Chapter 3

3

He wiped his face with the napkin, then tossed it on the plate. His gaze glided to the sliding glass door and the winter wonderland going on outside. Bryce wasn’t looking forward to driving in the snow, but he wasn’t going to shy away from Denise, even if she thought he would. Like he was some pansy or something. She might think he was, but he’d never drop to that level.

“Okay, what’s going on with you?” Griffin asked as he stood up to put his dish in the sink.

Eve’s graceful smile toward him made him nervous. She brushed his shoulder as if offering support and walked out of the room.

Damn it. He was being ambushed. He didn’t like it.

Bryce leaned back in his chair, weighing his options. Keep ignoring the problem or let it all out?

Well, his brother wasn’t one to back down, so it wasn’t worth it to keep it in.

“Denise served me divorce papers.”

Griffin slumped against the counter, crossing his arms. “I’m sorry, Bryce.”

“Are you?” Because he knew Griffin and Juliet didn’t like Denise. Even Eve, who got along with everyone, kept her distance from Denise.

Of course, in the beginning of their relationship, Griffin and Juliet had liked Denise. But as time went on, they noticed the change in her behavior, even if he tried to hide how she treated him. They’d told him a few times to let her go. To be the first one to leave. But he wasn’t a quitter. He wasn’t one to walk away without trying to fix the problem first.

Turned out, Denise thought he was the problem.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that to me.” Griffin narrowed his eyes. “Because no matter my thoughts on that woman, I would never want you to be hurt. So yeah, I’m sorry she’s doing this to you. That she continues to hurt you. I know how much you wanted to work through the issues between you two.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised. We haven’t had sex in over six months. She hasn’t smiled at me like she used to in…” He shook his head, trying to remember. “I don’t even know. I don’t know where it all went wrong.”

Griffin shrugged. “I wish I knew the answer to that.”

He bowed his head, blowing out a breath. “I need a lawyer. I’ll call Darcy tomorrow. I don’t want it to be a nasty divorce, but I’m not going to let her railroad me either.” He looked at his brother. “I think she’s having an affair.”

Griffin nodded as if he knew the whole time, but Bryce knew that wasn’t the case. If his brother had known something of that nature, he would’ve told him.

“Who?”

“I don’t know, but I sense it. She works late. She doesn’t touch me anymore. I swear I’ve smelled aftershave on her that isn’t mine. I think she thinks I’m an idiot, that I wouldn’t notice.”

“Well, in addition to a lawyer, let’s hire a PI as well.”

Bryce stood up, cleaning up his plate. “I’m sure the news will get out soon enough, but I’d appreciate it if we didn’t talk about it outside of this house for right now.”

“I have your back, Bryce. Always.”

He said good night to Eve, gave Walter, Griffin’s old-soul cat, a few rubs, then made his way home. He took the roads with care, though still got home at a decent time. No surprise when he entered a darkened house. Denise was gone as usual and wouldn’t return until very late. No doubt would claim she had to work late. Nothing but lies. He saw that now. Something he should’ve seen months ago.

Boxes of Christmas decorations were sitting in the living room and the tree was in the corner, though nothing was on it yet. He wondered why the hell she had pulled out the decorations. It was one thing to doll up the house on the outside with festive cheer. The tourists loved to see that kind of thing while driving around town. But it was another thing to do it inside. Most folks around town didn’t do that. A person could only take the holiday paraphernalia so much.

What was Denise trying to do?

Make him go insane with the decorations blasted in his face. He wasn’t about to start a war over something so ridiculous. He’d let her put up the tree and decorate it to her heart’s content.

He still didn’t see her the next morning, wondering where she’d spent the night. Amazing how she’d served him divorce papers and didn’t even pretend anymore she wasn’t having an affair. Being so blatant about it. What a bitch!

He felt bad after that thought rolled through his mind. He had loved her at one time. Now that love was hard to conjure, but it didn’t mean he should resort to thinking such horrible things about her.

Becca greeted him with the cheerful smile she always wore and as if she knew nothing about his troubles. Perhaps she didn’t, but he doubted that. Becca was always one step ahead of the game. By eight thirty he was ready for his third cup of coffee. To his pleasant surprise, Lila had brought him one.

“Sorry I’m late. I’m not used to driving in the snow,” she said as she set a cup in front of him and took a seat.

“We didn’t set a time to meet yesterday, so I wouldn’t say you’re late.” He picked up the cup, smiling. “This is much appreciated. I was craving another cup.”

“And what number are you on?”

“This is the third.”

She eyed him for a while, before losing her smile. “When I drink copious amounts of coffee, it means I’m stressed. This cup is my fourth. What has you stressed, Mr. Mayor?”

He set his cup down, gauging whether to be brutally honest or go for the joking manner to blow off the truth. In a split second, he decided. “My wife served me divorce papers. Also, I insist you call me Bryce. What has you stressed?”

