by Sosie Frost
“Josie—”
“It’s donating cake after cake in the hopes that just one person might recommend me to their friends. It’s taking a loss because you can’t sacrifice quality. It’s losing opportunities because the family business is more important than your own personal goals.” I stared him down. “Don’t you dare patronize me, not when you’ve never worked a hard day in your life, Mayor.”
Nolan didn’t argue with me. He struck for the kill.
“Look at the offer again. How much of that money will pay for Granddad’s gambling debts?”
“We’re done here.”
The chair squeaked as I kicked it back and stood. Nolan gestured to the waitress. He buttoned his suit jacket and took my elbow before I made it to the door.
We stepped outside, but he didn’t release my arm. He forced me to his SUV, and for one heart-pounding second, I feared he’d force me inside.
He hesitated like he shared the thought.
I twisted. He pushed me against the door the Escalade and held me there, too far from the restaurant and parked between the post office and Paul’s Fish and Tackle. It wasn’t a good place for an assault, but I couldn’t scream and accuse Mayor Rhys of anything more improper than checking over the mural Ms. Patch’s second grade class painted outside the Bistro.
Nolan stepped close. Too close, just how Maddox used to trap me, but it lacked that playful danger that gave me the good shivers. I was glad I didn’t eat. Nolan’s gaze turned my stomach.
I usually trusted my instincts. The last time I felt this way in Nolan’s presence, the night my store burned, I couldn’t remember everything that happened. I ignored the chill chasing those lost memories. No way was I letting Nolan Rhys scare me. Not now. Not when he already took so much from me.
I’d let him get angry, and I’d wait for him to make a mistake that would finally pin him behind bars.
“Sell the property.” Nolan brushed his hand against my cheek. “The next time I offer? I might need something more than a little smile to sweeten the deal.”
He really was a creeper. “Is this the first time anyone’s ever told you no?”
“You’ve told me no before.”
“Get used to it.”
“I don’t know why you fight me so hard. I’m trying to help you. Trying to make it easier on you.”
He dared to touch my lip with his thumb. I batted his hand away.
Wrong move.
Nolan was quicker than me. He gripped my hand, squeezing until I bit my lip to keep from crying out.
“You hurt me, and there won’t be a safe place in this world for you to hide,” I whispered.
Nolan’s expression twisted. “But I don’t see your felon boyfriend here.”
“You’re lucky.”
“You realize how many favors I had to cash into get his parole hearing?”
My stomach flipped.
That didn’t make any sense. Nolan’s influence moved the parole hearing?
“Why would you help Maddox?” I asked.
“That’s my business. You’ve made it clear you don’t want to be a part of it.”
“Never stopped you before.”
“I’ve tried to be reasonable,” he said. “I want you to remember this conversation. A little professional courtesy would make this transaction a lot smoother…unless you intend for Maddox to be permanently imprisoned six feet under. Your choice.”
I kicked him. I didn’t have time to aim, but I grazed an over-inflated part of him. He grunted, releasing me to collapse against the Escalade.
“Don’t touch me again,” I said. “Don’t come near me. Don’t threaten Maddox. Leave us alone.”
“Don’t do this, Josie.” Nolan struggled to his feet. “I only want what’s best for you. You know I’m in love with you.”
“You have a strange way of showing it.”
He let me go, but he had no choice. I doubted he could chase me with his newfound bruise, and I didn’t like him thinking with that particular part of his anatomy.
Despite the clear sky and beautiful sunshine, I shivered as though I darted through the streets in a rainstorm.
What the hell had happened?
Saint Christie wasn’t a town where someone looked over their shoulder when crossing between Ted’s Hardware and Prissy’s herbal medicine shop. Occasionally we had a rowdy goose in the pond that got a bit feisty, but nothing like this.
Nothing that left me feeling so…rancid.
Maddox texted me during the lunch, wanting to meet with me. No way. Not yet. All I needed was Nolan seeing him with me. Or Maddox seeing me with him.
