a terrible liar and my facial expressions always give me away.

“I’m actually going to go see my parents. I’m driving to Portland and taking the flight to New Jersey to see them. It’s my Mom’s birthday so Dad and I are going to surprise her.” He grins and now I feel bad even thinking that he could benefarious when he’s surprising his Mom for her birthday. That’s so sweet.

“That will be wonderful! I bet she’s going to be so happy to see you.” I smile genuinely at him and settle in with my book and coffee, the regular routine that he and I have been falling into at night.

When I finally decide it’s time to go to bed, I do one more check of the kitchen to make sure that everything is shut down for the night. A light shines from the office door and I go over to see who is in there.

Emma is hunched over her laptop and a notepad, she’s furiously switching between the two. An empty coffee mug sits at her side.

“Hey, need a refill? Maybe a cookie?” She looks up at me, not expecting to see anyone in her space.

“Oh my God, you’re an angel. Yes please.” She holds out her empty mug for me to take.

Laughing, I step forward and take her mug, walking back into the kitchen. I place her mug under the one cup coffee maker and smash the button for a fresh brew.

I grab two cookies from the cookie jar that were baked earlier and bring them back in to Emma.

---