Finding Harmony Read Free Page B

up.
    “Harmony!” He smiled, dimples showing in his cheeks. “Come
in, come in.”
    She stepped inside and closed the door. She gestured at the
papers. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
    “What?” He shook his head. “No, no. I’m just working
through the latest expansion plans. The lakeside recreation center will take a
lot of planning.” He waved a hand toward the chair opposite him and stacked the
papers into an untidy pile. “So tell me.”
    She nodded and settled into the chair. “It’s definitely a
scrub wild buckwheat.”
    Dr. Robbins blinked then grinned. “Good! Do you have
photos?”
    “No, I—”
    “I know, I know. No digital camera.” He opened a drawer in
the desk and pulled out a small silver camera. “Here. Take as many photos as
you need. You can upload them here when you’re finished.”
    She took the camera. She knew she should have a laptop and
camera in her tent, but she preferred using the Institute’s facilities. It gave
her an excuse to go into the village. That realization surprised her.
    “I’ll ride out to the site and snap some pictures later
today,” she said.
    She put the camera into her bag and settled back in the
chair. Toying with the frayed cuff of her shorts, she tried to decide how to
tell Dr. Robbins about the guy from Chapman Financial.
    “I hear Chapman’s field man paid a visit today,” the
director said.
    She lifted her head to face him. Well, that was easy. “Yes,”
she said. “He wasn’t pleased with my discovery.”
    Dr. Robbins laughed lightly. “I don’t imagine so. He has
investors to consider. Quite an interesting fellow, don’t you think?”
    He popped into her mind again, tall and strong and gorgeous.
Interesting? Oh, yes. “I suppose.”
    Dr. Robbins narrowed his blue eyes on her and she felt her
cheeks heat. “He called.” He smiled again. “And according to Becky, he wasn’t
happy.”
    The guy’s threat came back to her. Out on her cute
little butt, he’d said. Her stomach dipped. Oh, no. She couldn’t lose this
job.
    “Did he… stop by here?” she asked.
    “No. He said something about heading to the beach.”
    A flash of him in nothing but swim trunks filled her mind
for a moment. She’d felt that strong, broad chest when she shoved him away from
the ant mound. Oh, my.
    “That gives me a reprieve, then,” she said. She came to her
feet. “I’ll get the photos and stop back here later.”
    Dr. Robbins stood. “Why don’t you have dinner in the
village, Harmony? A few of us are heading over to The Clubhouse, and—”
    “No, thank you,” she said quickly. “I’ll make sure I’m back
here before. What time are you going?”
    “That wasn’t what I—”
    She waved her hand. “I’ll be back in a little while, Dr.
Robbins.”
    He opened his mouth to protest further, then nodded. “Tomorrow
is soon enough, dear. I’m trusting you to keep the habitat secure, Harmony.”
    She blinked. “Me? I thought I’d just get the proof and let
the Institute take it from here.”
    “You have the knowledge. Your degree proves it. You have
the spirit.” He nodded. “I saw that when you were still in grad school. You’re
the one to keep Chapman Financial at bay until we find a solution to this
dilemma. We can’t have the buckwheat compromised.”
    She was the one? “I… Thank you, Dr. Robbins. I’ll do what I
can. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
    Dr. Robbins nodded and she left the office. She stepped out
into the bright afternoon. The director trusted her to keep Chapman Financial
in line? To keep him from destroying the buckwheat? She was floored.
    That’s when she saw him again, standing in front of a shiny
black SUV. A Hummer. Her lip curled. That figured. He was talking to one of the
women who worked in the Sales Office, a tall leggy brunette who managed to look
fresh and crisp despite the humidity. Well, years of working in artificial air
would take its toll on her skin eventually.
    As Harmony watched, the woman