A Taste of Paradise. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ lied when he’d said the room wasn’t much to look at. The walls were dingy beige and the floor was a worn vinyl covered partly by a mud-brown throw rug. At least there was a bed, or more accurately a frame and mattress.

      Next to the only window sat a scarred dresser layered with several coats of paint, the last a pea-green. Along the far wall were several boxes labeled as restaurant supplies.

      “What have I gotten myself into?” she breathed as she eyed the mass of cobwebs along the ceiling. Just then her appraisal was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

      With a loud knock, Nate Hunter walked through the door. He nodded in greeting and held up her small suitcase. “I thought you might need this.”

      Tori doubted her honeymoon trousseau would be practical for her stay in Haven. She blushed, recalling the skimpy silk-and-satin unmentionables that filled the bag, guaranteed to lure any man into her bed. Just days ago, Tori had had plans to seduce her new husband in the tropical island of Kauai, Hawaii.

      Now, the only ideas she had for her ex-fiancé could get her arrested. And Jed wasn’t worth it. Tori bit back her anger and smiled at the sheriff. “Thank you. It’s not much, but it’s all I have.” With her quick departure and limited funds, she’d only managed a little clothes shopping at the discount stores.

      “You’re welcome.” He glanced around the room. “Oh, boy, it’s worse than I remembered.”

      Tori wanted to agree, but she was too grateful to have a place to stay.

      “It’s fine,” she said. “Really, this is all I need. Besides, Sam has been nice enough to let me stay here. With a little cleaning…”

      “It will still look bad,” Nate said ruefully.

      Tori remained silent as she glanced inside the tiny bathroom that contained a stall shower, sink and toilet. She grimaced at the thought of the last time it had been cleaned.

      Get a grip, girl. Tori looked back at the sheriff. “Like I said, a good cleaning and this will do just fine.”

      Her only other alternative was to call her father. If she did, she’d be sleeping in a five-star hotel tonight. But she’d have to pay a price. No. She wasn’t going to give the man any more control over her. It was past time she handled her own life. Starting now.

      “Do you think Sam could spare some cleaning supplies?” she asked.

      “Sure.” Nate began to roll up his uniform sleeves. “Don’t touch a thing until I get back with some strong disinfectant and we’ll make this place livable.”

      “Sheriff, no. There’s no need for you to help me. I’m sure you have more important things to do.”

      “I know I don’t have to.” His piercing eyes bored into hers and her throat suddenly went dry. “As for more important things to do…” He checked his watch. “I got off duty twenty minutes ago. And I have capable deputies who’ll call me if they can’t handle things. Now, I’m going to get those cleaning supplies from Sam and help you. Is that all right with you?”

      Tori swallowed hard, never so aware of the close quarters—or so aware that Sheriff Nate Hunter was a good-looking man with a killer dimple in his chin. It would be too easy to lean on him, and the last thing she wanted or needed was Prince Charming. No more fairy tales. If anyone was going to rescue her, she would do it herself—but maybe a little help with the cleaning wouldn’t hurt.

      She finally nodded. “Just so you know, I’m adding more time to when you drive my car.”

      A slow sexy grin appeared and her breathing stopped. “I’m easy,” he said. “I’ll work for Vette time.”

      She doubted anything about this man was easy. “Don’t get too excited. First, I have to pay for the repairs. So you better hope I make some tips.”

      The sheriff’s intent gaze moved over her and suddenly her cotton shirt and white capris felt as if they’d disappeared. “Oh, I have no doubt you’ll do very well,” he said, then turned and walked out the door.

      Tori sank onto the stool and let out a long breath. Waitress. Tips. Car repairs. How fast her life had changed. A sudden sadness washed over her as she recalled that just days ago she was to have been married. Now she was flirting with another man.

      The Sheridan-Foster wedding was supposed to be San Francisco’s society event of the year. Deep inside, Tori had never felt right about the marriage. She realized now that she’d never loved Jed, at least not the way a woman should love the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with.

      It dawned on her that she’d let her father brainwash her into thinking she and Jed were perfect for each other. J.C. had said they had so much in common and Jed had been just as convincing. In truth, the marriage would have been advantageous for J. C. Sheridan and his business dealings. As usual, his daughter’s feelings were his last concern. Had her father ever loved her, or was her only value her stock shares? That hurt worst of all. Suddenly, tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t seem to stop the sobs that shook her body.

      Nate heard Tori’s soft sobbing even before he found his way up the stairs with the bucket and mop. He wasn’t quite sure what he should do. He knew from experience with his sister that Tori probably wouldn’t want anyone to see her cry. But Tori was all alone. Would she go back to the man who had caused the sadness in her big brown eyes? Those sparkling golden-hued eyes had been Nate’s undoing, not to mention her pouty, kissable lips and thick, wheat-colored hair.

      Nate quickly shook away the direction of his thoughts. He was the sheriff and should be checking for outstanding warrants, or if she was on a missing persons list rather than fantasizing about her.

      It had turned out she had a spotless record; she’d never even had a traffic ticket. She lived in an exclusive area of San Francisco and drove an expensive car. Victoria Sheridan had high society written all over her. So why didn’t she have any money on her? Or anyone to call for help? Another snuffle came from the other side of the door and Nate’s chest tightened. He wasn’t an expert but he’d bet someone had broken her heart. A warning signal went up in his brain.

      Stay away from her. You can’t take on another problem, especially not a female with problems!

      Nate had given his heart once and it had been shattered. Allison Denton, the girl he’d loved all through college, had walked out on him when he’d needed her the most. She’d suddenly lost interest in him when he was no longer headed toward a pro-football career.

      Since then Nate had guarded his heart but good. Yet he knew he couldn’t turn away from someone who needed his help. He made a stomping sound on the porch before he opened the door and walked inside. “Looks like we’re all set.”

      Tori had managed to brush away the tears, though her red eyes were proof of her misery. But nothing took away from her beauty.

      “Look, Sheriff, you’ve helped me so much already, I can’t expect…”

      “As I mentioned before, it’s Nate,” he reminded her as he set down the bucket and went to her. “Tori, I know this place isn’t a perfect solution—”

      “No, it isn’t that,” she interrupted. “It’s just there are things that… I can’t talk about…”

      He СКАЧАТЬ