Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

" Y ou two look awfully serious," Corey's mother said from her seat on the sofa in the living room where he had insisted she sit.

Of course, in true motherly fashion, she'd only agreed to sit down at all after she'd played hostess and had served him and Josie an obligatory morning coffee and tea along with yesterday's blueberry muffins, for which she apologized profusely that they were not fresh baked that morning.

It was early still. He could faintly hear the sound of Good Morning, America playing on the little television in the kitchen.

Morning sunlight streamed into the room. Its beams highlighted the silver streaks that had cropped up in his mother's dark hair over the years.

She glanced from Josie, seated in the chair opposite her, to Corey, next to her on the sofa.

"I haven't been sat down like this since I was a little girl and my mother and father called me in for a talking to. Come on. Out with it. What is it? What's so important it needed a sit down? Ooo, is it good news? Oh my. Wait. Are you two finally dating?" She clapped her hands together once, looking delighted.

"What?" Corey asked, surprised. What made her ask that? And what did she mean by finally ?

At the same time, Josie looked taken aback as she shook her head and frowned. "Definitely not."

He pivoted to frown back at Josie. She hadn't needed to deny their dating quite so vehemently while looking so appalled.

Jeezus. He'd been in her bed just hours ago. And it had been just about as many hours ago since he'd begun to consider what dating her could be like and liking the idea of it.

Confused, he had more pressing things to deal with right now.

Mainly how to accuse one of his mother's friends of stealing—or rather stealing back —the founder's compass her family had owned for generations.

The one her son and daughter-in-law had donated.

The one the security camera had shown her rushing out of the library building with just minutes after the librarian had left. Tucked under her arm like it was a football and she was a wide receiver headed for the end zone.

She'd looked left and then right when coming out of the door, before hauling ass to get to her car before anyone saw her stealing the very object her family had so magnanimously gifted to the town.

He'd never seen anyone look more guilty, and he used to know some guys who had plenty to be guilty about. But he'd never been more relieved either. Now, thanks to the video the manager had allowed him to download a copy of, both he and Josie were off the hook for the theft.

The weight that lifted off his—and no doubt her—shoulders was enormous.

No more lying to Quinn, Bailey and his mother about why they'd been so distracted and absent lately. No more fearing what the historical society—the entire town, really—would think of them.

That all went away with proof of one old lady and her poor decision.

It all seemed inconceivable, yet here they were. The evidence was on the computer currently resting on Josie's legs.

"Mom—"

A knock on the door followed by the doorbell ringing cut off Corey. He wasn't sure if he was happy for the interruption or upset.

He stood, saying, "I'll get it."

"Thank you, sweetie." His mother beamed while Josie sat uncharacteristically silent. She'd been mostly silent all morning.

Even if they hadn't been tangled up in her bed for half the night he'd think that was strange. Now, since they had gotten sweaty together last night, a few times, her silence was driving him a little crazy.

Her gaze shifting to him, she raised a brow as if to ask who was there at the door so early. He shrugged. Damned if he knew. He didn't even live there anymore.

And as much as he hated to put off any longer the revelation they'd come here for, what could they do? Callously dump the bad news on his mother that her friend was a thief and then go answer the door?

Nope. There was no way around it so he pulled open the door and stood staring at a man that looked like the dead last person who should be standing on the front porch of his mother's house in Sidney, New York.

"Can I help you?" Corey asked, taking in the man's perfectly pressed and fitted suit.

It matched the guy's perfect teeth and hair and posture as the stranger smiled and said, "I'm hoping I can help you, actually."

Salesman.

That was the first thought that flew through Corey's brain. Must be for something expensive too, judging by the slick look of this guy.

What was it? Solar panels that would cost his mother a fortune to install in order to save her pennies a month on her electric bill? Or maybe he was a politician wanting to shake some hands, kiss some babies and secure some votes.

Whatever it was, Corey didn't have time for it. "I'm sorry. We're not interested."

He moved to close the door but the man was faster. He stuck the toe of what looked like a mighty expensive and very shiny leather shoe in the doorway, blocking Corey's effort, and said, "Is Josie Baldwin here? I was told she was."

That sent Corey's brows shooting high. First hipster Kirk the lawn boy. Now Mr. Slick Guy here. Josie sure had a diverse fan club of men following her around.

Scowling, and without taking his eyes off the man darkening his doorway, Corey called, "Josie! It's for you."

She appeared next to him, frowning, until she saw the newcomer and then—dammit—she actually smiled at the guy. "Well, well, well. Mr. Manager. What brings you upstate? Zombies invade Manhattan? Another global pandemic?"

"Well, if it isn't Captain Sweatpants' sister and her quick wit." He grinned back. "How are you, Josie?"

"Good. Mostly." She wobbled her head. "But seriously, Xander, what on earth are you doing here?"

He let out a short chuckle. "Didn't you know? I married an upstate girl."

The news this guy was married was only moderately comforting. This Xander fellow looked like the type who wouldn't let a wedding ring get in the way of what he wanted. Although that might be Corey's jealousy talking.

"No! Seriously?" Josie said.

"Seriously." He laughed again. "We're at her parents' place in Cooperstown for the week. I drove up last night. In fact, if Bailey had told me she was going to be upstate, I would have arranged to meet her up here instead of her and the Captain coming all the way down to the city."

"She texted they were going to see a show and had checked into some fancy hotel so I don't think they minded the drive."

"Ah," he nodded. "Lovebird stuff. Got it. But anyway, when I saw Bailey at the office yesterday, she mentioned that you're organizing a big event. And when you didn't answer your door just now, she told me you were here."

"Well that explains the text I got from her saying, WHERE ARE YOU, all caps, lots of exclamation points and question marks. I'm also thinking Bailey tattled and told you I'm struggling with organizing said big event?" Josie asked, brow high.

He bobbed his head. "It might have come up. That's one reason I'm here. Merry—that's my wife—and I have some experience with planning. She just took over running her family's foundation. She's got lists and lists of local vendors, suppliers, entertainment, rental companies. If you want our help, it's yours. I've got nothing to do for the next week. Whatever you could possibly need I should be able to arrange."

Except for the guest of honor—the compass—which is what they really needed and this Xander was only delaying them getting it back. Corey scowled.

Josie drew in a breath and let it out. Corey could see the internal battle waging inside her. If he knew one thing about her it was that she liked to be fiercely independent. She didn't accept help easily, as evidenced by him having to force her to let him help with the kittens in the wall incident.

Finally, she nodded and said, "I could use some help. Thank you." It looked like it pained her to say it, but she made it through. And Xander beamed brilliant white—no doubt bleached—teeth at her.

"Wonderful. Can we sit down right now and see where you are with the planning? Make an action list. A schedule."

"Um—" She glanced at Corey. "We were?—"

Corey shook his head and made a decision. "It can wait."

They knew where the compass was. They had to assume it was safe with its original owner. Unless she'd sold it or something, in which case, it was too late anyway. And honestly, any excuse to delay facing his mother with this news and ruining an old lady's reputation was welcome.

"All right." She nodded then turned back to Xander. "Let me just grab my laptop and we'll head over to my parents' house."

She disappeared back into the living room. In the awkward silence between him and Xander Corey heard Josie apologizing to his mother for having to run out and thanking her for the tea and muffin.

Then she was back, her cheeks pink, her eyes bright with excitement. And dammit, Xander was responsible for that look on her face, not him. That chafed.

"You're sure?" she asked Corey while standing in the open doorway next to Mr. GQ.

"I'm sure," Corey said.

At least he was sure about waiting to tell his mom and the historical society. Josie being alone with the slick city guy— that he was less sure about.