Romancing Malone: The Comedy, Conflict and Romance Series, #3

ROMANCING YOUR EX

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Okay, so it’s been over for a while, so why would you even think of going back there?

This is the dilemma facing Courtney Fox.  After loving and losing Malone Hunt, the only man she’s ever truly loved, she is drawn into a situation where she is being asked...no, ordered...to win him back, by whatever means necessary, seduction and kidnap included.  At first, she balks at the idea, but when it finally sinks in that this may be a second chance with her ideal love, Courtney rises to the challenge.  She knows that when she executes her seduction plan Malone won’t know what hit him.

Malone can’t believe his good fortune when Courtney walks back into his life.  She’s the one woman who makes his heart do backflips, but she’s also the woman who walked out on him.  No matter that he still loves her, he can’t forget the hurt and the pain he suffered at her hands.  But even if he forgives her and decides to rekindle the fire between them, there’s just one little... or maybe not so little... problem: what to do with his fiancée?

It’s a quandary of immense proportions: two is company, but three is definitely a crowd.  Something’s got to give.  Will Malone and Courtney ever find love together again?

CHAPTER ONE

I want you to do one thing for me before I die.  Beryl Langley’s blue eyes flashed with the intensity of her emotions.

What is it, Gaga?  Just tell me, and I’ll do it.  As she sat by the old lady’s bedside, Courtney took the weathered hand, wanting to reassure her.  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for this woman who was more than just a friend to her.  She wanted to make sure Gaga knew that.

Beryl heaved a sigh, which was a bit too dramatic to be real. 

Courtney frowned, but said nothing, waiting for her friend to respond.

I called you here because I have something very important to ask of you, she continued.  Promise me you will do it.  She squeezed Courtney’s hand.

The urgency in the woman’s voice making her concerned, she slid forward onto the edge of her chair.  I promise.  Tell me.  What do you want me to do?

Beryl relaxed against her backrest, her face softening in a satisfied smile.  Nothing too hard, she said.  I just want you to marry my great-grandson.

Courtney jerked back.  Had she heard right?  You want me to...marry Malone?

She nodded.  How many great-grandsons do I have?  As far as I know, I’ve only got Malone.

But Gaga, do you know what you’re saying?  Courtney still could not believe what she was hearing.

Frowning, Beryl planted her palms on top of the covers and pushed herself up, so she was sitting upright in the bed.  You promised, she said, a pout beginning to form on her lips.  You said you would do anything I asked.

Yes, but-

But, nothing.

But I didn’t think you were going to ask me to marry Malone.  I thought you were going to ask me something reasonable.

That’s reasonable.

No, it’s not.  It’s...crazy.  Courtney was shaking her head, not believing the conversation they were having.  How could you be asking me to marry him?  The man is engaged, for goodness’ sake.  To someone else!

To her surprise, Beryl didn’t seem at all fazed by that fact.  Instead of acknowledging the impossibility of the situation, she snorted.  Don’t you think I know that?  That’s why I want you to jump in before he makes the worst mistake of his life.

She released the old lady’s hand, sat back in her seat, and pressed her palm to her forehead.  Clearly, Beryl’s brain had toppled over the edge.  The woman’s advanced age had finally succeeded in driving her batty.  Oh, Gaga, she said softly, you don’t understand what you’re saying.

I know exactly what I’m saying.  The old lady’s voice was as sharp as it was strong. Take your hand away from your face and look at me, child.  Look at me when I’m speaking to you.

It was an order issued in such an imperious tone that Courtney was quick to obey.  When she looked at Beryl, the woman was glaring at her.

Don’t you think I’ve given this serious thought? she demanded.  I’m a ninety-four year old woman.  I don’t have time for games.  She tightened her grip on her blanket.  I want you to win Malone over and get that wicked witch out of his life.  She’s no good.

But Gaga, I...I can’t.  She looked down at her hands.  Are you forgetting that only a year ago, I was the one who was in a relationship with Malone?  Did you forget that I... she swallowed, I was the one who walked out on him?

Another snort from Beryl made her look up.  No, I didn’t forget, the old lady said in a huff, and I haven’t forgiven you for that, either.  I’ve loved you ever since he first introduced us.  You were the perfect girl for my boy.  Then, she set her mouth in a petulant pout.  Until you messed it up.  Why you decided to leave him, I will never understand.

You don’t understand-

That’s what I said, isn’t it?  But that doesn’t matter anymore.  Now, you can make it up to me by winning him back.  So, what’s your plan?

What’s my plan?  Are you serious?

