Dearest Enemy Read Free Page B

of question marks, I’m thinking we should be hedging our bets. So do we want to consider Miz Patterson's proposal? Aye?"
      All the hands went up except for one man.
    "What about you Abel? You voting yes or no?"
    The man stared down at the table for a long time. When he looked up at Dexter, his gaze slid off to the side and a spot of color stained each cheek. "I'll have to abstain on this one, Dex."
    " What's gonna happen when we vote on the real thing? You gonna abstain then, too?"
    Abel returned Dexter's cynical appraisal. "I'll ford that creek when I get there."
    Is he friend or foe , Callie wondered.
    "Record the no vote of Mercedes Gunn, please, Madam Secretary, and the abstention of Abel Texiera." He looked at his wife, winked and turned to Callie.
    "We'll discuss your proposal. Then we'll take a vote and let you know what we decide. If you get approval to proceed, we'll issue the building permits and arrange for periodic inspections. Mind you, all this is contingent upon whether our own project works out, as well as you striking a bargain with the Morenos for the land." He glanced at Luc Moreno. "Better hope his folks do the right thing."
    The sheriff arched one raven-dark eyebrow as he faced Callie. "Depends on a person’s idea of what’s right."
    She took no comfort from the response and Dexter grimaced as he glanced at her. "Looks like you got one big mountain to climb." He stubbed out his cigar. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a discussion waitin’."
    Callie nodded and went outside where the day had faded into dusk. She hadn't achieved everything she'd hoped for, but she'd made a start and knew what her next move would have to be. That felt good. As she reached down to retrieve her helmet from the back of the bike a silky voice sounded from behind her.
    "Your idea's a good one, but it's been done," Luc Moreno said.
    Her senses throbbed with an emotion she chose to call anger. She turned and answered calmly, "Has it?"
    "There's a place up north like the colony you described, but with a bronze foundry, a glass works and a gallery."
    "I've been there. It's wonderful, especially the sculpture garden, but we need something for people down here who are producing other forms of art. And we ought to make them accessible to the public."
    "'Accessible' meaning affordable?"
    "Exactly. By keeping our overhead lower we could feature high end, low end and everything in between."
    "That sure is practical."
    Callie caught a gleam of admiration in his dark eyes. Probably just my imagination , she thought. But the same smile that had turned up the corners of his sensual mouth … she stifled the thought. When had arrogant become sensual? She took a deep breath and regrouped.
    "The practical approach has always worked for me in my business. Why can't it work here? Folks just need a willingness to make adjustments."
    He shook his head. A lock of thick dark hair fell forward and covered one equally dark eyebrow. Was he as unaware of the rakish effect as he seemed?
    "I don't know if you'd get the artists to go along. Once they factor in the cost of materials and the time it takes to produce a saleable creation, they may not want to cut as fine a line as you might like."
    "I've been a freelance designer for most of my professional life,” Callie said. “If anyone can factor and still make a profit, I can. I'd be happy to pass along what I've learned."
    "So, you're an artist?"
    "A graphics designer."
    He grinned, an echoing smile lighting the eyes that had turned soft and velvety as melting chocolate. Callie's heart fluttered erratically. Apparently, charm and inflexibility could exist in the same handsome package, making caution doubly important.
    "An artist by any other name is still an artist," he insisted.
    "What do you have against artists?"
    " Nada , nothing, but we're not talking art here. We're talking business. I have doubts about this venture you're so eager to introduce to our sleeping pueblo ."
    "Doesn’t the fact