This was just how everything spiraled out of control a year ago. Nolan threatened Maddox, and I couldn’t risk anything happening to the man I loved or the man I despised. Lies crumbled in my mouth like dry peanut butter, and secrets choked what remained.
I had to clear my head. Maddox wasn’t about to give me space, and I had to calm down before turning him away again.
Except it was usually Maddox who gave me comfort.
I texted Delta, offering to meet her for lunch. I darted through Saint Christie’s park and plopped onto a bench in the gazebo. Someone left a Frisbee from a past tournament. I hid it under the bench. Ultimate Frisbee was the new skateboarding—and the town council received enough complaints and passed enough ordinances that the underground clubs were suddenly the most popular and illegal sport in the park.
Unruly teenagers and angry geese were Saint Christie’s pressing concerns. Not arson. Not threats.
Both Nolan and Maddox swore to kill the other. I knew Nolan could do it, but Maddox? He was dangerous, but he wasn’t a murderer. Was he?
Would he really risk everything for his revenge?
God, and he wanted me back. Promised me a life and a family and wanted a baby. What kind of family could I have with a murderer?
None.
I had to stop him before something terrible happened.
Delta hopped up the stairs to the gazebo, Coke in hand. I took the drink with a smile, but she saw through it.
“What happened?” Delta stretched her legs on the seat opposite me, twirling a finger through her blonde, pixy cut hair. She pulled a sandwich from her paper bag. “Give me the details.”
“Nolan.”
Delta frowned at the soda. “I should’ve brought some rum.”
“No kidding.”
“What’d he do?”
I sighed. “Tried to buy my property.”
“Rumor is he has plans for the lot.”
“He has plans for me.” I made a face. “He…declared his intentions again. Wants me to sleep with him. He said he loved me.”
Delta lowered her sandwich. “Tell me he understood the word no.”
“Not really, but a kick between the legs taught him a lesson.”
“What a slime ball. Think he’ll try anything else? Do you want to stay at my place tonight?”
I flicked a fallen leaf from the banister. “Nah. I’ll be okay.”
“Uh-oh. Now what aren’t you telling me?”
She’d find out sooner or later. “Promise not to freak out?”
“Oh, no—”
“Maddox might be staying with me.”
Delta screeched. She stood, pacing the creaking floorboards of the gazebo. She still avoided the one weak spot where Donny Kennen cracked the plank to hide a pack of cigarettes when we were ten. “Are you serious?”
“It’s okay.”
“Holy shit, it’s not okay.” She groaned. “I wondered why two people came to the office today to ask if their fire insurance was up-to-date. He’s staying in town?”
“We haven’t really talked about it.”
“Then get rid of him. He’s a criminal.”
“He’s not the arsonist!”
Delta didn’t want to hear it. I slurped my soda, but Delta fell silent on the subject. She wasn’t done, just courteous to our neighbors. Mrs. Greentree rounded the gazebo, out on her afternoon
walk with Saint Christie’s second most famous dog, Millie the shih tzu. Rumor had it she was the only dog in the state who could challenge the reigning champion, poodle John-Baptiste. Of course, it was Mrs. Greentree spreading that particular rumor.
“Good afternoon, girls.” Mrs. Greentree smiled at us. We knew to look away. Not everyone in town could pull off yoga pants. Mrs. Greentree couldn’t if she tried, even twenty years ago. “Lovely weather?”
Delta agreed. I simply nodded. Millie prattled around Mrs. Greentree’s legs, growling at her own shadow. We tucked our feet under us. No sense losing another shoe or toe to Millie.
“And just how are you doing, Josie?” Mrs. Greentree wrapped the leash around her hand and nestled in for the gossip. “I just heard terrible news. That dreadful boy is back.”
I didn’t answer. Delta did.
“Maddox is out of jail.”
“Heavens. And he brought his older sister too, the trashy thing.”
My stomach churned. I leaned forward. “Chelsea’s home?”
