Ghostly Liaison Read Free

day of a new job all wet was one thing. Needing a shower quite another. After flinging off what mud she could, she straightened and hobbled over to her bike.
    The front rim bent at an unusual angle.
    “Dammit!” She rubbed her temples. Her first job since the accident and now she’d be late. Five miles was a long walk, even on a clear day. She looked back the way she’d come. Home was closer, but not necessarily quicker. One look at Bridget and her mother would insist on taking her to the hospital.
    And since there was no way she would go back to that hellhole, she scratched off home as an option. She needed to get herself together. Standing in the rain like an idiot wasn’t getting her anywhere. As soon as she found cover, she’d call Kate and let her know she’d be a little late. Bridget readjusted her helmet, tightened the hood around her face, and bent over to pick up the bike.
    A big, red truck—the four-door variety—came up the hill and pulled over. A Good Samaritan or…a rapist?
    “Damn it, Mom. Why’d you have to put that into my head?” Of course, with all this mud on her who’d want to rape her? Even a rapist had taste, didn’t he? Still, it was a mile to the main road and she was in a vulnerable state. Home was starting to look good about now.
    A tall man climbed out of the truck. He wore a rain slicker, but the large hood obscured his face. “You hurt?”
    “I’m fine, thank you. I don’t need any help.” She pushed the bike forward, but with the bent tire, straight wasn’t an option.
    The man reached for the bike and his hands brushed against hers. Large. Calloused. Warm. He was definitely real. “I don’t think your bike is cooperating. Let me help. Where are you headed?”
    Deep and melodic, his voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Maybe he was a rapist. They’ve been known to be charming. And he could certainly take her without much effort, being a good six inches taller than her. Her heart pounded against her ribs and she would have swallowed if someone hadn’t sucked all the moisture from her mouth. She pulled the bike away from his grasp. “I’ll be okay, really. I…I don’t need to bother you. Besides, I’m headed the other direction.” So take a hint and leave me alone.
    He straightened. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have introduced myself first. I’m Robert Gentry, but you can call me Rob. I own Gentry Construction.”
    He pointed to his truck and sure enough, a big white sign was displayed on the door with GENTRY CONSTRUCTION written in blue. How did she miss that?
    “And I have a chaperone by the name of Barnaby inside the truck. He’ll make sure I’m a perfect gentleman. Now, let’s go. I don’t know about you, but it’s kind of wet out here.”
    He hoisted her bike onto his shoulder and headed for his truck. She numbly followed. What just happened? Was she going to let him take over like this? She’d just gotten free from her mother.
    So much for the helmet protecting her head. She certainly wasn’t thinking straight.
    While removing the headgear, she walked around the front while he went to the back. His license plate read GENTRY2. She’d seen the truck in town before. Okay, maybe he wasn’t a rapist. A rapist would most likely drive around in something less conspicuous.
    So who was Barnaby? Could she trust two men she didn’t know?
    After depositing her bike in the bed of the truck, Rob came around and opened the passenger door. “He won’t bite. I promise.”
    Bite? Who’s biting? The whimper made her look inside. A chocolate-brown Labrador stared at her with soulful eyes, wagging his tail. Her heart warmed at the sight. Barnaby, she presumed.
    “Well, aren’t you a sweetie,” she said.
    He barked, as if he agreed with her.
    “Barnaby. Behave.” Rob held a hand out. “Do you need help up?”
    Anyone who owned such a magnificent animal couldn’t be all bad. Most dogs had good taste and this one seemed well cared for.
    “I’m all wet