by Cindy Kirk
Like her, Matilda rarely spoke of her past.
“Excellent food and fabulous conversation.” Dixon lifted his glass of wine and gave a little salute in her direction, or rather, in the direction of the bride and groom. “This has been a most enjoyable evening.”
Dixon’s comment appeared innocent and friendly, but Nell knew it held another message. This was the first time in years they’d sat at the same table and shared a meal.
“It was a wonderful dinner.” Nell kept her tone light, but when her eyes met his, she knew he understood.
Dixon always understood.
But she couldn’t forget he’d come to Hazel Green despite her express request that he keep his distance. Being in the same town together only increased the danger for both of them.
Nell still didn’t know why he was here. They’d gone their separate ways years ago. Why show up now? She’d asked, but so far, Dixon had refused to give her a straight answer.
Expelling a breath, Nell schooled her expression, conscious of Leo’s attention on her.
“It’s been a long day,” she said in answer to his unspoken question.
Abby and Jonah pushed back their chairs at the same time. Jonah took Abby’s hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips for a kiss. The diamond on her left hand winked in the light.
“We want to thank you for all you’ve done to make the planning of our wedding a pleasure rather than a pain.” Jonah smiled as laughter rippled around the table. “Having good friends to share this special time means a lot to Abby and me.”
“Me, too.” Eva Grace piped up, her mouth filled with a bite of mini lime cupcake.
“It means a lot to our daughter, too.” Jonah offered the little girl an indulgent smile. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
Along with everyone else at the table, Nell clapped.
“Does she feel hot to you?”
Nell jerked her head in Abby’s direction. The back of her friend’s hand was against her daughter’s forehead.
While Nell watched, Jonah placed his hand on Eva Grace’s flushed cheek.
He nodded, and worry filled his eyes. “How do you feel, sweetie?”
To Nell’s inexperienced eyes, the child looked fine. But then, what she knew about kids could fit on the head of a pin.
“I feel good.” Eva Grace smiled at Matilda. “My tummy is very happy.”
Matilda smiled, but worry furrowed her brow.
Jonah’s parents exchanged glances.
Abby shifted her gaze to Nell and Jackie. “I know we planned to get together this evening, but—”
“No worries.” Nell waved her silent.
“You need to be with your daughter.” Jackie shot Abby a reassuring smile. “I bet after a good night’s rest, she’ll be ready to toss those petals like a pro.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Abby expelled a shaky breath. “I love you both.”
“Let’s get our girl home.” Jonah placed a hand against Abby’s back.
“I don’t want to go home yet.” Eva Grace’s lower lip trembled. Her voice stopped just short of a whine.
Jonah ruffled the girl’s blonde curls. “Once you’re in your pj’s, we’ll play a game of Sneaky Snacky Squirrel. Then we’ll read not one, not two, but three stories.”
Eva Grace’s eyes widened. “Can I pick the books?”
“Of course.” Abby smiled. “It’s a special night.”
Once the threesome left, Jonah’s parents headed upstairs to their suite.
“Anyone up for checking out the action at Goose Island Grog?” Beau might have posed the question to the group, but his gaze was on Jackie. “They have karaoke on Friday nights.”
Jackie tossed her head, sending her curls cascading down her back. “Sounds like fun.”
“Count me in.” Dixon finished off his glass of wine. “Matilda?”
“I’d love to join you, but my staff and I are handling the food for the reception.” Even as she spoke, Matilda gestured to one of the servers to begin clearing the table. “I need to stay here and go over last-minute details.”
Beside Nell, Leo remained silent, as if waiting to see what she had in mind. Though part of Nell wanted nothing more than to beg off, then meet him somewhere private, that would be wasting this opportunity.
If they went to Goose Island as part of a wedding party group, no one would think twice about them being together. Once they decided to call it a night, Leo could still come home with her.
“C’mon, Nell, it’ll be fun.” Dixon’s urging had her reconsidering.
“It’s been a long day.” Her gaze shifted to Leo. “Would you mind terribly dropping me off at my place?”
The smile Leo flashed was bright, hot and filled with promise.
Chapter Four
On their way to the car, Leo and Nell maneuvered through sidewalks filled with tourists. Many of the locals out for a fun Friday night were people Leo knew, or who knew him. Or knew Nell. Leo caught several guys giving her a second glance. He didn’t blame them. Nell was a beautiful woman.
Leo resisted the urge to grab her hand. It wasn’t just that he wanted to proclaim to the world that they were together—okay, that was part of it—but it wasn’t the entirety. He liked physical contact. He liked her.
Heck, he could easily love her. Which was crazy when you considered he didn’t know that much about her.
Leo told himself he knew enough. He’d witnessed her kindness and compassion, as well as her steely determination to right the wrongs done to children. She had a good heart.
But being friends with benefits was no longer enough.
Nell’s hand brushed against his as they walked, as if she also found it difficult to keep from touching.
Leo recognized one of the two men coming toward them. Deep in conversation, oblivious to their surroundings, neither appeared to notice his and Nell’s approach.
Leo punching Wells in the shoulder, perhaps a little harder than was necessary, had his eldest brother’s head jerking up.
