Buch lesen: «His Honour, Her Family»

CHAPTER ONE

GRACE HARPER LOOKED up from the paper-strewn desk as the office door opened, bringing with it a warm breeze blowing in leaves that had yet to be swept away from the outside entrance. A tall man strode to the counter with purpose. He removed his polarized sunglasses, his dark gaze meeting hers as he brushed a stray leaf from his short brown hair.

“I’m here about the job,” he said, his deep voice succinct and to the point.

Thank goodness. She’d been back at the Put Your Feet Up vacation and rental business office for only two days. It was Wednesday and already she wanted to pull her hair out. As much as she desperately needed a new outdoor guide—thanks for bailing, Nathan—the idea of holding a job interview on top of straightening up the mess Mama had left behind was enough to give her a pounding headache. Which, she believed, was already knocking at her temples.

She sent him a pleasant smile. “What would you like to know?”

He nodded toward the door. “From the help-wanted sign out front advertising for a tour guide, and the fact that you offer outdoor vacations, I’m guessing you’re shorthanded. So what would the job entail?”

“First, yes, we’re shorthanded. My mother normally handles the office, but she was injured, so I’m filling in temporarily.” She stuck out her hand. “Grace Harper.”

Strong fingers enveloped hers. “Deke Matthews.”

“Well, Mr. Matthews, I need someone who can hike, fish, canoe, kayak and zip-line, to start with.” She handed him a brochure. “Our packages are listed here. I also need you to be able to manage a group of people and have first-aid knowledge.”

He scanned the glossy paper in his hands. “Isn’t it rather late to be hiring a guide with the summer season so close? It’s already the end of May.”

Biting the inside of her cheek, she wanted to scream, “Yes.” Instead, she answered, “I’m afraid my mother’s accident set us behind and our only other guide has been out of touch.”

“I suppose you’ll want someone to start right away?”

“That would be ideal.”

He folded the brochure and met her gaze with his serious expression. “Then I’d like to apply.”

“That would be fine, but I’d like to ask you a few questions first. Get an idea if you’re a good match for the job.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you have any experience in specific outdoor activities?”

“I was a senior counselor at summer camp when I was a teenager.”

She swallowed in disappointment. “Anything more recent?”

“I’ve been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the past two weeks.”

Okay, that was pretty hard-core outdoorsy stuff.

“Any experience leading tour groups?”

“No, but I like the outdoors. I think this will be a good fit for me.”

She didn’t need an employee who thought he was a good fit, she needed someone who knew what he was doing. And who would keep her from traipsing through the woods or venturing out on the lake. She was an attorney, for Pete’s sake. Not a tour guide. Not anymore.

“Boating experience?”

“I can row.”

“CPR?”

“Card-carrying.”

She was about to roll her eyes at his direct answers when she saw the very tiniest twinkle of humor in his dark eyes.

“Did I pass?”

Honestly, he was the only person to have inquired about the job since she posted the listing, so yeah, he passed. As long as his references checked out.

“If I think of any other qualifications,” he said, “I’ll add it to the work experience portion of the application.”

“Right. The application. I’m sure I have one around here somewhere.” Embarrassed by the fact that she had no idea where Mama kept the forms, she crossed the office area on her side of the counter that separated the open room, hoping it looked like she knew exactly what she was searching for. Odds were Mama hadn’t touched the system Grace had put into place before leaving for her law career, so she moved to the filing cabinet and rifled through the folders, finding the correct form. Whispering a quiet thank-you under her breath, she removed the paper and carried it to the patiently waiting gentleman.

His eyes, a startling blue-gray she realized now, captured hers and for a moment she froze. Until one arched brow rose in a silent question.

“Yes?”

“Do you have a pen?”

“A—a pen,” she stammered, annoyed at herself for losing her composure. Good grief. Yes, he was good-looking, but certainly not enough to crumble her iron control. She scurried back to the desk and snatched the one she’d been using. “Here you go.”

