Share the Moon. Sharon Struth

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СКАЧАТЬ gaze darkened. “I hope not.”

      * * * *

      Duncan rubbed his temple while Sophie scratched some notes. This interview was going worse than the time he went on a roller coaster with Patrick at Six Flags, a bonding moment he hadn’t really thought through. At least with the crazy ride he could anticipate a wild curve or when he’d be thrown down a steep ramp. Had Sophie uncovered blemishes he’d hoped were erased on his firm’s history?”

      Her arrival created a double-whammy of effects. In the course of discussing the business nature of their meeting, he’d caught himself flirting with her, as he would with any woman who captured his interest. Her responses, however, were more unreadable than fine print.

      Sophie’s full lips parted as she read something on the pad. What’d she put down? He fiddled with the candy wrapper ends, twisting the twirled cellophane ends even tighter.

      She looked up. “Why do you want to move to Blue Moon Lake?”

      “I took my son there this past summer. We both agreed we needed a change of scenery. Besides, I need to be in one place. I’ve spent too many years traveling, too many years away from my kids.” All his wife’s complaints, yet repeating them aloud left a rock hard pit of remorse in his gut. He fled the disabling sensation by concentrating on Sophie’s chestnut eyes. “Sometimes, we all need an escape.”

      “But if you love the area, why didn’t you purchase only a single residence? Why the resort too?”

      For half a second he considered telling her the real reason the land mattered to his brother, but he didn’t want to violate any confidences. “I have my reasons.”

      “Did you ever stop to consider how some of the things you love about the lake could be lost by your business proposition?”

      “I don’t think they will.”

      “Perhaps you’re not seeing the big picture.”

      “I’ll address the environmental impact. I don’t want to hurt the lake, but this will boost the Northbridge economy and create jobs.”

      “The area may suffer too. If Zoning passes those changes, they’ll lead to additional development along the shoreline.”

      He shrugged. “I can’t control everything.”

      “No. You can control what you do now, though.”

      “Communities are often resistant to change.” Duncan tried to sound convincing but felt weakened by her demanding gaze. “Things seem to work out.”

      She cocked a confident brow, like someone about to yell the word checkmate. “Won’t this be the first time you’ve stuck around long enough to find out?”

      “I visit my sites.”

      Sophie twisted her mouth, not even bothering to hide her skepticism. Idealistic. Yes, that described her. This woman preached high standards for everyone, including herself. Duncan considered her perseverance as appealing as it was annoying.

      She lowered the pad to her lap. “Living there is different. I’d go so far to say you’re…” She pressed her lips together. “Never mind.”

      “What?”

      “Listen, I don’t wish to end up apologizing twice in one day.”

      He opened his arms to each side. “Come on. Hit me with your best shot.”

      She gave him a you-might-be-sorry grin. “Well, Jamieson is Scottish, right?”

      He nodded.

      “My Nana was born in Scotland. She once told me a story about a Scotsman who was asked to express an opinion about the pyramids who replied, ‘A lot of masonry work and no rent coming in.’”

      He snorted. “Then you think I only care about money?”

      “No, but you’re approaching this purely from a practical, business-like viewpoint. Stop. Think about why you love the lake.” Her potent gaze settled on him, saying more than her words. “I’ll bet one thing is the simplicity.”

      Her honesty was unexpected and refreshing, so unlike his wife’s. “Any other problems with my plan?”

      She studied the sofa arm, where her index finger made imaginary circles in the soft leather. “The land you’re thinking of buying has better uses.” She lifted her chin and met his eyes. “Did you know for over thirty years the property operated as a farm? Besides regular produce, they had sizable grape crops and for about twenty years produced wine.”

      “Is that why you’re interested in the land?”

      Her creamy cheeks turned crimson. “You knew?”

      For the first time since the interview began, Duncan regained control of the reins. “I did. Well?”

      “Does it really matter now?”

      “Maybe. Will it compromise this story?”

      She laughed. The kind of laugh where you couldn’t believe anybody would say something so ridiculous. Duncan wished he hadn’t asked the question.

      “I treat reporting the old-fashioned way. I only got your story in the first place because—”

      He raised his palm. “My accusation wasn’t fair. Listen, I’m sorry to have outbid you on the land so close to the closing date. A pure business decision and not personal.”

      “I never thought it was. Besides, the land isn’t yours yet.” Her brows arched.

      “Point taken.”

      “For the record, though, I write news. Not opinion pieces. I want to clear up any misconceptions since Mr. Steiner requested we put together a favorable piece.”

      “I didn’t request special treatment.” He squirmed in his seat. “Write the story as you see fit.”

      “Trust me. I will.”

      Once again, she’d left him as winded as if he’d hit the bottom of a huge crest on a roller coaster. Her stare burned through him.

      “May I switch gears?” Duncan ached to reclaim control.

      “Sure.” She crossed her shapely legs.

      “The other night, in the parking lot, you told me I’d never understand why you wanted the area to remain unchanged. It’s understandable you’d be unhappy about my bid. Is there something else I need to know?”

      Her dark gaze averted to the tip of her jiggling foot and she blinked, making her long lashes flutter. He wanted to look, too, but didn’t want to appear as if he were checking her out again. His earlier trip past her pleasing calves and nicely rounded bottom had given him the urge to unpin her knotted hair and do something that would earn him a slap across the face. Instead, he watched her expression, now more sad than angry.

      Her hand lifted to her slender neck, where her fingers slowly massaged beneath СКАЧАТЬ