Look What the Wind Blew In by Ann Charles Read Free Book Online

loud yawn, Juan said, “Cut him some slack, gatita . He’s probably jetlagged yet.”
    “He came to see how a dig site works.” She wrapped her hands around her coffee mug, strangling it. “At my dig site, we don’t have time to sleep in. There’s too much work to be done before the rainy season hits.”
    She would make a great drill instructor. Quint could picture her striding through the tents at the break of dawn, blowing on a bugle. Ignoring the temptation to provoke her with a smartass comeback, he stayed true to his trust-building plan. “I’ll eat fast.”
    Digging in, he listened as she, her father, and Fernando made plans for the day.
    In the midst of detailing which crew she wanted working with Fernando, Angélica stopped mid-sentence.
    Then she gasped.
    Quint paused in his rush to clear his plate. He glanced her way. Her eyes were wide in surprise. As he watched, her cheeks flared bright red.
    “What in the hell is he doing here?” She spoke low through clenched teeth.
    Quint followed her line of sight and nearly choked on his mouthful of eggs when he saw who stood just inside the entrance.
    Jared Steel.
    The pompous asshole.
    What was he doing down here?
    A drop of sweat rolled down Quint’s back as he watched Jared make his way toward them through the crowd of stares.
    Dressed in a crisp, cream linen shirt and tan khakis, Steel looked fresh from one of the fancy Tiki bars over in Cancun. The asshole held his chin high, acting as if he owned the joint. Charm oozed from the over-polished smile he aimed at his ex-wife as he approached their table.
    Quint swallowed the bile that had crawled up his throat at the sight of Dr. Hughes’ old grad student. Some things in this wretched place never changed—not the heat, not the bugs, and apparently not the vermin.
    “Hello, darling,” Jared winked down at Angélica. “Mind if I join you for breakfast?”
    She shoved to her feet, bumping Quint’s shoulder in her haste. If looks could blast someone to smithereens, Jared would be a pile of smoking ashes.
    “Mexico’s full.” Her upper lip wrinkled like one of Pancho Villa’s banditos. “Go home, Jared.”
    Hot damn! Quint bit back a cheer from her corner of the ring. The gloves were off and she’d already finished with her warm up. There would be no hiding her frustrations behind a professional veneer today.
    “Dr. Steel,” Juan interrupted the Mexican standoff, smiling so wide it was a wonder his ears didn’t pop off. He extended his hand, shooting his daughter a warning glance. “What a surprise to see you down here.”
    More like a kick to the gut. Quint pushed his plate away. This quick trip to the Yucatán was turning into a thorny journey back in time.
    Steel shook Juan’s hand. “A good surprise, I hope.”
    Angélica grunted. Or maybe that was a swear word pushed out between locked jaws.
    Quint seconded her response. Steel’s appearance smashed his backup plan flat. It was only a matter of minutes until the jackass blew Quint’s cover and filled everyone in about his history at this site. As pissed as Angélica was thanks to this morning’s surprise visitor, she would have Quint’s head on a pike for playing twenty questions with her last night. At the least, she’d send him packing by noon.
    “A wonderful surprise.” Juan was still playing referee. “We’re thrilled you took the time out of your busy schedule to pay us a visit.” Juan scooted over to make room for Steel between himself and Fernando.
    Quint sipped his coffee, glaring over the rim of the cup at Steel as he settled onto the opposite bench seat. Why had Mrs. Hughes been so fascinated with the arrogant dickhead?
    “So, Dr. Steel.” Juan gestured at his daughter to sit back down. “Is this just a quick check-in visit on your way to one of the university’s other sites to the south of us?”
    “Actually, it’s my final stop before heading home. I saved the best for last.”
    “Don’t get comfy. You’re not