Chance Of A Lifetime 1987 Read Free Page B

place at the nape of her neck. He had a hunch he’d need stitches in his hand if he tried such a maneuver
    without her permission. The image made him grin inwardly.
    Unfortunately, the thought of Miss Wilder’s undoubted temper only caused him to speculate about her capacity
    for other kinds of passion. She had eyes that would glow with her mood, Chance decided. Blue-green gems fringed
    with long, soft lashes.
    The lines of her face were subtle, not striking or riveting but oddly alluring. There was a definite hint of
    stubbornness in the firm chin and the strong line of her nose. She had nice bones beneath her eyes. They gave her a
    touch of regalness that he found as interesting as it was challenging. The physical awareness that had stirred to life
    deep within him when he’d first seen Rachel was now coming to full alertness.
    Chance stifled a groan as he threw open the door of a bedroom. That was all he needed. The idea of seducing his
    live-in housekeeper was as stupid as it was ridiculous. He needed some real work done around this place. He definitely
    did not need a lover. Besides, Miss Wilder didn’t look as though she would be at all attracted to the notion of tending
    to his physical needs at night, after she’d put in a full day’s work tending to this dilapidated house.
    „Sorry,“ he muttered, watching her survey the shabby bedroom with its decayed wallpaper and old, abused
    furniture. „This is the best there is at the moment. The other bedrooms are in much worse shape. The place needs a lot
    of work, as you can see.“
    „Have you considered simply bulldozing it down and starting over?“ Rachel moved into the room with fastidious
    care. She walked as a ballerina would through a dirty alley, careful not to touch anything.
    Chance was suddenly irritated by her attitude. „Admittedly this isn’t the Ritz but, then, you’re a housekeeper, not
    visiting royalty. You must have known what you were getting into when you accepted the position.“
    „The agency’s description of the place didn’t do it justice.“ There was a note of dry amusement in the comment.
    „Snowball’s Chance is basically sound,“ Chance informed her proudly. „The wood is solid, and the foundation’s
    fine. My great-great-grandfather built this place to last. The wiring is a little outdated, but I’m taking care of that. The
    appliances downstairs are old, but they still work.“ He hesitated, remembering the trouble he’d had with the stove that
    morning when he’d put the kettle on for coffee. „Sort of,“ he amended.
    „That’s wonderful news,“ Rachel assured him coolly as she strolled cautiously around the small room. „What
    about the plumbing?“
    He watched her through narrow eyes. „What about it?“
    She smiled a little too brilliantly. „I assume it is the, uh, indoor version?“
    Chance planted his hands on his hips, thoroughly annoyed now. „Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. Right down the hall.
    We’ll have to share. There’s a second bathroom at the other end of the hall, but I haven’t got it in working order yet.“
    „We’re going to have to share a bathroom?“
    „It’s a bathroom, not a bedroom, Miss Wilder,“ Chance retorted. „I’m sure we’ll manage to stay out of each other’s
    way.“
    „I’m sure we will.“ She swung around to face the window as if something outside had caught her attention, but
    Chance was certain he’d seen a trace of red on her cheeks. Well, it served her right. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her,
    but the lady had asked for it. Next she would probably be asking which number to dial for room service.
    „Look, Miss Wilder, I think we’d better get a few things clear between us,“ Chance began aggressively. „I need
    some real work done around here. I do not need a delicate, fussy little prima donna who’s going to complain about the
    working conditions every time she turns around. If you don’t think you can handle the job, just say so.“
    She