BILLIONAIRE FOR KEEPS: Book 3 (Point St. Claire, where true love finds a way) by Robyn Grady Read Free Book Online Page A

sky.
    It scratched again before setting that paw down and waiting patiently for some action.
    Vanessa unlocked, opened up. The cat arched its back for a full three beats before padding into the room and twining around her ankles. She swept the cat up and laughed when it snuggled against her chest and started to purr like a champion.
    She scratched under its uplifted chin. “I’m not allowed to be distracted, remember?”
    But of course the cat didn’t know. They’d never met before. But Vanessa was thinking about a kitten she’d once owned; she was always padding off, leaving Nessa to visit Mrs. Willows next door. Cats might not like to be told what to do, but they knew where they were needed.
    And Vanessa could sure use some flesh and blood company right now.
     

Chapter 9
    “We all thought you were dead .”
    Vanessa sat back in the café booth seat. “Thanks for coming, Jace.”
    “Did you hear me? I was about to lodge a missing persons report. You don’t come into the office. You don’t reply to my phone calls.”
    “You got my text though?”
    “And when I texted back, you left me hanging. I thought you’d been kidnapped, or something worse.” Jace’s long jet-black locks glistened in the late morning light slanting in through the window as she cast a wary glance around. “You sure there’s nothing weird going on?”
    “I just…needed to get away.”
    “Okay.” Jace nestled down in her seat. “I’m here to help.”
    “I want you to take over as head of VeeTee Fashions for while.”
    Jace had the biggest chocolate brown eyes. Now those eyes grew wider before she shucked back her shoulders and visibly gathered herself. “Well, sure. Anything. For as long as you need.”
    “I’m thinking six months.”
    This time Jace fell back in her seat. Then her eyes narrowed like she’d put it all together. “This is about love ‘em and leave ‘em Griffin Hayes.”
    Vanessa didn’t want to get into it. Jace already knew about the affair, about Griffin allowing her ill father to sign that stupid buyout deal a moment before he died. Talk about ruthless.
    A better word was heartless .
    Vanessa wanted to wait to tell Jace about the baby. She couldn’t take any more well-intentioned sympathy (or congratulations) just now.
    Vanessa had finished ordering for them both―one glass of milk, one coffee and two helpings of velvet cake―when Jace leaned over the tabletop and rasped, “You said no one knew you were here.”
    “No one other than the realty agent and you.”
    “And the jerk who just pulled up outside.”
    Vanessa’s gaze swung toward the window.
    Terrific . She so wasn’t ready for this. 
    Griffin strode into the café and spotted her in a second flat. Vanessa took a long sip of milk and waited while he ran a hand through his hair and headed over.
    “Mr. Hayes,” Vanessa said, setting down her glass. “This is a surprise.”
    Keeping his gaze fixed on Vanessa’s, Griffin spoke to Jace. “Would you mind leaving us alone for a moment?”
    When Jace quizzed her boss with her eyes, Vanessa nodded, okay .
    As Jace left, Griffin slipped into the booth to face her.
    Vanessa pasted on a sweet smile. “So, how’s your bank accounts?”
    “Wow.”
    “You mean, wow that stung ?”
    “No. Wow you look beautiful.”
    Her heart kicked against her ribs but she held her tight smile. “Must be the Maine air.”
    “Which brings me to, what are you doing here?
    “Minding my own business.”
    Wish you would, too.
    A belly laugh pulled her attention toward the door. An elderly man wearing a scarred Bean boots and coveralls was chasing a kindergarten kid as she scampered over their way. Dressed in a red pinafore and matching shoes, the little girl pulled up when she got to the booth. She was giggling so hard her bob of blond curls was shaking.
    Maternal instinct kicked into overload. When a pair of plump baby arms reached out to her, Vanessa desperately wanted to sweep that little darling up.
    “Well,