by A. P. Jensen
“Bethany!” Regan shouted.
It was so quiet in the shop that Demi elbowed Regan, scandalized that she’d yell in a place that felt like a library. A woman appeared behind the front counter wearing a professional smile. She was short and slim with large blue eyes, a doll face and flawless skin. Her black hair was slicked back and pulled into a perfect bun. She was dressed formally in black slacks and a short sleeve turtleneck. Because of her appearance, Demi pegged her around their age until she came closer. The woman couldn’t be older than twenty-five, but she embodied competence. Her appearance was classy, no nonsense and professional, which Demi approved of.
“Regan Lee,” Bethany said with a polite nod and turned to Demi. “And you’re the one everyone’s talking about. Demi, right?”
Demi shot Regan a reproachful look.
“I didn’t say anything. I told you, the video’s viral,” Regan said defensively.
Demi sighed. “Yes, I’m Demi.”
“First time in a small town?” Bethany asked with a sympathetic look.
“Yes.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Bethany assured her before she turned back to Regan. “When do you want to start looking over the store’s finances?”
“Tomorrow,” Regan said and Bethany nodded. “Demi has similar expertise in business, so she’ll be shadowing me during your consultation.”
“Okay,” Bethany said with another nod.
“Good. We’ll be back tomorrow,” Regan said and without further ado, walked out of the shop.
“Nice meeting you,” Demi said awkwardly to Bethany.
“Same to you,” Bethany said.
Demi had to sprint to catch up with Regan.
“Ms. Congeniality you are not,” Demi observed.
“You got that right.” Regan balanced Chase on her hip. “I can be polite when I want to, but the people here don’t expect me to act like someone I’m not. Bethany came back to White Mist because her grandma had a stroke.”
“Oh no!” Demi said, stopping in her tracks.
Regan stopped too. “Bethany’s mom has to take care of her so Bethany came back from New York to run the shop. I haven’t seen her since she was a kid. Her grandmother started the shop and has been running it the same way since she opened it—with ledgers and paper receipts. Bethany’s coming into all of this without any idea how they’ve been running the store so she hired me to look into the finances and maybe update some things. I’m not sure how long all of this will take, but I’m thinking around a month.”
“Bethany lives in New York?” Demi asked, feeling an immediate connection with the other woman. She thought back to the serene expression on Bethany’s face. She may be stressed about her grandmother and the shop, but none of that showed. She was a pro through and through.
“Yeah, Bethany did well outside of White Mist. I think she’s considering moving back, which is why she wants to make sure everything’s in order with Ever After.”
“Makes sense,” Demi said.
Regan led Demi to a shop called Valerie & Paula’s. The front window displayed a charming tea set that caught Demi’s eye before she walked into the store and was engulfed in the smell of brown sugar and vanilla. Demi’s heart lifted. The shelves were filled with glass, ceramics, wood signs, candle sets, vases, paintings… Demi didn’t know where to look first.
“This is my mom’s shop,” Regan said.
“This is her shop?” Demi asked, lifting a candle to her nose and breathing in the scent of pine and snow. “She had trouble selling this stuff?”
“There wasn’t much foot traffic. Eighty percent of her sales are online, but we keep the store stocked because my mom and Paula like to come to work and chit chat with everyone.” Regan rolled her eyes as an older woman rushed forward. “This is my mother-in-law, Paula.”
Paula nodded to Demi, but her attention was on her grandson.
“This is Demi. I just wanted to show her the shop. We’re heading over to mom’s,” Regan said loudly over Paula’s baby talk.
“Leave Chase with me. I’m heading over there once I close,” Paula said.
“Okay. Bye, baby.” Regan kissed Chase and pulled Demi out of the shop. “You can peruse later when my mom’s around. Paula loves my son and husband, but we’re not best friends.”
There was a lot Regan wasn’t saying, but Demi didn’t push. They hopped into the SUV and Regan navigated through an older neighborhood.
“So, how does Daniel fit into all this?” Demi asked.
“Fit into what?”
