Cold Heart by Sheila Dryden Read Free Book Online

She would work on the upstairs and try to get it under control. It would also give her a chance to see what was under those sheets in the way of upholstered pieces. It was going to be a big job for someone. She could also make a list of what might be needed for the bedrooms. The cable guy was coming as well to set up her internet and she hoped that the satellite company would send someone also, although they told her they were really booked up so they had not promised. That was okay because she hadn’t actually noticed a TV in the place yet so there was no big rush on that. The internet would be great though as she had lots of research to do.
    She took the stairs at a run and after a quick breakfast for herself and for Tucker she went back upstairs and got straight to work. While she worked she thought about Michael, about Max’s death and about Montgomery. She also found herself thinking about Carter. About twelve thirty she decided that it was time to stop and have some lunch for a change. She went down to the kitchen and made herself a chicken sandwich, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took both outside to the porch. She was there, eating her lunch with Tucker looking on, when Carter drove in.
    He was becoming a regular visitor, but she didn’t really mind. He was keeping her from becoming a total recluse. She stood and walked down from the porch as he got out of the truck. He was wearing blue jeans and a jean jacket as usual, but he left the cowboy hat in the truck. He had that same unshaven look and his hair was especially curly today. Lexi found her heart beating a little faster. He really was a handsome man.
    “Hi Carter,” she said.
    “Hi yourself,” he replied. “How are you today?”
    “I’m good,” she said. “Thanks again for coming to my rescue last night.”
    “No problem,” he said. “Just wanted to see how you were feeling today as you seemed pretty shook up last night.”
    “I’m great, really I am,” she said. “I admit I am not a fan of confrontation, but I think that Michael really had to hear it from me that things were over. I did kind of creep out of town without really talking to him, just left a note.”
    “Gotcha,” he said.
    “But I was afraid of a scene, which I got anyway, didn’t I?” she laughed.
    “No second thoughts?” he asked.
    “No. Not one. You know the guy was really a bit of a loser, hanging on because I was the one paying the bills, then cheating on me with my best friend and heaven knows how many others. He even had the gall to ask about his half of this, as if he should have any share of this.”
    “Sounds like you are lucky to be rid of him,” Carter said.
    “Most definitely,” Lexi said. “What I didn’t tell you was I had another visitor before that. You might be interested in who it was.”
    “Really, who was that?” Carter asked.
    “None other than Mr. Geoff Montgomery himself,” Lexi said.
    “Wow, he’s not wasting anytime, is he?” Carter said.
    “Nope. He mentioned buying the property, within the first two or three sentences, said that he and Uncle Max had come up with a number that he was happy with. He told me that things weren’t always that easy when I said I was planning to open up Wildwood.”
    “Guy is such a jerk,” Carter said.
    “Yes, he is and the jerk even invited me to his party on Saturday night,” Lexi said, “As if I would go.”
    “Oh, I think you should go,” Carter said quickly.
    “Why would I want to do that?”
    “Haven’t you heard the expression keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” Carter said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to check him out on his own turf.”
    “Gosh, I didn’t really think of that,” Lexi said. “Do you really think he is a threat?”
    “I don’t want to scare you but I just think he is very pushy and for some reason he was on Max constantly about selling,” Carter said.
    “You’re not suggesting anything are you?” she asked.
    “Like