Henry parked near Storm in a Teacup.He took her hand in his.“I’m sorry for acting like an idiot.I’ll try to curb my craziness in future.”
“And that, right there, is why I’m with you and not Samuel.You apologized, and your words show me you’re willing to meet halfway.”
Henry tightened his grip momentarily before releasing her hand.“Laura is waiting.”
“Is Samuel in trouble?”
Henry’s lips curved into a wry smile.“I suspect you’ll be his worst problem.Laura is monitoring him because she’s suspicious of his sudden appearance.I’d bet my mind has turned the same corner as Laura’s.We’re wondering if he had anything to do with the attack.”
“Samuel is vindictive when he doesn’t get his way.”
They walked past the rose bushes at the cafe’s entrance and stepped onto the wooden verandah.Henry opened the door for her, and a bell tinkled.Maia scanned the cafe and spotted Samuel sitting at a corner table, a half-eaten breakfast in front of him.He half-stood on noticing her arrival and noticeably bristled when he registered Henry.
“Henry, could you order me a coffee, please?I want to deal with Samuel.”
Henry hesitated before giving a curt nod and detouring to the service counter.
Maia crossed the distance between the door and Samuel’s table on shaky legs.While this setting was safe, she hated to add extra fuel to the local gossip vine.Samuel was forcing this confrontation on her, and her temper strained at the leash.
“At last,” Samuel snapped.“I thought I’d have to send the police to retrieve you.”
Chapter 15
Maiagaped,shockathis frigid attitude batting away her doubts.Her spine stiffened, and she yanked out a chair at his table.“What the devil do you mean?”
Samuel’s hand shot out and captured her wrist, his grip an unbreakable band.Not that this brute force stopped her from attempting to free herself.
“Release me, or I will scream.Loudly.”
“I don’t like games, Maia.Where are they?”
“If you’d tell me exactly what you mean, I might help.Right now, I’m clueless.”
“You took the Greek myths and legends books.”
She didn’t bother to hide her confusion.“You gave them to me.”
“On the understanding we’d stay together.You grabbed the books when you left.”
“I did,” she said, not grasping why he was so angry.She’d left the larger, more expensive items he’d given her behind because she didn’t think it was ethical to take them.
In her peripheral vision, she noticed Henry take a seat with Laura, and she silently thanked him for his support.
“I want them back,” Samuel said in his high-handed way.
“Why didn’t you call me?Why travel from Auckland to Middlemarch?”
He shrugged, his dark blond hair flopping over his eyes.He shoved it back and glared at her.“You aren’t taking my calls.”
True, because he’d harassed her, demanding another chance.
“You could’ve contacted Bryce and asked him to message me.When did you arrive in Middlemarch?”
“Yesterday.I want my books.”
“You can have them.I’ll deliver them.”
“I’ll come with you and collect them now.”
