Page 18 of All Because of You

As she passed Roxy Chamberlain’s table, occupied by all the kids with designer clothing and flawless skin, Madison attempted to smile at them.

And ran right into Roxy’s boyfriend, Evan Walsh. The whole room exploded with laughter.

Madison glanced down at her white shirt—now covered in the spaghetti from her lunch tray.

What had she been thinking to come in here? She should have eaten lunch in the bathroom like every other day.

Roxy sidled up beside Evan. “Nice one.”

Evan’s gaze was on Madison, but he seemed to look right through her. “I didn’t even see her.”

“Well, that’s because her shirt is the same color as the walls.”

Not anymore, it wasn’t. Oh, she had to get out of here before she embarrassed herself anymore by vomiting on Roxy and Evan.

Evan smirked like it was all a big joke. And to him, it probably was. “She’s like . . . camouflaged. Like a chameleon.”

Move, Madison. Move.But her feet just wouldn’t cooperate.

“Oh, that’s perfect. She does kind of resemble a lizard with that dry, patchy skin. Ever heard of moisturizer, Lizard Lady?”

The peel of Roxy’s laughter joined with a chorus of jocks chanting “Lizard Lady.” Evan just stood there, looking between Roxy and Madison, until Madison finally managed to make a mad dash for the exit.

Madison had run here, to the public library, where she’d huddled in the corner with a copy ofAnne of Green Gables. How well she’d related to the misfit orphan—a girl who’d had to learn to stand up for herself.

“Madison?”

She jolted, turning on her heel.

Ashley Baker stood on the sidewalk with a tall blond man and a curvy woman sporting stylish brown hair streaked with highlights. “You OK?”

“Just reminiscing about the library. I can’t believe the shape it’s in.”

“Sad, right?” Ashley indicated the man and woman next to her. “You remember my brother Ben, don’t you? He owns our family’s inn just north of town now. And this is his girlfriend, Bella. She’s the inn’s manager. Guys, this is Madison, a friend from high school.”

Lean and athletic like his sister, Ben was several years older. Of course Madison remembered him. What girl hadn’t had a crush on Ben Baker at some point? “How are you?”

Ben slid his arm across Bella’s shoulders and nodded at Madison. “Good to see you again.”

Bella smiled warmly. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“I wish we could chat, but we’re meeting our parents for lunch.” Ashley tilted her head. “Madison, I heard through the grapevine that you may be staying in Walker Beach. Is that true?”

She’d forgotten how quickly word traveled in a small town. “Yeah, actually. I’m excited.”

Ashley squealed, clapping her hands. “That’s amazing! I miraculously have some free time in my schedule next week if you want help with anything.”

After working a few extra hours last night, Evan and Madison had made decent progress on the inventory, but there was still so much to do. Especially if Herman Hardware was going to come into the picture . . .

Speaking of that, she needed to get on with her mission for today before she did anything else.

“Thanks. I may take you up on that.”

“And now that you’re staying, I’ll definitely be bugging you about helping me with my library project.” Ashley winked.

That actually sounded like a nice distraction, albeit one she couldn’t afford right now. “Yeah, maybe once I’ve reopened the store.” Madison checked her watch. “I’ll call you, OK?”

“Great.” After a quick hug, Ashley walked off with her brother and Bella.

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