Island of Deceit Read Free Page A

Sheriff?”
    â€œHarper. Just Harper,” he said.
    Oh, he had such a sense of humor, did he? Though Barbara didn’t take any crap about her weight, that little breeze wouldn’t bulge a baby, much less her at size 18. The sheriff took his time to give her the once-over, and by the time his eyes lingered on her face, she felt unusually hot and her breasts tightened with awareness.
    When he shifted his gaze to retrieve her hat, she felt as if the laser that had beamed on her had released its heat. With her hat in his hand, he stood up to his full height. Barbara looked way up, to at least six-three or four. She was only five-five.
    It wasn’t so much that he was large, and he certainly wasn’t pumped-up-on-steroids bulky, but with his solid muscular build and the authority with which he wore it, he presented an imposing presence. The black hair around his temples was sprinkled with gray, but it only enhanced his sex appeal.
    Barbara felt a tingling of awareness in her stomach. She reached for her hat, but Harper held it out of her grasp and leaned against the car, his arms folded over his amazing chest. Her hat dangled from his long fingers. “Is there a problem?” she asked.
    â€œI’ll say. Breakfast at the B and B is getting better and better. Have you sampled the new menu yet, Barbara? Heard Gabrielle added a couple of items. Thought I’d give them a try.” He hit her hat against his hand. “How about joining me?”
    As irritating as the man could be, she couldn’t deny the attraction between them. Barbara would love to join him—under other circumstances. Harper was one fine-looking man who’d attracted her from the beginning. She didn’t know what he saw in her, but she had no choice but to decline.
    â€œI’m sorry, Sheriff, but I have early appointments. Besides, I’m already in a relationship.” She nearly gagged. Just the thought of being in the same room with Andrew Stone made her skin crawl.
    Harper scoffed. “That boy?” Harper moved closer, invading her space. “He wouldn’t begin to know how to treat a woman like you. You need a real man, honey.”
    That was putting it mildly, but sacrifices for the cause must be made. “And you would?” Barbara asked, feeling mischievous. She shouldn’t be flirting. Harper needed no encouragement.
    â€œYou can count on it.” He sent her a look that said he knew exactly how to handle things. Suddenly, Barbara was grateful for the wind. She needed cooling off.
    Um-um-um. The way he was looking at her, she could have melted into a puddle at his feet. And that was saying a lot for a woman immune to silliness.
    Those melted chocolate eyes impaled her. Barbara looked away. She was here for justice, not to be distracted by the handsome sheriff.
    â€œMs. Turner, I don’t know why you’re dating that boy, and I’m not going to stalk you. But I have to say, you’re a fine-looking woman.”
    Barbara closed her eyes briefly. Why did he say things that turned her inside out? Why couldn’t he have come along a year or two ago—five years ago or even ten? Why did he have to wait until it was too late?
    â€œHave a nice day, Sheriff,” she mumbled. “I have to get my walk in before I go into the hair salon.”
    It was several seconds before Barbara heard a car door slam and the car inch closer.
    â€œYou know I’m beginning to wonder about you. You aren’t afraid of the law, are you? Or are you hiding out? Rob a bank, Barbara?”
    He was hitting too close to the truth for comfort. Maybe she hadn’t robbed a bank, but she planned to rob the Stones. “Of course not,” she replied smoothly.
    â€œYou’re not putting your customers under a spell and robbing them blind when their heads are tucked under the dryer, are you?” He was so corny, but he could get away with it.
    â€œHeard any complaints,