A slight tug curved his lips as he took the pen.

Smoothing her pale pink, lightweight jacket, she asked, “Are you new to the area?”

“I’m going to be in Golden for a while.”

Vague. But then again he didn’t seem very chatty.

As her aspiring hire studied the form, Grace stretched her neck. She needed to get busy. The sooner she had Mama’s life back on track, the sooner she could return to hers. “There are some outdoor tables on the sidewalk in front of Sit a Spell Coffee Shop if you’d care to fill out the application there. It’s a lovely day and the air is always so fresh here in the mountains.”

He glanced around the room. On his side of the counter, two ancient chairs were angled in the corner, a scratched table between them with outdoor magazines scattered on top. Oh, no, was that a cobweb on the ceiling? As he shifted, the wood floor creaked. She gazed at the walls, realizing for the first time that they needed fresh paint. Did the place look as run-down to him as it did to her?

She momentarily closed her eyes, picturing the office in its heyday. Clients coming and going, tour guides checking in, her parents managing the business together. There had been lots of good moments: doing homework after school with Faith right here at Mama’s desk, Nathan underfoot as he played with his toy trucks. The times they piled into the bed of Daddy’s pickup when he went out to the warehouse to check on a canoe or piece of camping equipment. Or her favorite, hiking trips up a trail in the north Georgia mountains on a sunny Sunday afternoon, just the five of them. It seemed like a dream now. Life had been fairly normal, until fate stepped in and her father couldn’t resist an opportunity that landed him in jail.

Her lids flew open when he cleared his throat.

“I’ll fill it out here at the counter.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it.”

Turning on a very spiky heel, she faced the desk. The sight of the paperwork nearly had her groaning out loud. If her mother, Wanda Sue Harper, hadn’t sprained her ankle after a fall, Grace would be in her downtown Atlanta office, planning court strategies and writing briefs. One frantic call and she’d put her life on hold for four weeks. Scrambling to line up family leave was tricky, but since she’d been with the firm for nearly a year, she was able to cover her open cases and come home.

It was like she’d never left.

She concentrated on the task at hand, but she was also a bit distracted by the lingering woodsy scent of the stranger. As she peeked at his broad shoulders, tanned skin and muscular frame, she decided he looked physically suited for the job. More than capable in a non-suit-and-tie sort of way. When he looked over and caught her gaze, she dropped her head to focus on the piles of paper in front of her.

Why was she even noticing anyway? Maybe because he’d come to a job interview wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and worn jeans. Jeans. To a job interview! Despite his clothing choice, she found him extremely attractive. Odd, because she didn’t go for the rugged type and never dated men who didn’t dress with a bit of polish. Show her a man in a well-tailored suit and she was a goner. Better yet, put her in a professional office setting and she was one happy camper.

This time she did groan, eliciting another brief glance from the man before he returned his attention to answering questions and supplying data. Okay, back to his being athletic. He seemed competent for the demands of the job, but the other requirements? She’d have to wait and see. She took a sip from her diet cola and then gathered up the vacation request forms she’d printed out when she’d arrived at the office. As soon as Mr. Matthews left, she’d read them over, along with returning calls and checking the website, as well as touching base with her uncle Roy, who oversaw the rental cabins. It was only ten in the morning and already she saw no end to her to-do list.

As she reached out to grab hold of the overdue bill folder she’d compiled, the front door flew open. She glanced up to find her worst nightmare perched on the threshold.

“Grace Marie Harper. When I heard you were back in town I had to come and see for myself.”

The shrill voice of Lissy Ann Tremaine sent shivers over her spine, in a horror-movie, run-for-your-life kind of way. And why did everyone in town insist on using two first names?

“Hello, Lissy Ann.”

The slim woman, her dark hair pulled back in a stylish updo, was dressed in a trendy blouse, slacks and peep-toe pumps and dripping in gold jewelry. She crossed the room, pushed her way to the counter, elbowing Mr. Matthews aside, and rested her designer purse on top.

