It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) Read Free

too late. A wall of lake water from a perfectly executed cannonball came crashing down on top of her.
    The child crawled up a ladder and flopped a laughing, cleaner version of himself onto the dock. When he saw the soaking wet woman, his grin faded . . . but only slightly. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t think it’d get you that wet.” His grin threatened to grow again, but the kid was smart enough to fight it.
    Zane tamped back his own smile that wanted to bust free.
    The sheriff hissed, “Lose the gleam in your eyes, Steele. My sister is a single mother. Not your type.”
    Not his usual type, but something about the way the pretty woman stood with her hands on her hips and a “you are in so much trouble” look on her face reminded him of his fun childhood—the one before his dad had died.
    The thought sent a zap of familiar pain to his chest. Not many were unlucky enough to lose both parents by age thirty-five.
    The sheriff cupped his hands alongside his mouth and called out, “Good one, Ty!”
    The soaking wet brunette shot the sheriff a death stare. But then she noticed Zane and her face slipped into a cool, neutral expression as she started toward them. “Hello, Mr. Steele. I see my brother here forgot to call me when you two landed.” She wiped her hand dry on the sheriff’s chest before she stuck it out. “Casey. Welcome to Anderson Butte. Let’s get you settled.”
    Casey’s hand was soft, long, and delicate. But he’d seen her throw the little boy who must have weighed at least fifty pounds into the water with ease. She was no shrinking violet.
    The wet shirt clinging to her curves made her even more intriguing. “Nice to meet you, Casey. Please call me Zane.”
    Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly before she nodded.
    She was no fan.
    The dripping wet kid, Ty, joined them and his eyes grew wide with recognition. Just as Ty was about to say something, Casey sent him a look that silently shouted “Don’t you dare,” so the kid snapped his mouth closed.
    He wanted to give Ty a souvenir. Zane patted his pockets looking for a guitar pick or something.
    Casey said, “Ty, you know the rules. Go inside and change out of those wet things. Then finish your chores, please.”
    Ty looked up at the sheriff for help, but when he got nothing but a shrug, Ty gave up and slowly walked up the hill to the hotel.
    Casey said, “My children are used to celebrities and know not to bother them, Mr. Steele. They’ll stay out of your way. Now let’s get you checked in.” She tilted her head toward the door Ty had just passed through. “Bye, Ryan.”
    The sheriff lifted a hand and walked away.
    “It’s Zane.” He followed her tall, curvy form into the lobby. “And I like kids, Casey. You don’t have to keep them away from me.”
    Casey stopped walking and whirled around. He really liked that she was almost eye to eye with his six-foot-two frame.
    Crossing her arms, she said, “No offense, Mr. Steele, but your recent behavior isn’t the kind I’d like my children to emulate. Kip is an old family friend. That’s the only reason I agreed to let you stay here.” She circled around the reception desk and punched computer keys a little too loudly. “Just let me make up your keycard and then I’ll have one of the staff show you to your room.”
    Damn his brother. Nick’s reputation had tainted her opinion, and complicated his chances of getting to know a gorgeous woman. One who showed zero interest in him .
    Her lack of interest piqued his even more. He’d never been attracted to women who fell at his feet just because of who he was. It made him want to try even harder to show Casey he wasn’t the man she’d assumed he was.
    Maybe his stay in Anderson Butte would be . . . fun.

C asey reached for the radio at her waistband to summon a staff member to show Mr. Steele to his room before she remembered no one else was around.
    She’d sent Toby off in the pontoon boat with the real estate tycoon and his family for a