Luke Read Free Page A

several nights worrying over who to call for the repair job and howshe was going to manage to pay them. Regardless, becoming involved with him in any way wouldn’t be smart. In polite rejection, she said, “I’m sure you have better things to do.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter. We’re neighbors, and out here on the lake neighbors help each other. It’s been that way since the days when it was twenty miles into town over rough wagon roads so you learned to count on the man next door.”
    â€œThese aren’t olden times,” she said shortly. “I can manage.”
    He grunted before a frown of dissatisfaction drew his thick brows together. “You should have whoever comes out check the windows, too, make sure the sashes aren’t loose in the frames. Your heating and cooling system will work better, not to mention your latches.”
    â€œYou see a security problem?” She stepped out onto the porch then moved to join him on the walk. Facing the house, she scanned its wide, graceful facade, her gaze running over its spreading bungalow roof, the massive columns that supported the upper gallery, the mellow peach color of the plastered walls and the graceful arched insets that held the windows and doors.
    â€œI doubt half your window locks would keep out a two-year-old,” he answered.
    The glance she gave him was scathing. “You’re just saying that to scare me.”
    â€œThink so? You want to go back inside and lock up, then see how long it takes me to get to you?”
    â€œNo, thank you!” She couldn’t prevent the gooseflesh that pebbled the surface of her skin.Some of the locks could use a few new screws, now that she thought about it.
    He glanced down at her, his gaze measuring. “You’re afraid, admit it.”
    She shook her head but couldn’t quite manage a complete denial.
    â€œI could stick around a while, at least until you’re sure your caller isn’t going to pay a visit. I wouldn’t even have to come inside since I see plenty to do out here. You could forget I was on the place.”
    Forget he was there? Not likely. She parted her lips to answer, then stopped as she caught a soft sound. It was a stealthy rustling coming from around the corner of the house. Abruptly, it stopped.
    Luke moved at lightning speed to catch her arm and draw her behind him. He faced in the direction of the noise. For long seconds, nothing moved. The only sound was the sigh of a lake breeze through the great mulberry tree that gave Mulberry Point its name and the calls of birds enjoying the warm summer morning.
    The dry scratching came again, closer this time. Luke tensed.
    Then from around the end of the house stepped a sleek black cat. Its coat shone in the sun like silk and its ears were cocked forward inquiringly. In its mouth, carried like a kitten, was a wriggling peridot green chameleon.
    A short, winded laugh escaped April; she couldn’t help it. Luke said something under his breath that maligned all felines. The cat gave him a look of disdain before moving forward to deposit his prize at April’s feet. The chameleon made a wild dash forfreedom and the cat leaped after it, catching it with a quick pounce. April sprang forward and scooped her pet up in her arms before he could inflict further damage. The heavy swath of her hair slid forward to lie like dark gold silk against the satin of the cat’s pelt before she flung it back out of the way behind her shoulders.
    â€œGood boy, Midnight,” she crooned as she cradled him against her chest and rubbed behind his ears. “You’re a fine cat and mighty dragon slayer. I’m proud of you.”
    â€œHe’s a damn nuisance,” Luke said in disgust as he eyed the animal in her arms.
    She hid a smile as she brushed the big cat’s fur with her cheek. “That’s right, you’re not a cat lover, are you?”
    â€œGive me a dog any