“This job.”

He couldn’t argue with that. He felt the weight on his shoulders about that issue as well. Surprise filtered in that she didn’t comment about his divorce. Most people would’ve jumped on that piece of news right away—then answer the question.

“It is a large task ahead of you. I’m sorry.”

Her mouth curved into a beautiful smile as she waved her hand frivolously in the air. “Not your fault, so please don’t apologize for anything. I’m sorry about your wife.”

Finally a comment about it, but nothing too invasive. He appreciated her approach on the subject, since it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about, even though he’d been the one to mention it.

He mimicked her gesture while offering the same sweet grin. “Unfortunately, I should’ve seen it coming. It hasn’t been a happy marriage in a long time. So please don’t apologize for that.” He picked up his cup, clearing his throat. “Well, now that we have that out of the way. Where are we starting today?”

Lila set the same folder she’d had with her yesterday on the desk and opened it. She also pulled a notebook out of her bag, perching it on her lap with a pencil ready in her hand. “The carnival. I do have to make some calls about operating rides and such in this kind of weather and see if it’s even plausible. The games aspect should not be a problem, but to get the full effect, I want the rides too.”

“The funhouse is my favorite.”

She giggle-snorted. He found the sound rather adorable and couldn’t hide his smile.

“And what’s funny about that?”

She covered her mouth as if that would hide her infectious grin. “I don’t know why I giggled. I guess I didn’t expect that to be your favorite.”

Hmm. What had she expected?

“And what’s yours?”

“The zipper. I love the thrill of it.”

“Well, that’s why I love the funhouse.”

They stared at each other for the longest time before she broke the gaze first. From there, they talked about logistics. She mentioned she was working on finding the star of the carnival to reel in the spectators. Though she didn’t mention who that’d be yet. Bryce had full confidence that she’d pull it off.

He looked at the time and shuffled the papers they’d been working with back into her folder. “We have to go. Becca made an appointment with Joy for ten o’clock, and if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

“Of course.”

They left his office and walked to his car where he drove to the realtor’s office. Joy wasn’t as peppy as Mindy had been, and considering her name, one would think she’d be a bit more cheerful. But one didn’t choose their name as a baby, so he couldn’t fault her for it.

He made introductions as they took a seat at a table. He sat by Lila while Joy sat on the other side.

“How can I help you, Ms. Hansley?” Joy asked with the right amount of professionalism. Her smile was simple and not too bright but not too dull.

“Please, call me Lila.” She held her stare for a beat before speaking again. “Do you like your name?”

Joy jerked as if surprised by the question. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, when I heard your name I pictured this bubbly, happy person who exudes…well, joy.”

A tiny, mirthful laugh echoed out of Joy’s mouth. “And what do you actually see?”

“A well-put-together woman who doesn’t have a high-pitched voice that I judgmentally pictured. A pleasant smile. An air of confidence. I love a confident woman.”

“I’d have to agree,” Joy replied with a sparkle in her eye that told Bryce she thought the same of Lila.

“You might not have lived up to what was in my head, but when people hear your name, that’s what they’re going to see. When they meet you, they’ll be even more pleased to see a professional, confident woman. One who puts the joy in living.”

Joy chuckled. “Is that the start of a slogan?”

Lila wiggled her hand in the air in a so-so gesture as a short giggle-snort escaped. “I’ll work on it, but yeah.”

“I do enjoy my job. I work hard at everything I do.”

“I believe that. Now we need everyone else to believe that as well. I noticed around town and even as I drove closer to the town, there were no billboards with your name or face.”

Joy averted her gaze as a hint of red dusted her cheeks. “I’m not very photogenic.”

“You’re gorgeous and the camera will love you. Right, Bryce?”

The plea in Lila’s eyes, in addition to the encouraging smile, told him he was supposed to seal the deal in whatever plan she had brewing in that beautiful mind of hers.

Nothing he would say would be a lie either. Joy was gorgeous. Long blonde hair. Blue eyes. Flawless skin. A figure most men would find pleasing. She dressed to accentuate her body. She would be very pleasing to the camera.

“I can already picture your confident smile and ready to do business glee in your eyes on every billboard leading to town,” he said with a flare of conviction. “I don’t know why we didn’t think of this sooner.”

“I’ve never been very fond of pictures in that sense.”

“Well, we don’t have to…” Lila drawled, then she struck like a scorpion out of nowhere. “Business is down. You live to find that perfect place for someone. I can sense it. I feel it oozing out of you, that drive for success. We need to encourage people a little more. Get you that attention you deserve. A few simple billboards are a good start. Don’t you agree?”

Bryce thought she was asking him again, but her focus was set intently on Joy, so he remained silent.

“You’re right. A picture won’t hurt.” A crafty smile emerged on Joy’s face. “With a catchy slogan.”

