Against the Odds Read Free Page A

taking his place?” he couldn’t resist
asking.
    “Nobody. I needed a break for a while. I’m not seeing anyone.”
She eyed him with a hint of challenge. “How about you? I doubt you’re sitting
home alone at night.”
    “I’m not a eunuch. I’m seeing a couple of people. No one in
particular.”
    “Of course not,” she said, as if she could have guessed.
    His grin returned. “So you’re not dating anyone. Does that mean
you came by to see me because you’re lonely?”
    Sabrina stiffened. “Your ego never ceases to amaze me.” She
came up out of her chair. “I knew this was a bad idea. I should never have
come.” She started to walk away, but Alex caught her arm.
    “Take it easy, Red. I was only kidding. I promise I’ll behave
myself.” He tugged her back to his desk and she reluctantly sat back down in her
chair. “So tell me why you’re here.”
    Sabrina smoothed the front of her crisp blue jeans. “Well...the
thing is I...umm...inherited this land out in West Texas. I’m not really sure
what’s there or what it’s worth, so I want to take a look. I figured you could
fly me out and help me locate the property, take a look around.”
    He leaned back in his chair, giving himself a little time to
assess the situation. “Your hair’s longer.” His gaze ran over the shiny red
locks that now curled softly along her jawline.
    Trace had always been drawn to redheads. Alex had never
understood the attraction, but looking at those heavy curls his fingers itched
to touch, for the first time he thought maybe he did.
    A little self-consciously, Sabrina smoothed the tempting
strands back from her face. “A good salon costs a fortune these days. It was
cheaper just to let it grow.”
    He noted the remark, thought it was an odd thing for her to
say, considering what a successful stockbroker she was.
    “I mean, I just thought I’d try it this way,” she corrected,
making him wonder again.
    “Looks really good,” he said, and a hint of color washed
beneath the faint spray of freckles across her cheeks.
    He cleared his throat. “Okay, so you want to see this property
you inherited. Why don’t you just fly commercial and rent a car when you get
there?”
    “Because the closest town is Rio Gordo and it’s miles from an
airport that handles commercial flights.”
    “Rio Gordo? Hell, that’s five hundred miles away.”
    “That’s right. And even after I get there, I’m not exactly sure
where the property is. I mean, I know where it is on Google Maps. I’ve located
the land on satellite photos, and I’ve got county plat maps of the property, but
I can’t find a road. There’s a place to rent a helicopter in Rio Gordo. I was
thinking once we get there, we could rent the chopper and you could fly me
around the area until we locate the site.”
    “The site of what?”
    “The...umm...the mine.”
    He was beginning to get it. Sabrina Eckhart was a
businesswoman, first, last and always. “What kind of mine?”
    “I’m not exactly sure. Silver, maybe.” She sat up a little
straighter in the chair. “It’s a long story, Alex. The point is, my uncle Walter
left me the property. It was all he had in the world. It may be valuable. It may
be worthless. But I need to find out. Can you take me or not?”
    Not a chance in hell he was going to say no. Aside from the
fact Sabrina was Sage Cantrell’s best friend and Jake Cantrell was one of Alex’s
best friends, she was a fox. He’d been attracted to Sabrina Eckhart from the day
he’d met her. And though every look, every word she said told him that
attraction was not returned, he wasn’t convinced.
    “I’ll take you.”
    Sabrina smiled, seemed to relax. “Great. I’ve already started
making the arrangements. I figured you’d know the best place here to rent a
plane. I’ve called about the helicopter. I remember you saying you could fly
one, so we’re almost set.”
    “You done any checking, tried to find out if anyone in Rio
Gordo knows where