“I heard your mama took a fall.”

“You know those front steps. Real killers.”

“So you’ve actually graced Golden with your presence.” She stopped. Giggled. “Graced. Did you get that?”

Grace held back an eye roll but smiled. Why? she silently moaned. It was bad enough Lissy Ann and her insufferable husband had made her life miserable in high school. Did Grace have to deal with this woman as well as juggle her mother’s doctor appointments and singlehandedly run the family business?

“I’ll be here until Mama can get back on her feet.” Which Grace refused to do, remaining seated at the desk as she talked to her childhood...well, not friend.

Lissy Ann glanced around. Wrinkled her pert nose. “I suppose that’s a good idea. You always did make this place work.”

Which is exactly why she’d gone to law school and taken a job elsewhere, hoping her mother would finally accept the fact that this was her business, not Grace’s.

“I hope you get things under control. We’re having a huge, and I do mean huge, Summer Gold Celebration coming up. An entire week dedicated to merchant specials, making sure all the local lodging is booked solid, holding mini-events.” She waved a hand with a huge honking diamond on it. “You know the drill. Your mama promised to get involved. The tourist numbers should be phenomenal so we need everyone in town working overtime to make Golden the hot vacation spot.”

After dropping her conversation bomb, Lissy Ann looped her purse strap over her arm. “We can count on you, right, Grace?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll send the promotional materials right over.”

“Oh, yay.”

Lissy Ann huffed and left. The glass door panel rattled in the wake of her departure.

The silence felt good after having that unwelcome voice echoing off the rafters. Until a different voice said, “Friend?”

She’d almost forgotten Mr. Matthews was still in the room. “More like mortal enemy.”

“I didn’t know people really had those.”

“If you had one, you’d know it...”

He tilted his head. “Sounds like big goings-on this summer.”

“Lissy Ann is married to the head of the chamber of commerce. They have plans to put Golden on the map.”

“You don’t sound excited about it.”

She shrugged. “I haven’t been engaged in town functions for a while.” With luck she’d be gone before the huge celebration. One could hope.

“I’m finished,” he said, pushing the paper across the counter.

Grace rose, smoothing her skirt. Why she’d worn a work suit to the office today was anyone’s guess. Folks weren’t keen on formal clothing here in the mountain towns, going instead for a more laid-back look, except for Lissy Ann. By dressing professionally, Grace wouldn’t let anyone forget for one minute the thriving law practice waiting for her seventy minutes south.

“Let’s see,” she said, lifting the completed paper. She noted his home address. “You live in Atlanta?”

“Decatur, but like I said, I’ll be spending the summer in Golden.”

She continued reading. He was thirty-one, three years older than her. She stopped short at his employment history, specifically when special agent popped out at her. “You work for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation?”

He nodded.

“Why on earth would you apply as an outdoor guide?” she blurted.

“Due to circumstances, I’ve taken a leave of absence from the bureau.”

Should she ask what kind of circumstances? Like was he forced to take time off? Was he in some kind of trouble? She’d certainly find out when she checked his references, but in the meantime... Her eyes went wide when she continued reading. “You’re a crime scene specialist?”

“You’re familiar with GBI?”

“I’m an attorney. I work in Atlanta.”

“An attorney?”

Why did it sound like Mr. Matthews spoke around something nasty tasting in his mouth?

“Yes, I’m surprised we didn’t run into each other in court when I worked for the public defender’s office.”

“You don’t work there now?”

“No. A private firm handling criminal cases.”

His eyes became hooded. Uh-oh. Her suspicion meter went haywire.

“So,” he asked, “do I get the job?”