“I know with a bit of brainstorming we can come out with the best one.”

After an hour of finagling back and forth, they did. By the time they left, Joy was merrier than when they arrived, and his spirits about everything inched further up as well.

“You have a way about inspiring confidence in people when they didn’t realize they even lacked it,” he commented as soon as they were snuggled in the cold car, the heater on blast.

“Thank you?” Lila looked puzzled, as if she weren’t sure about his sincere compliment.

“You’re welcome. Now how about lunch?”

“Show me the best place in town. I need more places of ammunition to bring life back to this town.”

His merry mood fell.

Her hand touched his shoulder before letting it fall to her lap. “What did I say?”

“My sister’s cafe is the best place in town and we can’t eat there.”

He put the car in drive. “But I know the next best place.”

Lila’s belly was stuffed to the brim. She couldn’t wait for the cafe to open again to compare it to Vinnie’s Diner Bryce took her to eat at. The food had been divine. The house special had been meatloaf, and she wasn’t a hardcore fan of that meal, but being the house special, she had to try it. She couldn’t have been happier. The flavors. The decent-sized portion. The pretty presentation of the food itself. It had all been perfect. Another place she jotted down on her list to advertise more heavily. Something she also relayed to Bryce. He had smiled, but it wasn’t a full smile he’d used before. She knew it was because he wanted his sister’s cafe to be advertised in greater detail, not the diner. But she had to roll with what was available. He had to understand that.

The only thing she didn’t like about the place was the name wasn’t very Christmassy. Vinnie’s Diner? Like, come on. Something more along the lines of Chestnut Diner would be better. Not that she was brave enough to point that out. At least, not yet.

After lunch, they reconvened in Bryce’s office to talk more about the carnival but couldn’t devise a plan for long since he’d set up a town meeting for that afternoon.

The place was packed when they entered the assembly hall. Bryce ventured to the podium while she hung back. She’d let the residents of the town take a seat.

A light hand tapped her shoulder. She twisted to see Juliet standing next to Eve.

“How’s it going?”

She nodded at Juliet, not sure how to respond to that. It was going, but she wouldn’t say well. It wasn’t as if she had done anything yet. Only planning had occurred so far.

“Fine. Making headway.” Though she could bullshit her way through most things.

That brightened Juliet’s smile, and Lila hated it. She hated all the weight everyone in this town was putting on her. It confirmed that she couldn’t fail.

“We’re going to stand up front. Come on.” Juliet waved for her to follow.

Lila didn’t want to be rude, so she trailed behind them, standing by Eve with Juliet on Eve’s other side. The woman was quieter than Juliet. Besides a cordial smile, she didn’t say much. Right now, that’s what she preferred. Eve didn’t act like a woman who owned a multi-million dollar hotel empire.

She’d looked a few people up on the internet last night. Got the lay of the land, so to speak. Not much but town festivities popped up about Griffin and Bryce. A few articles about Griffin as the chief of police and dealing with criminal cases, nothing too nefarious in nature. Juliet had a few news articles about her abusive husband and how he went to prison for ten years for his crimes against her. And Eve had also endured abuse, but by the hands of her own brother. The story had been riveting how she’d run from him to this small town, finding a safe haven. How he tried to kill her and she beat the bastard at his game. Now she ran the company from here and did what she loved more than the hospitality world—baking sweet treats at Noel’s Cafe.

It wasn’t hard to see why Juliet and Eve got along so well. They shared a lot in common. Things they enjoyed, but traumatic pasts as well.

She felt out of place standing next to them. Because she didn’t have much in common at all. Nothing abusive in her background—thank goodness—and she wasn’t a huge baker or chef. She liked takeout more often than not. It was easier.

Not long after they took position near the stage, Bryce started speaking.

“I want to thank all of you for coming today. I know the fire yesterday at Noel’s Cafe has concerned everyone. Fire Chief Brach is looking into the matter, and we should know something soon. Please do not speculate about the cause or worry about it. I can assure you it was an isolated matter.”

Lila appreciated his confidence in that sentence, and she hoped it was true. Because if it wasn’t it would make her job harder. And make the mayor a liar. She imagined he wouldn’t like that outcome either. She’d despise doing it, but she’d have to tell him not to say things like that again.

“When we know more about the incident, we’ll update everyone. On to the next matter, we have hired a PR company to help the image of our town.”

Whoa!

She did not expect that. The mayor went down a notch in her book. If he called her up to the podium, she might murder him later. Or right in front of everyone. Where it happened wasn’t as important as the deed itself. The least he could’ve done was give her a warning he’d be bringing this up. She thought this impromptu town meeting was going to focus on the fire and to mention the carnival. He didn’t have to add she was the one organizing it.

He’d just added more weight to her shoulders. The entire town’s approval of her work.

