“Come and have a drink with us, Jonathan,” the slightly plump one called. She was the woman who’d wanted him to play bingo the night Michelle arrived. “We got our snapshots back this afternoon and there’s a great one of you and Ruth.”
After hesitating for a moment, he went over to join them. Winnie’s companion was an attractive young woman, pretty without being glamorous. From the look on her face as she gazed at Jonathan, it was evident that she shared her friend’s admiration for him.
He was loving every minute of it, Michelle thought sourly. She slid onto a bar stool and ordered an after dinner drink she didn’t want. It promised to be a long evening.
The sound of Jonathan’s low, amused voice and the excited chatter of his companions irritated Michelle even further. They were too far away for her to hear their conversation, but his enjoyment was evident—quite different from his behavior toward her.
Jonathan wasn’t as indifferent to Michelle as she thought. He was very conscious of her sitting alone at the bar. Should he ask her to join them? What for, he asked himself? She’d made it quite clear that his company was unwelcome. Let her sulk, if that’s what she wanted.
“So, how about it, Jonathan?” Winnie was looking at him hopefully. “Will you go with us?”
He stared at her blankly, trying to recall his wandering attention. “Uh, where was that again?”
“Pirate’s Cove. I just told you! They say the beach is gorgeous, so picturesque and secluded.”
Jonathan’s mind flashed back to that erotic moment at the cove when he’d held Michelle’s nearly nude body in his arms. He would never forget the feeling of her breasts pressed against his bare chest, or the satiny smoothness of her thighs against his rougher, more muscular ones.
Ruth added more incentives. “We can swim and lie on the beach afterward.”
“No!” Jonathan quickly softened his first, explosive reaction. “I mean, my uncle has something planned for tomorrow. He expects me to be with him, since that’s the reason I came.”
“He doesn’t look lonesome to me,” Winnie remarked. “I’ll bet he’d welcome some time alone with that nice-looking, older lady.”
“They hit it off immediately,” Ruth agreed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if something developed there.”
Not if I can help it, Jonathan replied silently. It was a timely reminder not to let himself get sidetracked by a beautiful face and an alluring body.
Michelle was unaware of his dark thoughts. She was staring broodingly at the mirror in back of the bar when a man appeared next to her. He was tall, blond and broad shouldered, the athletic type male who was always cast as a lifeguard in a movie.
“Do you mind if I join you?” he asked pleasantly.
“Not at all,” she answered. “I was getting tired of my own company.”
“I’m sure nobody else would.” He gave her an admiring, but respectful glance. “My name is Roger Kirkenhoff. May I buy you another drink?”
After supplying her own name, Michelle declined his offer. “I didn’t really want this one, but I couldn’t think of anything else to do after dinner.”
“Shorehaven offers a lot of activities. I believe there was a lecture tonight, and if that didn’t interest you there’s a well-stocked library and a card room.”
“You sound like a social director. They should give you a job here.”
“Actually, I do take a special interest.” He smiled. “My father owns the hotel.”
“Do you work here? I haven’t seen you around.”
“No, I live in Atlanta. I’m just here for a few days. Dad is thinking of putting an addition on the hotel, and he wanted my input. I’m an architect.”
She looked at him with unfeigned interest. “You probably don’t have anything to do with it but I’ve always wanted to ask someone in the hotel business, why they provide those clothes hangers that you can’t take off the rod.”
“I agree with you that they’re an abomination, but you’d be surprised at the things guests walk off with if they’re not fastened down. People take pictures off the wall and blankets. I even heard of someone carting away a television set, although thankfully that’s never happened to us.” He laughed.
Roger was so easy to talk to that Michelle shelved her problems for the time being. He was just what she needed after her trying day. For the first time that evening, she was enjoying herself.
After a while he suggested they move to a booth. “I’ll have to tell Dad these bar stools could be more comfortable.”
“I was so interested in what you were saying that I didn’t even notice,” Michelle remarked as they strolled past Jonathan’s table.
Jonathan ignored her as studiously as she was ignoring him, but his firm jawline got even tighter.
“I’m glad I’m not boring you too badly—or perhaps you’re just being polite.” Roger smiled at her.
“Not at all,” she assured him. “This is the nicest time I’ve had since I got to Shorehaven.”
As they slid into a booth, he said, “I appreciate the compliment, but if that’s true, you’re not having nearly enough fun here. As the owner’s representative, I’d like to do something about that. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night? There’s a little seafood place in town that’s known for their baked pompano. We can have dinner and perhaps go to a movie.”
“I wish I could,” Michelle said with genuine regret.
Roger didn’t make her nerves skitter or her pulse accelerate, but that was part of his charm. He was almost as handsome as Jonathan, in a different way, and a lot easier to be with. This was the kind of man she should be looking for, not some glamorous rogue with a wickedly irresistible smile and a line to match.
“If you have a date for dinner, how about lunch?” Roger asked. “I don’t mean to be pushy, but I’m only going to be here for a couple of more days and I’d like to spend at least a little time with you before I leave.”
“I’d like that, too.” Michelle sighed. “The problem is my mother. I came down here to, uh, sort of watch over her. That means my time isn’t my own.”
