Stranded And Seduced. Charlene Sands
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“That’s...very sweet of her.”
“The Boones are nice people,” he said.
Her eyes started to roll, and then she seemed to catch herself. Risk almost laughed out loud when her expression changed to an innocent smile. The trouble was he liked April Adams. Too damn much.
Risk started the engine and pulled out of the garage. There were gray skies overhead, and a light drizzle cascaded down from the clouds.
With any luck, they’d drive right out of the rain to better weather up ahead.
* * *
The rain came down steadily now, giving the windshield wipers a good workout. Of course, the weather had to be gloomy; it would make it that much harder for April to show off the grounds in a good light to Risk. But she didn’t want to turn back. She couldn’t trust that she’d get Risk back out to Canyon Lake Lodge any time soon.
She stared out the window, trying to think of ways to enhance her sales pitch. The lodge had been listed with her agency for five months, and she only had the listing for one more month. That gave her only weeks to find a buyer. The Boones’ inquiry about the property had been the only real bite she’d gotten in all that time. She had to make this work, somehow. Risk hadn’t been overly impressed with the photos of the lodge, and that parking lot kiss had only put a strain on their professional relationship.
“Cold?” he asked.
“A little.”
He fiddled with a dashboard dial, and soon a flow of warm heat pushed out of the floor vents.
“Better?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you. As long as it’s not too hot for you?”
He gave her a sideways glance. “I’ll let you know if it gets too hot.”
Was that an innocent comment? She never knew with Risk. But she had to give him the benefit of the doubt, since he’d been put in his place the other night after she’d told him she was engaged.
Thank you again, Jenna Mae.
They drove a few more miles in silence, and then Risk gestured to the basket. “Since Aunt Lottie packed us up some food, why don’t we have a muffin?”
“Sounds like a good idea.” She lifted the basket onto her lap and then folded back the lid. “Oh wow. Your aunt Lottie sure knows how to make a care package.”
“Why, what’s she got in there?”
“Well, let’s see. There’s about eight muffins, a coffee thermos, protein bars and two apples.”
A grumble rose from Risk’s throat. “She still thinks we’re twelve.”
“It’s sorta sweet that she cares so much.”
April picked up a muffin, peeled back the cupcake paper, removing it entirely, and handed it over to Risk. It seemed an intimate gesture, but it was easier for him to eat that way. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” A few bites later, the muffin was gone.
“Want another?”
He nodded. “One more will do. Make sure you have one, too.”
“Oh, I intend to.” April took a bite of her muffin. Warm and fresh, packed with cranberries, it was just the right amount of sweet and tart. “These are good.”
“It’s a family recipe. That coffee smells good.”
“Want some?”
The wipers were at top speed now, and April hoped Risk wouldn’t suggest they turn back.
“You first,” he said. “Have some. It’ll warm you up inside.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
She unscrewed the thermos and poured coffee into the cup. As she took a sip, the pungent aroma comforted her and made her smile. She handed the thermos over to Risk, and their fingers brushed again. “H-here you go.” The contact wasn’t lost on her. She quelled her racing heart and watched his throat work as he gulped down coffee.
Risk slid a glance to her left hand. “When’s the wedding?”
Whoa. She wasn’t really prepared to answer him. She’d hoped that wearing the ring was enough. Apparently she was wrong. “Uh, we haven’t set the date yet.”
“No?”
“No. A...a lot goes into planning a wedding, and my fiancé and I are very busy.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Everyone has a name,” she said rather evasively.
Risk scratched his chin. “So, you’re not willing to tell me? He must not be—”
“He’s amazing, okay? I met him when I was living in Willow County, and we’re very happy.”
“Bob? Bill? Toby? Or maybe it’s more like Hector or Bubba?”
Bubba? Lordy. She folded her arms over her middle but still couldn’t hold back a belly chuckle. “Risk, what are you doing?”
“Just making conversation. It’s a long drive to the lodge. Especially with the rain slowing us down.”
“Okay then, if you’re so willing to talk, why don’t you tell me about your love life?”
He grunted. “Or lack thereof.”
She raised her brows. “That’s hard to believe.”
“Tell me about it. After what happened with Shannon, I think I got gun-shy. No more permanent, all-in relationships for me.”
“Are you saying you don’t date anymore?”
He spared her a glance, his dark eyes meeting hers. “Now who’s being nosy?”
“Okay, you’re right. Forget I asked.” It wasn’t fair of her to ask such pointed questions of Risk when she’d barely given him the time of day about her fake engagement.
He was silent for a while. “The truth is, I haven’t had a date in three months, maybe longer. I guess I lost count.”
“I see. So, you must be really into your work, the way I am.”
Risk’s mouth twisted, and he gave his head a small, almost inconspicuous shake. “I’m trying to help out. The truth is...”
“What?” She gave him a pointed look.
“Nothin’.”
She let it drop, because anybody with eyes in their head could tell that Risk wasn’t the tycoon his brothers were. If he was, he wouldn’t have become a rodeo rider.
“What did you think about the history of the lodge?” she asked, steering the conversation out of personal territory.
“Kinda crazy...neither one of them wanted to give in for the sake of success.”
“So, you did read the articles.”
“I surely did. That brother and sister team mixed as well as oil and water.”
April nodded. “I don’t have a brother or a sister, but I would think one of them could’ve given in rather than see the lodge fail.”
“Yeah, those two were doomed from the get-go.”
It was sort of like her and Risk. Doomed from the beginning.
Luckily, because of the ring on her finger, all she had to think about was convincing Risk that the lodge was worth the investment.
* * *
Halfway into the drive, Risk turned to April. “The storm’s not really letting up. Let me know if you want to turn back.”
“No,”