His Honour, Her Family. Tara Randel

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СКАЧАТЬ He could see why when he glimpsed the outward disdain on the face of the other half of the well-dressed Tremaine couple. It perfectly mirrored his wife’s expression yesterday.

      “When you left Golden for the bright lights of Atlanta, we didn’t think we’d ever see you again.”

      “As I’m sure you know, family matters brought me home.”

      “Shame about your mama’s fall. Someone should really take care of that house of hers.”

      Grace’s face turned red and her voice turned sharp. “What do you want, Carter?”

      He handed her a large yellow envelope. “Lissy Ann compiled the information for the Summer Gold Celebration. I’m sure you can pass it on to your mama and Nathan.”

      Grace hesitantly reached out to take the proffered envelope. “How neighborly of you both.”

      “We’ve invested in extensive publicity with the hopes of putting Golden on the go-to vacation map, and this celebration should seal the deal.”

      Grace stood before him not saying a word. If Deke didn’t already dislike the visitor, he might almost feel sorry for him. Grace’s stony silence threw the other man off.

      “So, ah, can we depend on your commitment to the town and help during the celebration?”

      “You’ll have to discuss it with Mama when she gets back.”

      Carter looked skeptical. “But she’s always on board with civic projects.”

      “Then there you go.” She opened the door. “Thanks for stopping by.”

      Carter hesitated. “You both have a nice day.” He shot a final glance at Deke and exited out the door.

      Grace closed it behind him with more force than was necessary and quickly locked the door. She then stomped back to the desk with a decidedly ferocious frown. Tossed the envelope as she went.

      “I take it you’re not a fan of the husband either?”

      She ran a hand through her hair. “Do you have people in your life whose mission it is to make you miserable?”

      “Sometimes I feel like my brothers were put on this earth for the sole purpose of tormenting me.”

      Her eyes lit up over their common bond. “The Tremaines have been pains in my behind since high school.”

      “I’m guessing that’s part of the reason you live in Atlanta?”

      “Yes.” In the overhead light, her green eyes sparkled. He liked her hair a bit ruffled, her cheeks bright with outrage. Made him want to kiss the stress away until she couldn’t think of anything but him.

      Whoa! Hold it. Yes, she intrigued him, but where had that thought come from? Thrown, he clutched the folder tighter.

      “Let’s get going before another town resident decides to stop in to confirm the rumors that I’m back in town.”

      She led him out the rear door to a narrow lane running behind the buildings in this block. They crossed over gravel to a small patch of grass, which then led to a public parking lot.

      “Mind if I drive?” he asked. “I do better with directions if I navigate myself.”

      “Sure.” She stopped short when she eyed the white vehicle he pointed to. “It doesn’t have any doors.”

      “Yeah. It’s a Wrangler.”

      He could almost see her brain calculating the distance from the ground to the seat. It was a bit of a climb to get in, but he had every faith she could manage it. Especially as she stared at the wide, silver side step, face etched with grim determination. Did she always approach life with such a take-all attitude? He and his brothers had been overly competitive growing up—still were today, truth be told—and he found himself wondering if she subscribed to the same philosophy. If so, this would make for a very interesting summer.

      “Take hold of the grab handle and pull yourself up.”

      She shot him an incredulous glance. “Just like that?”

      He chuckled. “Just like that.” He couldn’t wait to see this.

      Blowing out a breath, she reached up for the handle, hefted her weight, tottered in her spiky shoes for a scary moment, then slung herself into the seat. She shot him a cocky smile. “What are you waiting for?”

      Admiring her pluck, he jumped inside and started the ignition, and they were on their way.

      As he pulled onto Main, she shouted directions over the loud engine. He drove through town, enjoying the cool temperatures and cloudless sky. With a sideward glance, he saw Grace’s hair blowing in the wind while she uselessly tried to control it. Her tight, white knuckles grasped the handle for dear life as he took the turns. What a trouper. The idea of this woman, who had no use for nature, running her mother’s outdoor adventure business struck him as a bit absurd, but he enjoyed the juxtaposition. Finally, a few miles outside town, she pointed down a winding road leading to a large warehouse nestled between tall pines and scraggly scrubs.

      “Just pull up in front.”

      He did as she said, parked and followed her to the front door beside the large roll-up door beside it. Once inside she flipped on a light and led him to the center of the vast structure.

      “Canoes and kayaks on this side.” She pointed out the location. “Camping gear on the other.”

      The inventory was clearly laid out for easy access.

      “There’s a trailer on the other side of the building that’s used to transport everything when needed. I didn’t notice. Do you have a hitch on the Jeep?”

      “Yes.”

      “Good.” Her gaze encompassed the room. “Any questions?”

      “Nope. You’ve covered everything.”

      Except why she didn’t like being back in Golden, what was up with her family issues and why the Tremaines pushed her buttons. It wasn’t his place to ask, even though he wanted to. He was here for one thing only, to get the dirt on James Tate and report back to his brothers. The Harper family dynamics were none of his concern.

      Grace headed for the door. “Let’s get back to the office.”

      As they started to leave, Deke noticed a few posters hanging on the wall, one featuring people water rafting and another of a campground at dusk, a fire flaring in a circle pit. He tried to picture Grace in either setting but had to admit he couldn’t, not with her buttoned-up look.

      “So what are the odds I can get you up the mountain or out on the lake?”

      She snorted. “Zero to none.”

      He chuckled. “Good to know.”

      They walked back to the Jeep, Grace’s expression resigned as she climbed in. “Let’s get this over with,” she said.

      * СКАЧАТЬ