Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,1

to get a better understanding of how she could be such an idiot.

And what she saw made her realize that nothing could blindside her quite like this.

1

Get Out Of Town

Nine Months Later

Brian Dawson walked up front to meet with his client. His office was small, just a few staff. He’d brought on a new lawyer right out of college and she was a go-getter. Molly Robinson had what it took to be a little bulldog in the courtroom. She was quiet and shy, a little on the dull and boring side appearance wise, but it was all a ruse. Wind her up and she was going for your throat. He loved it.

That left his receptionist up front, his clerk that did a lot of research for him and an accountant who handled the finances.

He liked the small office vibe and enjoyed calling his own shots. He was pretty damn successful in his own right and planned on staying at this level.

Big corporate law firms, partners, and cutthroat colleagues had never been what he wanted in life.

He wanted to be his own boss. He wanted to solve the problems his way. He wanted to be the hero and not share in the glory with a team of cocky lawyers that were fighting more for wealth than morals.

“Hi, Robin,” he said, shaking her hand. “It’s good to see you again. Come on back to my office.”

He’d handled her divorce earlier in the year. Most divorces took a lot of time and this one had the potential to be extremely messy with no prenup. He’d been shocked to hear that, but Robin had explained that she’d turned Alex down multiple times and to prove he really loved her and was committed, he said there’d be no prenup as they were meant to be together forever.

Not only was her ex the heir apparent to a chain of convenience stores and gas stations throughout New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut, but he was caught red handed in bed with someone other than his wife...on video no less.

Alex’s family was old school and mortified. His marriage to Robin had been all over the presses and local papers as a Cinderella story. Robin was liked by many and loved by Alex’s family. They’d thought for sure she was the answer to their son’s wild ways.

In the end, they offered her a massive settlement. Not just to keep her quiet, but to compensate her for her pain. Robin walked away with millions when she hadn’t been asking for anything other than a quick divorce and for Brian to deal with everything to change her name back to Masters. She wanted nothing tying her to her ex.

“Thanks for seeing me so quickly,” she said. “I was hoping you could handle the closing of my house. I’m trying to do a fast turnaround and I’m paying cash.”

“Of course,” he said. “Where are you buying?”

“Paradise Place,” she said, laughing.

He snorted. Everyone around Albany County knew of Paradise Place, but Robin was from Saratoga. “I heard it’s beautiful there. My best friend, who also happens to be my brother-in-law, his cousin lives there.”

“Who’s that?” she asked. “I don’t know anyone other than the realtor who sold me the house. Ruby Gentile. Soon to be Turner in a few months. She was praising the area, as she lives in the development too.”

“I don’t know Ruby, but my brother-in-law’s cousin is Harris Walker. He married Kaelyn Butler, whose family started Paradise Place.”

“Bet they’ve got a nice house,” she said. “Never heard of them. I mean I know of the Butlers obviously.”

He laughed this time. “Guess you don’t follow baseball. Harris Walker used to be a pitcher for the Mets. He got injured in a car accident last year. Only married a few months ago too. It was in the papers. Anyway, no big deal. Just thought I’d mention them.”

“Paradise Place is big. I heard they have a party each summer, but I missed it. I’m sure I’ll meet a lot of people next year. It was time to get out of town.”

Which explained why she was leaving Saratoga. “Are you still working for the same dentist?”

“No,” she said. “I got sick of commuting from Colonie to Saratoga on the Northway. I knew I could find another job easily enough and did. Just part time but with great benefits. I wanted to continue working with the animals and found a great shelter locally that could use the help. I’m spending two days a week