Page 44 of All Because of You

The plan sounded weak even to her, so she wasn’t surprised when Evan fixed her with a disbelieving stare. “I’m willing to bet that my dad and Herman are either renting the space from her or paying her a lot of money not to rent it to you.”

“Can they do that?”

“Maybe not officially, and they wouldn’t be dumb enough to leave a trail.” He squeezed her waist. “I’ll do what I can to find out this week, OK?”

“I appreciate that more than you know, but I don’t want to distract you with my problems. You’re busy with the festival.” Madison waved her hand toward Evan’s desk, which was piled high with papers. She started to turn her head, but before she could, her eyes registered the words across the topmost page.

She shifted in Evan’s lap, reaching for the paper and pulling it close to examine it.

“Oh, that’s confiden—”

“Herman Hardware Versus Hole-in-the-Wall Hardware: An Economic Comparison?” Madison turned to face Evan again. “What’s this?”

Evan’s jaw tensed, and he snatched the multipage report from her. “It’s nothing, Madison. Believe me.”

“Did you create that report? Please tell me it’s weeks old.” But the fact it had been at the top of the pile . . .

Was he behind the call from the landlord?

No. He wouldn’t do that. So why this sense of betrayal crawling up her throat?

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Please, Madison, it’s—”

“Just tell me the truth.” She kept accusation out of her voice. Still, she hopped off his lap to clear her head of the fog created by their physical chemistry. “I’m sure you have a good explanation.”

Evan leaned forward in his chair, elbows on his knees and hands covering his mouth. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he straightened and looked Madison in the eye. “My dad asked me to really think about which store was better for our economy. Because on the surface, it seems like yours. But when I really dove into the numbers”—he looked away—“I didn’t want it to be true, but it does seem like Herman Hardware would be better long-term for Walker Beach.”

“Why are you doing that analysis now? I thought this was over.”

“It was. It should have been. But Dad is persistent. And he reminded me that doing what’s best for the town is part of my job—and part of the head community developer’s job. Please understand, Madison, it’s not personal.” He reached for her hand.

She wrenched away before he could touch her. “People keep saying that. But this is my family’s business. What’s more personal than that?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. But Mad”—Evan stood and turned her around to face him—“do you hear yourself? You called it your family’s business. Not yours.”

“So?”

“So . . . I don’t know. You’re doing great with it, but are you happy?”

“And what do you know about being happy, Evan?” Hurt twisted on his face, but she turned off her fount of sympathy. “You gave up baseball, the one thing you love—whether to please or spite your father, I’m not certain. But are you really happy in this job? Is this what you always dreamed of? Dressing up day in and day out, staying behind a computer, schmoozing and being in the middle of town politics?”

“It’s not that bad. It’s a solid job. And I’m good at it.” He was quiet for a moment. “Baseball isn’t an option for me, not anymore. But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. Wouldn’t you rather do the thing you went to school for? I’ve been chatting with Ashley, and we think we could get you the head librarian job if you wanted it.”

“Oh, so you’re talking about me behind my back now?” A momentary jolt of intrigue, of pleasure, hit her at the thought of taking over the librarian duties for the town. But no. For several reasons, she’d already resolved to stick it out with the store. She couldn’t give up now—especially not for some job that might never materialize. “I’m going to find a way to keep the store open. I came here for your help. Are you going to help me or not?”

Indecision warred on his face, but his hesitation said it all. “I want to . . .”

Once again, the person she’d trusted, the guy she’d allowed to glimpse the real her—the one she’d allowed herself to fall in love with, for goodness’ sake—wasn’t standing up for her.

Which meant that, once again, Madison was on her own.

“Goodbye, Evan.” She turned on her heel and managed to march from the room, down the front steps of City Hall, and across the street to the beach before she burst into tears. Having no one to hold her up, she crumpled, sinking down into the sand.

She’d known—known!—people couldn’t be trusted to fight her battles for her. Yet she’d stupidly allowed herself to open her heart to Evan. To the whole town, really.

If only she’d left. Or, at the very least, had kept to herself. Maybe the store would have opened a bit later, but her heart wouldn’t feel like someone had ripped it from her chest and tossed it into the waves to be pummeled by the sea.

Madison slapped at her tears, closing her eyes against them until her tear ducts burned with the effort. When she’d schooled her emotions into submission, she stood on wobbly legs—but stood, on her own, all the same—and stumbled home.

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