Trouble in Sudden Falls: A Sudden Falls Romance by Elizabeth Bemis Page B

as a county inspection proves that the building has no structural issues and that all work done to the building is up to code.”
    No one said anything until he glared specifically at the council member to his right.
    “I move,” was her mumbled reply.
    “Second,” came a voice down the table.
    “All in favor?” He gave the entire council an evil eye.
    A chorus of “Ayes” quickly followed.
    “Opposed?”
    Maddie held her breath, but no one spoke.
    “Motion passed.” Mayor Watson looked to the secretary. “Next order of business?”
    Maddie’s face felt hot and the back of her eyes burned. How humiliating. How could he ignore her plea like that? What had she ever done to Mayor Watson? She wracked her brain, but nothing came to mind…
    Unless he was part of the Lisbet Roarke fan club and was meting out his own personal brand of justice.
    If she could take back her actions, she would. Unfortunately, no one had invented a reliable time machine. Tears threatened to spill and she returned to her seat, her steps wooden as the next person made their way to the podium. Eli took her folder from her numb fingers as she collapsed in the metal folding chair beside him.
    “Nice job, all the same,” he whispered.
    “For all the good it did me.”
    Clearly, the town of Sudden Falls wasn’t yet ready to forgive her.

    “I’ve got good news,” Eli said to Maddie as they left City Hall a half hour later.
    “I could use some good news. Or ice cream.” She reached up and rubbed the tight muscles over the top of her shoulder. “Or a massage.”
    He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I’d be happy to give you a massage.” It was the third or fourth overt pass he’d made at her. All of which she’d turned down, of course. He suspected Maddie wasn’t taking him or his bet seriously. He let her continue to think he was kidding.
    For now.
    “I’ll pass. You’re just trying to win the bet. It’s not gonna happen.” The casual way she responded made him certain she didn’t think he was serious. He didn’t mind lulling her into a false sense of security before he made his real move. He was going to win the bet… but it had nothing to do with her car.
    He grinned at her rejection and shrugged. “You’ll change your mind. They all do.”
    “Don’t hold your breath.” She rolled her eyes. “So what’s this good news?”
    Eli placed his hand at the small of Maddie’s back to guide her toward the car, liking the feel of her warm skin beneath his palm separated only by the thin fabric of her blouse. “I spoke with Howard McAdams while you were in the ladies’ room.”
    “Coach McAdams?”
    “Who’s also the county inspector.”
    Her spine arched ever-so-slightly, escaping his hand. She turned to face him, coming to a standstill in the middle of the parking lot before he could resume contact. “Why?” she asked, not sounding quite as grateful as he’d hoped.
    “Your store inspection is on Monday morning.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “But when I called earlier this week, his first opening wasn’t until three weeks from Tuesday.”
    “Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know.”
    “Yeah, and Howard McAdams coached my high school softball team. He and I go way back. It’s not like I couldn’t have gotten in touch with him myself if I had known he was the county inspector.”
    He’d kind of forgotten that. But still… why the attitude? Eli watched as Maddie clenched her jaw, not understanding why she wasn’t happier at the prospect of accelerating the process.
    “Thank you.” Her voice was firm if not warm.
    He looked at her, still a little confused by her tone.
    “However, I’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t take over in the future.”
    “What?”
    “Look, I appreciate the help.” She fiddled with the strap of her purse and looked around the parking lot instead of at him. “However, I would really like to be able to do this on my own. I haven’t stood on my own two feet in too