No Sunshine When She's Gone by Kate Angell Page B

hope you have enough food for a couple of uninvited guests,” the man said. “We don’t come empty-handed. I have farmers’ market corn and sweet potatoes. Mike picked up dessert from the bakery. Sadie came along for the ride.”
    Jill nearly toppled over. She clutched the refrigerator door for support. No, it couldn’t be. Not three times in one day! However, a glance over her shoulder confirmed Aidan Cates’s approach. She’d had no idea he’d be coming to dinner, but then neither had Shaye or Trace, given their surprised expressions.
    Fate had played her, she realized. She’d wanted to put her best foot forward and favorably impress the Saunders family. She’d hoped to appear competent and capable and worthy of fitting into their community. Unfortunately, Aidan could blow her good intentions.
    She stood and forced a calm she didn’t feel.
    She knew Aidan, but wondered who Mike might be.
    And who was Sadie? His date?
    “Aidan!” Shaye came to give him a hug. He handed over his contributions to their dinner. “I heard you were in town,” she continued. “Dune sent a text that he’d seen you at the psychic fair with Lila, and that you were getting a reading. I figured you would show up eventually for a meal. Tonight is fine.”
    Aidan frowned. The psychic fair and the accompanying reading were best forgotten. He only wished he could get the brunette out of his head, yet she stuck with him. He might never see her again, and for some reason, that bothered him. They had unfinished business. In his thirty-five years, no woman had refused to give him her name. Not until today. He didn’t like evasive women. He appreciated truthful and straightforward females.
    “It’s Thursday and traditionally Trace’s night to barbecue,” Aidan said to his sister. “His ribs are legendary.”
    His brother-in-law joined them. “Good to see you, man.” The men bumped fists, thumped each other on the back. “We’ve got guests, but you’re welcome, too.”
    “Guests?” Aidan felt bad he hadn’t called ahead of time. “We can come back tomorrow.”
    “Not a chance,” Shaye assured him. “You’re here, you’re staying.”
    “You’re sure?” He didn’t want to impose.
    “Your timing is perfect, actually,” Trace stated. “You can meet Jillian Mac and Carrie Waters. The ladies are with the Rogues Organization. They manage community affairs.”
    “Ladies, come and meet my brother Aidan.” Shaye motioned to the two women. “He’s the contractor for the spring training facility. You’ll be working closely together.”
    Aidan had been so focused on Shaye and Trace that he hadn’t noticed the twilight silhouettes near the refrigerator. A second later, the automatic timer for the pathway and landscape lights clicked on, illuminating the patio. That’s when he saw her, the psychic imposter. He felt sucker punched.
    This had to be a joke; that was the first thought that ran through his mind. He had hoped to see her again, but not under further pretense. Yet there she stood, staring at him, her expression closed, as if they’d never met. Once again she was pretending to be someone she was not. He was sure of it. There was no way she worked for the ball club. She was too damn flighty.
    Shaye was not easily fooled, yet somehow this woman had pulled a fast one on his sister. The lady owed them an explanation. He would get answers.
    The shorter of the two women approached him now. She was wholesome, pretty, and tentative. She tilted her head and gave him a shy smile. “I’m Carrie,” she said, and he noted her braces.
    “Nice to meet you,” Aidan returned, keeping it friendly yet professional.
    Jillian came next. Her steps were measured and her gaze was sharp. Her expression held the right amount of interest as if meeting someone for the first time. She gave nothing away. Carrie made the introductions. “This is my boss, Jillian Mac.”
    “Jillian,” he acknowledged. He liked her name. He could almost taste