He had some savings that he could spend on making rifle cases or hiring a marketing consultant, but he couldn’t do both. Expanding his product line was a huge priority. Then again, growing too fast could spread him further than was responsible. The employees counted on him to make this work. As the owner, he had to take all the variables into account before making a decision. Mulling over his options and the pros and cons brought clarity, which was the one reason he was happy to have drive time every night.
Rumbling down the gravel drive, he caught sight of something that had him reaching for his hat to cover up his unruly hair.
Leaning against a red convertible was a blond bombshell. Her shoulder-length hair glistened in the evening sun. She had on a loose, teal-colored shirt that came in to hug her little waist.Shorts, just the right amount of short, accentuated her shapely legs.
“That’s trouble, all right.” He maneuvered his truck to the side yard and backed up towards the garage. He parked, setting the brake and checking his side mirror. The woman had taken off her sunglasses and was headed his way.
There was a petition going around the neighborhood to put up a private fence and keep the tourists off this section of the beach. She was probably here to get his name on the line and then she’d be off. He didn’t mind the families that came through. For the most part, they were there to have a great day, cleaned up after themselves, and left before dark.
He lifted a hand in greeting. “Evening, ma’am.”
She stopped about five feet away and put her hands on her hips. “Hello. I’m looking for Trent Hill. Have you seen him?”
Cash pulled his shoulders back. She wasn’t here for the petition. Too bad. Under different circumstances, he would have liked to sit down and talk things out with her, maybe get to know her a bit. “So you’re the ex-wife.” Cash dropped the tailgate and grabbed a box of windbreakers from the back of his truck.
She sputtered. “I wouldn’t marry Trent if he were the last man in Georgia.”
Cash leaned the box between him and the wall and put in the code to open the big garage door. Her answer made sense. This woman had class, wheelbarrow loads full of it. And she was pretty, likesit on the front porch and watch the sun rise across her cheekspretty. His grin melted as he realized “You’re the crazy sister-in-law?”
She followed him into the garage. “Is that what he told you?”
Cash grunted as he hefted the box onto the worktable. “Yep.”
She growled. The sound was oddly attractive coming from this tiny thing. He hurried back out to the truck for another load. The last thing he needed was to get in the middle of this mess.
She dogged his steps, her shoes clacking away behind him. “Did he also tell you he ran out on my sister the night she had a miscarriage?”
Cash narrowed his eyes. “He told me you had him fired, evicted, and followed.”
She set her steely gaze on him. “I did not.”
He grabbed a box. “Maybe we’re talkin’ about two different Trents here.”
“I doubt it.” Her chin went back and forth for emphasis. “Let me guess, he’s been sleeping—” She eyed the cabin. “—on your couch, hasn’t paid any rent, eats your food, and doesn’t pay for groceries.”
Cash set the box down and went for another, the spitfire matching his every step. “He’s goin’ through a tough time. His wife took him for everything he had.”
“Ha!” she stomped her foot.
He tipped his head.
“You want proof?”
“Well, I’m not taking your word for it.”
“Why not?” She was properly offended, her chin dipping and her hand on her hip. The pose almost brought a smile to Cash’s face. Almost. He leaned forward, shortening the space between them and putting them on eye level.
Speaking of eyes. This woman had the most interesting gray eyes he’d ever seen. They were like diamonds, all sparkle and depth, with shots of silver and a deep blue ring around the edge. The beauty of them startled him enough that the edge left his voice. “I don’t know you,” he said quietly.
Although he wanted to.
“I have proof,” she answered, her tone matching his. “I’ll be right back.” She headed for the convertible and leaned over the door to retrieve something.
Cash averted his gaze. No sense enjoyin’ the view if she was just going to walk away. Which she most certainly would as soon as her business was concluded. Girls like her were high maintenance and not his type. He wanted a woman who enjoyed the finer things in life, like fishing, picnics by the lake, and a quiet evening on the porch swing.
Hurrying back, she brandished a set of legal documents. “I went to his work to get him to sign the divorce papers. He took a copy and disappeared overnight—quit. I didn’t get him fired.” She looked up from the sheet just long enough to meet his gaze, and then she flipped the page.
“I went to his apartment and he wouldn’t open the door. I went back with the police the following morning and he’d skipped out on the rent and left.Ihad to pay his back rent so the landlord wouldn’t come after Carolyn.”
