Page 13 of Something’s Brewing

This woman was going to drive him insane.

And worse—he couldn’t even be mad about it. Because deep down, somewhere past the irritation and frustration, there was a small, stupid part of him that liked it.

Liked that she challenged him.

Liked that she didn’t back down.

Liked that she’d looked at him, standing on that stage, and wanted him enough to place a bid. No matter the reason.

And that?

That was dangerous. Because, again, Madison wasn’t a small-town girl.

CHAPTER SIX

The birds were chirping, and a soft breeze created a billowing effect on the sage-green sheers in the bedroom. Madison stretched and glanced at the alarm clock. Six a.m., Sunday morning. Surprisingly she’d slept the entire night. Refreshed and eager to explore town, she tossed the covers aside and made her way to the kitchen.

Garrett had mentioned she should explore the town and that’s exactly what she’d do. After coffee.

With mug and phone in hand she stepped onto the patio and claimed the Adirondack chair, staring at the lake. This is the life. No wonder Mason and Eve enjoyed this place. A reminder that life didn’t have to be so demanding. Taking time to relax was a necessity.

Her phone buzzed. Sophie:

Good morning, Mom, any plans today besides laundry?

Good morning, sweetie, planning on shopping in town and then sunbathing on the beach with a good book.

Sounds nice. Are you wearing the camo bikini I bought you?

I have it on under my T-shirt and shorts.

Yay!! You look great in it.

Madison smirked as she typed:

I don’t know about that, but I’ll find a coverup to slip on over it.

Oh please! Show off your body! You run and lift for a reason, and it’s not to hide behind clothes ;)

I love you.

Love you too, Mom. Have a great day. A bunch of us are getting together to explore Philly.

Be careful.

Always.

Madison set her phone down and finished her coffee while leaning back and letting her shoulders drop into relaxation mode.

Sophie had been so excited to start at Penn State that she’d headed out early for the summer semester, determined to get used to campus life before the chaos of freshman year officially began. Madison understood it. Sophie had always thrown herself fully into new experiences, eager and fearless in ways Madison both admired and worried about.

Now, she was the one who was figuring out what her future looked like when it no longer revolved around being someone’s full-time mom.

After watching the sun rise over the lake, she placed her mug in the dishwasher, pulled her purse over her body, and headed toward town.

Two older gentlemen in a souped-up golf cart waved and smiled, and she waved and smiled back. She waited for a line of trucks pulling boats to pass before crossing the street.

The Popcorn Shoppe wasn’t open yet, but oh, did it look good. She made a note to stop on her way back to the beach. She looked at her watch—five minutes to eight. The town wasn’t quite bustling yet, and she hoped Rural Chic Boutique opened early.