Page 3 of Shadow of Deceit
She bolted past him and into the crisp August morning.
“Mia, wait,” he called after her. “You could be in danger.”
She kept going, picking up her pace. His concern warmed her heart in way she hadn’t felt since last seeing him. But she didn’t need him trying to take care of her or his brother digging into her life. She’d been self-sufficient for years, and she didn’t need any help. She’d be fine.
And talking to him? That was more dangerous at the moment than anything. She’d hurt him once. Badly. She wasn’t going to hang around there and do it again. He deserved far better.
* * *
Ryan charged out to the sidewalk while Mia raced away from him as if he had a contagious disease. The high heels on her designer boots clicked on the concrete, and her suede coat swished on her hips. Not surprising that she’d bolted like one of the skittish horses they used for long trail rides with troubled teens.
She’d bailed on him once before. Cut him to the core. But he wanted to reconcile with her if she would consider it. Deep down anyway. It was the Christian thing to do for sure.
Then why did he also want to run in the other direction?
Because her eyes had seared into him, that’s why. They weren’t filled with the same defiance like when she’d taken off on him after high school. Not today. A vulnerability tugged at his need to help a woman in distress. Any woman, but especially her. And now? Now she was running away from him again. Horse galloping speed running away. Headstrong bolt. Not thinking—like she was prone to do.
Act fast. Strike back. Run. But she could be heading into danger.
He couldn’t let that happen.
He rushed after the sound of her skyscraper heels echoing down the street and into the sweet, tantalizing fragrance lingering behind.
Had his tomboy taken to wearing perfume?
She’d definitely given up the ratty jeans and slogan T-shirts she used to wear. Today, dark blue jeans emphasized her long legs. Perfect on the current Mia, who’d traded her fiery red curls for sleek black hair gleaming in the brilliant sunlight.
Her hand shook as she pointed the key fob at the door of a sweet red Mustang convertible.
Not at all a practical car for the rural roads in the area. She would know that, so why rent a convertible? Or had she moved back permanently and brought her car from Atlanta?
She glanced at him as she climbed into the vehicle at record speed.
She might not want anything to do with him, but he wouldn’t let her get hurt just to spite him. He breathed deep to control rising emotions and stopped next to the driver’s door. She ignored him and lowered the roof.
“Mia, please.” He planted his hands on the door frame. “I get that we parted on bad terms, but don’t do something foolish to get away from me.”
She sat, rigid and unresponsive, hand on key, resting on the steering wheel.
He leaned into her space. “Give me a minute. After we talk, if you still want to go, I’ll back off.”
Her head slowly rose, and a gleaming strand of hair blew into her face. It would take some time for him to adjust to her new look. Not that he didn’t like it. Layered hair curved softly around her face, giving her a sophisticated appearance that was all too appealing.
He reached out to tuck the stray strand behind her ear.
She beat him to it and fixed a tired gaze on his face. She tapped her jeweled watch with a nail painted baby blue. “You have exactly one minute.”
The distress in her tone almost stopped his words. Almost. “It’s crazy to go to Evergreen alone. You never know what the person who sent the threat intends to do.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s from my father. He does such over-the-top things. Uncle Wally’s will says I have to live at Evergreen for a year to inherit it. If I leave town the resort goes to my brother, David.”
“David gets Evergreen if you leave?” Ryan took a few moments to process her announcement. “The lakefront location makes the property worth a chunk of change. Seems like David would be the logical person to want you to leave for the money a sale would bring.”
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before locking them on him. “I’m not certain about my father. Davidisa possibility, but I doubt it. Uncle Wally told me David’s doing well for himself.”
“Yeah, that’s what it looks like, but he’s older than you and probably thinks Evergreen should be his.”And he didn’t run away from here.“Or at least the two of you should share it.”
She blinked her long lashes. “I might’ve been gone for a long time, and don’t know him anymore, but he always took Dad’s side. And my father? Well…” She shook her head. “He always believed David was more deserving of everything. Why not this? And why not do his best to be sure David got the place.” Her voice trembled.
