Page 80 of Wretched Heart
I glance at Hunter’s brother. He’s the perfect mentor tohelp the six-year-old find her voice again. “And I’m proud of you too, Ash,” I say. “I don’t know if it was a trick of the light, but I swear I caught you smiling.”
Becks jiggles up and down in his arms. “He’s been laughing too. And pulling faces at everyone.”
“Hey,” Ash says. “I thought that was our secret?”
“Did he pull faces at me?” I ask. We’ve reached an understanding, Ash and I, but I feel his disapproving glare every time there’s the slightest display of affection between Hunter and I.
“Course not,” Becks says. “Just at Daddy’s friend. The horrible one.”
A cold shiver runs down my spine. “Morgan’s still here?”
“Mace and Reid have eyes and ears on him,” Ash tells me.
I glance back to where I’d last seen Mace, and trace where’s he’s now looking. Morgan is with a group of businessmen, most of whom I recognize. Whatever schemes he’s formulating, he’s not going to give himself away in here. Not unless someone provokes him.
“Could you excuse me?” I say to the others. “There are a few people I should say hello to.”
I’ve taken only two steps when I feel a hand on my elbow. “I’ll come with you,” Hunter says, because of course he would.
I ingratiate myself into Morgan’s little group, and once we’ve dispensed with the usual condolences, the mayor of Brimstage tugs Hunter to one side for a private chat. I hear the words ‘investment,’ and ‘local businesses.’
Morgan stays with the main group and so I do. He hasn’t spoken directly to me yet, which is fine. I wouldn’t trust anything that came out of his mouth. Ihone in on the two men I do want to hear talk, if only to see how Morgan reacts. The men are both from Lancelyn Heights. Joshua runs a saw mill, and Theo recently took over his father’s plant hire firm.
“I appreciate you coming today,” I say to them. “I know we haven’t done much business in recent years, but now that the mill is going from strength to strength, I hope that can change.”
“Hugo was never keen on keeping things local. He liked to aim big,” Joshua says, making it sound like a compliment when we all know it’s not. “But it would be good to reinforce the bonds between our towns. John Cooper sends his deepest sympathies, by the way.”
“He couldn’t make it?” I ask. I’d been surprised not to see John. He’s retired now, but he’d supplied timber to the mill in my father’s day.
“We don’t see that much of him either. He can go months without coming into town,” says Theo. “I’d like to say it’s old age, but he never was one for being sociable. He’s still keeping himself busy though. He’s looking to clear some of his woodland.” He glances at Morgan. “Did he tell you what he has planned for it?”
Morgan simply shrugs, and shuffles his feet. Interesting. He didn’t want me to know that he’d paid a visit to John.
“Clearing woodland won’t be cheap. Or is he working with investors?” I ask, pushing for another tell.
Morgan’s prepared this time, and makes a show of looking disinterested.
“Why, is there anyone you’d recommend?” asks Theo. “I hear your husband’s putting a lot of money into updating the mill.” He barely hides his smirk when he adds, “Good catch.”
I quirk an eyebrow because I know he’s baiting me.Theo had been on the original short list that Hugo had drawn up of my potential suitors, but he hadn’t made the final cut.
“Yes, I am a good catch,” Hunter interjects. He would choose now to tune back into my conversation.
Theo isn’t quite as tall as Hunter, but he’s the only one in the group who doesn’t look intimidated by his presence. “You’re a lucky man. And Barrett’s loss, of course,” says Theo. “I wasn’t surprised to hear someone snapped her up again so quickly.” He gives me a knowing smile when he adds, “I think it took Maddie longer to turn me down than it did to say yes to you.”
“Is that so?” Hunter says, putting an arm around my waist.
I’m not sure who I’d rather kick in the shins, Hunter or Theo. I need to bring the conversation back to John Cooper, but I can’t do that while I have two idiots engaged in a dick-measuring contest. Damn it. I’m sure I was on to something.
“You never actually proposed, Theo,” I clarify.
“Only because Hugo wouldn’t let me. But it’s a valid point,” he concedes. “Looks like we’ll never know if you would have said yes.”
“I guess not,” I say impatiently. I realize too late that it’s not the answer Hunter was expecting.
His hand disappears from my hip and he grabs my hand. “Apologies, gentlemen, but my wife is needed elsewhere.”
I’ve barely had the chance to say goodbye when Hunter pulls me away.