“You’re married and have a child with your high school sweetheart. Your billionaire ex is building a hotel nearby… Isn’t that weird?”
Regan snickered. “Brooks nearly lost his mind when he found out. I just gave birth to Chase when Daniel started scoping out land. I don’t hate Daniel, he doesn’t hate me. We’re… frenemies, I guess. I think in some part of his mind, he thought I’d get restless and work for him again.”
Regan pulled up in front of an old house and got out of the car.
“What are we doing here?” Demi asked.
“Dinner.” Regan pulled her up the steps. “I would’ve cooked for you myself, but I like you so I asked mom to make something instead.”
“You asked your mom to make dinner for me?” Demi was appalled. “You didn’t have to do that!”
“You’re my new business partner, you’re new in town and if you need protection, you need to know who my family is.”
“Protection? From what?” Demi asked, wondering if she should have checked the crime rate first.
“The people in White Mist are criminally nosy,” Regan said and then, “Mom likes cooking, period. She loves hosting, period. She loves everyone together, period. So, don’t freak out that she’s making a dinner for us. She lives for this and tries at least twice a week to get us together.”
Regan shoved Demi into the house and into bedlam. Regan pushed Demi to the side before she was blasted in the face with a hail of yellow balls. A girl ran towards them wearing high heels and bright lipstick. She cowered behind Demi and gripped her shirt.
“Bobby, I told you, I’m not playing!” the girl shouted.
Two boys rushed forward with Nerf guns and paused to look Demi up and down. It was clear they were impressed by her size.
“Who are you?” the older boy asked.
Regan smacked him upside the head. “Manners, Bobby. This is Demi and she’s gonna be working with me. This is Luke,” Regan ruffled the hair of the younger boy and pointed to the girl behind Demi, “That’s Sophie and where’s—?”
A girl who was the spitting image of Regan came running out of the hallway, screaming at the top of her lungs. She blasted Bobby and Luke with missiles before she grinned at Regan.
“Whooped their butt, Aunty Regan!”
Regan gave the girl a high five. “And this is Angel. The girls are my sister’s kids. The boys are my brother’s.” Regan clapped her hands together. “Five minute break. Grab your missiles, reload and head out to the backyard.”
Angel, Bobby and Luke scrambled around the living room to grab the yellow balls, shoving each other and shouting the whole time. Sophie took the opportunity to run upstairs and lock herself in a room.
Regan walked into the kitchen and was immediately nabbed by a man in jeans and work boots. Demi’s brows rose as he boosted Regan up and gave her a deep kiss. Regan wrapped her legs around her husband’s waist while the other occupants rolled their eyes.
“Brooks, this is Demi. She’s my new business partner,” Regan said when the kiss ended. “Chase is with your mom.”
Brooks looked past his wife and gave Demi a long perusal before his lips curved. “You’re not Johnny’s type.”
Demi crossed her arms defensively over her chest. “Which is what I keep telling everyone.”
There were two other couples in the kitchen, a baby and an older woman who elbowed them aside.
“I’m Regan’s mom, Valerie,” she annou
nced and bypassed Demi’s outstretched hand and hugged her. “Someone needs to keep Regan in check. She likes you, says you don’t bullshit. I like that. You like barbecue? I’m gonna tell the boys to do some steaks, burgers and hot dogs.”
“Uh, thanks and uh, yeah,” Demi said.
Valerie nodded. “Good. Brooks, Max, you heard her. Get going.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A guy dressed like Brooks in jeans, work boots and faded shirt held out his hand. “I’m Max, Regan Lee’s brother. Work with Brooks at the electric company.” He jerked his thumb behind him. “My baby mama’s Holly and she’s a tiger. Watch out.”
With that, Max walked out of the kitchen with tongs and a tray of burgers. Brooks set Regan down and took a tray of steaks and a pot. The third man had hard eyes and didn’t look warm or welcoming.
“You have a record?” he asked.
“Of what?” Demi asked, bewildered.
“Arrests, DUI, drugs?”
Demi stared at him. “No.”
