Candy Faye laughed, a tinkling sound that grated on Lila’s nerves. “Oh, Lila, always so serious. Lighten up, will you? I was just hoping to catch up with Whit. You know, old times and all.”
Capri stepped forward, her hands on her hips. “Well, he’s not here, so I guess you’ll have to find someone else to bother.”
Candy Faye’s smile didn’t falter. “Oh, that’s okay. I know where he lives.”
Lila felt a surge of protectiveness and anger. “Candy Faye, Whit and I are—” She paused, realizing she didn’t want to reveal too much. “Whit is busy.”
“Is he now?” Candy Faye replied, feigning surprise. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait around and see him when he’s not so…busy.”
Lila clenched her fists, trying to keep her cool. “I’ll text and alert Whit you want to see him.”
Candy Faye leaned in closer, her smile turning icy. “Oh, Lila, no need. I know where he lives.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Lila seething. Reva placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t let her get to you, Lila.”
Charlie Grace patted her on the back. “The nerve of that woman. Whit dumped her and she keeps coming back for more? Don’t let her bother you, Lila. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah,” Capri said. “He’ll send her packing, just like last time.”
Lila took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. “I know. But I can’t help but feel like she’s ready to stir up trouble.”
Reva nodded. “We’ll keep an eye on her. But tonight, let’s focus on having a good time. Candy Faye isn’t worth ruining our evening over.”
Lila managed a small smile. “You’re right.”
Still, Lila couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Candy Faye’s return was trouble. She’d come all the way from Texas, her mind set on one thing…reclaiming Whit Calloway. It didn’t matter that their tumultuous relationship ended or that Whit had started a new life here in this small mountain town. Candy Faye had decided that Whit belonged to her, and she wasn’t about to let him slip through her fingers.
Before she could voice her concerns, Lila felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she found herself face-to-face with Roxie Steele herself, a petite woman with a shock of red hair and a mischievous smile. “You must be Lila Bellamy,” she said, extending a hand. “Whit told me all about you.”
Lila tried to hide her surprise as she shook Roxie’s hand. “You know Whit?”
Roxie grinned. “Oh yes, I met him in the Rusty Pine a few nights ago. He’s quite taken with you.”
The woman nodded subtly towards the door. “But it looks like that woman has an agenda.”
With a conspiratorial glint in her eye, Roxie leaned closer and pressed a book into Lila’s hands. “Darlin’, it’s time to fight fire with fire. Read Chapter 23. It’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
28
The next morning, Lila woke up with that sense of unease that she couldn’t quite shake. The community picnic was today, and while it was one of her favorite events of the year, she couldn’t help but feel a storm was brewing—especially given Candy Faye was back in town.
Despite Whit’s reassurances on the phone that he intended to send his former girlfriend away—this time a little more forcefully—Lila had seen the determined look in her nemesis’ eyes.
That woman wasn’t going away easily.
Lila lay in bed for a moment longer, listening to the birds chirping outside her window, before finally getting up and stretching. The autumn sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across her bedroom that promised a good day ahead.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Yes, today was supposed to be fun—a day filled with laughter, games, and good food—but the nagging feeling in her gut told her otherwise.
As she got dressed, her thoughts drifted back to Whit and the deep talks they’d had since their misunderstanding. She’d felt so sure about the relationship they were building. But the arrival of Candy Faye Hutchison, with her perfect hair and relentless determination, had thrown a wrench into things.
Lila brushed her hair with quick, resolute strokes, hoping Whit had already sent Candy Faye packing a second time. If not, she wouldn’t let Whit’s former girlfriend ruin this day or her relationship with Whit. She chose a light pink sundress with a matching sweater, hoping to embrace the festive spirit of the picnic despite her lingering anxiety.
She was about to head downstairs when she noticed Roxie Steele’s novel on the bedside table. Curious, she picked it up and turned to the chapter Roxie had recommended. A few paragraphs in and she was blushing.
Still, she couldn’t seem to put the book down. She read for several more minutes until a slow smile formed.
Well, Roxie Steele…you’re smarter than you let on.
