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Chapter 58
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The Misfit Inn Chapter 59
"I can't believe they had the nerve to say nothing is wrong with you." In the backseat of the town car, Genevieve fumed. Maggie didn't know how she had the energy. They'd both been up most of the night. Too exhausted to work up much of an argument, she rested her head against the seat, staring out as the quiet streets of L.A. slid past. She wished she could just fall into sleep and avoid all conversation, but the edgy restlessness told her sleep would be a long time coming, if it came at all. And she was afraid of what dreams would bring when it did."I told you, I'm fine.""You're not fine. You passed out in the middle of a presentation."Humiliating. Roman Lewis had apparently been the one to catch her, just before her head cracked against the floor. "Which they concluded was from low blood sugar, lack of sleep, and excessive caffeine. Not a brain tumor or whatever else you made them test me for." She'd lost track of the number of scans and blood draws she'd been subjected to.
The Misfit Inn Chapter 60
Porter had suggested at least a few days of pampering. Maggie took all of one, getting a massage and facial, and having some kind of detox body wrap from Genevieve's cadre of self-care gurus. She needed a lot more, but the process had left her feeling almost human. It was good enough to manage the trip home. What she didn't actually achieve, she could fake with cosmetics. Past that, she'd brazen her way through. She'd had plenty of practice. But this wasn't a boardroom negotiation. This was her family.They didn't know she was coming. She'd decided surprise was the best option. If they had advanced notice, they might put together some big homecoming party and invite people. The existing Reynolds clan was more than enough to handle as it was, with all three of her sisters, their significant others, and Ari."You ready for this?" Porter asked. She looked away from the sprawling Victorian that had been home for so many years. "Does it matter if I am?"He caught her hand, squeezed. "I
The Misfit Inn Chapter 61
Something came into Porter's eyes as he looked at her. A fierce tenderness that made Maggie's chest ache. She hadn't seen him look at her like this in years. Not since before, when he'd volunteered to sacrifice his own future for her. She'd come so close to saying yes. So close to breaking that personal vow to never, ever be like her birth mother. Because he'd made her feel things. Things she couldn't trust and didn't believe in. But she felt the stirring of those same emotions now as she looked into his blue eyes. It couldn't work then, and it sure as hell wouldn't work now, for a whole host of different reasons. The last thing either of them needed was to go back to before, so she dropped her gaze, shifting her attention to the baby.Bailey was so tiny in her arms, but so full of precious life. Her heart sang with a potent cocktail of joy and grief. For so very many years, this day had been a nightmare for her. The anniversary of the day she'd lost her own child. Something she'd t
The Misfit Inn Chapter 62
Maggie stood there, rooted with shock. What the hell could she say? Porter had just obliterated her belief that he'd been acting purely out of noble intentions all those years ago. It was the thing that had enabled her to walk away. To save him from throwing his life away on her. Because it couldn't have been real.Except...he loved her. Now. Still. For fifteen years. Jesus. She'd have been...fourteen back then. Ari's age. The entire concept of that made her brain implode. So Maggie didn't dare open her mouth on the short drive home. Porter said nothing, his face settling back into the relaxed, easy-going lines she was used to. As if he hadn't just rocked her world with his declaration and wasn't feeling...something about her lack of response. Never once had it occurred to her that it could be a mask. That he'd be that good at hiding his thoughts and emotions.It seemed there were a whole lot of things that hadn't occurred to her when it came to Porter.He pulled up by the inn's f
The Misfit Inn Chapter 63
The problem with being a workaholic on forced vacation was that there was far too much time to think. Even with the extra duties she'd taken on around the inn and spa while Pru was on maternity leave, Maggie was desperate for something to distract her. Because the downtime meant far too many chances for her brain to replay every interaction she'd had with Porter for years, seeing them through the lens that his feelings for her were real. And that led to a very dangerous game of What If.What if she'd believed in what he felt back then?What if she'd said yes?What if she hadn't made assumptions because she'd lost the baby?It all led to visions of a possible future she'd destroyed by walking away. Because no matter that he was still here, that he still loved her, no matter that she felt more for him than she wanted to admit―it couldn't work. Even without the geographic distance between them, she wasn't fit for a relationship. The last decade had more than proven that, and he deserv
The Misfit Inn Chapter 64
Maggie took in the sleek design of the waiting room at Faber Development, knowing this trip was not what Porter had in mind when he'd asked for her help. But she'd done some research on the company and hadn't found anything hinky. No rumors of buyouts or financial difficulties. By every metric she knew, they were a highly successful firm, which meant the problem wasn't the finances on their side.Figuring she could get more out of a face-to-face meeting than over the phone or via email, she'd called and made an appointment with the CFO. So what if she'd had to drop Genevieve's name and pretend she was showing up on behalf of Invation? It was a little white lie that opened doors, and she wasn't above using that if it could help Porter out. And, depending on what she found out, she could still take it to Genevieve as an investment opportunity."Ms. Faber will see you now."Maggie rose, smoothing a hand over her pencil skirt. She felt more at home in her business attire than the more c
The Misfit Inn Chapter 65
"Are you just gonna stand out here all night or are you gonna come in?"At the sound of Ari's voice, Porter froze midway through wiping sweaty palms on his good jeans. Did the nerves show? It was ridiculous, really. In all the years he'd been in love with Maggie, he'd imagined almost everything. What it would be like to kiss her. How he'd make love to her. What it would be like to marry her and raise a child. But somehow, in all of it, he'd never thought about what it would be like to pick her up for their first date. Probably because they'd leapfrogged right past that possibility when he'd proposed. He'd never imagined climbing the steps to the house that had been his own home for so many years. Never thought he'd hesitate, unsure of whether to just walk on in as normal or ring the bell. What was the protocol here? This was an honest-to-God date with Maggie Reynolds. His dream girl. He wanted―needed―to get this right.Ari cocked a brow, and Porter realized he still hadn't said any
The Misfit Inn Chapter 66
Maggie tapped a spoon against the big farmhouse table. "Okay, I'm calling this family meeting to order." As her sisters and Ari quieted down, she continued. "The latest numbers for The Misfit Kitchen web series project another fifteen percent jump by the end of this quarter, which gives a nice, extra cushion for the construction project of the new commercial kitchen. Porter's revised estimates put the building finished in time for the New Year, possibly sooner, depending on some scheduling issues." Like whether or not new funding could be found for Paradise Mountain. So far, there'd been nothing."Yeah, yeah, we'll get to that." Athena waved a hand, dismissing discussion of her own business. "First, let's talk about how I totally walked up on you making out with Porter on the porch last night."Not even Maggie's iron will could stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks at the chorus of adolescent "oooooo"s that followed. So she squared her shoulders and lifted her head in defiance,
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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
