she’d anticipated was fast becoming one full of intrigue.
Chapter Five
Easton watched as Tara and her grandmother went through the house, checking to see what might have been stolen. Earlier, he’d gone room by room with Officer Dailey, making sure the intruder wasn’t still lurking. He hadn’t expected to find anyone inside, since most thieves don’t hang around waiting to be caught, but they had to check to ensure the women’s safety.
“As far as I can tell, nothing’s missing.” Emily told the officer.
“It’s obvious the perpetrator was searching for something. Do you have any idea what that might have been?” he asked.
The wrinkles on her forehead grew deeper as she scowled. “No. No idea.”
The officer made some notes. “I’m sorry this happened, Mrs. Spencer. I don’t recall there ever being a break-in on the island before. I’ll file a report and have a cruiser patrol the area tonight.” He looked her square in the eyes. “Be sure to keep your doors locked from now on.”
Two red spots appeared on her cheeks, and she glanced over at Tara. “Once my granddaughter locks up, I’m not going anywhere near that front door.”
After the officer left, Easton pulled Tara aside into the parlor. “I have to go to work. Are you going to be all right?”
“We’ll be fine.” Despite her attempt at a smile, the slight tremble of her bottom lip gave away that she was still frightened.
He wanted to take her in his arms, but he didn’t think that would be a good move with her grandmother in the other room. Instead, he brushed a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear and letting his hand rest briefly against the side of her face. She closed her eyes, and he had to fight an overwhelming urge to kiss her. “I’ll be back soon. If you need me, for anything at all, call my cell.”
She opened her eyes, and they reflected less anxiety. Her lips curved up into a slight smile. “I would, if I had your number.”
“That’s right. We never exchanged them. Get your phone, and I’ll put it in there.”
She picked it up off one of the side tables and then handed it to him. After he programmed in his number, he gave it back. “Remember, call me. If I don’t pick up, leave a message. I’ll get right back to you. Promise.”
Her entire face brightened when she offered him a real smile this time. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
As he drove to the brewery, the anger that he’d kept under control was threatening to break free. He had a pretty good idea who the intruder was. Damn that Bennett. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. His cousin had pushed things too far this time.
He pressed down on the accelerator, and the Mercedes roared down the road. It handled well at top speeds, as it should, and Easton took the twists and turns of the shore-lined road with reckless abandon. When he reached the brewery, he tore into the parking lot, sending gravel flying.
Easton marched into the front hall, passing the executive offices and not caring a bit that numerous heads looked up from their desks as he stormed by. He stopped at accounting, pushing the door open and letting it slam shut with a bang. Tim Carter, the CFO, was standing behind Bennett’s chair, looking over his cousin’s shoulder as they studied a spreadsheet on the computer. “Excuse me, Tim, but I need to speak with Bennett in private.”
This wasn’t the first time they’d gone at it in front of the staff, and Easton doubted it would be the last.
Tim looked at Easton and then Bennett with annoyance. “I hope this’ll be quick. We have a payroll to meet.”
After Tim left, Easton punched his fist on Bennett’s desk, grazing the side of his cousin’s hand. Bennett was on his feet a second later, facing him with nostril’s flaring. “Who the hell do you think you are coming into my office like a lunatic and ordering Tim out?”
“You’re lucky it was the desk I whaled on and
Chapter Five
Easton watched as Tara and her grandmother went through the house, checking to see what might have been stolen. Earlier, he’d gone room by room with Officer Dailey, making sure the intruder wasn’t still lurking. He hadn’t expected to find anyone inside, since most thieves don’t hang around waiting to be caught, but they had to check to ensure the women’s safety.
“As far as I can tell, nothing’s missing.” Emily told the officer.
“It’s obvious the perpetrator was searching for something. Do you have any idea what that might have been?” he asked.
The wrinkles on her forehead grew deeper as she scowled. “No. No idea.”
The officer made some notes. “I’m sorry this happened, Mrs. Spencer. I don’t recall there ever being a break-in on the island before. I’ll file a report and have a cruiser patrol the area tonight.” He looked her square in the eyes. “Be sure to keep your doors locked from now on.”
Two red spots appeared on her cheeks, and she glanced over at Tara. “Once my granddaughter locks up, I’m not going anywhere near that front door.”
After the officer left, Easton pulled Tara aside into the parlor. “I have to go to work. Are you going to be all right?”
“We’ll be fine.” Despite her attempt at a smile, the slight tremble of her bottom lip gave away that she was still frightened.
He wanted to take her in his arms, but he didn’t think that would be a good move with her grandmother in the other room. Instead, he brushed a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear and letting his hand rest briefly against the side of her face. She closed her eyes, and he had to fight an overwhelming urge to kiss her. “I’ll be back soon. If you need me, for anything at all, call my cell.”
She opened her eyes, and they reflected less anxiety. Her lips curved up into a slight smile. “I would, if I had your number.”
“That’s right. We never exchanged them. Get your phone, and I’ll put it in there.”
She picked it up off one of the side tables and then handed it to him. After he programmed in his number, he gave it back. “Remember, call me. If I don’t pick up, leave a message. I’ll get right back to you. Promise.”
Her entire face brightened when she offered him a real smile this time. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
As he drove to the brewery, the anger that he’d kept under control was threatening to break free. He had a pretty good idea who the intruder was. Damn that Bennett. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. His cousin had pushed things too far this time.
He pressed down on the accelerator, and the Mercedes roared down the road. It handled well at top speeds, as it should, and Easton took the twists and turns of the shore-lined road with reckless abandon. When he reached the brewery, he tore into the parking lot, sending gravel flying.
Easton marched into the front hall, passing the executive offices and not caring a bit that numerous heads looked up from their desks as he stormed by. He stopped at accounting, pushing the door open and letting it slam shut with a bang. Tim Carter, the CFO, was standing behind Bennett’s chair, looking over his cousin’s shoulder as they studied a spreadsheet on the computer. “Excuse me, Tim, but I need to speak with Bennett in private.”
This wasn’t the first time they’d gone at it in front of the staff, and Easton doubted it would be the last.
Tim looked at Easton and then Bennett with annoyance. “I hope this’ll be quick. We have a payroll to meet.”
After Tim left, Easton punched his fist on Bennett’s desk, grazing the side of his cousin’s hand. Bennett was on his feet a second later, facing him with nostril’s flaring. “Who the hell do you think you are coming into my office like a lunatic and ordering Tim out?”
“You’re lucky it was the desk I whaled on and
Similar Books
