Once Upon A Half-Time: A Secret Baby Romance (55 page)

“Nolan Rhys torched your shop?” I asked.

She swallowed. “I’m going to prove that he did.”

“And then what?”

“I’m going to put him in jail.”

That wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough. I turned, stalking to the door.

Josie called for me to stay. Her hands wrapped over my bicep, pulling me back. “What are you going to do?”

Like she had to ask. Like she hadn’t already figured it out.

“I told you. I’m getting revenge on the son of a bitch who hurt you.”

“How?”

I didn’t answer. Josie stepped before me, preventing me from leaving.

“Maddox…
how
?”

What I should have done before the bastard tried to ruin her.

“I’m going to find Nolan, and I’m going to kill him.”

S
aint Christie wasn’t
a dangerous town, but in the past year, I’d dealt with arsonists who ruined lives, villains who threatened to kill, and heroes who vowed to murder.

This was what happened when people were denied desserts. Chocolate made everyone happy—cookies, cakes, ice creams, candies. Give a person a sweet in both hands and they couldn’t hold a weapon. My new motto. World peace and spun sugar.

Nolan emailed, asking for a second chance to talk with me. He chose the location—one of Saint Christie’s little bistros. It was the nicer of the two, though some in the town insisted the local Subway shouldn’t count as an artisan restaurant.

No way was I actually eating with him, but Nolan ordered a salad for me before I arrived. He waved me to my seat, grinning as though he weren’t the one responsible for my lost store, love, and life.

“Thanks for coming, Josie,” he said. “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.”

I didn’t answer. He knew my schedule. Part-time work at the newspaper was the best I could get. Apparently, lunch on the city’s tab was a perk of being a mayor. Nolan ordered us iced tea. I sipped my water instead, my own form of silent protest. It wasn’t very effective.

“Josie, I want to apologize for my behavior a few days ago. I lost my temper, and it was…a stressful moment while I was organizing the campaign. Your cookies were the hit of the event.”

Usually cookie complements won me over. Not today. I said nothing. He expected it.

Or he preferred it.

At least we’d be done with this quickly and quietly, before Maddox knew I snuck out to lunch with the man he planned to kill.

I wasn’t doing Nolan any favors. He didn’t deserve my protection, but I wasn’t losing Maddox to any more jail time. I refused to compromise the only thing I wanted more than my store, my life, or another night with Maddox.

Justice
.

I wanted Nolan to live, to face the judge, and to suffer, humiliated and ashamed, as the newspaper published his crimes to the entirety of the town.

He slid the folder across the table. His eyebrows were blonde, but thick. They gave him that insistent look as I delayed opening the offer.

“It’s generous.” Nolan grew impatient. “Please.”

I flipped the pages open and read through the appraisals. Then I eyed the sales number.

“This is more than the land is worth,” I said.

“It’s the same amount I offered you the night you lost the store.”

I closed the folder. “I don’t remember that night.”

He nodded. “I do. You looked lovely.”

Creeper. “I’m not interested, no matter how good an offer for a vacant lot.”

“I know it’s hard to part with the property, but…just take as long as you need to consider it.”

Ten seconds did it. I counted them silently. “No.”

“This deal would be in your best interests, Josie.”

“How would you know what’s in my best interests?”

“Because I know the kind of girl you are.” He smiled like it’d make a damn difference. “You’re too sweet for this world.
Wholesome
. I know you’ve been…led down the wrong path, and you’ve done some things you will regret in time—”

“What will I regret?”

“You’re so innocent, even after your…experiences with a man like Maddox.”

Nolan had an odd obsession with my bedroom, and an even worse fixation on the only man I ever invited inside.

“We’re done here,” I said.

“You don’t understand the world.” Nolan’s voice hardened. “It isn’t all chocolates and gumdrops.”

Maddox used to say the same thing, and I wasn’t about to be condescended for it.

“This world is built on hard work and sacrifice.” I shook, but it was frustration that claimed me, not fear. “This world is nights spent baking until three AM just to make a twenty dollar profit the next morning. It’s inventory and accounting, chiseling sugar from the walls and floor, health inspections and permits.”

“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.”