Page 52 of The Sugar Maple Inn

“I do get it,” Reese said, feeling his own temper rise. “How many times do I have to tell you? I’ve been where you are.”

“What, a single mom? A woman trying to get a loan in a town where everyone knows her business? Come on, Reese.”

He frowned. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? Because from where I’m sitting, you got lucky. Right place, right time, right connections. You made it out and now you’re here taking opportunities from people who actually need them.”

The words hit like a slap. “I’ve worked my ass off,” Reese said, leaning forward and jabbing his finger on the table. “Taken risks that would’ve broken most people. Built something from nothing with my own hands and my own sweat and yeah, maybe some luck, but mostly just refusing to quit when everyone else would have. And you’re reducing it to just luck? Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, Grace.”

Grace frowned. WildTrailGuide had said that.

They glared at each other, the heat rising.

Then Grace broke the spell and looked away, taking another sip of whiskey. “Sorry. That was unfair.”

Reese didn’t answer. Just stared out at the storm.

A beat passed. Two.

“Let’s change the subject,” Grace said eventually. “What would you usually be doing on a Monday night?”

He glanced at her. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“This, I guess. Drinking indoors. Staring out at a storm somewhere.”

“Not partying?”

Reese smiled despite himself. “I save my partying for the other six nights.”

That got a laugh out of her. Small, but real.

“Come on,” Grace said, settling deeper into the chair. “Humor me. Share the life of a globe-trotter. What’s it actually like?”

He hesitated. Most people assumed his life was one long highlight reel: all yachts and private jets and supermodels. And sure, there was some of that. But most of it?

“Half glamorous,” he admitted, “half boring as hell. Lot of meetings. Lot of travel. Lot of time in hotels that all look the same.”

“But the other half?”

“The other half’s pretty good,” he admitted.

Grace leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity and whiskey. “Okay. Tell me the most extravagant thing you’ve ever bought.”

Reese thought about it. “Private island in the Maldives. Purchased it five years ago. Fully staffed. I’ve been there twice.”

“Twice? You bought an island and have only visited twice?”

He shrugged. “I’m busy. Friends make the most of it, though, family too.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “That’s insane. Anything else?”

He didn’t have to think long. “Helicopter. I was in Vancouver, saw it at a trade show, bought it on the spot.”

“Of course you did.” Grace was grinning now. “How many cars?”

“Active rotation? Four. In storage? Maybe fifteen.”