Wells’s tight-set jaw released when he saw Leo. His gaze shifted momentarily to Nell before returning to his brother.
The older Wells got, the more he reminded Leo of their father. Wells had their dad’s sandy-brown hair, hazel eyes and solid build. Leo and his middle brother, Mathis, had inherited their mother’s blue eyes, dark hair and leaner frame.
“Jerome, this is my brother, Leo,” Wells said. “And this is Cornelia Ambrose, a local attorney.”
“You’re Hazel Green.” Jerome’s eyes lit up. “My wife and I are huge fans.”
“Thank you.” Nell’s smile was as gracious as her words. “It’s a privilege to portray such an amazing woman.”
“Jerome is considering investing in the warehouse over on Chandler Road,” Wells told Leo.
If it was the one Leo was thinking of, the warehouse had been sitting empty for years. “That property has a lot of potential.”
“I agree.” Jerome nodded, then slanted a glance at Wells. “The price, well, that will need to be negotiated.”
Wells only smiled and shifted his attention to Leo. “I thought you two were tied up at a wedding event tonight.”
“We just got through with the rehearsal dinner at Matilda’s.” Leo kept his tone easy. “Eva Grace wasn’t feeling well, so Abby and Jonah cut the evening short.”
“Jonah.” Jerome rubbed his chin. “That wouldn’t by any chance be Jonah Rollins, the police chief?”
“That’s him,” Leo acknowledged. “Abby Fine, his fiancée, owns the Inn at Hazel Green.”
Jerome’s watch buzzed. His lips lifted in an apologetic smile. “I hate to rush off, but my wife and I are meeting at the Green Gateau. I promised not to keep her waiting.”
After shaking hands with everyone, Jerome hurried down the street. Leo watched the man disappear into the crowd.
“I ran into Jerome on my way to Goose Island.” Wells’s gaze shifted briefly to Nell before returning to his brother. �
�It’s an informal going-away party for Duane Hatcher in IT.”
Leo pulled his brows together. “I didn’t realize Duane was leaving.”
“His wife got a job in Minneapolis.” His brother’s tone turned persuasive. “I know he’d love to see you before he leaves town.”
Before Leo could respond, Nell touched his arm.
“Don’t worry about me.” She gestured vaguely with one hand. “I can find my own way home.”
Leo gave his head a shake and turned to his brother. “Give Duane my best.”
“Will do.” Wells accepted his decision without arguing, then glanced at Nell. “I’ll see you both tomorrow at the wedding. Enjoy your evening.”
Nell’s expression turned pensive. “I was surprised when Wells said he was headed to a party.”
“Why?”
“You just don’t see him much at social events. Or at least I don’t run across him much,” Nell amended.
“He’s different since the helicopter crash.” Leo expelled a heavy breath as he recalled the tragedy. “In one day, he lost his wife and our sister.”
“I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for him…and for you.”
Leo gave only a jerky nod and changed the subject. “If Wells ends up unloading that old warehouse, we’ll all party at Goose Island.”
It didn’t take them long to reach Greenbriar Place. Two months ago, Nell had entered into a short-term lease with the option to buy one of the spacious apartments.
Only a couple years old, units in the brick and stone building were highly sought after. The flats had ten-foot ceilings, a rooftop garden and sold for astronomically high prices.
When Leo had asked Nell how she could even consider buying, she’d alluded to some particularly lucrative stock purchases. One night, she’d shown him her portfolio. The woman might not be able to keep a plant alive, but she definitely knew how to invest.
Greenbriar Place, known for being one of the most secure buildings in Hazel Green, had a lobby concierge who doubled as a watchdog. Though discreet was the name of the game in this high-end building, until tonight Nell had preferred rendezvousing at Leo’s house.
Before they reached the entrance, Leo took her hand and pulled her to sit with him on a bench under a large, leafy tree.
“What are you doing?”
Leo felt like a racehorse at the starting gate. His heart hammered against his chest. He told himself if you didn’t enter the race, you never won. “We need to talk.”
Nell’s gaze turned watchful, but when she spoke, her tone was light and the smile remained on her lips. “Here I thought that was what we’d been doing all evening.”
He angled his body toward her. “I want us to go public with our relationship.”
Her eyes widened. Whatever she’d expected him to say, it wasn’t this. “I don’t—”
“Hear me out.” Leo lifted a hand. “I think you and I could have a real future together. I’m ready for more, Nell. I’m asking you to give us a shot.”
Instead of dismissing the suggestion, as she had the other times he’d pressed, Nell appeared to be considering the possibility. “Sneaking around does get old.”
Leo waited for her to say more, but when the silence stretched and extended, he was the one to finally break it.
“Your silence tells me you have reservations about what I’m proposing.” His gaze searched hers. “Tell me what they are.”
When Leo had decided to pursue this discussion, he’d thought about what he’d do if she refused. As hard as losing her would be, if she truly didn’t care enough to try to build a lasting relationship, he’d concluded it’d be best to walk away now.
“I care about you, Leo.” Nell’s fingers tightened around his hand. “I’d like more, too. What’s between us is more than sex. Although, don’t get me wrong, sex with you is exceptional.”
