Second Chances. Valerie Hansen
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Название: Second Chances
Автор: Valerie Hansen
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired
isbn: 9781472021427
isbn:
At that moment, if someone had asked her to choose which of the two men was more irritating, she’d have been hard-pressed to decide.
By the time Sam dropped her off at home, Belinda had managed to find out very little about his plans. All he’d say was that he had some wealthy silent partners whose interests he needed to protect, and that what he was trying to accomplish would be good for Serenity. She’d been around him long enough to know he couldn’t be badgered into revealing more details until he was ready.
Since he hadn’t offered to take her out for Sunday dinner the way he usually did, she assumed he was miffed. Well, too bad. If he expected her to ever consider him husband material, he was going to have to accept the fact that she expected to be treated as an equal partner in any serious relationship.
She opened the passenger door and stepped out as soon as Sam stopped his car in her driveway. “Thanks for the ride.”
He leaned across the seat. “Belinda?”
Pausing, she bent down to see what he wanted.
“Is it true?” he asked.
“Is what true?”
“You and Randall. I’d heard a few rumors but I didn’t pay much attention to them. I figured you’d never go for a guy like that. I mean, his father was a bum with a prison record, wasn’t he?”
Belinda’s stomach tightened, though not from hunger. “Paul’s father was an auto mechanic when we met. What the man may have done before he and Paul moved to Serenity is none of my business.” Or yours.
“And they lived in a shack out behind Butch’s gas station where the old man worked?”
“It was a trailer, not a shack,” she answered. “It was the best poor Mr. Randall could do, under the circumstances. Paul worked odd jobs to help out….” She paused, then added, “Until he went away to college.”
“I’ve heard all about the night he left,” Sam said, “but I won’t go into that because I don’t want to bring up memories that are painful for you.”
Oh, right, Belinda thought. As if you haven’t already. “Why are you asking me so much about Paul?”
“I’ve found it pays to know my enemies.”
“Paul’s not your enemy. Besides, there’s absolutely nothing between us. Not anymore.”
Sam began to smile at her. “I know that, honey. I just wanted to see if you were in a good position to help me out. I think you are.”
“Help you? How?”
“I need to find out what Randall’s plans are for the Whitaker place and how close we are to coming to terms during negotiations.” His grin grew. “If you and I work together, we’ll have a definite advantage.”
Belinda refused to believe he was asking her to become some kind of amateur spy. Sam would never do that. He might be overly practical but he wasn’t nefarious.
“What I have in mind is for the good of Serenity,” Sam added. “I promise. You’ll see. The whole town will benefit.”
“From what?”
Chuckling, Sam straightened, making her bend lower to look him in the eye. “Oh, no, you don’t. I’ll let you in on my plan when the time comes. Until then, it’s my little secret. All you have to do is be your charming self and report whatever Randall tells you about my project.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said to Paul this morning? I never intend to see him again, let alone talk to him.”
Sam looked triumphant. “On the contrary. You’re going to see Randall this coming Wednesday night.”
“I am? How? Where?” Her heart began to pound at the thought. The sticky afternoon air no longer seemed to contain enough oxygen, no matter how rapidly she breathed.
“At the business dinner I told you about last week. We’ll be representing the Chamber, remember?”
“Yes, but…”
“I guess I forgot to mention that it’s at the Whitaker house. That location wouldn’t have been my choice, but we’ll make the best of it. Now that I’ve seen what kind of man Randall is, I’m certain he’ll be there.” He paused and slipped the car into gear. “I know he said he liked that dress, but wear that simple black dress of yours instead, so he keeps his mind on the deal, will you? I’ll pick you up Wednesday at six-thirty sharp.”
As Belinda watched him drive away, she was surprised how aggravated she was. Sam’s attitude made her feel like blurting out a few colorful phrases that had never before passed her lips. She wouldn’t do it, of course. It was wrong to curse, even if what she said didn’t actually take the Lord’s name in vain.
But after the morning she’d just had, she certainly understood what drove people to say such things!
Boy, did she.
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