“Men and women can be just friends, Grace. It’s a fact.” Becca said.
“Not in this family.” Grace grinned.
“I hardly know the man. No way in hell would I bring him here.” Harper narrowed her eyes at Coop. “You suck at keeping secrets.” She ignored the heat in her cheeks and leaned over the counter to grab a beer from the ice.
“Sorry, doll. Nothing is off-limits in this family. Isn’t that right, babe?” Coop glanced over at Cara sitting in the shade beneath an umbrella, drinking a tall glass of what looked like iced tea.
Cara rubbed her belly as if that should answer the question, and it did. Harper might have had a hand in helping set Cara and Coop up only five months ago, on a case, just so they’d spend time together, but Harper would never admit to it. However, sending the ghost to Coop’shouse to scare him silly had been all her idea of extra fun. It was the sisterly thing to do.
Quinn popped the top on Harper’s beer and dragged her to the umbrella table where Cara was sitting. “So tell us more about your mystery man. Did you do a background check or let Cara touch any of his things to get a read?”
Harper let out a long sigh. “He’s a client.”
“Nooo.” Grace’s eyes widened. “You little hussy. You broke company policy.”
“You make me so proud.” Quinn squeezed Harper like a pleased mother. “I bet he’s hot,” Quinn said, taking a seat. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Slap your momma, tie me up, and bring out the whips, kind of hot.”
“I wasn’t aware you liked that,” a voice she recognized all too well said from behind her chair.
“Neither was I,” her dad added.
Harper jumped up from the chair as her sisters broke out in laughter. “You! What are you doing here?”
Ryker didn’t answer. His easy gaze landed on her lips, his easy grin, playful.
Harper snapped her gaze to her father. “Dad, how do you know this man?”
“Yes, Dad, I think we’d all like that answer.” Quinn rose and threaded her arm around Harper’s on one side as Gracedid the same on the other.
Quinn glanced back at Cara. “Don’t be rude, Cara. Why don’t you shake his hand?”
That was code for “get your ass out of that chair and come do your thing.”
“Absolutely,” she said, holding her stomach as she stood. Just one touch and she’d know every one of his dirty, delectable secrets.
“Girls, I wanted to introduce you to Ryker Cage. He just bought out my shares in your company, and he’s your new partner.”
“You what!” they said in unison.
“Now hold on, girls.” Her dad raised his hand. His cool demeanor was cracking. He had to know Harper and her sisters would put up a fight. Their company had always been family owned. “I can explain.”
“I don’t think there’s an explanation possible that would suffice.” Harper crossed her arms over her chest and gestured to Ryker with her chin. “You should have done your homework. He’s dead.”
Her sisters looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“What? I found his death certificate in my search,” she said, as if that would make them understand.
“Not anymore.” He gave her aconspirator’s wink, earning her glare.
“He’s the man she met at the bar,” Coop said, moving to stand behind Cara and wrapping his arms around her belly, as if to protect them both.
“Dear, take this to the library. You’re creating a scene,” her mother said, whispering to the group.
“I agree,” her father announced and gestured for the others to follow.
Harper grabbed Ryker’s arm and waited for the others to get out of earshot. She ignored the heat in her face, knowing it showed. She was ready to spit nails and use him as her target. Of all the nerve. She gave him a tight, you-asshole smile.