“I know most of us have struggled with the decline of tourists coming into our wonderful town. All because of one man that did despicable things.” Bryce paused, as if giving everyone a moment of silence. To say prayers. Or to curse the man for his devious ways. “We’ve tried our hardest to climb out of that turmoil. This is another step to climb even further out. I’m working closely with Ms. Hansley to get this town up and running to the beautiful place it is.”

Bryce glanced at her with his smarmy politician smile. She had no choice but to display one in return. Though the man was smart enough not to wave her up to the stage. He must’ve seen the murderous rage in her eyes.

“So please welcome her with open arms. Give her the undivided attention she deserves and let’s make Sleighville the merriest, happiest place we all know it is. We are currently working on having a carnival. If any of you have an idea you’d like to contribute to this event, please let us know. We welcome all creativity to make this the best event Sleighville has had in a long time.”

Lila wanted to gag at his positivity and calculated words. The man knew how to speak to a crowd and gain their attention.

Another thousand pounds of weight slumped onto her back.

She drowned out the rest of his words, backing up a little farther from the stage. She didn’t want to be called up there or eyes on her from the crowd. The farther away she was from everyone, the better.

Bryce ended with offering the crowd to ask questions. He dutifully answered in that perfected way he displayed. Soon after, the meeting ended. Bryce mingled with some people who had rushed the stage to ask more questions. Juliet and Eve either sensed her stay-away vibes or didn’t notice she’d slunk away, but they conversed with Griffin and two other people she hadn’t met yet. While she knew she should mingle as well, she stayed in her corner far away from everyone.

“So you’re sleeping with my husband.”

The voice coming close from her right startled her. Lila looked at the woman, wondering who the hell she was and why she’d accused her of such a thing. She hadn’t even been in town that long.

The woman had long black hair swooped up into a fancy hairdo with bright-red lipstick. She wore a red dress to go along with it and vivid red heels that told Lila she was trying too hard to stick out. The woman was asking for attention. More like begging.

“Excuse me?”

The woman smirked. “You heard me.”

Lila frowned. “Yeah, and I have no idea what or who you’re talking about.”

“Bryce Stuart. The mayor you’re working so closely with.” The woman emphasized the phrase Bryce had used when introducing her.

“Oh, so you’re the wife. The one who asked for a divorce.” Lila winced, then chuckled, a snort escaping. She didn’t even care the embarrassing trait slipped out. She wasn’t here to impress this disgusting woman. “When one acts the way you do, they’re deflecting from their own indiscretions. I’m not sleeping with your husband, nor have any intention of doing so. But if I was you, if you’re looking to make out big in the divorce, I’d stop screwing whoever you’re sleeping with.”

The woman inched closer, scowling. “You better watch yourself, bitch.”

Lila didn’t let anyone speak to her that way. Especially not a stuck-up, cheating slimeball like this woman. She closed the distance between them, either frightening or surprising the woman, making her flinch and back up a step. The woman must be used to people cowering from her. Well, she picked the wrong person to mess with.

“You don’t know who you’re messing with. So I suggest you walk away before I show you who you are messing with. And if you mention that disgusting lie ever again, you’ll be sorry.”

The woman huffed and stalked away.

Lila let out a heavy breath, grateful that didn’t turn into anything else. She would’ve hated to get into a fistfight on the second day of her job.

“What was that about?”

She was startled once again. This time by Bryce who had crept up to her on her left side. Why was everyone trying to scare her?

“I just had the pleasure to meet your wife. Though she forgot to tell me her name.”

Bryce’s brows pleated together a few short seconds before responding. “It’s Denise. It looked like you two were arguing.”

“Seems she has a jealous streak. She mistook your words earlier on the stage to mean we’re sleeping together. I informed her she was wrong.”

Bryce looked at the floor, groaning. When he lifted his head, his cheeks were dotted with a red tint. “I am so sorry. I can’t believe she would do that. That will never happen again.”

“I can handle her. Don’t worry about it. Some women are…” Lila almost said bitches but managed to stop herself. Bryce wasn’t the one who filed for divorce, so he still cared about her. For reasons unknown because he deserved much better than that viper. “Like that. They can’t help themselves when…they’re hurting.”

Lila doubted Denise had a good bone in her body, but she wasn’t going to badmouth the woman. Not when Bryce was already struggling about his failed marriage.

He eyed her far longer than she liked before offering his grimy politician smile. “Why don’t we head back to my office and chat more about the carnival. Some of the townsfolk offered some wonderful ideas.”

And like that, the issue was swept under the rug. Not that Lila had wanted a different outcome. She said her peace, he said his. Conversation over. But she didn’t like how he abruptly displayed his fake persona. That smile grated on her nerves, and she wanted to wipe it off his face.

“Of course. I’m ready to get to work.”

And flee this town.