Edward rarely did anything without purpose. Using my first name after Michael had was a power play—like they were jockeying for position with me the pawn. I was suddenly annoyed at them both.
“I caught the end there,” Edward said. “What are you reporting?”
Michael shrugged it off. “Court business.”
“She’s on my payroll, so any business of hers is business of mine. Does it have to do with her being in Rutland yesterday?” When Michael straightened, he said, “I know she was there. Most of the town does. I just know more about Maggie’s past than they do.”
“How much?” Michael asked, the implication being that he knew more, like it was a competition.
But Edward raised a hold-on hand and returned to the reception desk.
“Who the hell does he think he is?” Michael hissed the instant he was gone.
“My ex-husband,” I hissed back, and why not? He would figure it out. And I was angry, too. I didn’t want this, didn’t want any of it.
He eyed me in shock. “Seriously?”
“Would I joke about something like that?” My whisper was harsh. I felt a storm gathering inside and wasn’t sure I could contain it. The past week had been hell on my nerves, which were now further shredded by Edward’s pale-blue eyes—Lily’s pale-blue eyes—strikingly silver-blue eyes, both pairs.
“I didn’t invite him here, Michael, he just suddenly showed up. I had no idea he had anything to do with the Inn, and I still don’t know the extent of whatever it is. He didn’t bother to let me know before he was coming. God knows he didn’t ask my permission. Trust me, I am not a happy camper.”
“What’s his game?”
“Like I know?” I asked, feeling so many warring emotions that when Edward returned, the best I could do was to bury my hands in the pockets of my coat.
Without missing a beat, he picked up where they’d left off. “I know about the accident, the trial, and the probation.”
“If you’re her ex,” came Michael’s smug reply, “you know a lot more than that.”
Edward seemed about to say something, but reconsidered. He eyed me in question.
“I just told him,” I said.
Michael seized the upper hand. “The problem is the terms of her probation. She’s not supposed to associate with felons.”
Edward frowned. “Who’s a felon around here?”
“Right now, the Emory boy is pretty damned close.”
“To being a felon? There’s been no trial.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I don’t,” Edward reasoned. “Her crime didn’t involve the underworld. It was a driving accident, for Christ’s sake. If you take the spirit of the law, not the letter, the felon thing would never apply to her. She’s not a violent person. She isn’t a criminal. But okay, fine. The words are in the probation agreement. But a felon, by definition, is someone convicted of a crime. Chris Emory hasn’t been convicted of anything. If it happens down the road, she’ll stay away. Right now, there’s no need. I don’t recall anything in the agreement that contradicts that.” He glanced at his watch. “Hey, I have to run. My lawyer’s waiting. We’re reviewing contracts. Should I have him look at the probation agreement while he’s here?”
There was no probation agreement in my file here. The former GM hadn’t had it, and neither did Edward. He had read it back when I first received it, but the only people outside the Massachusetts AG’s office who had copies were Michael, my lawyer in Boston, and me.
Michael stood stone-faced.
“We’ll talk later,” Edward told me and set off with that long stride of his across the reception area to the door that led into the Inn.
“Arrogant son of a bitch,” Michael breathed and attacked me as if it were my fault. “You were awful quiet. Didn’t you have anything to say to him, or were you always the passive one in the relationship?”
The words were all wrong. I was suddenly furious, both at Edward for barging into my life and at Michael for being a prick. My voice remained in the privacy range, but barely. “What would you have had me say? I have not talked with the man in four years. I did not invite him here, and I sure as hell didn’t text him just now to say I needed help. I was doing fine before either of you showed up.” I took a fragmented breath. “I am my own person, Michael. I live alone, and I live clean. If you want to report me, go ahead, I’ll hire a lawyer