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The Misfit Inn Chapter 32
SHOCK KEPT PRU IMMOBILE as Lydia Coogan left the room. There was probably something she should have said, but she had no idea what. There was no proper protocol for this situation, no Emily Post guide to the right way to handle being caught with your lover by your foster child's social worker. The only possible way it could have been worse would have been if she'd walked in on them in flagrante. Even that could have been explained. Maybe. It wasn't as if celibacy was a mandatory requirement for fostering and adoption. But this?As the front door shut, Pru found the strength to pull away and round on Flynn. "What the hell were you thinking? Engaged?"He ran a hand through his hair - still mussed from her fingers. Jesus. And Ari had seen her standing in his shirt."I panicked. I was trying to protect your reputation - sleeping with your fiancé certainly seemed better than sleeping with a guest."His panic response was to invent a proposal? Pru shoved up from the couch to pace. "Okay
The Misfit Inn Chapter 33
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A ring made.Wearing Flynn's made this whole engagement feel more real. Mistake or not, it was easier to face telling people with it gracing her left hand. Pru had gotten more practice with that when they'd driven to Johnson City to pick up the exception to policy packet Monday morning, explaining her reasons for the request to the woman at DHS. Twenty minutes later, they'd left with the thick sheaf of papers and warm congratulations. They hadn't run into Lydia Coogan, and that was a blessing. Pru had also gotten more details on Mae, who was scheduled for back surgery at the end of the week. At this stage, they weren't clear when she would be back to work or whether she would be back at all."Do you know if she's receiving visitors at the hospital?" Pru asked."Family only, right now."Pru wondered who that would be. She knew from her mother that Mae was long divorced and had no children of her own. It was part of why they'd been friends. Mae took as much joy from
The Misfit Inn Chapter 34
AT THE END OF a long day, Pru was dumping used linens from her massage practice into the washer, when Abbey pounced on her."Pru Reynolds, how dare you keep this a secret!"Pru found herself pinned against the washing machine, her left hand held aloft, Abbey's own load of linens in a pile around their feet. "Jesus, girl, give me a heart attack, why don't you?""Heart attack my ass. Spill!" Abbey demanded.This wasn't how she'd planned on the news getting out. But if she'd really wanted to keep it a secret, she wouldn't have put the ring back on when she was done with massages for the day. She just...liked it there. Tugging free of her friend's grip, Pru bent to gather up the mess in the floor and add it to the load. "So, I'm engaged.""To who?""Flynn.""I knew there was something going on between you two. But engaged? Isn't that kinda fast?"She'd committed to the cover story now and found that it fell off her tongue with greater ease. "Two years isn't fast.""Say what? But I
The Misfit Inn Chapter 35
"SO I SAID, DEANNA, we had a party when you married the bastard. We should have a party for cutting him loose," Wendy declared. Or was it Jasmine? Pru had lost track."The divorce was officially filed this morning, so here we are," the newly single Deanna announced.Pru topped off the woman's wine. "Congratulations on your new freedom."The group of ten women from Nashville had arrived mere minutes after they'd finished prepping the rooms. Flynn had appointed himself bag boy and cheerfully hauled luggage up to the assigned rooms, chatting and flirting the whole way, while Pru and Ari were plating hors d'oeuvres and uncorking some wine. At least three of the women practically swooned on the spot. Not that Pru could blame them. Flynn was sexy as hell on an average day, and when he laid on that Irish charm, no woman could resist him, as evidenced by the fact that Deanna had tried to invite him to drop by her room later. "Sorry about propositioning your man," she said. "If my ex had b
The Misfit Inn Chapter 36
THEY GOT THROUGH THE weekend, giving the Nashville girls a true pampering experience. When she'd mentioned the possibility of expanding to a full day spa, they'd been all over the idea, insisting on getting on the mailing list for when it happened. When Porter brought by the initial concept drawings Sunday night, it seemed like a sign. Or maybe Pru just wanted to cling to the idea that she could do something to distract Kennedy from the situation with Flynn.In the past few days, Kennedy had kept her distance. It had been under the guise of getting over jet lag and unpacking from their honeymoon, but the fact that Kennedy had been a world traveler for a decade made it feel like evasion and avoidance. Pru had felt her disapproval radiating from the house she shared with Xander three miles away. Standing on their front porch, she hesitated over the knocker. The police cruiser was gone, so Xander was on duty. Pru was grateful. One set of disapproving eyes was enough. Still, maybe it was
The Misfit Inn Chapter 37
"I CAN'T BELIEVE MAGGIE agreed that easily." Pru stared at the laptop, as if her sister was going to put through another Skype call to say she'd changed her mind. She'd gone into the family meeting prepared for a fight and instead she'd gotten full support.Athena spoke from the laptop, where she'd yet to sign off the call. "She's still so thrown by your engagement, I think she's happy to see evidence that you're still sane. Business makes sense to her, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth."As Pru absorbed the reminder of her recklessness, Kennedy wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "The spa is a great idea, and the business plan supports that. After all the work we put into that thing the last two weeks, I'd have been shocked if she said anything but yes.""It didn't hurt that Porter is basically volunteering himself and whichever ones of us he can corral as free labor on his days off to get started on what can be done without a full crew," Xander added, giving Porter the side
