Four Weeks Read Free Page B

it anew.
    He told himself he didn't care much about his father's new hire. Who she was, where she'd come from, those things didn't concern him. The only thing that mattered to Trent was systematically eliminating each reminder of his recently deceased father, starting by getting rid of the ridiculous rundown shed he'd called a riding stable.
    The first step in this plan was to get rid of the tempting Miss Louise Hart. He'd been expecting the new manager to arrive later in the day and he'd been anticipating a wide-shouldered sturdy-looking farm girl, so her appearance had been a surprise in more ways than one. Her sweet round face, wavy blonde hair, and wide blue eyes had caught his interest, but that was before he knew who she was. He should've sent her on her way home right from the barn, but after her long appraisal, he hadn't felt like it.
    Deciding that she'd waited long enough, he turned to her. She raised her shoulders—maybe to keep from looking so small nestled among Sally's oversized cushions. It didn't work. The fat cushions still swallowed her up. She brushed a tiny crumb from her lip then laid her arms over her lap, yet she didn't turn away.
    Trent clenched his jaw.
    All the way over to Sally's he'd been certain he would tell her outright that the job she'd come for was no longer available. He hadn't planned on getting into the whole story about his father buying that money pit for no good reason then dying suddenly. But for some reason, things didn't seem so simple anymore. Not with her bright eyes watching his every move and bringing to life that interest she'd awakened in him at the barn. The heavy pulsing of his heart made it difficult to think clearly. Unfortunately, gazing at her made him feel more alive than he had in a long time.
    So what? That was just a typical male reaction to a pretty face. Nothing he had to pay heed to. He knew what kind of woman his father would've hired to run a business and he didn't want any part of that sort of person.
    Trent sighed. He had to come out with it.
    Unfortunately, she broke the silence first. “Did you come here for a reason? Other than to stare at me?"
    He couldn't deny that he'd been staring, so he didn't. “I came about the job."
    "Do you work closely with your father?"
    The question jabbed at him. He'd handled more than his share of business transactions, but none of them had been with his father. Mr. Parker never had any use for his only son, especially when his son handled business with a light hand instead of the smashing fist his father preferred. In response to her question he shook his head.
    She lifted her fine eyebrows. “In that case I don't see what we have to talk about."
    He couldn't help himself. He lowered his voice to a near whisper. “You seemed interested in talking to me at the stable."
    The red flush that spread up her neck and stained her cheeks told him what he wanted to know. The attraction went both ways.
    She shifted her gaze away from him to the slice of water visible out the window.
    "You said you came about the job.” Her tone softened the slightest bit. “Please say what you came to, so I can get settled.” She peered at him and he saw in her eyes something he never would have expected, a touch of vulnerability. He watched her mouth when she spoke again. “I've had a long morning."
    She looked so young, huddled in the cushions and waiting for his response. Strange as it was, he didn't want to tell her she couldn't have the job she'd come for. But he had to.
    Why couldn't he get the words past his lips? What did he care if she had to take the next ferry back home? She probably had her pick of jobs. She couldn't need this one. He'd seen young, vulnerable-looking women before and they weren't usually what they seemed. For all he knew Miss Hart had the act perfected.
    Unable to keep himself from learning what he could about her, he hedged around a bit. “My father won't be coming to the island.” He watched her closely, ready to