“Does she have some kind of disability?” he asked delicately.
“Nothing that shows,” Michelle answered grimly. “Actually it’s emotional. Mother is a fairly recent widow.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s always—” He paused as Jonathan appeared at their table.
“I just wanted to tell you the lecture appears to be over,” Jonathan said to Michelle. “You can stay here and enjoy yourself, however. I’ll keep an eye on them.”
She was instantly on the alert. “No, I’m coming, too.” She turned to Roger. “It was so nice meeting you. I hope I’ll see you again before you leave.”
“I’m available whenever you have some free time,” he replied. “Just give me a call. I’m in room 107.”
“That’s just down the hall from me. I’m in 103.”
Jonathan’s expression had gotten chillier by the moment. “I can tell I’m inhibiting you two,” he said sarcastically. “Perhaps I’d better leave.”
Roger slid out of the booth and stood, extending his hand. “Sorry, I should have introduced myself sooner. I’m Roger Kirkenhoff.”
Jonathan shook his hand briefly, supplying his own name while giving the other man a thorough scrutiny. “Did you just arrive?” he asked.
“Yes, I got here yesterday, but only for a brief visit. I’m leaving quite soon.”
“Lucky you,” Jonathan muttered. “I wish I could.”
Roger frowned slightly. “You don’t like Shorehaven?”
“He had different expectations for this vacation,” Michelle said sweetly.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Roger said. “Perhaps you aren’t taking advantage of all the opportunities here.”
She snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner. “It certainly isn’t for lack of trying.”
As Jonathan’s eyes narrowed angrily, Evelyn called to them from the doorway. “We’re back.” She
and Lucky walked over to the booth. “You really should have come to the lecture, Michelle. You, too, Jonathan. They showed slides of these incredibly beautiful tropical islands.”
“I asked Evie to run away with me to one of them and she’s considering it.” Lucky chuckled.
“Is this your mother?” Roger gave Michelle a surprised look.
She could see why he’d be confused. Evelyn wasn’t acting like a woman suffering from depression. She looked animated and happy. It was Michelle who was depressed at the way things were going. Lucky was gaining ground with every hour he and her mother spent alone together. From now on she had to stick to them like glue, Michelle decided, as she introduced Roger.
After Evelyn and Lucky both told him how much they liked the hotel, Roger said, “I’m delighted to hear it I’m just sorry Jonathan isn’t having a better time.”
“I didn’t realize he wasn’t.” Lucky frowned at his nephew. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid the business will fall apart with both. of us gone? That’s nonsense. Young Helmsley is working out very well. He can handle things.”
“I agree with you. I wouldn’t have left otherwise,” Jonathan said. “I’m sorry if Roger got the wrong impression. I’m having a fine time.”
Roger was unconvinced, but he didn’t press the point. “Well, if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to ask.” He looked at his watch. “If you’ll all excuse me, I have some paperwork to do.”
After he left, Evelyn remarked, “What a nice young man.”
“He’s very interesting, too,” Michelle said. “Roger is an architect, quite a good one, I imagine. His father values his opinion highly. I think it’s admirable when a man works at a career instead of expecting everything to be handed to him.”
“Or her,” Jonathan said ironically. “The same thing applies to women.”
“You seem to be in complete accord, so what’s the argument?” Lucky asked impatiently. “Would you like a drink, Evie?”
“No, thanks,” she replied. “I think I’ll turn in early tonight. But first I’d like to take a last stroll along the beach. Just the two of us,” she added, looking Michelle squarely in the eye.
After the older couple had gone, Jonathan said, “You and your mother won this round. I didn’t have to bother hanging around here all night.”
“It wasn’t a wasted evening,” Michelle said. “You had your mini-harem to boost your ego. From the way they were hanging on your words, anybody would think you invented the wheel.”
“Hardly, but I’ll admit their unjudgmental attitude was a pleasant change.”
“They don’t know as much about you as I do.”
“I could say the same about you and your new conquest, the fair-haired architect who works for a living.”
“That isn’t his only attraction. He’s witty and charming, and he’s a gentleman.” She stressed the pronoun slightly.
“Are you intimating that I’m not?” Jonathan asked ominously.
“You’ve had some lapses.”
“Considering the provocation I’ve had, you’re lucky I am a gentleman. You’ve done everything you can to distract me, including that provocative encounter on the beach today. I’m beginning to wonder if it really was accidental.”
“You were the one who made a pass at me!” she gasped.
“When you throw yourself half nude into a man’s arms, you shouldn’t be surprised if he reacts. Even a gentleman like your architect friend—if he has any red blood in his veins, that is,” Jonathan drawled.
“I consider this conversation in very bad taste—like the rest of your conduct.” Michelle lifted her chin and stalked out the door.
His expression was moody as he watched her go. If she wasn’t the world’s most aggravating woman, she was right up there with the contenders!
Chapter Four
The red light was glowing on Jonathan’s telephone when he reached his room, telling him he had a message waiting. It couldn’t be anything pertaining to business at this hour, and his friends at home didn’t know where to reach him. Joe Henderson must have completed his report on Michelle.