The Misfit Inn Chapter 38
PRU FLATTENED HER PALMS against the door, shock and denial arcing through her. No. No, this couldn't be happening. She'd done everything right. She'd taken the classes, gotten the certifications, and picked up her mother's mantle without complaint. She'd been a goddamned rock since her mother died - for Ari and her sisters, because they needed her to be. Surely, all of that would outweigh her one indiscretion.A car cranked up outside. Pru's knees gave out, and she collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Flynn caught her before she hit the floor. His arms came tight around her. He was saying something. She didn't know if it was English or Gaelic. Her ears weren't working. Her legs weren't working. Nothing was working in the face of the tearing grief. Nothing could touch the unspeakable horror of what had just happened. She curled in on herself, wrapping both arms around her middle, as if that could contain the horrific pain. Tears poured down her cheeks and she opened her mouth, but
The Misfit Inn Chapter 39
THE SUN SLID BEHIND the ridge that gave the town its name, and Pru knew full dark wasn't far behind. "Ari!"She heard the faint echo of the call from half a dozen other voices spread out across their sector. Her feet ached and exhaustion dragged at her frame, but she kept going. She'd keep going until she held Ari in her arms again. An hour before, Dash had found the peel from a clementine - the first and only proof Ari had actually headed out cross country instead of going for the road. The only comfort there was that they didn't have the danger of some human predator picking her up trying to hitchhike. One thirteen-year-old girl couldn't cover that much territory in six hours, so she had to be in the geographic area. But on foot, with night falling, the mountains Pru had run tame in as a child felt like a whole other country.Was Ari scared? Her trail had led them in a southerly direction, skirting town. Where was she going? Did she even have a plan? How much of one could she reall
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The Misfit Inn Chapter 75
Nearly fourteen months after Maggie first laid eyes on the mill, it rose before her, all decked out for the holidays and looking like a Christmas postcard. She leaned forward in her seat, trying to see if there was space left in the parking lot, and feeling a punch of pride as she took in the finished Stone County Artisan's Guild and Education Center. "Looks like a good turnout for the open house.""I'm still not sure you two should be out among all those people. That's a lot of germs. And you know there's already been flu going around."Maggie laid a hand on her husband's arm. "Porter, honey, I gave birth. I don't have a compromised immune system. Besides, I had my flu shot.""But Faith―""The baby will be fine. Your wife will not be if she doesn't get to leave the house." Having been ordered to bed rest the last two months of her pregnancy, she'd accepted Porter's overprotective streak. But she'd fully expected him to dial it back once their healthy baby girl had arrived. Inste
The Misfit Inn Chapter 74
Maggie couldn't put off the call any longer. Of everything she'd dealt with since the assault, she'd dreaded this the most. Shutting herself into her room, she sank into a chair and dialed."Well, if it isn't my favorite Southern belle. I guess you finally took that edict to check out seriously. It's been ages!""Hey, Genevieve.""God, I've missed you. Tell me you're feeling like a functional human again.""I am. You may officially leverage the 'I told you so' I rightfully deserve.""Not even necessary. I'm just glad you're feeling better. How is everything?""Good. Crazy. My sister's getting married next week.""Wait, which one?""Athena. The chef.""Did I even know she was engaged?""That only happened three weeks ago." It felt like three months. Bradley hadn't been released on bail, and with the evidence of his involvement with Claudia, along with the additional assault charges, he hadn't been able to wiggle out of anything. His attorney had recommended he take the offer
The Misfit Inn Chapter 73
Porter didn't hear from Maggie by morning. He stared at the blank screen of his phone. No notifications. No voicemail. No texts. No email. Nothing to indicate she hadn't taken him exactly at his word last night. He'd said he was done, that he didn't care what she had to say. He didn't have a right to be disappointed that she hadn't made the next move, that she hadn't pushed him to hear her out. Maybe he should've gone over to the inn last night. But it had been late when he'd left Mia's, and part of him was still fucking terrified that she'd hate him as much as he hated himself for putting her in Brad's crosshairs.All the site visits he'd put off while prepping for last night's commissioner meeting now demanded his immediate attention and kept him from tracking her down first thing. But it was hard to focus on the progress of the jobs, the next steps, the foreman's reports, as he thought constantly about calling or texting―something to make first contact and gauge her level of pissed
The Misfit Inn Chapter 72
