“It’s so nice that both of you young people are here at the same time,” Evelyn remarked. “Perhaps you can keep each other company tonight. I wish you’d told me you were coming, Michelle. Lucky and I made a date to play bridge.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Michelle said. “I could use a quiet night watching television. Tomorrow we can spend the whole day together, just the two of us,” she added deliberately.
“We can do that at home.” Her mother wasn’t fooled by this display of filial devotion. “Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to have Lucky drive us all to Pirate’s Cove? It’s supposed to be very scenic and there are nice shops nearby. One of the women here told me about them. She got some lovely things there.”
“I’ll be happy to take you,” Michelle said. “Men don’t like to shop, Mother.”
“You’ve met the wrong kind of men.” Lucky smiled. “Evie and I have checked out most of the stores around here.”
“He loves to shop,” Evelyn said.
“That’s news to me,” Jonathan drawled. “Aunt Agatha could hardly drag him out of his workshop for meals. She was his wife,” he added deliberately.
“I’ve always been sorry that I didn’t spend more time with her,” Lucky said soberly. “When you’re young you think you have all the time in the world. I’ve had to learn to slow down and smell the roses.” His expression lightened. “Shall we go take the Mackenzies to the cleaners, Evie?”
She glanced at her watch. “They’re probably waiting for us, but I don’t want to leave Michelle alone on her first night here.”
Before Michelle could repeat her assurance that she didn’t mind, Lucky said, “There’s no reason for her to be alone. Jonathan can show her around.”
“Thanks, but I haven’t even been to my room yet,” Michelle said swiftly. “I have to unpack.”
“How long can that take?” Lucky asked dismissively. “You can do it later. Wouldn’t you prefer to stroll around the garden with a handsome young man?”
“I’m sure a handsome young man like Jonathan has already made plans for the evening,” Michelle answered, repeating Lucky’s description ironically.
“I don’t happen to have any plans, but I would have been happy to change them for such a charming lady,” Jonathan drawled.
“Then that’s settled.” Lucky was oblivious—or chose to ignore—the veiled animosity between the two young people. The air fairly crackled with their tension. “Jonathan will give you an orientation tour of Shorehaven. It has everything you could possibly want from a resort.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing it tomorrow,” Michelle said firmly. “I’m sure Jonathan is just being polite, and I really do need to unpack before my clothes get too wrinkled.”
“All right,” Evelyn said. “I’ll go with you. You’ll have to make my excuses to the Mackenzies, Lucky.”
“You don’t have to give up your evening for me,” Michelle protested.
“It’s only a bridge game,” Evelyn said airily. “I’m sure you can get another partner, Lucky.”
“I’ve found the partner I’m comfortable with.”
They exchanged a meaningful smile before Evelyn turned back to her daughter. “You’re sure you don’t want to let Jonathan show you around?”
The last thing Michelle wanted was to spend the evening with Jonathan. He didn’t seem exactly taken with her, either. Had Lucky called in his nephew—if Jonathan was indeed related to him—to help him pull off the scam? That could be the reason for his thinly masked hostility. He was annoyed with her for showing up and possibly upsetting their sure thing.
But Michelle knew she was outmaneuvered for the moment. How open to persuasion would her mother be if Michelle was a liability from the moment she hit town?
Gritting her teeth she said, “I guess I can do my unpacking later.”
“Splendid!” Lucky said. “Come on, Evie, our pigeons are waiting to be plucked.”
After they’d gone, Jonathan looked at Michelle moodily. “Well, I guess we might as well go. Where would you like to start, inside or outside?”
“Wherever you like,” she replied indifferently.
“The grounds are quite extensive.” He glanced at the gray high heels that matched her gray wool suit. “Will you be able to walk in those shoes?”
“Yes, they’re quite comfortable.”
He shrugged. “If you say so.”
As they walked across the lobby a young woman was coming toward them. She had a sweet, but rather plain face, and a slightly dumpy figure. Her eyes lit up when she saw Jonathan.
Without even glancing at Michelle, she said in a breathless rush, “I was hoping I’d run into you. The bingo game is about to start. Are you going to join us? Ruth went ahead to get a table.”
“I’m afraid I can’t make it tonight, Winnie. Perhaps next time.”
Jonathan’s smile was not only charming but subtly personal, as though they’d shared some magic moments—an unlikely premise. A woman like this would never interest him, which confirmed Michelle’s opinion that Jonathan’s charm was as phony as he was. In a con man’s world, everybody was a prospective mark.
She had to admit, however, that Jonathan was really awesome when he wanted to be. That handsome face and superb body would make any woman want to believe she was special to him. This one looked dazzled, even though he’d refused her invitation.
“Well, okay, then I guess I’d better go,” she said reluctantly. “Ruth is waiting for me.”
“Tell her I said hello.”
When the woman had left, Michelle remarked ironically, “You certainly got acquainted with the other guests in a short time. You and your uncle are very gregarious.”
“Your mother is, too. She and Lucky hit it off as soon as they met and exchanged what might be called vital statistics,” Jonathan drawled as he led her across the lobby.
