He clutched his chest in mock hurt. “You wound me. I’m the epitome of charm and good behavior.”
“Oh, really?” she shot back. “Is that why Aggie pocketed a butter knife when you walked in earlier?”
His grin widened. “That was a misunderstanding. A few years back, there was an incident with some garden gnomes and a few packages of leftover fireworks. Poor timing, that’s all.”
She still didn’t trust his motives, but she was beginning to see why Lolly had been so charmed. A laugh slipped out. “You’re impossible.”
“It’s part of my appeal.”
Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence.
Cora turned back to Jack. “Thank you for your offer to help, but I’ve got it under control. I have a plan.”
He didn’t have a chance to respond, because the rumble of an expensive engine cut through the quiet. A sleek black car rolled onto the gravel lot, its polished surface gleaming in the sunlight. The easy warmth they’d shared evaporated, tension sliding in like a cold draft.
Nathaniel Worthington unfolded himself from the car, looking every bit the predator in his tailored suit. He moved with a sleek, controlled grace, his hair slicked back without a single strand out of place.
He hadn’t changed much since he got caught cheating off Cora in ninth-grade algebra. He still looked like a well-dressed scumbag, only these days he was president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Sunrise Historical Society. He couldn’t do his own homework back then, but now he could control what color residents were allowed to paint their mailboxes.
As his polished shoes crunched over the gravel, a mix of dread and determination settled low in Cora’s stomach.
Jack must have sensed it, because he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. “Want to make a run for it?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t suppose you’ve got any of those leftover fireworks handy?”
Jack tugged open the door and held it for her. “I like the way you think.”
Before the door closed behind them, Governor Sam let out a low growl from his corner of the porch. It was the first time in Cora’s life she’d ever agreed with a politician.
When Nathaniel Worthingtonstrolled into the café, all that was missing was “The Imperial March” fromStar Wars. He had the kind of face that might’ve been handsome if it wasn’t always twisted into a scowl. Everything about him was polished, from his gleaming shoes to his tailored gray suit. Even his posture was irritatingly straight, as if slouching was for losers, like all of them.
Jack stiffened beside Cora, his arm brushing hers as he shifted closer. The touch sent a jolt through her, and she prayed the flush rising in her cheeks wasn’t too obvious. Judging from Aggie’s disapproving frown as she took in his sudden proximity to Cora, she wasn’t that lucky.
Aggie finally stopped staring at them and turned toward the door. “Well, if it isn’t little Nate Worthington,” she said as she began rummaging through her oversized floral purse, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Now where did I put that emergency Taser? I save it for special occasions like this.”
Nathaniel’s polite smile wavered, his jaw clenching tight. “It’s Nathaniel, Mrs. Palmer. As you well know.”
Aggie waved a dismissive hand. “Potato, po-tah-to. I’ve known you since you were in diapers, Nate. I’ll call you what I please.”
His lips tightened in response, but he shifted his attention to Cora. “How wonderful to see you back in Sunrise, Cora.” He took another step closer. “Lolly’s passing has been such a loss to the community, but seeing you here reminds us of better days.”
Cora forced a smile, channeling every drop of New York cool she’d worked so hard to cultivate. She hadn’t forgotten how Nathaniel had taken a phone call in the middle of Lolly’s memorial service. She’d wanted to punch him then, and she still wanted to punch him now. And from the way the muscle ticked in Jack’s jaw as he stepped between them, she wasn’t the only one.
“What can I help you with, Nathaniel?” she asked.
His gaze swept over her, a quick appraising flick. “I wanted to drop by to say hello and to discuss the small matter of the loan. I trust Mr. Hathaway has filled you in on all the details.”
The tension in the café was palpable, and Cora noticed Bea’s hand shake as she set her coffee cup on the table.
“Now see here,” Bea said. “You can’t just barge in here like you own the place.”
“But that’s precisely the point. Iwillown this place soon.” Nathaniel’s eyes gleamed, cold satisfaction oozing from every word. He was enjoying this, like a cat toying with its prey before the kill.
Cora recognized that look. It was the same one he’d had in high school when he’d “accidentally” spilled a grape Slushie on her science fair project and convinced the teacher it had been her fault for leaving it unattended. Nathaniel didn’t throw punches. He chipped away at you with smug smiles, while the adults patted him on the back for being such arespectable young man. Some people outgrew high school. Nathaniel Worthington just got better tailoring.
“We’re still trying to figure out what’s going on,” Cora said, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tremor of fear running through her. “Why would Lolly have taken out a loan from you? There must be some kind of mistake.” It was infuriating how easily he could still rattle her. Just being near him stirred up the same helpless frustration she’d felt as ateenager. And now, here he was again, standing between her and something that mattered.
“I assure you, there’s no mistake.” Nathaniel pulled a folded document from his breast pocket with a flourish. “As your attorney should have informed you, the terms are quite clear. The loan is due in full in thirty days, or the property will be foreclosed on.” He glanced at his watch, clearly savoring the moment. “Make that twenty-nine.”
