Love Me by Cheryl Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

Matt to notice, and he stuck it in his pocket.
    “How is your breathing?” Matt asked.
    “I’m fine, I’m fine.”  He waved off Matt’s concern.  “Don’t fuss like an old hen.”
    Ken had been a smoker, and it was definitely showing.  He looked much more aged than sixty-two.  He was too thin, his handsome face leathery and lined.  He still had all his hair, but the blond color had faded to silver, and his green eyes—Emily’s eyes—didn’t sparkle with amusement as they once had.
    “You sure you’re okay?” Matt pressed.  “I should be getting over to the mansion, but I can cancel.”
    “Don’t.”
    “It’s no problem if I stay,” Matt insisted, but Ken scoffed.
    “It’s set in motion, Matt.  You know the plan.  You can’t not go.”
    “All right.”
    “Remember Emily’s birthday.  I want Brittney here by then.”
    “She will be.”
    “Don’t screw this up.”
    “I won’t.  In fact, I’m thinking of dragging her off to her brother’s wedding.  It will give me a lot of time alone with her.  It will make it easier to convince her to leave with me.”
    “You’d actually drive up to Gold Creek and rub elbows with her brothers?”
    “She’ll lower her guard that way.  She’ll be less suspicious of my motives.”
    “What about Lucas and Dustin?  They could be a problem.”
    “They’re harmless.”
    “Like rattlesnakes, maybe.  They’re David Merriweather’s sons.  I never met a more crafty, duplicitous man, and they’ve probably inherited his worst traits.”
    “One’s a playboy,” Matt said, “who’s never had a real job and the other’s a wannabe movie producer.  What could they possibly do to me?” 
    Ken considered, then nodded his assent.  “Okay.  Take her to the wedding, but don’t you dare sleep with her while you’re there.”
    “I can’t promise that.  Love will be in the air after the ceremony, and we’ll be at a hotel.  She’ll be all over me.”
    “Great.  She’ll be all over you.  Just don’t be stupid.”
    “I never am.”
    He walked out, Ken’s hoots of laughter ringing in his ears.
    *          *          *          *
    “I’m heading to New York.”
    “You are not.”
    Brittney was on the sofa in the front parlor, sipping her morning coffee.  Her mother was at an antique writing desk in the corner, reviewing her to-do list.  She was ignoring Brittney, and usually, Brittney didn’t mind. 
    She was used to her mother’s disregard, but recently, the distance between them was growing painful.  They should have been bonding over the wedding, but Jacquelyn was more detached than ever.
    Brittney had never felt a connection to the woman.  There had never been the least maternal spark to make it seem as if they were related.
    They didn’t even look alike.  Jacquelyn was very thin, almost dangerously so, but it was the only trait they shared.  They had no similar features.  Jacquelyn’s face was bleak angles and sharp lines, while Brittney’s was more rounded and soft.  Her mother had the same dark hair and blue eyes that Brittney’s father had had, that her brothers had. 
    Brittney—with her golden blond hair and green eyes—was so different in appearance, size, and stature from the rest of the Merriweathers that she’d often jokingly wondered if she hadn’t been switched at birth.
    “I’m serious, Mother.  I’m flying to New York as soon as I can get a reservation.”
    Her firm assertion garnered her mother’s attention.  Jacquelyn ripped off her reading glasses and glared at Brittney.
    “How do you intend to have everything ready by July?”
    “I’ll finalize it in New York.  I’ve heard they have phones and internet there.  I’m sure I’ll manage.”
    “Don’t be smart.”
    “I’m not being smart.  I’m simply telling you that I’ve had enough.”
    “What is wrong with you?” Jacquelyn snapped.  “Isn’t it sufficient that you’ve insisted on having a rushed