“From what I hear, time has not been kind to her. But that’s neither here nor there. Two Maddoxs in town. Both of them are just…trouble.”
I frowned. Maddox hadn’t said a word about his sister. He hardly ever did. He was the declared bad boy of Saint Christie, but Chelsea wasn’t even brought up in polite conversation.
Not even by her brother.
That was strange. Chelsea didn’t wander into town without reason. She might have been visiting her brother now that he was out, but the thought didn’t settle well.
Something was up. Something bad.
“How is Matthias these days, Josie?” Mrs. Greentree’s smile was genuine. “My Johnny’s missed him at the track. They used to have such fun together.”
There was a gut punch. Delta avoided my gaze.
“He’s fine,” I said. “Some days are better than others.”
“Do tell him we said hello.”
Sure. I’d just tell Granddad his bookie’s mother passed on Johnny’s regards. And probably another threat to repay what was yet owed.
She excused herself to harass Postmaster Alan as he began his route. The dog immediately launched at Alan’s leg. The mail scattered everywhere, and Millie stole the packet of registered letters.
Just a normal afternoon.
“There’s gotta be a bar open somewhere,” Delta said. She winked at me. “Don’t worry about Johnny or the debts. You’re taking care of it.”
“I don’t worry about the money.” That was a lie. I sighed. “I worry more about Granddad. He’s not been the same since the fire. He really loved to be working and…useful.”
“Maybe one day?”
I doubted it. “That’s why Maddox was so good for him. They used to work well together. Granddad trained him, taught him everything he knew. Maddox could take over his business now, and Granddad could consult. I’m sure they’d make a lot of money doing it.”
“But Josie…no one’s going to let him in their house now.”
She was probably right. It just wasn’t fair.
“I know what you think of him,” I said. “I know what everyone thinks of him. But Maddox isn’t as bad as they say. He’s just different. Came from a rough family.”
Delta didn’t believe me. “He used to do drug deals for his family.”
“Because his dad would beat his mom and Chelsea if he didn’t.”
That quieted her. She shrugged. “I’m glad they went to jail.”
I wasn’t. The law stepped in too late, the first time it let him down. I wished Maddox had a better chance at life. His parents went to prison, he ran away from home, and Chelsea had to do things no one Saint Christie could imagine.
“The gang in Ironfield was the only family he ever had,” I said. “Chelsea wasn’t able to take care of herself, and he was alone. What do you think that does to a young kid?” I bit my lip. “What do you think it does to a grown man?”
Delta had her theories, but she didn’t share. She nodded, watching as two men walked the path, cutting between the park and the converted tennis courts to City Hall. They saw me.
And they both detoured to talk with me.
“Ever think I’m too noticeable in this town?” I asked.
Delta giggled. “You’re the chocolate swirl in a pint of vanilla, that’s for sure.”
Chief Craig and Councilman Grossi carried their usual tennis equipment. They both smiled as they approached, and I braced for another round of gossip. Delta gave her uncle a kiss, and the Councilman winked at me.
The police chief was an older man who blew past gray and turned silver on his fortieth birthday. Not that there was much crime in the town that would give him stress, but chasing geese from the pond and the junior high kids smoking behind the school kept him busy.
Chief Craig leaned on the stairs to the gazebo and pretended to make small talk.
“Hey, Josie. How’s Matt doing?”
I must have forgotten to post on Facebook, and Mrs. Greentree and Luann McMannis were slacking on their daily report on his health.
“He’s good.”
Chief Craig stuffed his hands in his pocket. “We’re missing him on the bowling league. Think you’re up to taking his spot?”
“I doubt I’d be much help.” I shrugged. “Not unless they let me use those bumpers over the gutters?”
He laughed. “My boys use them all the time. Taylor is starting to win on his own, but Aidan still kicks the ball down the lane.”
Councilman Grossi snorted. “Told you we needed a youth soccer team. You could even coach.”
“In all my spare time.”
