Four Weeks Read Free Page A

already scurried from the room. A huge floral rug silenced Louise's footsteps as she crossed the room to look out one of the wide picture windows offering a wonderful view of the waters surrounding the island. The wind had picked up and white caps striped the blue waters of Lake Huron. When she'd come across on the first ferry that morning the water had been smooth and calm.
    The waters were quickly changeable, just like Mr. Parker. The young, handsome, Mr. Parker. His easy going smile sure had disappeared fast enough after he'd figured out who she was. Had she embarrassed him or was it something else? Maybe he was disgusted his father hired someone so...
    Unprofessional. She winced. At least he wasn't the boss. After the way he'd looked her over, she doubted he'd say anything about her to his father. He wouldn't want to explain his own actions.
    But why the sudden personality change? More importantly, why did she care? She shouldn't, but something in the contemptuous way his gaze raked over her just before he'd dismissed her grated on her nerves. For all she knew, she'd never see him again.
    Oh, but she did want to see him again, if only to set the record straight that she was a hard-working career woman, and not some flake that walked around with her head in the clouds.
    Not that what he thought about her mattered.
    "Here we are."
    Mrs. Lovell strolled into the room carrying a tray. Her hair had been smoothed into place and her eyebrows had lost the tense, pulled together look.
    She laid the tray on a long table. “I've brought you a snack as well, dear. I have a feeling your day has been a long one already, even though it isn't even noon.” She seated herself in a low-backed rocker and pointed to the couch. “Sit down."
    Louise smiled despite the gentle command behind the words and tried not to drop herself onto the couch. “Thank you, Mrs. Lovell. I could use a snack."
    She picked up the tall glass of lemonade and took a long drink. It was delicious.
    "I make it with real lemons. I never got used to that powdered stuff.” Mrs. Lovell pushed the tray across the table. “Take some cookies, dear."
    Louise picked up a few round wafers dipped in chocolate. An easy silence settled between them while she ate and her hostess rocked in her chair. Louise cast a glance at her duffel bag. There didn't seem to be any hurry finding her a room, but Mrs. Lovell hadn't sent her away either. With a contented sigh, she eased into the couch and let herself relax.
    A short while had passed when she heard heavy footsteps falling across the porch. The jingle of the bell prompted Mrs. Lovell to rise. “Excuse me, dear."
    "No need to get up, Sally."
    Even before the screen smacked shut Louise knew whose voice was interrupting the only peace she'd had all day. Trent Parker.
    "Nonsense, Trent.” A note of affection warmed the older woman's voice. “I have to get another glass of lemonade.” With that she left the two of them alone.
    Not ready to take whatever he had to dish out, Louise straightened. She braced herself against the power his presence seemed to have over her. Judging by the way he sat squarely in the rocker Sally vacated, she was sure he hadn't come to Lovell's Rooming House to welcome her to the island.

Chapter Two
    TRENT TOOK HIS time meeting Louise's gaze. He wanted to be in control, and he wanted to be sure she saw what he wanted her to see: A man who wasn't impressed with work credentials or a professional attitude.
    No doubt she had those attributes in abundance. They had to be the reason his father had hired her. Only the old man wasn't here and that Mr. Parker, the one who valued a strong work ethic above everything else including family, wasn't coming.
    Not today or any that followed it.
    Trent moved his gaze over the antique furnishings Sally took such pride in. He'd seen it before, that first day on the island when she'd had him over, but to make Louise wait, and to get his thoughts together, he pretended to study