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“He had the nerve to say my soaps and candles are giving everyone headaches. That’s such bullshit. If anyone around here has a headache, it’s from listening to him drone on and on.” Margaret seethed and planted her hands on her hips. “Honestly, I should’ve decked him.”
Eve Michaels shrugged. “I’m sure Grandpa wouldn’t have minded.”
“How is your grandpa doing, honey? I didn’t see him around this morning.” Brenda left her warrior pose for a moment to check on Eve. I’d learned she’d moved back to town not too long ago to help take care of her grandpa, who happened to be the Harmony Valley sheriff. He also happened to be pretty old and in failing health.
“He’s okay.” Eve’s voice sounded strained. “As cantankerous as ever. Dr. Dukes said the new medicine should have him up and running soon, but so far, all it’s got running is his mouth. He told me I was getting old this morning.”
We all hissed in understanding. There were some things you just didn’t say to a woman. Brenda clutched her pearls and her blue-coated eyelids disappeared as her eyes widened comically. “Oh, no. Hank knows better!”
Lizzie Jackson, Coco’s niece, brought the conversation back around to Margaret. “If Sheriff Michaels won’t be on hand to approve of you decking Mayor Stevens, what’s your next move?”
Margaret’s face changed into something more conniving. “Well, that’s what I was getting to. After arguing for a while, Mayor Stevens and I decided it’s time to settle who’s better in this town. Me or him? The fantastic women or the bozo men?”
I leaned forward and tilted my head as I tried to make sense of her words. “Like a battle of the sexes?”
She nodded and rubbed her hands together. “Exactly. We’re going to put that horse’s ass in his place, for once and for all.”
CHAPTER 13
Violet
The meeting ended and most of the women filed out, their minds probably as full of Harmony Valley strangeness as mine. When I didn’t leave right away, Joanie and Margaret closed in on me and we shared a couple of cupcakes while I opened up to them. I had a feeling Margaret already knew, but I needed advice.
“I’m sorry, but did you just say that they’re Forrest’s dads?” Joanie put her half of the cupcake down and shook her head. “How is that possible?”
I told them a short version of the story and watched Joanie’s face as she slowly put together the same thing that I’d put together. Margaret had a hand in my reunion with the guys. We both looked at Margaret and she pretended to be inspecting her perfect nails.
“I don’t know why you’re looking at me.” She looked up at me and smiled. “So, it sounds like they want you. Are you going to sleep with them?”
I gasped and both women laughed. Joanie patted my knee and pushed the rest of her cupcake towards me. “You need this. And an orgasm from a real human.”
“I can’t just sleep with them. It’s all too connected, don’t you think? I live in their guest apartment. They’re going to be involved in Forrest’s life. I don’t want to mess things up.”
Margaret stood up and grabbed one of the gift bags which sat on a shelf above a rack of lingerie. “Stop thinking so much and just let it happen. You want them. So have them. I’ll give you the same thing I give every Harmony Valley woman who’s starting a budding sexual relationship. It’s a bag of tricks to help you and your fellas know exactly what you want. Though, I don’t think the three of them will have any trouble.”
I clutched the bag to my stomach and pressed my hand to my warm face. “Thank you. I don’t think I’ll do it, though.”
Joanie stood up and stretched. “If you don’t, you’re an idiot. Those men are beautiful. You have a chance to get what you wanted all those years ago.”
“Take what you want, Violet. If you don’t, someone else might.” Margaret stood up and pulled me to my feet. “I wouldn’t lie to you. They’re good men. Smart and protective, too.”
“And that’s supposed to be enough for me to chance ruining everything?”
Joanie snorted. “The only thing you’re ruining is your sex life if you don’t take a chance. Have a little faith. Maybe something good will come of this.”
I walked with them to the front of the store and took a deep breath of the early fall air once we were on the sidewalk. “They’re watching Forrest right now. Is it crazy I wasn’t worried at all about leaving him with them?”
Margaret wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “No. They’re his dads. You can feel the truth about those men. Just like you could six years ago. They’re good men.”
I leaned into her and sighed. “It isn’t easy to let go of all the hurt feelings I’ve harbored since not hearing from them.”
Joanie looked down the street towards the diner and groaned. “I have to run. Chase and his brother Charlie were supposed to be running things while I stepped out but judging by the crowd outside the diner, I’m guessing they managed to fuck something up. I’ll see you guys later.”
I waved goodbye and wished her luck. Margaret grinned at her with a twinkle in her eye. “Could just be a crowd of women gathering to stare at the new eye candy you’ve got helping out.”
Joanie’s eyes narrowed as she backed away. “Stay out of it, Margaret. Keep your focus on Violet.”
“Hey!” I pouted. “I don’t want anyone’s focus right now.”