“Make it a DARE initiative. Keep the kids off the drugs, we might get some free soccer gear. Think about it.”
Delta rolled her eyes. “Is everything politics to you, Uncle Mike?”
“Most things.” The Councilman looked like he could have used a soccer team himself. His suit clung a little too tight, and his tennis bag dropped for a Powerbar that looked suspiciously like a Milky Way. “Speaking of, Josie…”
“Uh-oh,” I said.
“Got some news from Bob Ragen.”
“That can’t be good.”
“He’s been calling the council, demanding we make a judgement on the lot line dispute.”
I groaned. “The shop isn’t even standing anymore. How can he have setback issues if there’s no building to encroach on his property line?”
“He’s saying the property was subdivided incorrectly and illegally back in the 60s,” he said.
Delta pretended to snore. I wished I could too, but Bob had been harassing Granddad and Nana for years. He only got in my face a few years ago. Coincidentally when I started dating Maddox, but a lot of the older generation had a problem with that.
I sighed. “Does the town have the original plans?”
Councilman Grassi laughed. So did the Chief.
“Your tax dollars at work,” the councilman winked.
Point taken. “I have the survey flags in place. I’m not sure what else I can do.”
“It’s a civil matter, but he’s raising a fuss,” Councilman Grassi said. “I just wanted to know what you might be walking into during the next town meeting.”
Delta pouted. “Does that mean we have to attend?”
“Do your civic duty,” he said.
She made a face. I seconded.
Chief Craig usually did paperwork or dozed at the meetings, but even he looked concerned about the issue. He rubbed his chin, glancing over the town.
“Speaking of your property…”
His voice trailed off. The sun glittered off his badge, and somehow I doubted we were talking about surveys and lot lines.
“Heard some news,” the chief said. “Andrew Maddox is back in town.”
Everyone froze at the mere mention of his name. Everyone except me.
I warmed.
…In every way that was very, very bad for us.
“Just…be careful, Josi
e,” Chief Craig said. “We don’t know what he wants.”
I picked my words carefully. “He wants to prove his innocence.”
Councilman Grassi waved at his niece. “You talk sense into her, Delta. I think we’ve all failed at this point.”
Chief Craig wasn’t as amused. “I’ve known Matt a long time. I remember your parents and grandmother, God rest their souls. Believe me when I say I’m looking out for you, Josie.”
“A lot of people are.”
“We all care about you. That boy…he’s trouble. You need to stay far from him. Ignore his calls and don’t get too close. We don’t know what else he might be planning.”
I did, and it wasn’t anything Chief Craig needed to hear. I nodded, earning a sweet smile from Delta. Councilman Grassi and the chief grabbed their equipment and patted the rickety railing, wishing us a good afternoon as we loitered on public grounds with all the best intentions.
Delta stuck her tongue out at me. “Now will you come to your senses?”
“Nope. I already knew no one trusted Maddox.”
“Neither should you.”
I picked up my purse. “I should head home. You need to get back to work.”
“Work can wait. Do you think you’ll be okay?” Delta bit her lip. “Please tell me you won’t call Maddox.”
“I’m not telling him anything Nolan said or did today.”
“Why?”
I hesitated a moment too long. Delta stood, pointing an accusatory finger.
“There. You see? Right there. You don’t trust Maddox around Nolan. He’s dangerous.”
But Nolan was more dangerous if only because no one suspected how evil he truly was.
“I’ll call you later,” I said. “But do me a favor?”
“Yeah?”
“Pull the file on my shop again. Just…make a copy of everything you have for me.”
“The more you dig around, the more you’re going to realize the truth.” Delta shrugged. “It was Maddox who torched the place.”
“Then you won’t have a problem getting it for me.”
“I hate to see you get hurt,” Delta said. “But I’ll see what I can pull.”
“Quick, okay?” I hugged her goodbye. “We might not have a lot of time.”
“Time before what?”
I didn’t want to answer that question. I didn’t know the answer.