“I don’t doubt it,” Michelle said evenly. “Mother is a very open person. She hasn’t learned to be guarded with strangers.”
They went out a side door onto a broad terrace with tables and chairs. Beyond the terrace were beautifully manicured lawns bordered by flower beds.
As they started down one of the graveled paths Jonathan turned his head to glance at her sardonically. “I’m sure your mother can take care of herself.”
“I wish I shared your confidence. You might as well know, I’m here to see that nobody takes advantage of her.”
“What a coincidence. I’m playing the same watchdog role over Lucky. He’s usually very astute about people, but Evelyn is clever. She slipped in under his guard.”
Michelle stopped dead in the middle of the path. Her blue eyes were dark pools in the moonlight, but the anger in them was unmistakable. “Are you implying that my mother has designs on your uncle?”
“I wouldn’t put it quite as politely, but that’s the general idea,” he said insultingly. “Lucky is a very wealthy man. A lot of women have tried to get their hands on his money. It always amused him because he realized what they were up to—until he met Evelyn. She’s a real pro, but she still won’t get away with it.”
“I can’t believe you’re accusing my mother of being a fortune hunter, when it’s your uncle who is after her money!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Lucky is a multimillionaire.”
“That’s the story you’d like everyone to believe. Where would he get that kind of wealth? He told Mother he’s an inventor. How many inventors can even support themselves without a regular job?”
“Not many, but Lucky is a genius. When he was still a young man he invented a new type of gasoline infusion valve that revolutionized the automotive industry. He could have retired on that one invention alone, but since then he’s gone on to develop half a dozen other important devices.”
Michelle’s face expressed her skepticism. “If he’s a genius, why haven’t I ever heard of him?”
“How much do you know about heavy manufacturing?” Jonathan countered mockingly.
&
nbsp; “Okay, so it isn’t my main interest, but I should have heard his name,” she said stubbornly.
“There are a lot of people who make important contributions without becoming famous for them. Your mother evidently recognized Lucky’s worth,” Jonathan observed dryly.
“It’s the other way around,” Michelle said indignantly. “He very adroitly found out how much my father left her, and now he’s trying to fleece her out of it.”
“That’s utter nonsense! Lucky could—” Jonathan stopped abruptly and began to laugh. “We sound like two little kids, arguing about whose father is the richest.”
When he wasn’t being hostile, Jonathan was a devilishly attractive man. She could just imagine how easily he could talk a woman into bed. At least the ones he conned got something in return, she thought cynically. His sexual prowess must be fantastic.
She was annoyed when an image of his taut, naked body flashed through her mind. Naturally he’d be great in bed. That was his natural environment!
Fixing her eyes only on his face, Michelle said, “It’s obvious that we won’t ever agree, but at least we understand each other.”
“That’s another instance where you’re wrong.” His frown was back as he inspected her lovely face. “I don’t understand you at all. You’re young, clever and beautiful. You could be successful in any number of fields if you worked hard and stuck to it. Why don’t you get an honest job instead of hanging around resorts, helping your mother prey on unwary older men?”
“I have a job!” Michelle answered indignantly. “A very good job that I had to leave to fly down here and protect my mother from you people.”
“What kind of work do you do?” he asked skeptically.
“I’m a buyer at Barrington’s on Fifth Avenue. And as far as working hard and sticking to it, I started in the stockroom while I was still in college and worked my way up to my present position. You might try it some time,” she taunted. “The money isn’t as good, but the feeling of satisfaction is very rewarding.”
“I’ll admit that Lucky gave me my first job, but I like to think I’ve lived up to his expectations.”
“I don’t doubt that for an instant!”
A muscle pulsed in his square jaw. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a very annoying woman?”
“No, you’re the first. I get along well with most men,” she said pointedly.
“That’s understandable.” He looked her over insolently. “If you were as nice to me as you are to your marks, I’d do my best to please you, too.”
His knowledgeable inspection gave Michelle the uncomfortable feeling that he was seeing her without her clothes, assessing the size and firmness of her breasts, the rounded contours of her hips. A warm tide swept over her—because of her wool suit, she assured herself. It was much too warm for this climate. She wanted to take off her jacket, but she was afraid he would think he was getting to her.
“We both know how we feel about each other, so there’s no point in discussing it any longer,” she said crisply. “Can we go in now?”
“If you like, but I haven’t shown you the lily pond. It’s very romantic in the moonlight,” he said mockingly.
“Save it for somebody who’s interested.” She started back up the path to the hotel.
“I won’t take that personally, since I know you’re uncomfortable,” he said, falling into step beside her.
“You don’t bother me in the slightest,” she replied haughtily.
Jonathan’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “I was referring to your outfit. It’s scarcely suitable for the tropics. Just looking at you makes me warm.”
Michelle glanced at him sharply, but his expression was bland. “I got here late and I didn’t want to take time to change,” she explained.
“You could at least remove your jacket.”
“Then I’d have to carry it. Since the obligatory tour is over, I’ll wait till I get to my room.”
“We’re not through yet. I haven’t shown you the indoor facilities. There’s an extensive library and a well-equipped exercise room, among other things.”
