Chance Of A Lifetime 1987 Read Free

call me Chance.“
    „What about those who don’t call you Chance?“
    His brows lifted sardonically. „You’d be amazed at how creative some folks can be when it comes to thinking up
    names for me.“
    „I’ll bet,“ Rachel murmured. She could think of a few herself.
    „Where’s your luggage?“
    „In the trunk.“ Car keys jangled in her nervous hand as she went to open the back of the Toyota. This had to be
    the craziest thing she’d ever done in her life.
    He strode toward the car and stood looking down at the overnight case in the trunk. „Is that all you brought? You
    really aren’t planning to stay very long, are you?“
    Rachel had expected only to be away from San Francisco overnight, but she decided not to mention that. „I
    thought I’d see how things worked out on the job before picking up some suitable work clothes. You don’t need wool
    suits and silk blouses for this kind of work, Mr. er, Chance. A pair of jeans and an old shirt are all that’s required. I’ve
    got one set in here.“ She patted the overnight case. „I’ll get more if I need them.“
    „Do you always dress like this when you arrive on a job?“ Chance demanded, eyeing her crisp, heather-colored
    wool slacks, cream silk shirt and snug-fitting vest. His gaze dropped lower, taking in the expensive loafers she was
    wearing.
    Uncomfortably aware that the slacks, shirt, vest and shoes were not the sort of things one expected to find a
    housekeeper wearing, Rachel decided to take the offensive. This man was a trained investigator, according to her
    stepsister, the ruthless, predatory agent of Dixon Security Inc. He would not be easily fooled.
    „Your image of professional housekeepers is as out-of-date as your house, Chance,“ Rachel said. She lifted the
    overnight bag out of the trunk. „Those of us who are making a career out of the housekeeping business these days are
    trying to update the old-fashioned, dowdy impression. Now if you’ll kindly show me where I’ll be staying?“
    He blinked owlishly. „Do you have a name?“
    „Rachel Wilder.“ He wouldn’t make any connections, she thought. Her stepsister’s last name was Vaughan.
    „All right, Rachel. I’ll show you to your room. Then I’ll show you the kitchen. It’s almost time for dinner. During
    dinner I’ll give you a rundown on what I want you to do while you’re working here.“ Without another word he started
    toward the house.
    Rachel followed, drawing a deep, steadying breath while she tried to settle her nerves and calm her racing pulse.
    She could feel the adrenaline shooting through her system, leaving her first hot and then cold. This was stupid. She
    couldn’t hope to carry off the deception for very long. Abraham Chance would be enraged when he realized what was
    happening.
    But so what?
    It would serve him right, Rachel thought angrily. In the meantime she might learn something useful about him,
    something that would allow her to pay him back for what he’d done to her sister. If nothing else, it would infuriate and
    possibly humiliate him to learn he’d been fool enough to take the enemy into his home. It wasn’t much in the way of
    revenge, but it would be better than just yelling at him.
    As she followed him into the dank and dusty hallway, Rachel surreptitiously studied her victim. He wasn’t quite as
    tall or as large as she’d expected. But, then, she had to make allowances for Gail’s understandably biased impressions.
    Abraham Chance had no doubt seemed huge and ferocious the day he’d brought Gail’s world tumbling down around
    her ears. Any man who first seduced a woman and then turned on her, accusing her of theft, publicly humiliating her
    and topping it off by causing her to lose her job, probably seemed much bigger and taller than he actually was.
    Nevertheless, Rachel decided, the impression of physical strength that emanated from the man was undeniable.
    His stride was long, easy and coordinated. His hair was nearly