“Bryce—”
“Married couples don’t usually live in separate residences, Hailey.”
“I like my house just fine,” she informed him. “Moving in with you wasn’t part of our agreement.”
“If you want people to believe we’re married, we need to act like we’re married, which includes living together.”
“You mean if you want Croft to believe it. He’s the one you’re worried about, right? But he wouldn’t know where I was living. He’s in Chicago.”
“With plans to come back out here as soon as he can. He might be a little suspicious if you weren’t at McKenna Ridge.”
Hailey glared at him. He had a point, of course, and she wouldn’t be so prickly about it if they hadn’t just had a tiff. Or perhaps if they hadn’t had sex the night before.
What had she been thinking?
Well, of course she hadn’t been thinking at all, merely acting out of fear and gratitude, sheer emotions. She’d needed him to make her feel alive then, but now she couldn’t allow herself to romanticize the act.
“Fine,” she finally said. “But I want my own room.”
“You can have any room you like. Don’t worry, I won’t force myself on you.”
Hailey’s cheeks flared with heat. Is that what he’d thought she’d done—forced herself on him? He certainly hadn’t objected. At least not strongly enough to turn her away.
Once was enough for her. She didn’t need to get more attached to Bryce McKenna than she already was. Even though she was grateful to him for saving Danny and then for saving her, she didn’t like some of the insights she was getting from him. Better not to delve any further into a relationship that would surely end with him walking away when he had what he wanted, leaving her as had both of her parents.
BRYCE hadn’t predicted that Hailey would take the lower level—of the four suites from which she could choose, these rooms were farthest from the master—but when she said that’s what she wanted, he didn’t object. Didn’t she trust herself being closer to him? Bryce wondered as he carried her bag down the stairs. Perhaps she feared a repeat of the night before.
That wasn’t his problem. Quite the opposite, actually. He hadn’t been with a woman for a while, and Hailey had reminded him of what he’d been missing. Now that his libido had been kick-started, it was remaining in active mode. Every time he looked at his new wife, he wanted to have her again. Even in the middle of their disagreement, when he’d retreated, he hadn’t lost his desire for her.
It was only natural, he told himself. They were, after all, married. And she’d started it. He’d been content to keep things platonic. Had been. Not now. What would be the harm? After thinking about it, he’d come to the conclusion that her being attacked the night before was either a random mugging as she seemed to think…or it had something to do with her brother. Not with him. He wasn’t, after all, in love with his wife, so no matter what they did or didn’t do, she would remain safe from the prophecy.
Unfortunately, with Hailey ensconced in the suite farthest from his, it didn’t seem as if the opportunity to follow up on the passion they’d shared the night before would present itself.
Leaving her bag on the bed, he hurried up the stairs to look for her. The family room door was open. Crossing to it, he stopped at the screened door. She was on the small patio directly outside. Cell phone to her ear, she silently stared out across the lake.
She appeared beautiful…enticing…annoyed…
“Hi, Ray, this is Hailey Wright. I’m back in town and will be in my office tomorrow. I’m going to look at comps and then figure out an asking price for Widow’s Peak. I’ll call you when I have something. Or you can give me a call back. Any time. Thanks.” After leaving the message, she slipped the cell phone into her pocket, and as if sensing that he was standing there on the other side of the screen door, she glanced his way. “I did as you asked.”
“So I heard. Thank you.”
“I’ll need a ride back to my place so I can get my car. And more of my things.”
“You want to go right now?”
“Later. It’s a perfect afternoon. I don’t mind spending it out on the patio. Maybe if I stretch out, I can nap. Not enough sleep.”
“Sure. Later. We can have dinner in town. Then I can help you load up your car and follow you back.”
“Whatever.”
Bryce suddenly felt like they were an old married couple with little left in common other than polite responses. “If you want to take a dip in the pool, there are extra suits in the closet next to the powder room.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
With the distinct notion that she didn’t want his company, Bryce took his own things upstairs and unpacked. Wishing he could read her mind as easily as he had at the river, he knew that wasn’t going to happen. The ability taunted him. He had no control over it. There were times it was simply there. More often, he was simply tuned out.
As he unpacked, he found himself listening for Hailey moving around the house below. And then, when she did get out on the pool patio, he watched her from an upstairs window. The bathing suit she’d chosen showed off her curves to good measure. His physical reaction was instant, the night before replaying itself in his head. But there was no use daydreaming about what wasn’t going to happen. It was obvious to him that Hailey regretted having had sex with him, probably regretted agreeing to his bargain at all if their disagreement over how to handle James Croft was any indication.
Perhaps he should have been straight with her. Without an influx of private funds, McKenna Development would go under. His father, who’d taken a backseat in the company and was already in semi-retirement, would be ruined financially if that happened. The old man might have to go out and find another job or lose his home. As would he and Grania. The only way to save the company was to get that outside money or to sell McKenna Ridge, which was impossible, of course.
