Page 160 of No Headlines Please

Even so, at the sight of it, I felt funny about being so far out of the loop. Still, I summoned up a smile. "Uh, yeah. Congratulations."

Ryder turned his attention to Maddox. "So, you gonna stand on the porch all night? Or do you wanna come in?"

Maddox didn't answer. Instead, he looked to me and asked, "So, what do you think?"

From the open doorway, Ryder snorted. "What, like you're gonna stay in a hotel? Good luck with that. Half of them are already closed." He looked to Tessa. "And besides, we're not letting you leave, right Tess?"

She smiled. "Right." But then her gaze drifted to me, and her smile stiffened. "I'm so happy to see you."

I knew that smile. She wasn't truly happy. She was something else. I just didn't know what.

But then, Tessa moved forward and pulled me into a tight hug – so tight, that Maddox had to let go, whether either of us wanted to or not.

Into my ear, Tessa whispered, "We need to talk."

I pulled back. "About what?"

"Nothing." She gave Maddox a cold look. "Just sister stuff, that's all." She wasn't even saying it to me. She was saying it to him.

Sure, I got the sentiment. I was hoping for some girl-time, too. But she didn't have to be so rude about it.

All my life, my sister had been obnoxiously polite, and to see her acting so funny around Maddox set my teeth on edge.

I gave her a pointed look. "Aren't you gonna say 'hi' to Maddox?"

"Of course." She stepped back. "Ryder did invite him, after all." She looked to Maddox with a tight smile. "So…welcome." Except she didn't look particularly welcoming, even as she stepped aside, making room for us to enter.

I gave the horse and buggy another glance, wondering if Maddox and I should make a break for it. But already, Ryder was grabbing my suitcases and hustling both of us inside.

We'd barely made it into the foyer when Tessa said, "You'll love the guest rooms." She gave Maddox a hard look. "I mean, you do want separate ones, right?"

Oh, for God's sake.

I gave her one heck of a glare. "Just what's your deal, anyway?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Why are you acting all mean to him?"

Next to me, Maddox said, "She's not. It's fine."

I whirled to face him. "She is, too. And it's not fine." And then, I turned back to Tessa. "Do you know who you're acting like? Mom, when somebody shows up in the wrong clothes."

Tessa's jaw dropped. "What?"

"You heard me," I said. "Like, there you are, acting technically polite while doing your best to make us feel unwelcome."

"Me?" she sputtered. "You didn't object when Ryder called Maddox an asshole, did you?"

Ryder laughed. "No. Because he is an asshole. He knows it. I know it. Call it a compliment." He looked to Maddox. "And thanks for the heads-up, by the way." Ryder looked back to me. "Do you know this asshole refused to tell me where you were?"

I wasn't following. "You mean…today?"

Ryder snorted. "No. Months ago."

As my thoughts stuttered, Tessa whirled to face her fiancé. "Hold up. Are you seriously telling me that Maddox Fucking McGuiness knew where my sister was this whole fucking time?"

I almost crapped my pants.