Chapter 5: Breaking the Chains

My job was to have them meet at the county fair, so Dean would fall for Nora before Carter returned. That way, later, when Nora learned Carter killed her father, Dean would comfort her and help her escape.

Basically: while the husband’s away, set up the brother with the wife.

Simple enough.

I planned a shopping trip, dragging Nora along to carry my bags. Villainess perks.

Nora looked calm, but inside she was thrilled.

With the fair coming up, the streets were bustling.

The sidewalks were lined with bunting, and the air smelled of popcorn and caramel. Kids darted between booths, faces sticky with cotton candy.

Nora, raised on the ranch, never had close friends or went shopping. Seeing the lights and decorations for the first time, she looked around like a wide-eyed kitten.

Her eyes darted from stall to stall, taking in the sights. She reached out, touching a string of paper lanterns. Her face glowed in the lamplight.

“Nora, can you try not to look like you just rolled in from the sticks? If you embarrass yourself, fine, but don’t embarrass the Ashfords.”

I kept up the side quest—humiliating Nora at every turn.

“Okay.” Nora nodded, all obedience on the outside.

“Delaney keeps watching me. So shy, so shy.”

I was used to Nora’s weird interpretations.

“Here.” I bought a lantern and shoved it into her hands, then draped a scarf across her arm.

The scarf was bright red, clashing with her dress. I piled on more trinkets, making her look like a walking yard sale.

Soon she was buried in stuff, from big lanterns to little trinkets.

But Nora just kept smiling at me, her eyes catching the orange light—pure and warm.

There was a gentle patience in her gaze, like she was happy just to be included. It made me feel oddly guilty.

“Ahem.” I looked away, pointing to the bridge ahead. “Let’s check over there.”

“Okay.”

I sped up, Nora struggling behind, and—just like in the book—she collided with a hurried passerby: Dean Grant.

Nora fell, everything scattering.

Dean fell too, but grabbed my sleeve as he went down. The three of us tumbled like dominoes.

I winced. Should’ve kept my distance.

My butt hurt. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see—” Dean started to bark, but then he saw me and lit up. “Sis!”

He hugged me tight. “Sis! Long time no see! Missed you!”

He nearly strangled me.

“You okay?” Before I could pass out, I heard Nora’s gentle concern.

Her voice was soft, but steady. I glanced over—Nora was already up, leaning over us.

Dean let go, looked at her, and grinned, “I’m fine, miss. You?”

Yes, yes, just like the book!

In the original, Dean and Nora met by accident, she patched up his wound, and he slowly fell for her.

I was thrilled—the plot was finally back on track.

But Nora just glanced at Dean and said coldly, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

Ouch. Cold.

Dean froze. So did I.

Then Nora pushed Dean aside, helped me up, checking me over gently, “Delaney, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Her hands were warm, her touch careful. I felt a strange flutter in my chest, like I was the heroine for a second.

I twitched my lips. “I’m fine.”

But the plot was about to derail.

—

We found a coffee shop. I sat while Nora gently bandaged a tiny scratch on my finger.

The place smelled of dark roast and cinnamon, the windows fogged up from the crowd. Nora’s hands were steady, her focus absolute.