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Chapter 75
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The Misfit Inn Chapter 1
VOLUME ONE: WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD THING"WELCOME TO O'LEARY'S PUB. What can I get you?" The greeting rolled off Kennedy Reynolds' tongue as she continued to work the taps with deft hands.The man on the other side of the long, polished bar gaped at her. "You're American."Kennedy topped off the pint of Harp and slid it expertly into a patron's waiting hand. "So are you." She injected the lilt of Ireland into her voice instead of the faint twang of East Tennessee. "You'd be expectin' somethin' more along these lines, I'd wager. So what'll it be for a strapping Yank like yourself?"The guy only blinked at her.So she wasn't exactly typical of County Kerry, Ireland. Her sisters would be the first to say she wasn't exactly typical of anyone, anywhere. It didn't bother her. But there was a line stacking up behind this slack-jawed idiot, and she had work to do."Can I suggest a pint of Guinness? Or perhaps you'd prefer whiskey to warm you through? The night's still got a bit of a chill."
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 2
BY THE TIME THE Uber dropped her off at the house - and she was deliberately not thinking about how much that ride from the airport actually cost her - Kennedy was so far past exhausted, she felt practically out of body. She hadn't felt right bothering her sisters for a ride, and she was used to finding her own way from one point to another. When one of her flights was canceled and another delayed for weather, it had taken a series of planes, trains, and automobiles to get her from the west coast of Ireland back Stateside. Her luggage was - somewhere else, and she was a day later than planned, cutting it so close that she'd ended up finding funeral attire in a shop in the Amsterdam airport. The long-sleeved, jersey dress was simple and unadorned. Perhaps not as nice as she'd have chosen had she had any time to prepare, but beggars couldn't be choosers. At least it was the appropriate color.Kennedy didn't recognize any of the vehicles in the drive. And why should she? She'd left this
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 3
KENNEDY WAS STILL HUNG over from tears and jet lag as she and her sisters stepped into the attorney's office the day after the funeral. The drive to Johnson City had been a blur, but at least there'd been coffee - Athena's doing, so it'd been excellent. Maggie gave their name to the fifty-something receptionist, and in a matter of minutes, the four of them were escorted into an office full of leather and wood and law books. The attorney, Robert Barth, came around his desk, offering a hand to each of them in turn."Thank you for coming to the service yesterday," Pru said.Kennedy fixed her attention on the man as she shook hands, noting the receding black hair, the faint paunch beneath his well-cut suit. He was close to forty, with laugh lines around his brown eyes. She had no memory of seeing him at the funeral. Then again, a stampede of elephants could've trooped through and she probably would've missed it. Her entire focus had been on Ari, her sisters, and that dreadful, dark hol
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 4
"I DON'T KNOW WHY we're here," Pru said. "We've still got enough casseroles to get us through the end of the month."Kennedy grabbed a shopping cart and headed toward the produce aisle. "Because woman cannot live on casseroles alone, even in Tennessee. If I don't have some vegetables that aren't globbed in cheese or wrapped in bacon, my arteries are going to clog in a week. Plus, I need to pick up some basic toiletries and stuff since my luggage still hasn't arrived." She'd have to pick up some clothes, too, if it didn't show up soon. "You realize you've just blasphemed, right? Bacon and cheese are their own food groups here. Or had you forgotten?""I hadn't forgotten. But my tolerance is down after all the time away." Plus she'd wanted an excuse to get out of the house and away from the tension. Maggie had sequestered herself with copies of the financial records Robert sent over the day before. Whatever the news, it wasn't good. Athena was pacing the place like a caged jungle ca
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 5
"ARI'S FINALLY OUT, I think," Kennedy reported. "Poor thing is exhausted."From her spot curled up on the sofa, Pru knit her hands. "I still wish she'd eat more than three bites at a time." She looked up as Maggie squeezed her shoulder."She'll get there. Everybody grieves differently." Maggie took a seat. "But now that she is effectively out of earshot for a bit, we do need to talk about what we're going to do about her."Kennedy dropped into a chair. "Even if Mae finds her parents, she doesn't want to go back to them. They left her. There's no evidence they wouldn't do it again.""I think we can all agree that it's best for Ari if she's kept as stable as possible. But the fact is, with Mom gone, there's no other option for her in the Ridge. The nearest placement would be in Johnson City.""We're not shipping her off to Johnson City," Athena snarled."None of us wants to do that. But let's look at reality. My life is in LA. Yours is in Chicago. That leaves Pru, and as capable as
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 6
KENNEDY'S HEART BEAT SO hard and fast, she wondered she didn't just bleed out from the pain of seeing him look at her with all that guilt and shame. She'd been prepared for him to hate her. Ready for him to rail and rant and curse her for slinking off in the middle of the night without a word. She deserved all of that and more. But he thought he was why she'd left. All these years, he'd thought it was because of that stupid fight. She'd barely even remembered it. Why would she, given what came after? But clearly he remembered, and he blamed himself.The absolute wrongness of that had her stepping into him before she could think better of it, laying a hand over his heart. "Xander, I - " But what could she say to allay his fears? She couldn't tell him the truth, and she didn't want to lie. Another round of tears welled up as she realized all the other ways she'd hurt him besides just walking away. "I'm so sorry."His hand covered hers, pinning it in place. "I get why you ran. But why s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 7
KENNEDY GOT BACK TO the house braced for a fight. She'd meant what she said. With everything on their plates, letting herself be provoked was a waste of precious energy and detrimental to Ari. But she didn't actually expect any of them to let it drop. Why would they? It had been open season on her since she got back Stateside, and Athena in particular seemed determined to get in every verbal jab she could - maybe because Maggie was far too controlled for something like that.Her sisters were still in the kitchen, in the process of doing the dishes and clearing away the leftovers. From her position at the sink Athena smirked. "Back a week and already starting things back up with the ex you left high and dry. Ballsy.""I'm not starting anything back up with Xander. He gave me a ride. That's all.""Clearly not the good kind. You don't look anywhere near relaxed enough for that."Okay, that was it. Kennedy was about to drag her sister into the kind of rip-roaring, hair-pulling fight
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Misfit Inn Chapter 8
"I DON'T KNOW ABOUT this." Pru bit her lip as they all scanned Joan's sitting room."With the half-bath, this room makes the most sense," Maggie said practically. "Clients can undress or dress in there and feel a bit more private than they might anywhere else. Plus, it's got a door and can be closed off from the rest of the house if something else were going on. It's quiet. That was the whole reason Mom picked it.""But it was Mom's space," Pru said. "To do this, we have to move all her stuff, and that just feels...wrong. Too soon."Kennedy wrapped an arm around her. "We're not getting rid of anything. We're just rearranging. You agreed that having a room for your massage clients to come here makes the most sense for now.""I know, but...""And the guys are going to be here soon to help move furniture, so we need to clear things out as best we can. Plus, I have a plane to catch, so this is literally the last thing I can help with before I go," Athena added. "Chop chop."Pru sighe
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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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