The lake house was in a land trust and belonged to the whole family, including the twins. But Reilly and Liam had no stake in McKenna Development, so it would be unfair to ask them to sell off their heritage.
Beside, the lake house was the only thing they had of their mother. It had belonged to her parents, and as their only child, she’d inherited and had put it in trust for her children and her children’s children. Breaking the trust—if he could—and selling the house even if his dad and siblings agreed would feel like a betrayal of her memory.
Bryce simply wouldn’t consider it.
So getting Croft on board was their only hope. And to do that, he knew he needed Hailey’s help.
“SO what can I do to help?” Bryce asked when he pulled up to her cottage and parked early that evening.
Before he could take the keys out of the ignition, Hailey said, “Why don’t you just go back to the house.” Not used to being answerable to anyone—well, anyone but Danny—she could use a little alone time. “I don’t have that much I want to bring over to the house, so it won’t take me long to pack another bag, but I have some things I need to get together. Work related.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Don’t worry, I’ll be back at McKenna Ridge tonight in case Croft has someone spying on us.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“Then what is?”
“I don’t like your being alone.”
“I’m fine here. I feel perfectly safe.” This was her home. Her haven. “Are you saying I’m not?”
“I don’t know what to think after last night, Hailey. I’m just being careful.”
Bryce sounded as if he did care, which he undoubtedly did in his own way. Hailey couldn’t forget his coming to her rescue all those years ago. He seemed to be in possession of the rescue gene, but she was certain he wouldn’t have to use it here of all places.
“Really, I’ll be fine. I just need a little space.”
“All right.” He restarted the engine. “Call if there’s anything I can do.”
�
�Promise.” With that, she exited the car. “Don’t wait up for me.”
Before he could protest, she shut the passenger door and escaped into the house. Closing the door behind her, she took the first deep, full breath she’d had since Danny’s call. Her brother was safe. And here in her own home, no matter what doubt Bryce might have, so was she.
Her choice of decor was eclectic. Modern couches and upholstered chairs in plain fabrics, antique tables and buffet and desk. The house was about fifty years old—mid-century modern as they now called it—so she thought the combination of old and new fit it well. Unlike some people who bought the furniture with the house and never changed anything, she’d replaced everything in the living area and was looking forward to redoing the bedrooms. When she had some money again. When this arrangement with Bryce was over.
Bryce…how was she going to stay married to him, considering the constant tension between them? Hailey wondered as she went through her closet for some essentials. She wouldn’t pack much—she could always stop by here from the office to get anything she needed. Going through her lingerie drawer and handling her favorite lacy undergarments made her think of Bryce. Alternately angry with or attracted to him more than she’d ever been with another man, she wondered how they could live in the same house for months without something physical happening between them.
And if it did…that wouldn’t be good for her.
That schoolgirl crush she’d once had for Bryce could turn into a future nightmare. What if she fell in love with him? Deeply and truly in love?
Bryce didn’t want love in his life. He’d rather put all his energies into his business. Even knowing he had good reason to be cautious where love was involved—that for some reason he felt guilty about his mother’s disappearance—she needed to protect her own heart.
So she skipped past the pretty lingerie and opted for more practical cotton.
That would keep her mind on the right track.
She hoped.
Bag packed, she wheeled it into the living area and then went out to the three-seasons room, which she used as her home office, even having a space heater so she could use the room in deep winter. Like the living area, the office was eclectic—antique desk, modern loveseat and lots of plants. She preferred using this for her office because of the wonderful views.
Besides, she never knew when Danny would show up and park himself in her spare bedroom.
Disconnecting her laptop from its docking station, she slid it and the wiring into a padded case, which she placed next to her suitcase. Then she took the watering can to the kitchen sink, filled it and brought it back to water her plants.
Mental note: put watering on her online calendar so as not to forget.
Reaching over the couch to water the final plant, a large ficus in an even larger planter on the floor, Hailey started when something moved outside the windows.
Pulse thrumming, mouth suddenly dry, she stared out into the dark. But if anything—or anyone—was there, she couldn’t tell.
Still, even thinking there might be gave her the creeps.
Backing away from the windows, she shut off the lights all the way through the first floor. Then, breath held, she sat gingerly at the edge of the loveseat and simply waited for something to happen.
Five minutes passed. Another five. Soon she started feeling foolish. What had she been thinking? It could have been a stray dog. Or even a deer that wandered from a woody area too close to town. Whatever it was, she had nothing to fear.
Taking a big breath, she left the room, picked up her laptop case and wheeled her suitcase to the front door where the porch light assured her no one laid in wait. Nerves still needling her, heart thumping so she could feel it, she left the house and locked the door and got to her car at the curb within a minute flat.
After taking a quick look around to be certain she was alone, she placed the suitcase and laptop in the trunk.
Once she was in the driver’s seat, door locked, engine started, she took her next big breath and felt her pulse slow. Wow, had Bryce kick-started her imagination!
