Free Moonlight on the Millpond by Lori Wick Page B

good.”
    â€œYes, it was,” Maddie had to agree, turning her head a bit to look up at Jace’s face. He was seven to eight inches taller than she was, with broad shoulders and a solid build. But her favorite thing about his looks was the way his blond hair fell over his forehead. For a moment Maddie experienced that feeling again, the one that had taken her by surprise on more than one occasion. The one she felt a desperate need to push away. For a moment panic filled her as she asked herself why she had agreed to this walk.
    Jace chose that moment to turn and look at Maddie. He caught her staring at him before she had a chance to look away. This alone was enough to strengthen her resolve.
    â€œYou need to know, Jace,” Maddie burst out without warning, “that I think all men are liars and cheats.”
    Jace had to stop after this announcement. For the moment he could do nothing else. He looked at Maddie, surprise filling him when he saw her frowning face, but he didn’t speak.
    Maddie looked right back at him, stunned that he wasn’t angry with her. Indeed, his face looked as calm as ever.
    â€œI thought it only fair that I tell you,” Maddie said, slightly calmer.
    â€œAll men?” Jace checked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDoyle Shephard?”
    â€œWell, no,” Maddie backed off a bit, her fierce expression gone.
    â€œThe Reverend Mr. Sullins?”
    â€œNo, not him either, but all young men,” she said, lifting her chin in defiance.
    â€œJace Randall?” that man asked quietly.
    â€œYes,” Maddie managed, but her tone wasn’t as certain.
    â€œSo your uncle allowed you to go for a walk with a man who’s a liar and a cheat?”
    â€œWell, men don’t think of these things,” Maddie explained logically. “Men don’t treat each other that way, only women.”
    â€œDo women lie and cheat?”
    â€œNot very often, and certainly not like men do.”
    â€œI didn’t realize taking a walk with you could be such an education.”
    â€œIf you’re going to make sport of me, Jace Randall, I think the walk is over.”
    â€œBut I wasn’t making sport. I was just commenting. I thought the most we’d talk about would be the weather. I’m glad I was wrong.”
    Maddie stood in indecision. He hadn’t sounded as though he was mocking her, but she had been very insulting and wouldn’t have blamed him. Maddie studied his face a bit more. He certainly looked sincere.
    â€œSo you still want to walk with me, even though I told you how I feel?”
    â€œCertainly. You’re entitled to your opinion. That is, if you’re willing to continue walking with a liar and a cheat.”
    Hearing again how she sounded, Maddie didn’t comment but slowly began to move when Jace turned and began to walk. He moved slowly as well, wondering what he could say next. She was wrong. All men were not liars and cheats, and women could certainly be worse, but he wasn’t going to persuade her—at least not with words.
    â€œIs it nice to be back in Tucker Mills, or do you miss Boston too much?”
    â€œUm, well, I do miss the family in Boston, but I love Tucker Mills.”
    â€œIt’s a good place to live.”
    Maddie’s head was turned so she could look at Jace. His eyes were on the road, but Maddie could not stop staring at him. Had they really just disagreed and now were conversing normally?
    â€œWatch that stick,” Jace warned, and Maddie looked down in time. She sidestepped a thin branch in the road.
    All at once that feeling flooded Maddie again. Jace’s kindness and solicitude were leading her into a dangerous place. She had to get back to the house. She had to get away.
    â€œI think I need to go home,” Maddie announced, much more breathless than the walk merited.
    â€œI’ll walk you back,” Jace offered.
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Maddie said,