Obviously his career was not a topic for conversation. She bit her lower lip. Did she hire him? He was qualified in a completely different line of work, but as he said, he’d taken a leave of absence. He needed a job. She needed an employee. Her brother, Nathan, had flaked out on her and her sister, Faith, was less than reliable these days, so to be honest, Grace was desperate. She couldn’t do this alone and the tour schedule was quickly filling up. The cool, refreshing mountain air lured families and outdoor enthusiasts who wanted time away from the rush and summer heat of the big city. Spending time in a smaller town like Golden, which operated on mountain time, thereby alleviating stress, had become big business. She needed to help Mama by getting the season started and running smoothly.

“As I said, my mother is indisposed. I should run your application by her and see what she thinks. It’ll also give me time to check your references.”

He regarded her with an expression she couldn’t decipher.

“I can promise you, I live a boring life. No past indiscretions to keep me from employment.”

Maybe, but she wasn’t willing to take any chances.

“So if your mother can’t work and you have no one else to run the tours, do you have an idea of when you might come to your decision? If it’s going to take a while, I’ll need to apply elsewhere.”

Logical question. Why was she suddenly stalling? “Technically I’m just taking care of the company until she can come back full-time. She’s still the principal owner.”

“But she transferred her authority to you?”

“For the time being.”

“Unless you find me unqualified or you just don’t like me, I don’t see the holdup.”

He didn’t see the holdup? Who did he think he was?

“I don’t mean to give you an ultimatum, but there are other businesses looking for help,” he pointed out.

“Then perhaps you should apply at those other places, where, I might add, the owners will also want references.”

“You’d send me away, even though you need me?”

“I never said I needed you.”

His eyes gleamed. “But you do.”

“I have other interviews lined up.” Liar.

He rested his elbows on the scuffed countertop. “Until then do you plan on running the office and hiking up the mountain at the same time? Handling the town celebration by yourself?”

Why was she even arguing with him? She’d thought he might be the answer to her problem until he started questioning her methods. She hesitated until a voice in the back of her mind taunted, Hire him so you can get back to Atlanta sooner than later.

She couldn’t allow herself to be sucked into family drama again. Her mother would try everything in her power to keep Grace in Golden. Hadn’t it been an ongoing battle just to attend college and law school? If Mama could find a way to milk her injuries—very possible for Wanda Sue—Grace might end up back where she started, stuck in a town she’d dreamed of leaving since she was a teen. Everyone knew her here, knew the family’s worst history and her part in it, a time when she’d been unable to manage events that had spun out of control. The sooner she was at her real job, assuming the firm didn’t fire her if her mother didn’t get back on track soon, the quicker she’d gain control of her life.

Still, telling Mr. Matthews to take his high-handedness and hit the road was on the tip of her tongue. Before she could utter the words, the phone rang. She held up a finger and snatched the wireless from the cradle. “Put Your Feet Up.”

“Gracie, tell me you hired someone today.”

“Mama, this isn’t a good time.”

“Buck Watkins down at the Jerky Shack said he saw a healthy man walk into the office. Did you talk to him?”

“I’m conducting an interview now.”

“Can he take the job?”

“Yes, but—”

“Gracie, you always make everything so difficult.”

Grace ignored a twinge at the not-so-subtle dig.

“I can’t get ahold of Nathan and the first tour is in three days. How on earth will I deal with my injuries and not worry about the business if you don’t get help soon.”

Pile on the guilt trip, Mama.

“Let’s discuss this later.”

“Why? We’ll still come to the same conclusion.”

“I need to check his references first.”

“Hire him now, check them later. If they don’t pan out, you can fire him then, but for goodness’ sake, don’t let him slip through your fingers. We need him.”

This was exactly why Grace had left Golden and the family company.

Turning from Mr. Matthews’s curious expression, Grace closed her eyes and counted to ten. “I’ll see you later,” she said, ending the conversation.

Straightening her shoulders, she faced the man she was going to have to work with in the near future. “You’re hired.”

A smile broke the serious expression on his face. At the sight of his dimples, her breath stalled in her chest.

“That wasn’t so hard.”

