When I reach the outskirts of Maudlin Falls, I deliberately take a meandering route around it. I don’t want to pass through the middle of town yet.

Or drive by his house.

I think it’d destroy me to see a strange vehicle parked in the driveway next to his truck, and I need my mind on my job right now. I want to do what I came here to do first, before tackling my personal business. That way, if things don’t end well personally, it won’t screw me up with my job.

I told the office I would be here for the rest of the week, even though I bribed the admin assistant who handles booking travel and scheduling not to tell anyone else about my plans. Me being out of the office isn’t uncommon, though, considering how much I travel to New York. I’ve also blocked out a week of vacation time for all of next week, and I didn’t tell Freddy or my mother that little fact.

Either way I’ll need that vacation time, regardless of how this visit turns out. At least no one will recognize my vehicle. I just bought it last year, so that should gain me a little time. I’ll have to get the tire fixed, though. I don’t like not having a spare, and with my luck, I’ll need it again soon enough.

Although, I’m certain once my presence registers with someone, word will spread faster than a case of lice in the elementary school after the first cold snap sweeps through town on a weekday. I doubt Herb recognized me. He would’ve told someone, and I’d already be getting a call or text from Tomas.

Besides, Herb acted friendly toward me, lending even more credence to my theory that he didn’t recognize me. It wouldn’t shock me if everyone in town hates me. The residents are very protective of their own here.

When I first moved to Maudlin Falls, it took me a while to warm up to the locals and fit in because I kept waiting for a shoe to drop or to discover whatever angle someone might be playing.

Or to find that the secret bigots’ facades would eventually slip around me and Tomas, proving it was all an act.

Just to realize…nope. The town is full of genuinely nice people who care about each other. They really meant it when they welcomed me in, because Tomas loved me. That was good enough for them. Not to mention, we weren’t the only LGBTQ residents in town. It’s a rainbow melting pot across several spectrums.

If only I hadn’t been so worried about money and my career and had focused back then on what was really important, I’d still be here.

I’d still be happy.

Sure, I made Mom and Dad happy by leaving here, returning to Miami, and building my career. That was a huge mistake. Money in the bank is helpful, yes.

What I’ve since learned is that it’s practically meaningless without love. The old chestnut about money can’t buy you happiness is, unfortunately, all too true. I’ve made myself more than enough money to prove that.

I don’t know what I expect to do here. Logic tells me Tomas has likely moved on. I can’t even stalk him on social media because, except for the store, he doesn’t have a personal social media presence.

There is no plan in my head. It’s do my job first, throw myself on Tomas’ mercy second…and pray a lot between those two events.

Although if I learn Tomas is not single before I approach him, I can simply back away from that plan and not bother him. Maybe even manage to make it out of town before he knows I’m here.

Hey, stranger things have happened.

I don’t want to hurt him. I’m sure I’ve hurt him enough already.

The drive is pretty and the weather perfect for it. I couldn’t have asked for a better day to return to town. I don’t usually handle real estate law—my specialty is civil litigation. However, I was one of only two attorneys in our firm who’s licensed to practice in this state. Otherwise, we’d have to engage someone local, and the developer wanted as few people involved in this deal as possible so there was little risk of attracting attention to the property and having someone else swoop in and scoop it up for more money. Or start a bidding war and drive the purchase price up.

Meaning I drew the short straw by default. The other attorney is currently taking a leave of absence because he’s tied up with a vicious custody battle.

His own.

The dumbass is representing himself. Frankly, his soon-to-be ex-wife has a far better attorney than him and is going to clean his cheating ass out. Rightfully so.

Behind the scenes, we’re all not-so-secretly rooting for her to lay waste to his world. He’s a douchebag but he brings in sizable billable hours that make the firm a lot of money, so he’s been tolerated for too long.

My first stop is actually in Webley, the county seat. I want to go through the county records and do some research. I’ll be employing a title search company once the purchase contract is ready to sign. Confidentiality agreements aside, Maudlin Falls is a small town and word travels fast. Anyone we’d get to do that work will soon have the deal being talked about down at Alacea’s Diner.

It wouldn’t even be due to a breach of a confidentiality agreement. It’s just one of the drawbacks of a small, close-knit town like Maudlin Falls.

Everyone knows everyone else’s business, frequently before the person whose business is being known even knows about it.

I wish I was kidding about that.

Crazier still, I actually miss that about this place. People care. If you call the doctor for an appointment because you’re sick, you’ll have five offers to bring you food before you even have the appointment made.

If someone hits a hard patch, there are always neighbors and friends right there ready to step in and help you out, if you’ll let them. Sometimes, they’ll help you out even when you try not to let them.

It truly is a unique place.

Hokey, dull, unimpressive…

And the best darned place I’ve ever lived in my entire life.

With the best darned man on the face of the planet.

Too bad I didn’t appreciate both of those facts three years ago, before I stupidly blew up my life.