Ex, Why, and Me by Susanna Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

okay?”
    After she received a cacophony of consent, Vanessa read the quote. The townspeople stared back at her, their expressions mirroring Ryan’s own confusion. No chance of them spilling the beans.
    Ryan bet they didn’t envy him right about now. He should have known the chance for a big money prize wouldn’t have been as easy as “go here” and “go there.”
    Not that he was doing it for the big bucks. It would have been a nice bonus. But, hey, he had just as much of a chance as the other contestants.
    “The first couple to get there will have a head start on the next task. Good luck!” Vanessa said and walked off the stage, heading for the next scheduled festival event.
    “Great,” Michelle said as she stuffed the first clue into her jacket pocket. “Might as well give up now.”
    Ryan pumped his fist in the air. “That’s the spirit.” He moved to get off the stage, but another team blocked their way.
    Brandy stared down Michelle. “I didn’t know you were in town,” she said, bristling with such anger that Ryan was ready to step between the two women.
    “Just for the festival,” Michelle replied and turned to Brandy’s partner. “Clayton! It’s good to see you.”
    Ryan watched Michelle hug the other man and jealousy flashed through him. It had been a while since he felt anything like that and he wasn’t prepared for it. All he knew was that he wished Michelle greeted him that way. Hell, the dazzling smile would have been enough.
    Clayton caught Ryan’s eye and immediately backed off. Ryan had no idea what his expression gave away, but it made the other man move fast.
    “Michelle and I go way back,” Clayton said, readjusting his glasses.
    Ryan felt his eyebrow go up. The jealousy flashed hotter and it took some effort to remain still.
    Clayton turned pale. “I—I was her history tutor all through high school.”
    “Oh, come on. You were more than that to me,” Michelle said in a chiding tone, oblivious to Clayton’s panicked look. “Remember when—”
    “We have to go,” Brandy interrupted. She grabbed Clayton’s arm and hauled him away. “Good luck,” she said over her shoulder. “You’re going to need it.”
    “She’s right, you know,” Michelle said as she watched the competitors walk away. “As much as I hate to admit it.”
    “Everyone needs luck,” Ryan said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    Michelle rolled her eyes. “Right,” she muttered as she sat down on the stage step.
    “We have just as much of a chance to win this scavenger hunt as they do.”
    “Uh-uh.” She pulled out her cell phone from her jacket. “I believe that as much as I believe the Wirts really did hide millions of dollars in one of those river bluff caves.”
    Ryan frowned. “Huh?”
    Michelle looked up from her phone and groaned. “Don’t tell me you believe there really is hidden treasure in Carbon Hill.”
    Ryan shrugged. “Sure, why not?” Obviously Michelle thought in terms of probability. He viewed it from a different angle. To his way of thinking, why shouldn’t there be buried treasure?
    Anyway, it was fun knowing there was something important and wonderful waiting to be found. He liked the idea of possibilities. Of hidden opportunities waiting to be revealed.
    Michelle muttered something he couldn’t catch. “What was that?” he asked.
    “Never mind,” Michelle said and continued pushing buttons on her cell phone.
    “You know, when I said we had a chance of winning, I wasn’t saying it’s going to be easy,” Ryan admitted. “I’ll be honest with you. I have no idea what that clue is about or how to approach it.”
    “Join the club,” Michelle said, staring intently at her cell phone.
    “But we can figure it out. We will.”
    “Yeah, eventually.” Michelle’s fingers flew over the phone buttons. “Like after everyone else.”
    “Our opponents are not that good. We are just as smart and just as capable as they are.”
    “Clayton is a genius and the