The Scandal Before the Vows novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Frozen

Brynn came up the Ranneys' porch steps on Monday morning with a bakery box and her best smile.

Elliot had left at eight for the county board.

Margo was shelling peas into a bowl on her lap, and she did not stop.

I was in the swing with my splinted wrist on a pillow and my phone in the pocket of her cardigan, recording.

"Margo, isn't it?" Brynn said. "I brought lemon bars for the neighbors."

"We have neighbors," said Margo. "You're standing on them."

Brynn laughed, a bright little laugh, and set the box on the rail.

She did not sit.

She looked at me, and I saw how much she had enjoyed the drive from Trenton's.

"Good news, Corina. I closed your bank account."

I kept my face still.

"Not yours," Brynn went on. "His. The wire. Trenton sleeps so deeply when he's tired, did you know? I held his thumb to the sensor at three this morning, and the app was very helpful."

"You froze his account."

"Clever, isn't it?"

"I expected something like it," I said. "That's why he signed in front of a witness."

"A scrap of paper," said Brynn. "I put a hold on all outgoing transfers. A bank hold, until the wedding. Trenton thinks it's a glitch." She tilted her head. "After the vows it's our money, not his, and I've decided I like the house just as it is."

Margo said, "Young lady, that's theft."

"It's marriage, Mrs. Ranney."

Inside the screen door, Dean sat very still on the couch, with the television on low and an ice pack on his lip.

Brynn's eyes went to him through the mesh.

"Dean. You look terrible. Still breathing?"

"I don't know what you mean," he said.

"Of course you don't." She smiled. "I hear the drawer in your apartment was robbed. How awful. Anything valuable?"

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