Why would he want to prolong this charade, Michelle wondered? Jonathan wasn’t enjoying himself any more than she was. He was simply taking a perverse delight in aggravating her, she decided.
“I think I’ll skip the rest of the attractions,” she said.
“If you like. Just be sure you don’t tell Lucky and Evelyn that it was my idea to end the evening at nine o’clock.”
Michelle hesitated in the middle of the lobby. Her mother would feel guilty if she found out—and Jonathan would make sure she did. But Evelyn would also be annoyed at her for not being more receptive toward Lucky’s nephew. She’d never believe how tricky Jonathan was. He’d use any means to drive a wedge between Michelle and her mother.
She gritted her teeth. “Okay, show me the damn gym!”
“When you put it so charmingly, how can I refuse?” he asked derisively.
The workout room was filled with all the most up-to-date exercise equipment. In addition to rowing machines, stationary bikes and treadmills, there were weights, pulleys and even a padded leather sawhorse. The whole place was cluttered with equipment.
Since the gym wouldn’t normally be used at this time of night, the air conditioning had been turned down. Michelle was suffocating in her wool suit and lavender turtleneck pullover, even though that was silk rather than wool.
“I was wondering how much longer you could stand being all bundled up,” Jonathan commented, watching with interest as she took off her jacket. The soft silk pullover clung to her body closely, outlining her breasts.
Michelle ignored the flash of male awareness on his face by turning to survey the room. “Does anybody use all this stuff on a vacation?”
“I presume so. The bulletin board in the lobby says they have classes with a trainer every morning. I suppose people come here to work out after overeating at dinner the night before.”
“Have you been to any of the classes?”
“No, I’m not much for organized exercise.”
“You must do something to stay in such good shape.”
Jonathan’s lean body was perfectly proportioned and he moved with catlike grace. One of the big cats—a tiger, or perhaps a sleek black panther stalking its prey. In Jonathan’s case that would be women, Michelle thought scornfully.
“I’m glad you think I’m in good shape,” he drawled. “A compliment is the last thing I’d expect from you.”
“It was merely an observation,” she answered coolly.
“I should have guessed.” Crossing his arms over his impressive chest, he leaned against the padded horse and looked her over clinically. “It’s obvious that you don’t need exercise classes, either.”
“Don’t spoil your image by trying to flatter me. You’re not very convincing.”
“Actually I was being truthful. You have a body that could make a man want to take you to bed and keep you there for a week. If it was my money you were after I might chance it, but I don’t intend to let you and Evelyn take my uncle to the cleaners.”
“He’s she one with the pie-in-the-sky schemes,” Michelle said angrily. “He asked Mother to back his latest invention.”
“She must be very wealthy. Lucky’s ideas cost serious money to develop.”
“I’ve been trying to tell you she isn’t rich! She has enough to live on comfortably—or at least she does if I can prevent your uncle from getting his hands on it. Lucky found out exactly how much money my father left her, and I’ll bet that’s the same amount he needs to market his miracle gadget.”
“Lucky doesn’t have to look for funding,” Jonathan stated flatly.
“Then why is he hustling my mother?”
“I don’t believe he is. What exactly did he tell her?”
“That his invention would make a million dollars, naturally.”
“It will make a lot more than that. Which is why your story doesn’t make sense. One pe
rson doesn’t have the capital to back a multimillion-dollar project.”
“Well, maybe he just asked her to invest. What difference does it make? Either way, she’ll lose everything she has.”
“Richfield Enterprises is a privately owned company. A lot of people have tried to invest in one or another of Lucky’s projects, but he won’t let any outsiders in, not even relatives and close friends. Are you trying to tell me he asked Evelyn for money?” Jonathan stared at her incredulously.
“It wasn’t done that blatantly, from what she tells me. He pretended to discourage her. As soon as she’s firmly hooked, he’ll allow himself to be persuaded to take her money. I don’t have to tell you how it’s done.”
Jonathan frowned. “If what you tell me is true, Lucky has more than a passing interest in her. I’d hoped he was just intrigued by a charming woman.”
“Well, at least you’ll admit my mother isn’t all bad,” Michelle remarked dryly.
“I said she was clever. I just didn’t realize how much progress she’d made. But if Evelyn is really smart, she’ll take Lucky up on his offer instead of going for the gold ring.”
“I’d expect that kind of advice from you. You two work well together.”
“It’s good advice, whether you believe it or not I realize it would be more lucrative for Evelyn to marry Lucky. She would be enormously wealthy. But I’m here to see that doesn’t happen. She could win a tidy consolation prize, however, by investing whatever she can comfortably afford in Lucky’s latest project”
“That sounds like a tacit admission that it’s risky.”
He shrugged. “Then don’t invest. Go find yourselves a more promising mark.”
“Anybody would be more acceptable than you and Lucky,” Michelle snapped.
He smiled sardonically. “I’m crushed that you don’t want to be related to me.”
She gave him a startled look. “We wouldn’t be related!”
“Not in any way that would be inconvenient—or against the law for us to make love.” He smiled sensuously.
“In your dreams, pal!” Michelle knew he was only baiting her, but the thought of their naked bodies intertwined was disturbing.
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