Page 77 of The Sugar Maple Inn

“Any more birthday requests?” Grace asked.

He leaned over and grabbed one of the board games. “Want to play Monopoly?”

Grace looked at the box. “Monopoly? Are you serious?”

Reese nodded. “Very.”

“Fine,” Grace said. “But I’m the dog.”

Reese’s mouth twitched. “Whatever. This dog’s missing a leg, anyway. I’ll be the car.”

Grace insisted they get changed back into their ’20s outfits—“It’s the night’s theme!”—then they set up the board on the fur rug by the fireplace. Reese made hot chocolate while Grace sorted the money and properties. The fire crackled and popped, finally putting out real heat. The tower room almost felt cozy.

“You’re the banker,” Reese said, handing her a mug.

“Wow. Letting me control the money. Very trusting.”

“I’ve read your financial projections. You’re honest to a fault. No massaging of figures, that’s for sure,” he said with a mischievous grin.

She shoved him as he laughed.

“Is this the British version?” Grace said as she looked down at the board.

“Sure is,” Reese said, examining the properties. “Mayfair instead of Boardwalk. Old Kent Road instead of Mediterranean Avenue. Maybe a British guest left it here.”

“I have no idea what any of these places are.”

“I do. I’ll help you.”

They set up, Grace claiming the dog piece with a defiant look that dared him to argue. Reese took the car without comment.

First roll and Grace landed on King’s Cross Station and bought it immediately, even though she had no idea where King’s Cross actually was. Reese got Mayfair. They traded properties with cold efficiency.

“You overpaid for that,” Grace said when Reese bought the Water Works.

“I like to control utilities,” he shot back.

“That’s a terrible strategy.”

“Says the woman who just mortgaged two properties to buy Mayfair.”

“You told me Mayfair is prime real estate in London!”

“Mayfair’s a money pit.”

Grace landed on Chance. Drew a card. “Bank error in your favor, collect £200. See? The universe loves me.”

“The universe is a deck of cards.”

“Don’t ruin this for me with your cheesy quotes.”

They kept playing until Grace landed on one of Reese’s properties and owed him rent. She groaned and threw the money at him.

“You’re a sore loser,” Reese observed.

“I’m not losing yet.”

“You have one property left and I own three-quarters of the board.”