Page 172 of Ever With Me

Maddie turned back toward Bill Mackintosh as Cormac joined her and slung his arm over her shoulders. “This is the so-called Brooks I’ve been hanging out with this week. We’re not going to ban one of our own from the town, are we? And anyway, since when did public displays of affection become a crime here?”

Bill nodded. “I’m going to dismiss the petition, then. The town hall meeting is adjourned.”

The townspeople clapped as the police led Josh away.

Turning toward Cormac, Maddie hugged him tightly, relief pouring through her. “Thank you. Thank you so much for everything.”

“There’s a mountain of evidence against Josh now. I guarantee you he’ll sell out Mike in one second flat. You did good, Maddie.”

Maddie nodded and pulled away. “I owe you, Cormac. I really do. If you get around to calling Brooks anytime in the next couple of days, maybe explain to him . . . actually, never mind.” She sniffled, determined to stay dry-eyed. “Let him think what he wants.”

Cormac chuckled. “He called me yesterday, but I didn’t pick up. Didn’t want to risk him actually showing up here and messing up all our well-laid plans. I’m probably going to have to tell him, you know. He won’t forgive me otherwise.”

The news was bittersweet. Maybe Brooks had called Cormac because he’d seen the newscasts, and it had bothered him. Perhaps that meant he still cared.

On the other hand, he hadn’t calledher.

“Yeah, I guess so.” She stretched, looking around the town hall as it emptied. It was loud, and her father had given the press instructions on where to meet for a briefing. He would be handling it himself, thankfully.

“I’ll see you around, Cormac. Call me when you come back to town next time. If I’m here, we’ll meet up.” She gave his hand a last squeeze, then headed back toward her family.

“You were amazing, Maddie,” Naomi said, giving her a hug.

“I think Josh officially takes the cake as the worst blackmailer this town has ever produced,” Lindsay said, then poked Logan in the ribs. “And that’s saying something.”

Travis snickered behind her.

“Hey, I’m not the only one in our family known for blackmail. This whole thing started when oursister blackmailedBrooks Kent,” Logan said, giving Maddie a wry look.

Maddie covered her face with her hands. “I’m officially retired from blackmail. Forever.”

Jake shoved his hands in his pockets, a satisfied and impish look on his face. “Bet you’re wishing we hadn’t stopped being roommates when you moved in with Josh. I never did you dirty.”

“No, but youaredirty. If I had a nickel for every time you didn’t do the dishes, I wouldn’t ever need to work again.”

“Cheap shot,” Jake muttered with a shake of his head. “You going back to the Depot this afternoon?”

“Actually, I wanted to take Maddie out to celebrate. You know, sister to sister.” Naomi linked arms with her.

Lindsay frowned. “You didn’t invite me.”

“You can come if you want, but I figured you’d need to get back to the pub.”

Lindsay groaned. “Fine, fine. Remind me why I picked working at the pub instead of the Depot? Logan isn’t nearly as much fun as you guys.”

“Keep saying that, and one of these days, I’m going to believe you,” Logan shot back.

Maddie laughed, then set her arms around her two sisters. “Come here, you guys. Yardley sibling group hug.”

They all joined in, and Maddie closed her eyes, her throat thick with emotion.

Damn my stupid need to cry.

She blinked rapidly, and as she did, she met Pops’s light blue eyes from where he sat, watching them several feet away.

He nodded just slightly, his face beaming with pride.

They were Yardleys. His grandkids. His legacy.

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