Part 2 (2/2)

The cold beer felt good on his lips and great going down. He could definitely see how people could drown their sorrows with booze, because his were slowly melting away.

”Well looky here.” Tommy Elswick's eyes were dark and cold. ”I didn't realize we were going to be graced with high-society tonight.”

Mitch looked over. He rubbed his eyes, because he was sure he had too much beer when he noticed Maggie Greenlee making her way toward him. She gave him a smile that sent pulses through him.

”Now be nice and get her a beer.” Mitch shot Tommy a twisted smile.

Mitch knew how much Tommy disliked Maggie. The last time Maggie came into The Thirsty Turtle, she had had one drink too many and let Tommy know how much a hick town Grandberry Falls was with her hoity toity fiance backing her up. And ever since, Tommy was all too happy to discuss his dislike for her, her big city life, and the preppy a.s.shole.

”I'm not sure,” Tommy said slamming down the stout of ale, ”but the last time I checked, this was not New York City.”

Mitch rolled his head around to loosen up the tension that found its way back into his shoulders. Instead, his upper body became more tense the closer she got.

Maggie dragged out the stool, causing it to make a loud screech along the bar floor. She glared at Tommy. Mitch knew that look and what was coming. Luckily, he'd never been the recipient of her anger before.

”The last time I checked, you were paid to keep serving me beer.” Her purse made a thud when she threw it down on the bar top.

”Yes, ma'am.” Tommy flung his s.h.a.ggy moped blonde hair to the side. His eyes flashed with outrage.

What the h.e.l.l was she doing here? Mitch figured she would breeze into town, go to her party, and quietly leave like every other time. Not show up at his favorite watering hole causing havoc.

Maggie reached for the gla.s.s. He watched her tender hand pull it back. Disgust settled in his stomach when the sparkler on her finger lit up like a flashlight once the tin ceiling got a hold of it. He looked away.

”What is it with people in this town?” Her voice was cold and exact. ”Something is going on with Granny. And it's more than just me getting married.”

Mitch had a hard time looking at her. He'd never had a good poker face and had never lied to her. He didn't plan on it now.

Maggie touched his arm. ”I said, what's wrong with the people in this town.”

Mitch slid his beer along the bar and took a drink before he answered her, giving him time to think up a good comeback.

”Maybe it's not us.” He sat the gla.s.s down and looked over at her.

Her lips were exactly what he always craved and he could remember how they felt against his skin.

”I knew I shouldn't have come here for this.” Maggie grabbed her purse and attempted to get up, but stumbled into Mitch's arms.

His instinct was to wrap his arms around her, but he pushed Maggie back and helped steady her. Why the h.e.l.l did she have to smell so good? He closed his eyes and inhaled for one more whiff.

”d.a.m.n.” Maggie leaned up against the bar and started to cry. ”Nothing is going right.”

Oh, no. Mitch rubbed his hand down his face. This was exactly the way their intimate moment had started. He glanced around the bar. Only a few people had trickled in, taking seats at some of the tables. Everyone was always curious about the mayor's business and having a girl cry on his shoulders might make The Grandberry Chronicles.

”Mitch.e.l.l, don't you care?” Maggie pleaded, tears slowly found their way down her cheek.

”What?” Mitch cast his eyes downward. He couldn't look at her. He didn't trust himself.

The volume going up on the middle television caught his attention. He looked up and Tommy had the remote pointed toward it.

”My customers can't hear over the ruckus going on over there.” Tommy used the remote as a pointer between the two.

Mitch changed his gaze to Maggie to find her staring at him. How could she think he didn't care? All his life his days began and ended with Maggie Greenlee on the brain. And today was no different-whether it was welcomed or not.

Every time Maggie came to visit, he dropped everything in his life just to be pushed away by her with one excuse after another.

”You aren't saying anything to help me.” She put her purse back on the bar and slid gracefully on to the stool. ”You've changed.”

”No, Maggie.” He looked deep into her eyes.

The sparkle wasn't dulled by her sadness. He knew she wasn't upset about him or their relations.h.i.+p. She was upset about how Hazel was treating her.

”You've changed.” He noticed sadness wash over her features.

She jerked to her feet, and the stool flung back and smacked the hardwood floor. As if a firecracker went off, everyone in the bar turned to see what all the commotion was about.

Mitch slammed the empty mug down just in time for Tommy to replace it. He'd finally done it. He hurt her.

”Whoa, buddy. You might need to slow down,” Tommy said with Mitch in mid-gulp. ”We don't want the town mayor to become the town drunk.”

Mitch knew how much he drank, he wasn't going to forget Maggie, but it would dull the pain. Maggie's stare made him uncomfortable. He had to stand his ground. After all, his life was finally on the right track.

”What?” A faint thread of hysteria was in her voice. ”I've changed?”

Her mouth was wide open, and her mascara had smeared down her face. Mitch had never talked to her that way, and he did feel some satisfaction taking up for Grandberry Falls-his town.

”I've changed? What do you call all this?” Her hands moved up and down the outline of his body. She dug her acrylic fingernail deep into his chest. ”You? Mayor? My Granny doesn't try to hide the fact she doesn't want me to get married. And there seems to be some big secret that everyone is hiding from me.”

Mitch winced. He didn't remember those nails being used as a weapon. He did remember how they felt along his back.

”It's your imagination, Maggie. No one is keeping anything from you.” He bowed his head and murmured, ”Hazel will come around.”

d.a.m.n it! He could've kicked himself in the b.u.t.t. It wasn't his place to rea.s.sure her or keep from hurting her. It was Grady's job. Why wasn't he here to defend her?

With the beer between his hands and his elbows rested on the bar, using the mirror along the bar wall, Mitch watched Maggie walk behind him. He turned to see exactly where she had gone.

”She went in the bathroom.” Tommy sat another beer in front of Mitch. ”After all these years, you're still in love with her.”

”What are you talking about?” Mitch used his fingernail to carve in the frost on the mug. ”I promised Hazel I wouldn't say a word. Besides, it's not my place.”

”Your face says it all, my friend.” There was an edge of cynicism in Tommy's voice. ”Don't blame your feelings on the eminent domain case.”

Tommy couldn't be further from the truth. Love was a strong word and how could he love anyone who acted the way Maggie Greenlee was acting?.

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