“Good. I’m Guy, Chief of Police and I got enough on my hands between the paparazzi and Regan Lee.”
“Well, I’m not planning to make trouble,” Demi said.
“That’s what I want to hear.” Guy tossed Regan a surly look. “You give me a call if Regan Lee starts any brawls or does anything… illegal.”
Regan rolled her eyes as Guy marched outside after Brooks and Max. Regan hopped up on a counter while a woman who looked like Valerie wagged a finger in Regan’s face and held a baby girl on her hip.
“You threatened the Carson sisters again, Regan Lee?”
“Threatening people isn’t against the law,” Regan protested.
“It is,” the woman said shortly and moved towards Demi. “I’m Missy, Regan Lee’s older sister. Guy wasn’t exaggerating. Regan Lee hogtied a woman—”
“That was years ago and Kerry shouldn’t have told you!” Regan shouted.
Missy glared daggers at her sister. “Regan Lee can be stupid. Like Guy said, give us a call if she does anything questionable.”
The last woman in the kitchen said, “What’s wrong with hog tying a skank?”
Missy glared. “Holly, you’re not helping.”
Holly shrugged. “Regan hasn’t killed anybody. Plus, the Carson sisters are trashy. Haven’t heard a peep from them since. Regan Lee, I heard you broke a knee and brained one of them with a paperweight. Is that true?”
“I broke Trixy’s knee and hit Magnolia with a paperweight on her forehead,” Regan said after a moment of thought.
Demi stared at Regan. “Are you serious?”
“They wanted a fight. It was two against five. I evened the odds,” Regan said with a shrug. “But I’m a mom now, so threatening’s all I’ve done. No biggie.”
“How do you like White Mist so far, Demi?” Valerie broke in, cutting Regan off.
“Uh, I don’t know,” Demi said honestly.
“Regan’s nuts,” Missy said.
“Don’t scare off my partner,” Regan said to her sister. “She’s perfect.”
“You better not scare her off, Regan Lee,” Missy retorted.
Holly came forward and looked up at Demi. “You’re just as big as Kerry, but more curvy.”
“And Kerry is…?” Demi asked, knowing she’d have to thank and apologize to this woman for borrowing her clothes this morning.
“Brooks’ sister,” Regan said and glanced at the clock on the wall. “She’ll be here soon.”
“You brawl?” Holly asked Demi.
“Never had to,” Demi said.
Holly smiled. “Regan and I will teach you. If you’re gonna claim Johnny, you need to beat other women off with a bat.”
“I’m not claiming Johnny,” Demi said.
Holly cocked her head to the side. “Saw the way you looked at him in that video. You can’t fake that shit.”
Demi opened her mouth to defend herself when the front door opened. A boy and girl ran into the kitchen and hugged everyone including Demi before they raced out back. A tall couple came into the kitchen with trays of food and were followed by Gwen, Trey and Johnny.
There was more hugging and kissing and the tall man introduced himself as Ned before he walked out to the backyard. Regan tossed her car keys over everyone’s head to Johnny who caught them and disappeared outside. Kerry, a striking woman who was indeed just as tall as Demi gave her a distracted hug.
“Where’s mom and dad?” Kerry asked the kitchen filled with women.
“They’ll be here in fifteen minutes,” Regan called.
Kerry narrowed her eyes at Regan. “Did Chase jump on my bed?”
Regan gave her an appalled look. If Demi hadn’t actually witnessed Chase do just that, she would have believed Regan in a heartbeat.
“You think I’d let Chase jump on your bed? Come on, Kerry, give me more credit than that,” Regan said.
Kerry eyed Regan for a long minute and then said, “You are so full of shit.”
Regan did a good impression of being offended, but when Kerry turned away, Regan winked at Demi. Spending the day with Regan, Demi had an inkling that Regan was a bit wild, but nothing prepared her for the stories she just heard. Demi wasn’t sure what hog tying meant, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t good.
“All right, Demi?” Gwen asked and gave her a quick hug.
