A Lover's Dream Read Free Page B

urged, taking the first brick step up the patio. “Just save your questions for the meeting.”
    â€œMeeting?”
    â€œMmm-hmm, day after tomorrow in Seattle. It’s all set.”
    Mick tilted her head to one side. “You accepted a meeting without knowing if I’d go along or not?”
    â€œOh, please, you can’t possibly pass up this chance,” County decided, rolling her eyes toward the blue sky above before bringing them back to Mick’s face. “Besides.” She sighed, leaning close. “Don’t you want to see what they look like?” she taunted, then turned and continued on toward the house.
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    That evening, Mick settled down with the file County left on the Ramseys. No pictures , she noted. Clearly, the entire family was camera shy—at least to the public. Ofcourse, Mick could very well understand. Instead, the file was packed with several news articles and other material on the family. The Ramseys were the cream of the crop in Seattle, not only within the black community, but in Seattle as a whole. Mick studied the folder intently, never realizing how intrigued she was becoming. As she scowled at the clips, however, a frown began to mar her soft brow. Every article shed a favorable light on the clan. There was abundant coverage of charity events, school programs, hospital dedications, and other choice bits of information.
    â€œWhere’s the dirt?” Mick whispered, leafing through the clips, certain there had to be more.
    She reached for the white cordless phone on her nightstand, prepared to dial County’s number. But she hesitated just as her fingers brushed the receiver. Maybe there wasn’t more, she considered. Perhaps County was right, she thought. Perhaps she was too cynical—too suspicious of people and their motives. Maybe her upbringing had jaded her. The possibility was something she’d always tried to deny, but as she grew older, especially lately, it had begun to nag at her more and more. Mick dismissed the notion with a quick shake of her head. Her grip tightened on the receiver and she proceeded to dial County’s number.
    Seattle, Washington
    Quaysar Ramsey’s long brows drew close as the easy expression he usually wore grew fierce with frustration. “Damn it, Q, the author is coming from halfway across the country.”
    Quest Ramsey didn’t bother to make eye contact with his brother. “Do I need to tell you how little I care or can you sense it?” he inquired calmly, while casually thumbing through the report he studied.
    â€œDon’t you even care a little that someone actually finds our family interesting enough that we merit a book?” Quaysar asked, bracing both hands against the round conference table with blatant challenge in his dark eyes.
    Quest’s blank look spoke volumes to Quaysar, who muttered a curse and turned away.
    â€œWell, what are we gonna tell ’em when they get here?” Quaysar asked, suddenly remembering the author would be there at ten o’clock the next morning.
    Again, Quest was enthralled by the report he read. “We…we won’t tell ’em a thing. You were the one who couldn’t wait to get them here, so you’ll be the one to tell them they came here for nothing.”
    â€œYou’re full of crap, you know that, right?” Quaysar raged, slipping both hands inside the deep pockets of his hunter-green trousers. “This could be good for us, you know that?”
    Quest sighed, dropping the report to the table. Quaysar was still spouting arguments while his brother literally walked out on their conversation.
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    County mimicked the impatient tapping of one sandal-shod foot by rapping her fingers along the glossy finish of the cherry-wood front desk. “Will you stop nagging me about this?” she practically growled, flashing a stern glare to her right.
    Mick, the recipient of that look, reacted with a stern glare