Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) Read Free

ways, and she still had that effect on him. “She did, but I can’t avoid this one. She lives twenty feet away.”
    “Sounds like she’s taken out a restraining order.”
    “No need. I’m staying well away from her, but that’s my common sense talking.”
    Another bark of laughter. “That’s what you think,” Mason said. “You’re talking about her and that means you’re thinking about her. Give into it, buddy, you’re no longer in charge. Let nature take its course. Take the path of least resistance. You remember how to do that?”
    “Suddenly I can’t remember why I called you. It sure wasn’t to get an earful of platitudes.”
    “Ha! You knew exactly what I’d say meaning you’re thinking with the most powerful, capricious tool around. It’s taken over and there’s no point trying to reason with it, least of all by labeling the source of your problem as trouble. That only sweetens the chase.”
    “I’m not chasing anyone,” Jack muttered.
    “Okay, if you say so.”
    Jack shook his head. “You’re no help.” Somehow, he’d figure out how to approach Lexie Gardner, apologize to her and then exile her from his thoughts.
    “Before you hang up… I don’t know how to break this to you, so I’ll just rip the band-aid off. Dad’s back.”
    Jack set the cup of coffee he’d been nursing down on the windowsill and raked his fingers through his hair. “Thanks for ruining my morning.”
    “You know you’ll forgive him.”
    For disappearing without saying a word? He’d been on the brink of checking hospitals… “For skipping out on me when I most needed him? He only has one job to do. Liaise with investors. Instead, he takes off with wife number five.”
    “He’s up to number five? I’d lost count. Anyway, he’s in love. What do you expect?”
    Something better than a belated post-card from the Caribbean. “I think I’d rather have a compulsive gambler for a father. He’s in love with the novelty of falling in love and marrying. At this rate, there’ll be no end to it. If this one falls through, he’ll be broke and I’ll be the one picking up the slack.” And complaining about it wouldn’t get him anywhere. Jack knew he’d come through just fine. He always did since a lifetime of being more responsible than his father had honed his skills to perfection. But for once, he wished to avoid bumpy roads and curve balls and all manner of obstacles and diversions.
    “I’d hate to point out the obvious, but you’re more alike than you realize.”
    “I think I should ask for a paternity test.” He strode along the length of the floor to ceiling window and came to a sudden stop. “Oh, hell.” A growl broke through his parted lips. “I’m done for.” Lexie Gardner didn’t have curtains in her bedroom. Why hadn’t he noticed before? Because lately, he hadn’t even had time to stop and look out the window, he thought.
    “Are you going to share?” his brother asked.
    Jack shook his head and lowered his hardhat over his eyes. “I’ll have to call you back.” He pushed away from the window, hunted down the spare set of building plans, and strode down the stairs, his steps calm, yet determined.
     
    * * *
     
    Lexie stretched her arms over her head and thought she hadn’t had a sleep until noon type of day since—
    No, don’t go there. She didn’t want to remember how long it had been since someone had given her a reason to stay up until dawn and sleep until midday curled up in lazy contentment.
    Turning her gaze toward the window, she cringed. “No more ray of happy morning sunshine either.” The sight of gray concrete looming only a few feet away gave her instant recall, flooding her mind with a replay of the previous night’s phone conversation.
    “Jack Riley must have had a good laugh at my expense.” Too late to wish she’d minded her own business, she thought. Although deep down, she knew it had been the right thing to do. Yes, but… Heaven only knew what he thought