“Did you forget to tell me that Johnny was catching the same flight?” Demi asked.
“No,” Gwen said without a trace of remorse.
Trey gave her a big grin and went out back. Johnny came into the house with Paula, Chase and an older man smoking a cigar. Paula introduced her husband as Uncle Al who immediately followed the sound of masculine voices outside. Paula and Valerie supervised the food while Missy tried to find out why Chase would be jumping on Kerry’s bed. The women were chattering all at once and Demi was beginning to feel the first strains of panic when she felt a firm hand on her arm. She was relieved until she saw that the hand belonged to Johnny. She tried to pull away, but he didn’t let up. He dragged her out of the kitchen to the living room, which was deserted at the moment.
“What do you want?” she asked. She was so over everyone referring to that stupid video and assuming they were in a relationship.
“You need to give me your number,” he said.
She twisted her arm out of his hold, which was becoming a habit she didn’t like. “Why?”
“So I can stop calling Regan.”
“You don’t need my number.”
Demi wasn’t fast enough to stop him from snatching her purse. He rifled through it and found her phone. She tried to take it back, but he was bigger than her and she didn’t think jumping on his back would do much good. Johnny called his phone with hers, saved the number and handed it back to her.
“I can see why you settled here. I think there’s something wrong with this town,” Demi muttered.
He grinned. For a moment, he was the Johnny she remembered, full of life and laughter and her heart yearned for that simpler time.
“It’s your own fault Regan likes you. I hear you’re going to work with her,” he said. “Sounds like you’re staying despite the fact that I live here.”
“Well,” she fumbled and tilted her chin up when he grinned. “I’m sure we can both live in the same town without bothering one another.”
Johnny shrugged and his casual attitude pissed her off.
“I’m sick of everyone thinking we’re together. You need to release a statement to the press or something,” she snapped.
“And say what?”
“I don’t know. That last night was a publicity stunt or I was playing along. It was a joke… Something!”
Johnny’s eyes moved over her face. “I’ve never seen anyone with eyes that shade of green.”
“Johnny,” she said in a warning voice, “Stop.”
Johnny was gorgeous and knew it. Having the genes from a supermodel and rock star father, it was no wonder that Johnny’s natural charm d
rew women in droves. Right now, Johnny’s complete focus was on her and it was enough to make her nightmares of him fade into nothing. She shook herself and eased back. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I want no part in it.”
He eased closer to her and noted the fractional widening of her eyes. “You want to play, Demi. You just won’t admit it.”
“No, I don’t,” Demi said emphatically. She didn’t want to play. She was done with taking risks, following instincts, etc. It only led to more heartache.
“Let’s eat!” Valerie shouted.
Chapter Four
The women filed out of the kitchen, still talking nonstop. Regan came over and hooked her arm through Demi’s.
“Behave!” Regan said to Johnny before she led Demi outside.
Valerie’s backyard was filled with people and laughter. There were tables with plastic chairs set up and everything was awash in orange light as the sun began its decent. The kids were making plates of food and sat at one table while the adults congregated at another. Most of the men gathered around the grill, drinking beers. Regan led Demi over to the food table.
“Load up,” Regan said.
The food smelled great and Demi made herself a plate and paused, wondering where to sit. Regan grabbed her arm again and led her to a table where Missy sat with a sharp eye on the kids. They dug into the food and for several minutes, there was peace.
“You sure you want to work with Regan Lee?” Missy asked.
“Don’t start, Missy,” Regan warned.
“What line of work were you in before?” Missy pushed.
“Hotels.”
“Her family owned The Ashton Hotel in New York,” Regan said proudly.
“No shit?” Holly said, “That place is famous!”
“Why would you work with Regan Lee if your family owns a fancy hotel in New York?” Missy asked.
“The hotel was bought out and I was released from my position.” Demi was determined to start fresh in a small town and live a simple life out of the spotlight.
“That sucks,” Holly said, jabbing the air with a hot dog.
“Yes, it does,” Demi said quietly. She shoved down the need to rage against fate. She knew from experience that it changed nothing.