Of all the... One, two, three...

“When do I start?”

“How about tomorrow? Nine in the morning.”

“Works for me.”

“Make sure you’re on time,” she said, rounding the desk as the phone started to ring again. As she reached for it, the front door closed behind her. Thankfully, she’d be heading back to her old life in a month. Then the family business, and all it entailed, was someone else’s problem.

* * *

TAKING A SIP of hot coffee as he exited Sit a Spell Coffee Shop, Deke Matthews struggled to hold back a satisfied grin. Step number one taken care of. He’d landed a job and now had a cover story to justify hanging around Golden. Pleased with his progress, he pulled his cell phone from the back pocket of his jeans and hit speed dial.

“Deke, any success?” his brother Dylan promptly asked when he picked up.

“I got a job.”

“That was fast.”

“You know I always take care of matters in a timely manner.”

“A trait I appreciate. Especially now.”

Deke heard a rustling on the other end, then, “So what’s your new profession?”

“Outdoor tour guide. Leading tourists up mountain trails, boating on the lake, that sort of thing.”

“Sounds more like fun than work.”

“Someone has to do it.” Deke took another sip of the tasty almond-flavored coffee, swallowed, then asked, “Is Mom still in the dark?”

“Yes. And I plan on keeping it that way.”

“Agreed.”

“Derrick and Dante are on the same page, too.”

“Still, this is Mom we’re talking about. She has no clue?”

“No. James Tate has totally duped her.”

Deke frowned. He hadn’t met his mother’s boyfriend yet. In fact, none of her boys had had the pleasure. That made him very wary of the guy. Along with the fact that his mother and Dylan lived in Florida, it made a quick pop-in to scope out the situation almost impossible. But their mother’s recent behavior had set all the brothers into a tailspin.

First of all, this was their mother. She didn’t date. Or at least hadn’t, not since their father had died. In the years after Daryl Matthews’s passing, she’d never once gone out with a man. Friend, romantic interest or otherwise. This Tate guy must have sold her an attractive story for her to finally move on from their father’s cherished memory and try to hide it from her sons.

“Is she still giving you the runaround?”

“Every day.”

At the frustrated tone of his brother’s voice, Deke grinned. It took a lot to throw his brother Dylan off task, but Jasmine Matthews was good. Very good.

So were her sons. They’d learned from the best.

“I thought you had plans to run into them while they were on a date?” Deke reminded his brother.

“She caught wind of it and moved the location.”

“Classic Mom.”

Dylan let out a short laugh.

If there was one thing their mother was good at, it was bending her sons’ wills to do her bidding. Not in an evil-queen kind of way. More like she’d mastered the art of manipulation after raising four boys. He guessed it was a survival tactic. But the Matthews boys loved their mother and would do anything to keep her safe. Even if it meant Deke detouring to Golden to follow a lead they’d uncovered about their mother’s boyfriend.

At least that’s what he told himself. Escaping from Atlanta had been the primary goal because the truth was much more complicated.

“Did you find the store yet?”

“I’ll be passing it any minute.”

At the intersection, Deke looked both ways before striding to the opposite side of the downtown street. A mix of busy storefronts and specialty boutiques lined each side of the avenue. As casually as possible, he stopped at the front window of a store named Blue Ridge Cottage. Shoppers milled about inside, but he couldn’t see the store owner.

“It’s just like the intel promised,” Deke conveyed.

“Do you have a visual on the target?”

“No.” As two older women exited the store, he nodded and moved on. “Give me time and I’ll see what I can dig up.”

“Are you sure you’re up to this?”

Here it comes. “Why would you ask me that?”

“Because you escaped to the mountains.”

“And that’s a crime?”

Dylan’s voice went tight. “That’s what you do, Deke. Withdraw when you should be with people.”

“I don’t want to discuss this.”

“You never do. Hiding away instead of confronting your past isn’t good for you. You can’t keep closing yourself off.”