The porch light cast a welcoming glow over the inn's front door. Somehow it did nothing to thaw the cold knot that had set up in Maggie's gut. What exactly was she about to get into with Claudia Samson?"Do you want me to come in with you?" Kennedy asked."No. I don't know what this is about, but I doubt I'll get a chance to talk to Porter before tomorrow. He probably needs the time to cool down anyway." Maggie hoped by then she'd have figured out what to say. "I'm done with this."What if he meant it? Kennedy reached across the console to squeeze her hand. "You two are going to get through this. I have faith.""I've never been great with faith." "You can borrow some of mine. I love you, sis.""I love you, too. Thanks for coming for me." Maggie leaned over to wrap her in a hug."I'm really glad I could be here for you this time."Maggie's throat went thick. This was the sister she'd lost all those years ago. The sister she hadn't let all the way back in until tonight. She
The Misfit Inn Chapter 71
"I don't care. Not anymore. I'm done with this."The shock of his words had Maggie flinching back, as if he'd struck her. Because she heard what he wasn't saying. I'm done with you.She stumbled, grabbing for a chair. But he didn't turn back. Didn't even glance her way as he walked out the door and, quite possibly, out of her life.Porter Ingram, the man who'd been there for her through the worst stretch of her life―Her friend. Her confidant. Her lover―had finally had enough and left her.Maggie wanted to go after him, wanted to beg him to listen. But to what? She was still bound to silence, as she'd always been. And it was more than obvious he was too angry to listen to her reasons. Him knowing about Bradley was only part of the whole. Bradley Danforth. His half-brother. Maggie just sank into the chair as the reality of that crashed over her. Bradley's seduction was never about her. Never about attraction. Never even about wanting some form of entertainment while away from his
The Misfit Inn Chapter 70
"The Artisan Guild project would be good for not only the town, but for all of Stone County and the surrounding region. With the Memorandum of Understanding and preliminary contracts with our investor, we only need your blessing to get started. Thank you for your time."Maggie sat down to a small round of applause from the group of artisans who'd shown up for tonight's county commissioners meeting at the courthouse. She held up both hands with her fingers crossed in their direction, then settled back in her chair beside Porter. His fingers laced with hers as the board members huddled up to discuss in low voices. "You did great," he murmured."We'll see." On paper the whole thing should have been a slam dunk. But there had been a weird tension in the room all during her presentation, and she couldn't put her finger on what the problem was. Maybe it was simply the difference in presenting to high-powered players of the business world versus people who'd been around to witness her gre
The Misfit Inn Chapter 69
It was nearly two in the afternoon by the time Maggie got back to the inn.Porter glanced up at the house. "I'd offer to pull around by the old bodock tree, but I'm not sure you can shimmy up it in those shoes." She hadn't thought to pack others when she'd shoved clothes into a bag, so she was still wearing last night's heels. "Sneaking inside in broad daylight seems like a pointless endeavor anyway. Nobody's under any delusion about where I've been."He rolled to a stop in front of the house and parked. "Regrets?""Never." Hooking a hand behind his neck, she drew his mouth to hers for one last kiss and hummed with pleasure as his tongue snaked out to tease hers. When she found herself sinking into a fresh haze of lust, she pulled back. "Okay, this time it's really goodbye. We can't get derailed like we did before we left the house." There'd been two failed attempts that had ended with them both sweaty and naked. If she could even walk tomorrow, it would be a miracle.His face sc
The Misfit Inn Chapter 68
Maggie couldn't quite breathe on the drive to Porter's house. But it wasn't anxiety snapping in her blood―it was anticipation. Her body fairly sang with it, wanting to touch and be touched and get lost in the kind of heat she'd stopped imagining years ago.She kept waiting for her phone to blow up in response to the quickly fired off text to Athena.Home tomorrow. *rose emoji*Porter glanced at her from the driver's seat "You okay? We can turn around if you've changed your mind.""If you turn around, I might have to kill you." She didn't want to turn around. She didn't want to slow down. She didn't want the chance to get lost in her head and think about all the what ifs and whys and hows. She just wanted to be with him.His low laugh seemed to stroke over her skin like a touch. "Understood. And can I just say, 'Thank God.' But I meant what I said before. You're in control here. If you need me to back off, I will."Sweet, frustratingly patient man."Porter, I love this honorable
The Misfit Inn Chapter 67
The moment Maggie stepped through the door of Crystal's Diner, her stomach twisted into a queasy knot. Not from the scents of frying bacon, home fries, and coffee, but from the almost synchronized stares of the breakfast patrons. She'd thought it wouldn't be this bad at nine on a weekday, but evidently she'd underestimated the senior crowd's desire to linger over crossword puzzles and bottomless cups of joe.I should have asked Dahlia to meet me at the house. Except she'd wanted to get away from the inn for a bit. Athena had the guests covered this morning, and Kennedy was helping out at the spa. They'd all be on duty to clean and turn rooms once she got back, so this was the time she had.A quick scan of the tables showed that Dahlia hadn't made it yet. Maggie was a little early. She considered stepping back outside and waiting on one of the benches intermittently placed along Main Street, but that felt too much like retreat. She hadn't been a coward in high school, and she sure a
