Siren's Treasure. Debbie Herbert

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СКАЧАТЬ anything else—ever again.”

      His eyes narrowed. “Is it because of that accountant nerd? I saw the way he looked at you.”

      Jet’s heart gave an odd tug at the idea. “Don’t be stupid. We just met.”

      “Doesn’t matter. I heard him ask you to hire his brother. That’s his way of keeping an eye on you.”

      “We were talking about us.” She took a deep breath. “It’s over.” There, she’d said it.

      A deep red flush lit his pale face and his jaw clenched. “You don’t mean it.”

      Jet stood. “Yes, I do.” She held out her hand. “Good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future.”

      Perry grasped her hand. “Do this one last job with me. Help me get back on my feet.”

      “No, but I’ll help you out.” Jet shrugged out of his grasp and lifted her backpack from a shelf. “I’ll write you a check. Enough for you to move and set up in some new business.”

      Perry’s mouth dropped open and Jet smiled inwardly. He’d obviously expected her to fall into his lap. She found a pen and opened her checkbook.

      Perry grabbed her writing hand. “I don’t want your money. I want you to go with me to Tybee Island.”

      Jet jerked her hand away and gazed at him in surprise. “Since when do you not want my money?”

      His flush deepened. “I like to earn my money and this is a big deal at Tybee.”

      “I don’t have time for this. I’m opening the shop back up and moving on with my life.”

      He rolled his eyes. “Bor-ing. You’ll be stir-crazy in two weeks.”

      “Shows how little you know me.” She signed the check with a flourish and handed it over.

      “I told you I don’t want your—” Perry read the dollar amount and paused. “On second thought, I’ll take it. Thanks.” He grabbed the check and stuffed it into his white jeans. “But I still need you for this job.”

      Jet snorted. What had she ever seen in this man? “I gave you enough money to start over doing something else.”

      Perry stood. “This is your last chance. Say no, and I’m never coming back.”

      “Have a good life.”

      Perry’s lips clamped together so tightly a thin white line edged the rims. “You’ll be sorry,” he warned.

      “Get out,” she said flatly.

      He stared at her with an unfathomable expression. At least he didn’t stoop so low as—

      “I love you, Jet.” His eyes softened. “And I’m begging you. Let’s go now, right this minute. Forget your shop.”

      Don’t do it. Landry’s whisper echoed in her brain. You’re better than that.

      Yes, she was.

      “No,” she said firmly.

      He stiffened. “If that’s the way you want to play it.” Perry slapped the countertop. “But you’ll regret that decision before the week is out. Consider yourself warned.”

      Chills skittered down her spine at his set face. There was something there behind the words, something twisted. Something more than Perry believing she would miss him.

      She picked up the invoice stack Landry had looked through, determined to get right to work and set her mind on business instead of worrying. A strong scent of baby powder tickled her nose and she lifted the papers to her face. Hmm, why would paper smell like powder?

      The shop door slammed shut as Perry left, chimes exploding in a riot of discordant clangs.

      Jet no longer cared. Landry’s expressed faith in her character harmonized in her heart, outweighing Perry’s threat and pique.

       Chapter 4

      A long rock guitar riff assaulted Landry’s ears as he entered the house.

      “Hey,” he shouted. “Turn it down.”

      Seth sprawled on the sofa, lost in the music, a crumpled bag of chips and half a sandwich by his side. Landry winced at the thought of meat grease staining the expensive leather.

      He unplugged the cord and Seth jumped at the resulting quiet. “Wha—”

      “Little loud for me. Is this what you’ve been doing all day?”

      Seth sat up straight and stretched. “I got up about two o’clock, fixed a sandwich and listened to my iPod. Jeez, it’s so boring out here.”

      “What do you usually do all day now you’re out of school?”

      “Hang out with friends. You know.”

      No, he didn’t know. He’d worked nights and summers since he was sixteen and put himself through college. And after college he’d been busy with his career. “What’s your game plan until summer school starts?”

      Seth gave an elaborate shrug. “More of the same, I guess.”

      The kid would drive him nuts. “We need to establish a few house rules.” Landry pointed to the food refuse. “Pick up after yourself and get in bed by midnight. Or at least turn the TV on low or read a book.”

      “Read a book?” Seth snorted. “Yeah, this week is going to be a blast.”

      Oh, hell, he could make more of an effort to be hospitable. A few days wasn’t forever. Landry regarded Seth’s bored, impassive features and sighed, trying to remember what he liked at that same age, besides the all-consuming testosterone-raging obsession with girls. He’d been a serious kid, always retreating from his noisy family and working jobs for some cash.

      “How about a temporary job? I know a lady who might be interested in hiring you.”

      Seth grimaced, as if tasting sour lemon. “Why would I want to do that?”

      Right, whatever you want you can shoplift. “It’s not so bad. Be nice to have your own spending money.”

      “Nothing I really need.”

      “What about a car or money to take out a girl?”

      “Don’t have a girlfriend and I could never save up enough for a car. Guess I’ll try to join my dad on the oil rigs in a couple of years. Might as well be a bum while I can.”

      Landry thought quickly. “You could save up enough for a used car. Tell you what, whatever you save in the next six months, I’ll match it.”

      It was easy to read the mistrust in СКАЧАТЬ