Ghost of a Chance (Banshee Creek Book 2) by Ani Gonzalez Read Free Book Online Page A

 
    He really didn't want to picture sexy Elizabeth doing who knew what with other men. Actually, given the way she'd reacted to the feel of restraints on her ankles, he knew what she'd been doing, and he didn't like it. He tried to hold his temper in check, but Elizabeth wasn't making it easy. The lemonade had splashed her blouse, turning it transparent, and he could see her lacy bra underneath.
    Her eyes narrowed in exasperation. "You're impossible," she hissed. "I can't believe you're lecturing me on ethics, Mr. Go-Behind-Everyone's-Back-and-Take-Over-the-Town."
    "Don't be silly. You're overdramatizing the situation. I've got nothing to hide."  
    This was familiar ground. He had often found himself scolding Elizabeth after her adventures failed. Of course, she hadn't usually talked back.
    "Really?" she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Is that why you were skulking around the library, making sure no one saw you? I bet you were lying low in the science fiction nook where Cole used to go so he could ogle the boobs on the Frank Franzetta covers in privacy."  
    Cole's baby sister had developed serious sass. No, she'd always had sass. But she'd never aimed it at him. Well, she was sniping with it now.
    When had this transformation occurred? How had the sweet, albeit speechless, goth girl turned into Boadicea, Queen of Banshee Creek?  
    "We're not talking about me," he growled. "We're talking about you. It's basic self-preservation. You can't just go around coming on to random men."
    "Even if the random guy is you?"
    " Especially if the random guy is me." He bit the words out. He knew he wasn't making much sense, but he didn't care. "You're Cole's sister, for pity's sake."
    She sighed. It was a long, dramatic sigh, about as convincing as her twisted ankle. No wonder she'd ended up selling real estate; her acting was atrocious. The sigh pressed the lacy bra against the see-through blouse, and his fists clenched. That blouse was driving him insane.
    "What does being Cole's sister have to do with anything?" she asked, crossing her arms and tilting her hips.  
    He stared at her, not knowing what to say to that. She'd rendered him speechless. Damn it, he was never speechless.
    "Why are you walking around with a giant jar?" he asked, trying to change the subject. Elizabeth attracted chaos like honey did flies. She didn't need to be carrying things around. She needed to sit somewhere and stay out of trouble. Preferably while wearing a thick, wooly sweater.
    The trouble magnet grimaced. "I'm taking it back to Patricia's bakery," she said, shifting her feet. He scanned her legs, searching for an injury.  
    Her ankle seemed fine, but those shoes were seven stories tall. "You need new shoes."  
    Flat shoes. Or maybe those orthopedic clogs nurses wore. Or clunky nun loafers. Yes, nun loafers. Even Elizabeth couldn't get into trouble in ecclesiastical footwear. And he wouldn't be rendered speechless if she were wearing them.
    "I appreciate your concern," she said, grimacing as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. "These are my lucky audition heels. I had to wear them tonight."
    Only Elizabeth would have lucky audition shoes. And only Elizabeth would have lucky audition accessories that actually worked .
    "Yes, well, you did a good job on behalf of the Historical Preservation nutjobs," he admitted.
    Elizabeth's face darkened. "We're not nutjobs," she said in a steely voice.  
    "We?" he asked, brows raised in surprise. "You're in cahoots with the crazies?"
    "We're not crazies. We're trying to keep this town alive."
    "Well, you're going about it the wrong way." He sighed with exasperation. "You're making the same mistake the Banshee Creek Cidery made. It's the best cider in the country. But no one bought it. You know why?" He didn't wait for her answer. "Because apples are boring. Heirloom apples are even more of a snoozefest. But now? Now, the cider sells out every season. You know why?" Again, he didn't wait for her