Whirlwind by Nancy Martin Page B

long bare legs stretched out and a sketchbook propped in her lap. A huge pair of sunglasses obscured her eyes and reinforced her spoiled-starlet look.
    Cliff stopped at the bottom of the steps, half afraid to get any closer. She looked beautiful and unstoppable—a predatory female looking for trouble. He hesitated in the trees, not ready for another volatile confrontation.
    â€œGood news,” Liza called, catching sight of him and smiling broadly as he warily approached. “My car can be fixed.”
    â€œGood news indeed,” Cliff replied sourly, mounting the porch steps. “You can leave.”
    â€œNot yet. Carl had to take it to his garage to make the repairs.”
    â€œThat means you’re stranded here.”
    â€œYou got it. We’re all alone together, Forrester.”
    She laughed and peeled off her sunglasses, to pin himwith an observant gaze. Her dangly earrings caught the sunlight, and the black devil winked at him. “You ran off,” she said. “Just when things were heating up.”
    â€œI tend to stay away from heat.”
    â€œThat’s a mistake,” Liza pronounced with a catlike smile. “A little fire’s good for the soul.”
    â€œMy soul’s just fine,” he retorted.
    She eyed him again, but didn’t go so far as to accuse him of lying. Instead, she pulled her feet off the railing, crossed her legs, tapped her sketchbook and said airily, “I’ve made a few decisions while you were out.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œI’m going to stay here awhile.”
    Cliff nearly choked. He wanted to explain, to warn her. There was danger here, didn’t she see that? He struggled to put the right words together. “Miss Baron—”
    â€œAnd I’m going to fix up the lodge. I’m going to make it into a resort.”
    â€œWhat?”
    She grinned at his reaction, twirling her colorful sunglasses. “It’s a good idea, don’t you think? This place could be fabulous. It was really special years ago, and it could be great again. All it needs is a little TLC, and fortunately, I find myself with a little free time on my hands.”
    â€œHold it—”
    â€œSo I’ve been making lists and drawing some ideas. I thought I’d start with the common areas first—the dining room, then the bar and lounge.”
    â€œWait just a—”
    Liza didn’t listen, but began to outline her plans with blithe enthusiasm. “The kitchen’s a real wreck and will need a major overhaul if it’s going to serve many guests, but I like the rustic flavor of everything else, don’t you? If you ask me, rustic is making a comeback.”
    â€œWill you please—”
    â€œI’ll need some fabric books, of course. The place reallycries out for chintz, right? And wall coverings will have to be chosen with caution, since—”
    â€œWill you shut up for one minute?”
    She blinked. “Sure. Something on your mind, Forrester?”
    He was filled with dread and anger. Throttling both emotions, Cliff managed to grind out, “Just what the hell are you doing?”
    â€œAren’t I making myself clear? I’m going to refurbish—”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhy? Why not, for heaven’s sake? It’s beautiful up here!”
    â€œThe only way it’s going to stay beautiful is if people leave it alone! You can’t fix this place up. People will start coming here and tramping through the woods, running powerboats on the lake—”
    â€œOf course they will! It’ll be lovely!”
    â€œIt’ll be horrible!”
    She laughed at him. “You can’t keep the lodge a secret, Forrester. It’s been your private playground long enough. We’re going to make it look wonderful, and people from all over will come and—”
    â€œWe?” he snapped. “Who’s we?”
    â€œYou and me, of course. You could use some