That was good news, Jonathan told himself. If Joe found out something really damaging, Michelle and her mother would have to give up on Lucky. They’d undoubtedly leave Shorehaven immediately, after inventing some emergency at home. The game was very likely over, and he wouldn’t have to see either of them again.
Jonathan’s face wasn’t as happy as it should have been. He gazed out at the starry night for long minutes before his expression hardened and he picked up the phone.
“What do you have for me?” he asked curtly when the private detective answered a few moments later.
“You were in such a flaming hurry that I couldn’t be as thorough as I usually am,” Joe complained. “I really moved my tail on this one.”
“Never mind the buildup, I’m not going to quibble about your bill. What did you find out?”
“Not what I expected. I don’t imagine you did, either.”
“I didn’t think she was a choir girl,” Jonathan commented ironically. “How bad is it? Has she ever been arrested? Or should I ask, how many times?”
“That’s what I mean. She’s squeaky clean.”
Jonathan wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “What did you say?”
“Miss Wholesome. Susie cream cheese. She never even got a speeding ticket. If everybody was that straight arrow I’d be out of business.”
“Are you sure you dug deep enough?” Jonathan persisted. “I know she puts up a good front. Maybe the people you talked to were deceived.”
“I don’t rely on hearsay. I deal in facts. Subject is twenty-six years old, the only child of Richard and Evelyn Lacey.” Joe was evidently reading from his notebook. “Father, Richard, died one year, six weeks ago. Mother, Evelyn, still lives in family home in Roslyn, Long Island. Mother doesn’t work. Was evidently left enough to live on. I didn’t have time to find out how much, but I can if you’re interested.”
“I’m not,” Jonathan said. “Go on about Michelle. Does she hold down a regular job?”
“She’s a buyer at Barrington’s. Started as a stock girl originally. It’s an upscale women’s shop on Fifth Avenue.”
“Yes, I’ve been there.”
“Buying fancy lingerie for your girlfriends?” Joe joked.
“Get on with it,” Jonathan answered curtly. “What about men in her life?”
“I didn’t have time to go too far back, but I found out she just broke up with a guy. He was tall, dark and handsome, even had a good job. They were unofficially engaged—whatever that means—but lover boy wasn’t too particular about whose bed he slept in. When your friend found out, everything hit the fan. She broke up with him.”
“How long ago was this?”
“Not long, maybe a month. He’s been trying to get her back, but she won’t give him the time of day. Everybody says she’s a terrific gal, beautiful, smart, great personality. Everything but forgiving, evidently. So don’t try to put anything over on her.” Joe laughed.
“There’s nothing personal between us. I wanted to find out about her for business reasons.”
“Okay, if you say so. There’s some more in the report about what schools she went to and who her friends are, things like that. I can find out more details if you want me to continue the investigation, but this pretty much gives you the picture. Do you want me to stay on the job?”
“No, I’ve heard enough. Mail me a copy of your report along with the bill.”
Jonathan hung up with dawning excitement as the full impact of the information hit him. He didn’t have to fight against his attraction to Michelle. She was exactly who she said she was!
His elation was tempered momentarily when he remembered the present, rocky state of their relationship. But that was his fault for being a jerk. He should have known Michelle wasn’t the devious person he suspected. She was too honest and direct. And her em
otions were mirrored on her lovely, expressive face.
That was the thing that gave him hope for the future. There was a potent attraction between them, and it wasn’t one-sided. Michelle couldn’t hide her feelings, even though she tried. Once he stopped antagonizing her, they should be able to put their differences behind them.
Jonathan went to bed feeling a lot more cheerful than he’d been when he got up that morning.
Michelle didn’t share his mood. She felt cranky and put upon as she got undressed. Why couldn’t her mother act her age—or at least find a suitable gentleman friend. Michelle would have been delighted for her if she’d met a nice, respectable man.
But Evelyn seemed perfectly happy with the one she had. She and Lucky couldn’t stop smiling at each other. Jonathan was another annoyance. He’d broken his own record for acting disagreeable that night!
Michelle was wary of him the next morning, but he caught her off base by being exceedingly pleasant. She wasn’t impressed. His new attitude aggravated her even more because her mother fell for his phony act. Evelyn was utterly charmed by him.
When Jonathan suggested they all go to the races that day, Michelle said quickly, “Mother has never been interested in horse racing. Why don’t you and Lucky go?”
“I wish you wouldn’t answer for me, Michelle,” Evelyn said with a trace of irritation. “I don’t know whether I like horse racing or not. I’ve never been to a racetrack.”
“I can’t believe it!” Lucky exclaimed. “We’ll have to do something about that. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“Do you go to the track often, or do you bet with bookies?” Michelle asked with an innocent expression.
“Betting with a bookie is like playing the stock market. You might make money, but it’s no fun,” he said deprecatingly. “The excitement comes from watching your horse romp home a winner, not from collecting on an exacta.”
“What’s that?” Evelyn asked.
Lucky explained the system of picking a series of horses in their winning positions.
Lucky In Love (Harlequin Special Edition) Page 7
