Page 10 of The Payback Adventure
Henry swallowed. Hard.
Cynthia glanced at her watch. “We’re a few minutes early. The farmer should be here shortly.”
As if on cue, an ancient silver-and-black Suburban roared down the driveway, spewing a wake of gravel and dirt.
Henry grabbed the blue duffel bag and exited the limo. He glanced at Frank, who had lowered his window. “Tell Brett to handle things while I’m away. Let Blaise know too. Have Laurel and Iris take lots of pictures and videos of Noelle and Brecken. Oh, and Dash has bodyguards, but tell them I want you to drive Iris and Brecken if Dash is at work. That’ll give you something to do while I’m away, and it’s less for Dash to worry about. He’s been hovering, which isn’t good for any of them. In exactly one month, pick me up here.”
“Anything else, sir?”
“No.” Henry stood beside Cynthia and watched the old SUV sputter to a stop next to them. The door opened, and hesaw a foot. A foot wearing an ugly white shoe. Next came a nude support-hose-covered calf. “It can’t be her.”
“It is.”
He’d known there had to be a catch. But not even Cynthia would…Oh yes, she would.
Cynthia snickered. “And did I mention you’ll be living with her, too?”
Elisabeth jumped down from the SUV. She still wore her uniform, but she’d removed her ponytail. Flowing blond hair surrounded her makeup-free face. She flipped her hair behind her shoulder, and he felt as if he’d been sucker punched.
“Thank goodness you’re not interested in her, or it could be a really long month. We’ll be going now.” Cynthia waved to Elisabeth and gave Henry a peck on the cheek. “Have fun and be a good boy. You wouldn’t want to be fired on your first day.”
Before he knew it, the limo headed down the long driveway, toward the road and civilization. He watched the puff of dirt follow the limo until it disappeared. He stood alone. Cynthia’s first mistake. Henry sent his friends off in pairs. Of course, that was necessary for his matchmaking.
Unless Cynthia wanted Elisabeth to be his pair—his match.
An interesting thought, but one he brushed off. He wasn’t up for a lifetime commitment with anyone. That just proved Cynthia didn’t know him. But a month with Elisabeth wouldn’t be so bad.
Who was he kidding? It couldn’t get any worse.
Another car door slamming, laughter, and footsteps filled the still country air. Henry glanced at the Suburban. A littlegirl with blond ringlets ran around the front of the SUV and latched on to Elisabeth’s leg. Her megawatt grin lit up her small face.
Another girl, a few years older than the first, with gold wire-rimmed glasses and blond braids, joined them. A sullen-looking, thin boy, who appeared to be older than both girls and wore a black T-shirt with the faded wordsTrust No Oneon it, shuffled his way around the truck and stood with his hands shoved in the pockets of his faded jeans. The defiance on his face matched the expression on his black T-shirt.
The trio of blond-haired females shared a striking resemblance. The boy had Elisabeth’s blue eyes…
And that was when it hit Henry.
Itwasworse. A lot worse.
Elisabeth didn’t look old enough, but the proof was right in front of him. She had kids. His beautiful server was a mom. And just like brides, Henry didn’t do moms.
CHAPTER FOUR
Elisabeth’s insides were coiled like a ball of string wrapped too tightly. At any second, she would unravel and fall apart. She placed her arm around Caitlin’s shoulder. Holding her youngest sister’s small warm body allowed Elisabeth to regain her composure and gather an ounce of much-needed strength. Something told her she would need every bit she could muster when it came to Henry Davenport.
His references had checked out. She’d heard enough about Henry from Cynthia’s list not to worry about him murdering them in their sleep, but he was a pretty boy like her ex-fiancé, Toby Cantrell, and pretty boys were never reliable. They always left when the going got tough.
Caitlin pointed at Henry. “Who’s that?”
“Caitlin Wheeler, meet Henry Davenport.” Elisabeth tried to keep the corners of her mouth up when all she wanted to do was frown. “Henry, this is my youngest sister, Caitlin.”
As he made his way toward them, a dazzling grin broke over his handsome face. “Sister?”
Elisabeth nodded.
Caitlin waved at him. “Hello.”
He bowed and was rewarded with a giggle. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