Dead serious.  Beryl’s eyes flashed as she glared at her but then her face softened, and she began to chuckle.  At my age, I’d better not joke around with the word ‘dead’.  I’m already on the brink.  She laughed some more, seeming tickled by her own joke, but then her face turned serious.  So, your plan is?

Gaga, will you stop this?  I don’t have a plan.  I walked away from Malone a year ago, and I have no intention of going back to him.  I’m sure he hates me.

Beryl did not look impressed.  Will you stop it with the drama?  Malone still loves you, and you know it.  And you love him, too.  So, what’s the problem?

The problem is, Courtney said the words slowly, like she was talking to a two-year-old, there’s a lady in his life.  What, pray tell, do you propose we do with her?

Get rid of her.  The words were said without even a hint of hesitation.  Get between the two of them and break it up.

What kind of thing is that to say?

You love him, don’t you?

I...I’d rather not say.

I’ll take that as a yes.  Beryl sat back, looking pleased with herself.  So, that’s settled.  You still love Malone, and I know he loves you, too.  Now, we just have to figure out how to get rid of the witch who cast her spell on him.

Courtney shook her head.  She got up and walked over to stare out the window onto the hibiscus shrubs below.  That was one thing she loved about living in Florida - the year-round beauty of tropical flowers.  It was September, and the flowers were as lush and beautiful as ever.

Right at that moment, she couldn’t really appreciate the scenery, though.  She was too bemused.  Whether she loved Malone or not, how could Beryl think that she had any right to step in and sabotage his relationship?

Listen to me.

The sharp command made her turn around.  Yes?

You don’t know this woman the way I do.  Lena is a devious snake in the grass who will do anything to get ahead.  That’s why she wriggled her way into a relationship with Malone.  She knew he was about to be made partner, and she wanted in.  She wants to be the wife of one of the most successful attorneys in Occala.

Courtney sighed.  Lots of women would want that, Gaga.  You can’t call her a devious snake because of that.

Oh, but there’s more.  She gave Courtney a knowing look.  Never underestimate the power of the nursing home grapevine.  She raised her eyebrows.  That woman’s grandmother lives right here in this nursing home.  You know what that means, don’t you?

No.

It means that I get to learn a lot about Lena by listening to Muriel talk.  And she talks a lot, I can tell you that.  Gets on my nerves, but I grin and bear it, just so I can get tidbits about that girl of hers.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Courtney returned to her chair.  So, what did you hear?

Muriel let it slip that her granddaughter was after the most eligible bachelor in Marion County.  She deliberately hunted him down.  She got a mutual friend to set things up so they would be seated at the same table, side by side, at a conference.

Courtney shrugged.  So?  Is that so bad?

Beryl nodded vigorously, making her chestnut wig shake.  Yes, it’s bad.  She went so far as to get a job at the law firm.  And... her eyes narrowed as she spoke, when a woman goes after a man while she’s asking, what’s love got to do with it, you know she’s evil.  She wasn’t after him because she loved him.  It was all about what she could get out of being in a relationship with him.  She’s evil, I tell you.  Evil.

The last word was said with such vehemence that Courtney’s eyes widened.  Clearly, Beryl had little love for this new woman in Malone’s life.

She cleared her throat.  I don’t know what to say.  I had no idea-

How could you have any idea? was Beryl’s bitter retort.  Ever since you and Malone broke up, you’ve locked yourself away, like you’re some sort of hermit.  From what I hear, it’s from home to that veterinary clinic of yours and then back home.  That’s it.  Do you realize that this is the first time I’ve seen you all year?  It’s September, for goodness’ sake.  The last time I saw you was before Thanksgiving last year.

I’m sorry.  After what happened between Malone and me, I just couldn’t face him...or you.  Shame made Courtney’s voice come out in a subdued whisper.

Beryl waved a dismissive hand.  All right, all right.  Right now that’s water under the bridge.  The important thing is, you’re back, and you’re ready to set things straight.

That made Courtney raise an eyebrow.  I never said anything of the sort.

Another wave of the hand told her that it didn’t matter to Beryl.  You didn’t have to say anything, the obstinate nonagenarian said.  The important thing is that you love Malone, and now that you’ve crawled out from under that rock where you’ve been hiding for the past year, you’re ready to help me rescue my boy.

Hello.  I never said that, either.

Beryl glared at her.  Will you stop interrupting?  She let out her breath in an exasperated puff.  As I was saying, we can’t leave my baby to the devious wiles of that she-devil.  You will have to use your feminine charms to pull him out of the trance.  She gave Courtney a pointed look.  If you have any love left for my boy, you will help me.  I’m depending on you.

With those weighty words, the woman folded her arms and lay back against the propped-up pillows.  Now, let’s talk about your plan of action, she said, her confident tone making it clear that she expected