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Took you long enough, she thought.
“Colin? Are you coming back, dear?” his mother called down the hall.
Nicole’s eyes widened. “Someone’s here with you?” She took a step backward. “Why didn’t you tell me that when I called?”
“She wasn’t here then.” He was trying to steer her toward the sitting room. “Come in. I’ll introduce you.”
She waved her hands in front of her. “No, that’s all right. I’ll come back when you’re not so busy.” She turned on her heel, mumbling under her breath. “You must have your women on speed dial.” Her voice echoed down the hall.
Reece grasped her elbow. “It’s not what you think.” He pulled her with him into the other room. “Nicole, allow me to introduce my mum, Clarissa Woodhouse.” He turned to his mother. “Mum, this is . . .”
“I gather this is Nicole. It’s lovely to finally meet you.”
Nicole blushed to the roots of her hair. “Yes ma’am.” Could this be any more embarrassing? Talk about open mouth, insert foot, and chew vigorously. “Sorry. I thought . . .”
His mother laughed, waving her toward the bar. “Come have a seat, dear. Let Colin pour you a drink.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Woodhouse.”
“Clarissa, dear, but my friends call me Rissa.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Woodhouse.”
Clarissa Woodhouse laughed with delight. “I think we’re going to get along, Nicole. Maggie has told me wonderful things about you.”
Nicole lifted her head. “How is Maggie? I was hoping to see her during my stay in London.”
“She’s well. I’ll tell her you said hello.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Woodhouse.”
“Clarissa, dear.”
Nicole didn’t reply. When Reece placed a wineglass before her, she drained it in one pull. The room descended into an awkward silence.
“Well, Nicole, what is it we can do for you?” Clarissa asked.
Nicole breathed deep. Might as well get to it, she thought as she pulled a manila envelope out from beneath her sweatshirt, tossing it on the counter.
Reece stared at it. “What is it?” He refilled her wineglass.
She pointed to the envelope. “I’m willing to make a trade with you, Reece. My manuscript for the deed to the cottage. While it’s been in my possession, it’s undergone a few needed repairs, so it’ll be in tip-top shape when you take it over.”
The wine bottle hit the counter with a thunk. “What?”
“That’s what you wanted when you stole my manuscript, right? I’ll give you the cottage. You give me back my manuscript.
“I don’t have it, Nicole. Marcus does.”
She stared across the bar at him for five seconds, absorbing the disastrous news. “Well, that’s that, I guess. If he has it, I’ll never get it back.” Her eyes raked down Reece’s form with scorn. “This is perfect for you, isn’t it? You now have everything you want.”
He pressed his hands against the bar. “This isn’t how I wanted things to be.”
She swiveled on the stool. “Yeah, okay. Look, Reece, I didn’t do anything wrong, but what you and your brother have done . . . you stole something from me I
will never get back.”
His eyes moved to his mother’s, his look one of disaster and desperation.