He laughed.
“But I’m not prepared for the scrutiny that comes with being the mayor’s girlfriend.” Two lines furrowed Nell’s brow. “I’m uncomfortable with all the public attention that would bring.”
Of all the arguments he’d thought she might present, this one made the least sense. He’d never seen anyone more at ease in the public eye than Nell.
“Remember, I’m a small-town mayor, Nell, not a US senator like my father. Although, to be perfectly honest, I may run for higher office down the road.” Leo offered her what he hoped was an encouraging smile. “I’m not discounting your worries, but I believe we can make this work. The thing is, I’m not sure how much longer I can go on with things the way they are now.”
A startled look crossed her face. She jerked her hand from his. “What are you saying?”
Before Leo could respond, his phone buzzed. Pulling it out, he read the message and swore under his breath.
Nell lifted a brow.
“Family issue.” He shot her an apologetic look. “I need to go.”
“I hope everything is okay.” She placed her palm against his chest, her blue eyes filled with concern.
Leo blew out a breath. The urgency of the text was disturbing. “Yeah, me, too.”
Leo sat in the overstuffed chair in Wells’s study. His brother Mathis, known as Matt to those close to him, had commandeered a nearby chair. Wells stood, one hand on the fireplace mantel, a glass of whiskey in the other.
“Dad and Steve have been friends for as far back as I can remember.” Matt shook his head. “He’s a good guy. Why would he do something like this?”
“I’m sure we’ll get more details once we meet with Dad in person. I don’t think he wanted to get into all the specifics on the phone.” Wells’s expression was grim. “I don’t need to be a politician to realize the fallout could be the death knell for Dad’s career.”
“This whole situation pisses me off.” Leo surged to his feet. “Dad trusted Steve, and this is how he repays him?”
“I couldn’t believe it myself.” Wells took another sip of whiskey. “Just from the little I know, it appears Steve has been lying to Dad for over a year.”
Leo pressed his lips together and fought to bring the anger bubbling inside him under control.
Matt frowned. “He and Dad were best friends.”
“Some best friend.” Leo spat the title. “The man was lying to Dad every day of the last year when he pretended to be someone he wasn’t.”
Wells nodded. “With Dad up for reelection in November, this scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“You’re acting like Dad did something wrong,” Matt protested. “It was Steve who took the bribes.”
“Steve was Dad’s legislative director.” Wells patiently pointed out something that should have been obvious. “In that position, it was Steve’s job to advise Dad on key legislative decisions, including how to vote on issues.”
“Which is why the bribery charge spills over onto Dad.” Leo clenched his jaw so tight, the muscles jumped. “Not only does it look like our father didn’t know what was going on in his own office, it makes all his votes suspect.”
“Dad did the right thing in recusing himself from the vote on the trade deal.” Wells’s eyes remained as dark as his expression. “He couldn’t vote for it, knowing Steve had taken money to secure a positive vote.”
“The funny thing is he would have voted for it anyway.” Leo’s lips turned up in a humorless smile.
Sympathy filled Matt’s eyes. “Steve is in a whole shitload of trouble.”
“I don’t feel sorry for him.” Leo thought of his father, a good man who’d always tried to do his best for the state of Illinois. “It was Steve’s choice to take the bribes. To lie to our father. To put Dad’s entire political future at risk. Steve knew what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway.”
“What about Karen?” Matt asked, referring to Steve’s wife. “Has anyone reached out to her?”
Steve and Karen had been more like a favorite aunt and uncle than simply their parents’ good friends.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
“It’s best if we keep our distance from both Steve and Karen.” Wells spoke as if the matter was settled. “Steve has been charged. Karen may be complicit. That hasn’t been determined.”
“I still can’t believe it. This seems like a bad dream.” Leo raked a hand through his hair. “Trusting Steve could end up torpedoing Dad’s career.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Matt asked.
“There is one thing. Dad doesn’t need more bad publicity.” Wells’s gaze shifted between his two younger brothers. “Which means we need to make sure not to do—or say—anything that could make this worse for Dad.”
Matt inclined his head. “Like what?”
“Nothing that would put any of us in the news in a negative way.” Wells shifted to speak directly to Leo. “It goes without saying that some of your decisions as mayor may not be popular. I’m speaking more of our personal lives. And in our business”—Wells’s gaze lingered on Matt—“we’ll need to look at every aspect of our practices and the work done by each person we employ. I don’t want us blindsided like Dad.”
Leo thought of his relationship with Nell. Although they were both adults and single, how would it look if it came out that the mayor was having a secret, sexual relationship?
Perhaps, he should give her up…
The second the thought surfaced, Leo shoved it aside. The secrecy wouldn’t be an issue much longer. Nell would agree to date him.
There was no other option.
Chapter Five
“Thank you, Anthony.” Nell offered a smile to the man who held the elevator door open for her.
“I hope you had a pleasant evening.” At six feet, Anthony Pugliesi had the lean, muscular build of a street brawler and the face of an Italian film star. The snake tat traveling up his right forearm added an element of danger to his polished appearance.
Anthony held the dual position of concierge and chief of building security.