Free The Stolen Suitor by Eli Easton Page A

cleared his throat. “Anyhow, guess I’ve let things go ever since, and my daughters are twistin’ my arm ’bout it. They say I need someone to come in and clean once a week or so. And, well, I wondered if you had some time in your schedule to do for me.”
    Mabe’s heart, which had softened at the thought of Billy losing his son, slammed shut so hard and fast, she swayed on her feet. She felt her face burn. Her words were near a whisper. “You askin’ me to be your maid , Billy Stubben?”
    Billy looked confused at her tone, and likely what he saw on her face too. “I—well… I know you clean house for a number of folks in town. I thought…. Have I offended you somehow?”
    Oh, it hurt. It was a familiar sting, this one, oh so familiar. It was a pain she never thought she’d have to feel again. Goddamn Billy Stubben to hell. And the stink of it was, he didn’t seem to have the least idea why she was so mad.
    Well. Mabeline Crassen never had been one to hold her tongue.
    She looked around and lowered her voice. “Offended me? Why should I be offended, Billy? Just because we were once sweethearts and now you’re suggestin’ I scrub your kitchen floor and toilets? For money?”
    Billy looked shocked. “But I…. Mabe, that was so long ago. And nothin’ ever came of it.”
    She didn’t think; she just blurted out in anger. “Ha! Nothin’ ever came of it? Is that what you think, Billy Stubben? How wrong you are!” She felt vengefully pleased at how ignorant he was, that he didn’t know . She pressed her lips tight over the need to flaunt it and tell him. She’d sworn she wouldn’t long ago.
    He looked at her in bewilderment. “What do you mean?” His eyes searched her face intently.
    Billy never had been a stupid man, even if he had been an uppity one. She felt a thrill of warning. She hadn’t meant this conversation to go this way. In fact, she’d never wanted to speak to him again in the first place!
    “Never mind,” she said quietly, collecting herself together. “And no, Mr. Stubben. Unfortunately, my time is already booked up.” She affected a haughty air, raising her nose. “Good day!”
    With that, she walked away.
     
     
    ON Sunday, Chris had gone over to Big Basin and spent the afternoon with Trix and Janie.
    Eric, Trix had said, wanted the job and asked for a trial period. He was working hard, so she’d let him stay. She’d been dismissive about it and didn’t seem inclined to discuss it further.
    Chris wasn’t happy. No guy with an almost fiancée would be pleased about Eric dimple-chin-blue-eyes Crassen hanging around. But Chris trusted Trix to have good judgment. Besides, she was still mourning. They hadn’t done more than kiss because she wasn’t ready. Even if Eric did try his charms, they would fall on deaf ears or… lips or whatever. Chris was sure of it.
    On Monday, Jeremy came into the Merc around noon and headed into the aisles. Chris didn’t run to the back this time, but he steeled himself to be polite and nothing more. He prepared excuses in his head in case Jeremy tried to hang out.
    But Jeremy only said hello at the register and gave him a secret sort of smile. He placed his purchase on the counter. “I need a lightbulb,” Jeremy said.
    Chris looked at what was on the counter and stifled a smile. “That’s lucky for you, then, because I happen to have a lightbulb right here.” He rang up the purchase.
    Jeremy just winked at him and left the store.
    Chris was unable to think of anything else for a good three hours.
    On Tuesday, Chris ended up in line behind Jeremy when he went to the bank to make a deposit. Jeremy said hello and smiled, but then turned around and didn’t look at Chris again, which drove him batshit crazy.
    On Wednesday, Chris went to Nora’s for lunch later than usual and realized Jeremy was cooking in the back. Jeremy didn’t come out to say hey, but when Chris’s burger arrived, he found two chocolate kisses on the plate between his