Page 38 of Bragg's Love

“A little birdie may have whispered the news in my ear at Moon’s diner this morning.”

“And you couldn’t help yourself from initiating the gossip chain?”

I don’t know why I’m annoyed. I shouldn’t be. This is Winter Falls after all. Gossip is our bread and butter. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve participated in a fair bit of gossiping myself in the past.

But what if everyone finds out my business is failing? It’s bad enough the business is actually failing. I don’t want the whole town gossiping about how little Eden Spring couldn’t keep the business her mother built afloat.

Miller clears his throat behind me. What’s worse than everyone in town knowing I’m a failure? Miller Freaking Bragg – my sworn enemy – being a front row witness.

“Our work here is done, gossip gals,” Sage announces. She marches off with the rest of her gang following her.

“They’re something else,” Daisy says as she watches them.

“Don’t worry. You get used to them.”

“I should have researched more about small towns before I moved here.”

“Reading sleazy romance is not research,” Miller says.

Daisy clutches her chest. “You did not refer to romance as sleazy.”

Miller groans and I smile as I explain, “We have a monthly book club. It’s the smutty book club and we strictly read romances.”

“Where do I join?”

“Mom.”

“What? Am I not allowed to enjoy a bit of vicarious romance? Lord knows your father never romanced me.” Tears well in her eyes and she blinks them away.

From what I’ve heard, she has a right to cry. I don’t know the whole story, but I do know her husband was quite the philanderer. Everyone in town knows since Peace is the result of one of his dalliances.

“I’m sorry.” Miller wraps his mother in a hug and sways her from side to side.

And if I thought the big, burly, grumpy man was sexy before, I was wrong. Watching a grown man comfort his mom? The definition of sexy. I nearly fan my face before I remember. This is Miller. He’s not sexy. He’s the enemy.

Except he brought his mom to your shop to help you with your new business idea, my inner voice reminds me. Oh shut it, I tell her.

I tiptoe back into the store to give them some privacy. Miller notices and lifts his chin before mouthingthank you.

Isn’t he sweet? Stop it! He isn’t sweet. He’s the man who’s out to ruinEden’s Garden– the business my mother worked her whole life to build.

I don’t make it back to my work counter before Daisy untangles herself from Miller.

“Enough. It’s all in the past,” she says as she swipes at her eyes. “We’re here to help your friend.”

I snort. Friend? Did Miller tell her I’m his friend? Does she have a memory problem? Does she not remember the whole sordid scene in the diner when I screamed asshole at her son?

I cringe. Screaming asshole at people is not my thing. My thing is peace and free love. But Miller pushes all of my buttons. And not in a sexy way.Liar.

“What can I do?” Daisy asks.

I bite my bottom lip. “I actually haven’t come up with what classes I want to give yet.”

“Perfect. I can help.”

Miller throws an arm around her. “In addition to being a retired teacher, she loves to garden.”

Huh. Maybe she can be of some help after all.

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