“My strategy is to stand my ground and insist that my reservation be honored.”
Jackson regarded her with suspicion.“Are you trying to annoy this guy or make him feel sorry for you?”
Vanessa considered her opponent, tapping her chin.“I’m not sure.”
“You’re being difficult.”
“I paid a deposit to stay here,” she said in a low voice.“I can’t afford to lose it, and I refuse to get swindled.”
“Paul Murphy didn’t swindle you.He doesn’t even own the cabin.”
“So I’m supposed to give up without a fight?Because he’s just a simple cowboy and it’s not his fault?”
“I didn’t say he was simple.”
“You think he’s complicated?”
“I think your anger is misplaced.”
The calm statement deflated her, leaving her empty.Jackson was right; she couldn’t launch a vendetta against Paul, no matter how rude he was.Paul hadn’t wronged her.He hadn’t lied to her, cheated on her, or taken her money.He was an obstacle, not an enemy.She had to find a way to work with him and win him over.It would be difficult but not impossible.She sensed that he had a heart buried beneath that façade of stone.She also got the impression that he wasn’t indifferent to her as a woman.
She glanced at Emily, who was still sleeping peacefully in the shade.
“Why don’t you get some rest?”Jackson said.“I’ll watch over you two.”
She gave him a wobbly smile.“You’re a good brother.”
“I know.”
Chapter Six
Paul bought afourteen-foot aluminum fishing boat and a trailer for transport.
Pleased with his purchases, he returned to the cabin to complete the paperwork.He had to register the boat under his assumed name.By noon, Paul Murphy was ready to roll.He’d seen a designated boat launch area near the campground, less than a mile away.Before he went for a cruise around the lake, he decided to check out the dock where he would park the boat after his excursion.
Vanessa’s car sat in front of the cabin, proving she was still nearby.When he walked down the path toward the shoreline, he spotted her on the dock with her daughter, lounging in the sun.They must have gone for a midday swim.The wooden platform appeared damp from their bodies.While the little girl dangled her feet over the water, her mother lay motionless.She appeared to be asleep.
Paul swore under his breath.He was no expert in child rearing, but he understood the dangers of drowning.This was exactly why he didn’t want them around.Did he have to shout out a reminder for her to take care of her kid?
Jesus Christ.
Paul was about to stride forward and give her a piece of his mind when she straightened and rubbed her eyes.She was awake.He paused in the shade, seething with nervous energy.Then she rose to her feet and his mouth dropped open.
He forgot what he’d been about to say.He forgot about everything except her beautiful body on tantalizing display.
Her bikini was basic, black, and brief.Twin triangles of fabric covered her breasts, cupping them snugly.Another swatch of fabric formed the bikini bottoms, held together by little ties at each hip.The suit hugged every curve of her luscious figure.It was revealing, but not indecent.All of the important parts were covered.Even so, he was struck by a wave of lust so intense he couldn’t move.He’d been an admirer of the female form for as long as he could remember.He’d seen his share of scantily clad women in public places and he knew it wasn’t polite to stare.He’d never reacted this way to a near-stranger.Something about her caught him by the throat and wouldn’t let go.
He realized that he was leering at her from behind a tree, which was creepy as hell.He had to get out of here before she spotted him.He beat a hasty retreat, sun-blind and pulse throbbing with arousal.He stumbled over a tuft of grass and kept going until he reached his truck.So much for trying out his new boat.He couldn’t cruise up to the dock with her there.She was like a sex bomb, ready to detonate if he got too close.
He drove to the boat launch area to check it out.Then he returned to the cabin and waited for Vanessa Nava to leave.She didn’t leave.Her silver SUV remained parked out front, along with a second vehicle, as if she’d invited friends to join her.Paul paced the cabin with growing agitation.After a few hours, his patience evaporated.He couldn’t let this bikini-clad interloper ruin his summer retreat.If he conceded the space to her, she would feel empowered.He stormed outside, intent on inspecting the dock for a secure post to tie off.He vowed to ignore her even if she was frolicking buck-naked on the sand.
Paul’s grand plan faltered as he strode toward the edge of the lake.A tall, dark-haired man in a deputy sheriff’s uniform stood at the shoreline.
Goddamnit.She’d called her brother.
He swept the area for Vanessa.She wasn’t frolicking naked or partying with a group of friends.She was walking toward him with her daughter.She wore a loose T-shirt over her suit and she had a tote bag slung over one shoulder.As she approached him, he noted her haughty expression.
“We’re going to the campground to shower,” she said.
