Trapped in Tourist Town Read Free Page B

Shores. And that is where they have stayed ... ever since.” She returned the water to Burke and focused her attention on the waves rolling toward them.
    “So you’ll be the first Eaton to leave town for the big city?”
    “No, actually. My great-aunt Cadence spent a summer there once. I’ve grown up on her stories of nannying for a rich family in Central Park West.”
    “So why didn’t she stay?” He cocked his head toward her.
    “I’ve been wondering the same thing. From what I understand, she left the love of her life to come back here.”
    “Because she loved her family more?”
    “Because that was what was expected of her.” Cady knew he was watching her, but she stared at the horizon, her jaw set.
    They passed the next few moments in silence. The less said, the better. She couldn’t believe she’d gone and blurted out family business to a complete stranger. He must think she was a real nutcase. Risking a quick glance, she chanced a sidelong look from beneath her lashes. Burke was studying the rolling surf.
    “Yours is a unique angle,” he finally spoke.
    “Excuse me?”
    “I’m sorry, it’s just that I need to research the town, but the whole tourist trade thing has been done so many times before.” He turned to Cady, his steady emerald gaze rooting her to the spot.
    “You’ve lived here all your life and you can’t wait to see it in your rearview mirror. How would you sell Scallop Shores? What will you miss most when you’re gone? What memories of this town will haunt you the most?”
    Cady blinked. She had an idea. She clapped her hands and barely kept from squealing in her excitement.
    “You should hire me!”
    “I beg your pardon? I’m a travel writer. It’s a one person job.”
    “I’ll be your research assistant, your tour guide. I can give you all sorts of unique angles.” She nearly shuddered at the heat that shot out at her from Burke’s intense gaze.
Whoa, poor choice of words.
“I can even type up your notes, take pictures, whatever you need.”
    “I don’t think it’s in the budget to hire on an assistant, much as I would enjoy it.” His grin was wolfish.
    “Please. I need the money. You saw that pathetic tip jar. And my car is about to give up the ghost. I’m never going to get to New York unless I find another source of income.”
    She knew she was begging but she no longer cared. Burke was her ticket out of Scallop Shores and she would convince him that he needed her as much as she needed him.
    “So then we’d have a working relationship?” He sounded disappointed.
    “For now ...” Cady shocked herself with that coquettish response.
    “I’m probably going to regret this, but what the hell? You’re hired.” He held out a hand and they shook on it. She had to tug to remove her hand after the shake went on just a tad long.
    It looked like she wouldn’t have to worry that her last summer in Scallop Shores would be boring. Things just got really interesting.

Chapter 3
    Burke smiled and nodded at a young mother on his way to Logan’s Bakery. Intent on his daily dose of caffeine, and perhaps a fresh round of blushes from the adorable Cady, he explored the few square blocks that made up downtown Scallop Shores.
    He knew he shouldn’t be flirting but that woman brought out the devil in him. The attraction was mutual, of that he was certain. And now he’d agreed to work with her? He’d be lucky if he could pull together one article for the magazine before the summer was up, let alone a whole series. What had he been thinking?
    He couldn’t help the grin that crept onto his features. Ever since he’d met the woman, he’d been looking for a way to get to know her. When she suggested a working relationship, it was perfect. And more importantly, she thought she’d come up with it all on her own. Burke chuckled to himself.
    “Good morning. Beautiful day, isn’t it?” An older couple passed him on the street, the man calling out in a gravelly voice as he