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Chapter 38
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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
The Misfit Inn Chapter 40
BOTH HIS GIRLS WERE sleeping. Ari looked so small tucked up in their bed, with Pru curled around her. But she was safe. That was the important thing.Flynn slipped out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. The volunteers had been fed and sent home. Someone else had dealt with their two guests, who'd refused to allow their rooms to be comped. Xander was down at the Sheriff's Department, doing whatever it was he did at the end of a search. It was down to family in the house, and that meant it was time for him to face the music.Pru's sisters were gathered in the family room. They looked up as he strode in."They're sleeping, finally." He dropped heavily into a chair himself, as the past twenty-four hours caught up with him."You look like you ought to be sleeping, too," Kennedy observed."Probably. But there are things to discuss, and I'd as soon do it without Pru. She's been through enough."Athena poured him two fingers of whiskey from the bottle on the table and wal
The Misfit Inn Chapter 41
"I'M SO GLAD YOU could make it!" Pru gave Mae a careful hug.The older woman squeezed her hard. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I'm sorry my surgery and recovery kept me out of the loop for so long and brought you trouble."They both looked across the room to where Ari and Flynn stood in animated conversation with his sister and brother-in-law beneath a hand-lettered banner that declared Happy Gotcha Day, Ari!"It all worked out in the end. As of this afternoon, we're completely legit. Judge Moseley signed off on the adoption." She and Flynn were officially parents to a precocious fourteen-year-old girl, and life would never be the same again."That's wonderful! Your mother would be so pleased."Pru felt an ache amid all the happy of having the adoption complete and the house full to the rafters with family. "I wish she could be here to see this. To know Flynn and how happy he makes me. And to see our family expand again. You know how much she loved that.""I do. As m
The Misfit Inn Chapter 42
VOLUME FOUR: STAY A LITTLE LONGER"The port syrup and pear were simply an exquisite pairing with the Hudson Valley foie gras. But my favorite...my favorite was the ricotta and chard ravioli with the garlic cream sauce."Chef Athena Reynolds listened as the man with the balding pate and paunch hanging over his belt continued to gush about her food, praising the flavor combinations and hypothesizing about her inspiration and influences as the meal itself turned cold and the carefully perfected sauce began to congeal. A muscle ticked in her jaw at the travesty unfolding before her. She wanted to simply turn and stalk back into her kitchen. She despised this part of the job. The food should speak for itself. She shouldn't have to. But the investors who'd made her dream of opening her own restaurant a reality insisted that she trot out like a show pony to shake hands, smile, and be gracious. That was far more her oldest sister Pru's natural inclination. She was the nice one, who'd played
The Misfit Inn Chapter 43
When Jayson's number flashed up on the screen of her cell phone, Athena almost smiled. Not even twenty-four hours in Tennessee. He hadn't wasted time getting to the groveling, and she appreciated that. Not that it would be anywhere near enough to make her accept whatever bullshit explanation he intended to offer for his cheating, but abject supplication would go a long way toward mollifying her temper in the absence of actual bloodshed. Which she owed Moses a thank you for preventing."What do you want?""Don't hang up. Please. We have things to discuss."She gritted her teeth at the sound of his voice, her empty fingers clenching for the knife that wasn't there. "I don't think I'm much in the mood for discussion.""I'm sorry for how things went down.""You're sorry you got caught, you mean."He heaved a sigh, and she could just imagine him pinching the bridge of that blade-straight nose. "Athena, I'm trying to apologize.""There is no 'I'm sorry' big enough to make up for what
The Misfit Inn Chapter 44
Athena had put this trip off for more than a week. Every single time, it got harder and harder to make herself go. Guilt inevitably got her over the hump and forced her into the car for the forty-minute drive to the campus just south of Johnson City. The grounds of Haven Acres were beautiful. Long, grassy lawns, studded with trees that had leafed out for spring, gave way to stunning views of the mountains. That was part of why she'd chosen it. It wasn't quite the view he'd had at home, but it was a damned sight better than the endless stretches of institutional beige and cinderblock walls of the state facility he'd been in for years before she'd made enough money to get him out. Not that he usually seemed to notice one way or the other, but maybe, somewhere down deep, he could feel the change.She stopped in at the front desk of the nursing home's main building to find out where he was this afternoon."Miss Reynolds! It's so good to see you again. We didn't expect you back so soon.
The Misfit Inn Chapter 45
Logan jolted awake to "Carry On Wayward Son." The book he'd been reading fell to the floor with a thud, and his border collies rose from their spots on the rug at his feet to give a pair of short, sharp barks, as if to say "We're ready, Dad."Scrubbing a hand over his face, he grabbed for the phone skittering across the table and thumbed the screen to accept the call. "Hello?""Logan."The sound of Athena's voice on the other end of the line had him straightening in the chair. "Hey." He wasn't about to tell her he'd been sleeping at - he checked his watch - nine-thirty. She'd probably saved him from a kink in his back."I nnneed a faaaavor." Her words were slurred, and he could hear the faint sound of voices and indistinct music in the background. Was she drunk dialing him?"Yeah? What's that?""Need a ride."He bit back the myriad of questions he wanted to ask and zeroed in on the most important. "Where are you?""The Right Attitude."He went brows up. That place was pretty r
The Misfit Inn Chapter 46
Logan toed off his muddy boots at the door and went into the house in search of coffee. He'd downed a cup before heading out for morning chores, but it hadn't been high-octane enough to make up for the restless night from having Athena under his roof and not in his bed. His brain had been all too happy to keep him awake with alternate scenarios in which he hadn't clung to his status as a gentleman. Alternate scenarios that would've left them both extremely satisfied. But he wasn't an asshole who'd take advantage of an inebriated woman. And as much as he wanted to revisit things with Athena, he didn't have any interest in being her rebound guy.The dogs bumped at his knees in their haste to race over and assume the position beside the treat bucket. "Yeah, yeah. I got it. Morning treats." He lifted the lid and dug a couple of biscuits out. "Wait," he ordered. They both sat, perfectly still but for the swishing of their synchronized tails, as he carefully balanced the biscuits on the
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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