It was only when she pulled away from the curb and checked her rearview mirror that her pulse fluttered once more when she saw another set of lights go on down the block behind her. Hands gripping the steering wheel, she headed for the center of town. The lights followed.
She turned on Main Street.
So did the lights.
No reason to be worried, she told herself. Just a neighbor or visitor who happened to leave at the same time she did. The other car would cut off on Mill Street or Center or Broad. Only it didn’t.
Staying a generous distance behind, it nevertheless followed her through town and out onto the highway.
Hailey’s hands on the wheel grew slippery with sweat as she kept glancing into her rearview mirror. What to do? She didn’t want to lead the person straight to McKenna Ridge. So rather than waiting for the fast way to Bryce’s place, she turned in toward the lake a couple of miles back. The long way would give her an extra mile or so of side roads to use if the other car followed, which it did.
Swearing under her breath, Hailey thought ahead and decided where she would turn. If she could do it fast enough, she could cut her engine and douse the lights and call Bryce for help. Hopefully, the other vehicle would speed by. But a glance into her mirror showed her the lights were now only half the distance back they had been and were closing fast.
Panicked, Hailey made a curve and a hilly area and then, forgetting her plan, turned on the first street away from the lake, hoping she could circumnavigate the maze of streets here and somehow lose whoever was driving the other vehicle.
This time, the lights didn’t follow but kept going straight on the main road.
Braking, Hailey pulled the car over and put it in Park. Her whole body was shaking as she craned around just in time to see the other car pull into a lakeside estate.
She’d convinced herself she was once again a target.
She’d never been so thankful to be wrong.
Chapter Eight
Bryce was pulling bacon and eggs from the refrigerator the next morning when Hailey came up from her suite.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Morning.”
She’d avoided him the night before, going straight to her quarters before he could ask if she’d like a glass of wine. He’d been disappointed, oddly so. He’d been looking forward to her company.
“Coffee,” she muttered.
“Right here.” He indicated the coffeemaker on the other side of the refrigerator. “Just made. I left a mug out for you.”
“Thanks,” she said as she slipped by him and poured.
She was already in a taupe summer pants suit, her long hair swept back in a clip, but the professional look didn’t make her any less tempting. Then again, he’d been awake half the night thinking about her.
Taking a sip from the mug, Hailey groaned, the sound appreciative.
Bryce grinned. “I talked the Anderson brothers into having a late lunch with the two of us,” he told her. “That’ll give you enough time to get over to the office and find those comps.”
“What?” Her gaze snapped to his. “Ray called back here instead of my cell phone?”
“Actually, I figured Mike was the one holding things up, so I called him last night. It took some convincing, but finally he agreed to at least hear what you had to say. He said he’d call Ray himself.”
Hailey wasn’t looking as happy as Bryce had expected her to be. Didn’t she want the commission from Widow’s Peak? Even if Croft decided he wasn’t interested in the place, surely there was another buyer. A sale that big would certainly replenish her bank account. If she kept Danny out of it.
“Where and what time?”
“Ray’s place at two, when the lunch crowd is gone.”
“Fine.”
“I thought you’d be a little more enthusiastic.”
At someone else taking over my job?
&
nbsp; “I’m not trying to take over anything, Hailey, I’m just trying to help.”
She gaped at him, making Bryce realize he’d tuned in to her thoughts once more.
“My mistake, then.” She found a travel cup in the cabinet and transferred the coffee from the mug into it. “I’m just going to take my coffee with me. I need to get to the office. I guess I’ll see you at lunch.”
“How about some breakfast first?” He waved the carton of eggs at her.
“For some reason, I’m just not hungry this morning.”
He’d been looking forward to spending a leisurely hour having breakfast by the pool and their getting to know each other better. They needed to square away the tension that had kept them on edge, but it seemed that by calling Mike, he’d exacerbated the problem.
“Take something to eat with you in case you change your mind a little later. The refrigerator is still full with leftovers from the party.”
“If I change my mind…” She stopped and took a big breath. “Sorry. I’m just tired. And I have a couple of showings today.”
“That’s good, right?” Apparently things were looking up for her.
“I hope it’s good. I’ve shown Mrs. Polder nearly a dozen properties, and none of them have sparked more than a slight interest. Maybe today will be my lucky day.”
Hailey smiled at that and Bryce felt his gut tighten. Quickly covering his reaction to her, he said, “Okay, maybe I overstepped with the lunch thing. You don’t need me there, so I’ll bow out. You can say I had to take care of some business.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. What about dinner? Would you rather eat in town or here?”
“I don’t know what time I’ll be done.” She headed for the door. “Go ahead and eat without me.”
Bryce wanted to protest, to tell her he’d wait for her, but he would probably just make things worse between them, so he let it be. He didn’t want her to feel pressured. Obviously she needed some time to adjust to the situation. Everything had happened so fast.
When she left the house, he stood by the kitchen window, hoping she’d look back as she crossed the walkway to the steps.
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