Trouble in Sudden Falls: A Sudden Falls Romance by Elizabeth Bemis Read Free Book Online Page B

gotten into the computer field in college because Eli had. Looking back, that had been the first of several big mistakes she’d made as far as her career was concerned.
    She prayed she could make a success of the antique store. Working there with Aunt Millie in high school had been some of the best times of her life. For the first time in a long time, Maddie was truly excited at the prospect of going to work every morning.
    Assuming they ever un-condemned her store.
    “What was the second thing?”
    “The second thing?”
    “You said the first thing he did to keep you from getting a job was keep you from it for so long… what was the second thing?.”
    “You know how small a community Sudden Falls is? Well, the information technology biz—even in a city as big as D.C.—is every bit as small. Every IT guy knows every other major IT player. Darren was the Chief Information Officer of a very big corporation. He knew and had worked with about every IT recruiter and consulting firm in the area. He started bad-mouthing me and my ability to find a job swirled down the tube.”
    “You could have gotten an IT job in a different city,” Eli reasoned.
    Maddie shrugged. “Probably. But I didn’t love it enough. I needed a change. Mom mentioned that they were at a loss as to why they couldn’t sell the store after Aunt Millie died—it had been on the market for more than six months. I proposed taking it over so it didn’t sit empty.”
    “But she only gave you six months?”
    “We are talking about my mother after all.”
    He chuckled, but it was an ironic sort of laugh that died quickly. She sipped at her wine, noticing that she was nearing the bottom of her glass once again. How many did that make? The silence stretched for a moment too long.
    “Had romantic prospects since your divorce?” he asked.
    That was out of left field. “What? You mean a boyfriend?”
    “Sure.”
    “No!” She realized a moment after she’d spoken that her response had been a tad over-zealous.
    “You don’t want to date?”
    She shook her head. “No. Not really.”
    “What about…” He gestured awkwardly.
    “Sex?” She raised an eyebrow. “I have a hand-held massaging showerhead.”
    Eli sputtered.
    “TMI?” she asked, knowing—or at least hoping—it was the wine that had made her say something so bold.
    “Um… I guess it depends on whether or not you want me to imagine you in the shower.”
    She was of two minds on that one, and decided not to dwell on it for the time being.
    However, in spite of some of his tough questions, she felt warm and almost relaxed. She’d missed Eli so much. Even if there were things left unsaid—thank God!—it was so enjoyable to sit and talk with him. How sad that it took a few glasses of wine? Not that she was drunk.
    Unfortunately.
    If she was, she could probably handle talking about what had happened.
    Or if not probably, than maybe.
    “There’s more to a relationship than sex,” Eli pointed out as he plugged the cork back into the now empty bottle.
    “Like trust?”
    He shrugged. “Sure.”
    “I trust everyone. It’s the devil inside them I don’t trust.”
    “Charlize Theron—and Donald Sutherland— The Italian Job. And too flip. I’ve dated a fair amount, but I’m always trustworthy.”
    Maybe, maybe not. She refused to argue the point with him. “I wouldn’t date you.” And since the feeling was clearly mutual, she didn’t have anything to lose by saying so.
    “Why not?” If she hadn’t known better, she might even think she’d hurt his feelings. But she did know better.
    “Seriously, Eli. What was your longest relationship since high school? Maybe six months? Probably less? Those aren’t good odds. However, since you never lack for female company, I refuse to feel bad for you.” Jealous, sure. Bad for him? No way.
    Eli hesitated a long time before responding. “Rogan’s appearance will slow my social life, so that may change.”
    For Rogan’s sake, she hoped