Page 44 of Falling for the Grumpy Stranger

“That’s right.”

I took hold of Christine’s wrists and pushed her away. Ella was already leaving the yard when I opened the door. “Ella, it’s not what—let me explain—” I raced to catch up to her quick pace.

I lunged for her hand and pulled her to a stop. “She did that on purpose just now. You’ve got to believe me. She isthatmanipulative,thatevil. I was telling her that I agreed to her terms, but she had to stay out of my life and she had to stay away from you. She must have seen you coming up the drive. It was all an act to hurt you. She doesn’t even need a pet bunny. She’s evil, all without a cute rabbit getting cooked. I think it’s the rice cakes. That’s all she eats.” I finally stopped to take a breath.

Ella stared up at me with a gaze that I always had a hard time looking away from. Then her mouth tilted a little and she laughed. “The rabbit thing—that was good.” We looked back toward the cottage. Christine was standing in the front window watching with excitement to see how well her scheme worked.

We looked back at each other. “Maybe it’s our turn to give her a show,” Ella said. She hopped up on her toes and circled her arms around my neck. My arms went around her back, and I pulled her close for a long kiss. By the time we came up for air, Christine had shut the drapes.

“Rice cakes? Seriously? You’re right, I’d be mean too if I was chewing on those cardboard discs all day.”

I laughed and kissed her again. I wasn’t letting this one go. She was the first right thing that had happened to me in a long time.

Chapter Thirty-Two

ELLA

After the soap opera moment in front of Audrey’s cottage, I invited Rhett over for a glass of wine. It looked like he needed it, and I did too. When I saw Rhett and Christine pressed together so intimately, Christine even raising her hand to touch Rhett’s face, my heart splintered in my chest. I was ready to walk back home and slam the door in his face if he followed me. But he looked so distraught, and his explanation—well—it made sense. I’d met the woman, after all. And the fact that she had made a point of looking out the window and flashing a mean smile at me made me realize she’d done it all for a reaction—for my reaction.

Ava and Layla stayed up for a glass of wine, too. We’d spent the evening laughing and then the tears came when we realized we were going to be split up again. Ava hadn’t cooled her spirit of adventure yet. We were going to have to let go of her once again. But it had been so nice having her back at home.

“So, Egypt?” Rhett asked. “Mummies?”

“I wish, but that’s not my area of expertise. The Nile Valley mostly,” Ava said. “We’re doing testing on the Nile River and the possible contaminants that have been making animals and people ill.”

“Wow, I doubt many people have that kind of job listed on a resumé.” Rhett lifted his glass. “Here’s to a successful mission.”

We clinked glasses.

“El says the woman renting the cottage next door is your crazy ex.” Layla tended to let everything that popped into her head slip from her mouth, especially after wine.

“Layla, I don’t think I used those exact words.” I forced an embarrassed smile toward Rhett.

Rhett nodded at Layla. “Actually, that was pretty accurate.”

“How did she end up next door?” Ava asked. “Coincidence or sinister plotting?”

I laughed again and nearly spit out wine. “Excuse my sisters, Rhett, they have zero filters after a glass of wine.”

“I find it refreshing, the open honesty. I’ll bet that’s why all of you are so close. You don’t beat around the bush. You just tell it like it is.”

“Sometimes a little too much,” I admitted.

“Do we need to keep an eye on El?” Ava asked. “How crazy are we talking?”

Rhett’s smile faded, and the tone of the conversation turned serious. “I’m working on getting her out of town. In the meantime, don’t invite her inside. She’s not to be trusted … ever.”

“Jeesh, and we were just kidding around about it,” Layla said. “She sounds like a real psycho.”

I sensed the conversation was making Rhett uncomfortable, and I wasn’t loving it either.

“A walk down at the cove,” I blurted. “The moon is nearly full, and there’ll be enough light to take a short walk. If you’re interested.”

“That sounds great. My one regret about the manor is that it’s so far from the beach.”

I laughed. “Uh, youroneregret?”

“Well, aside from the peeling walls, terrible heating, vacant kitchen and, of course, the curse.” We pulled on our coats.

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