LITMIR.BIZ

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man, who had always looked up to him.

      Across the room Joe Colton, seated behind a massive desk, shoved back his chair and sprang to his feet to hurry across the room.

      “Peter. I’ve been watching for you.” Joe caught the younger man in a great bear hug, before holding him a little away to look him over. “You’re looking good.”

      “Thanks. So are you.”

      Joe turned to Heather and embraced her warmly. “Hello, sweetheart. It was generous of you to offer your help.”

      She gave him a hard, quick hug before looking up into his smiling eyes. “I’m happy to do it, Uncle Joe.”

      The older man kept hold of his niece’s hand as he led her toward his desk. It was then that Heather realized they weren’t alone.

      A man got to his feet beside one of the high-backed leather chairs, watching with a quiet intensity that Heather found disconcerting.

      “Thad Law, this is my little brother Peter McGrath.” Joe saw the man’s brow arch and was quick to add, “We have different last names because we’re not blood brothers. But the bond is the same, wouldn’t you say, Pete?”

      “You bet. Even stronger than blood.” Peter gave a firm nod of his head.

      Joe added, “Pete, this is Police Detective Thaddeus Law.”

      As the two men shook hands it was Peter’s turn to arch a brow. “Police detective? Has there been more trouble?”

      Joe patted his brother’s arm. “Now don’t go making a big deal of this. We just had some things to discuss.” He drew Heather closer. “Thad, this is Peter’s daughter, Heather. She’s agreed to live here for a while and act as my assistant.”

      “Miss McGrath.” There was that intense look again. As though he were dissecting her, inch by inch.

      Heather forced a smile as she offered her hand. “Detective Law.”

      His big hand engulfed hers and she felt a quick rush of heat that left her startled. When she looked up to see if he’d felt it as well, he abruptly shifted his gaze to her uncle.

      She used the opportunity to study his profile. A wide forehead. Strong, chiseled features. A jaw that jutted with an air of determination. Jet black hair cut military-short.

      He wasn’t handsome in the classic sense, but he was an imposing figure, not just because of his size, but because of some unfathomable air of command. It was obvious to anyone looking at him that even without a uniform he was a cop.

      His voice was deep, the words spoken in a staccato delivery, as though by someone accustomed to giving orders rather than taking them. “I’ll go over the information you gave me, and get back to you tomorrow, Senator.”

      Joe’s smile was quick. “I told you, Thad. That part of my life is long over. It’s just plain Joe now.”

      The detective nodded. “Okay, Joe. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. On my way out, I’ll look over your security system, and see if I can find any flaws.”

      The two men shook hands. As the detective stepped away, he turned the full force of that steady gaze on Heather once again, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. But only because, she told herself firmly, she’d been caught staring.

      Peter waited until they were alone before asking, “What’s going on, Joe?”

      The older man shrugged. “Nothing to worry about. Thad was one of the first detectives on the scene when that shot was fired at my party. He’s been back ever since, combing for clues they might have missed. Obviously he’s not happy with some of the things he’s found. I like the way he works. I had a few things I wanted him to check for me.”

      Peter’s voice lowered. “You worried about something, Joe?”

      “What? Me worry?” Joe gave an easy laugh. “Come on, Pete. Let’s have a drink and then we’ll enjoy some lunch in the courtyard.” He opened a cabinet and pulled out a crystal decanter. “Heather, will you join us?”

      His niece shook her head. “No thanks. I think I’ll walk around and get reacquainted with your beautiful home, Uncle Joe. I’ll be back in time to join the two of you for lunch.”

      She let herself out of the office and strolled to the courtyard, pausing to watch the play of sunlight on the fountain. It was such a pretty picture, with the pots of colorful flowers and trailing ivy. The cool tile, the expanse of glass, the sound of water all added to a feeling of peace and serenity.

      She strolled through the great room and paused at the windows, crossing her arms over her chest as she studied the magnificent view in the distance. The lush valley. Rolling green hills. Oh, it was so pleasant here. So perfect.

      It was hard to believe that in this serene setting there was so much seething hostility. So much pain. Her uncle had lost a son to death, an adopted daughter to a kidnapping. And then there was the horrible attempt that had been made on his life. As yet, no one had been arrested. But Uncle Joe had, as always, tried to take the high road, downplaying the incident, insisting that they’d all made too much of it.

      She didn’t believe him, of course. Being the target of an assassin’s bullet would leave a person traumatized. But it was obvious that Joe Colton was determined to get on with his life, and to locate his daughter, Emily.

      That factor had weighed heavily in Heather’s decision to move here. She knew how much her father loved Joe Colton, and how concerned he was. She shared that love and concern. If her presence here could ease his burden even a little, then she would stay here for as long as he needed her.

      As for her Aunt Meredith’s cool reception, she’d already decided not to let that bother her. Her aunt had changed in the past few years. Everyone had noticed it. Meredith had become caught up in herself and her own selfish needs. Heather would simply keep her distance from her aunt and concentrate on what her uncle needed.

      She already knew the business. After college she’d gone to work for her father, in the financial department of Colton Enterprises. She’d proven herself efficient, good with figures, and a quick study. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do if she set her mind to it.

      She sighed, thinking about the life she’d left behind. It had been so easy to adapt to her family’s charmed lifestyle. She knew her mother had several young men already picked out as potential husbands for her. Her friends thought it so amusing, especially since she’d been engaged twice and had both times broken the engagement after only weeks. She never let those around her see the pain and confusion she’d suffered. How could they understand? Heather had dreams of her own. Dreams she hadn’t shared with anyone, even her adored brother, Austin.

      Austin. How she ached for him. She was probably the only one who could see that behind that angry, brooding facade, he was hiding a broken heart. She would give anything to help him. But she knew, with a woman’s instincts, that he would have to find his own way through the maze that his life had become.

      She was suddenly relieved that she’d agreed to come here. Not only could she help her favorite uncle, but this might also prove to be the perfect break from a lifestyle that had become almost too hectic, too crammed with parties and lunches and activities. And complications, she thought grimly. A mother determined to get her only daughter married to the right man, someone who would fit in with their up-scale lifestyle. And a father who adored his only daughter and was far too willing to pull strings to get her whatever her heart desired.

      The problem was, she wasn’t certain just what she wanted. She knew only what she didn’t want. She didn’t want the empty life her friends were living, and though she adored her parents, she wanted more than the life her mother lived.

      Unlike her Aunt Meredith, who had allowed herself to become caught up in the pursuit of happiness to the exclusion of those around her, Heather yearned for something else. Something simpler. Right now, living and working here at her uncle’s ranch, without having to deal with outside influences,

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