We stood with our backs to the rest of the room. Just beyond the windows were trees and shrubs that seemed manicured even in March. I studied them until their tranquility eased me.
Then I said a quiet, “I’m sorry.” I did regret putting him in an awkward position. He wasn’t a bad guy, and he was only doing his job. But I did not regret going to court with Grace and Chris. “I honestly didn’t think it was a big deal. The hearing took all of five minutes. It was just a formality.”
“The terms of your probation are clear,” he said, all stern, I-am-the-law. “You’re supposed to pick good friends and stay clean. You’re supposed to avoid anything that is even vaguely smelly. And there you were in a courtroom with a guy who’s up for two felony counts? That smellsreallybad. So what am I supposed to do, Maggie? I mean, I like you, but this is my job. Do I report it?”
“Excuse me,” came a voice from behind, and goose bumps rose on my skin. Edward’s voice would always be that familiar to me.
Suddenly he was right there with us, and how could I not compare the two men? Both were tall, but even though Michael had a couple of inches on him, Edward was more classy, more confident, more imposing, like he was the real thing beside a wannabe. He wore a quarter-zip sweater and slacks; the sweater was cashmere and black, the slacks a lighter gray and cut of fine wool; loafers had replaced mud-crusted boots. His long hair was neatly brushed but, paired with the facial hair, seemed somehow wild.
And there it was, like two days ago at the farm. Edward’s version of tall and dark got to me every time. The jolt I’d felt hearing his voice became a slow thrum in my veins. I tried to shut it down, but it wouldn’t listen to me, and that, alone, was cause to resent him.
He extended a hand to Michael and said in a voice low enough not to carry past us, “Ned Cooper. I’m with the Inn. You must be Officer Shanahan.”
Michael shook his hand. “With the Inn?”
I could read Michael. He definitely recognized the name. He just couldn’t place it, which put me in a bind. What to say? How much to reveal? What the hell did Iknow?
“I’m heading the new management team,” Edward said and hitched his head back at the reception desk, where Joyce was talking with a woman and a man. Both were dressed for business. “They’re PR people working on damage control. I was showing them around and saw you with Ms. Reid. Is there a problem?”
That was his story then. He was “with the management team,” which could have meant anything but was better than an out-and-out “new owner.” He had met me before and knew who I was. And, based on the “Officer” he’d attached to Shanahan, whose name he had just learned from Joyce, he knew who Michael was and, therefore, knew my legal history.
“No problem,” Michael said. “Maggie and I meet from time to time.”
“Not usually here, though, and not usually when Maggie has to work.”
Edward rarely did anything without purpose. Using my first name after Michael had was a power play—like they were jockeying for position with me the pawn. I was suddenly annoyed at them both.
“I caught the end there,” Edward said. “What are you reporting?”
Michael shrugged it off. “Court business.”
“She’s on my payroll, so any business of hers is business of mine. Does it have to do with her being in Rutland yesterday?” When Michael straightened, he said, “I know she was there. Most of the town does. I just know more about Maggie’s past than they do.”
“How much?” Michael asked, the implication being that he knew more, like it was a competition.
But Edward raised ahold-onhand and returned to the reception desk.
“Who the hell does he thinkheis?” Michael hissed the instant he was gone.
“My ex-husband,” I hissed back, and why not? He would figure it out. And I was angry, too. I didn’t want this, didn’t wantanyof it.
He eyed me in shock. “Seriously?”
“Would I joke about something like that?” My whisper was harsh. I felt a storm gathering inside and wasn’t sure I could contain it. The past week had been hell on my nerves, which were now further shredded by Edward’s pale-blue eyes—Lily’s pale-blue eyes—strikingly silver-blue eyes, both pairs.
“I didn’t invite him here, Michael, he just suddenly showed up. I had no idea he had anything to do with the Inn, and I still don’t know the extent of whatever it is. He didn’t bother to let me know before he was coming. God knows he didn’t ask my permission. Trust me, I am not a happy camper.”
“What’s his game?”
“LikeIknow?” I asked, feeling so many warring emotions that when Edward returned, the best I could do was to bury my hands in the pockets of my coat.
Without missing a beat, he picked up where they’d left off. “I know about the accident, the trial, and the probation.”
“If you’re her ex,” came Michael’s smug reply, “you know a lot more than that.”
Edward seemed about to say something, but reconsidered. He eyed me in question.
“I just told him,” I said.
