Priceless by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page A

asked. “What kind of manipulator would our aunt be if she didn’t make liberal use of whatever tactic serves her purposes? She wasn’t entirely honest with me or Melanie, either. She sucked us both right in and never suffered a moment’s remorse because of it.”
    “Well, there’s nothing like that going on here,” Mack insisted. “I’m not the doc’s type. She’s not my type, either. If Destiny really is behind all of this, she got it wrong this time.”
    “We’ll see,” Richard said. “Any chance the doctor will be by anytime soon? I’d like to get a good look at her. Melanie will have questions.”
    “Too bad. I’m pretty sure Dr. Browning is at a medical conference on the other side of the universe today,” Mack said just in time to see the very woman in question strolling their way. He sighed heavily. “On the other hand, she could be back.”
    Richard’s eyes widened with appreciation and he let out a very soft whistle. “Not your type, huh? Maybe you should get your eyes checked.”
    Mack took another look at Beth and tried to see what his brother saw. She was pretty enough in a natural, wholesome way, but compared to the beauties he usually dated, she was fairly unimpressive. Her hair was straight and cut in a severe, simple style that clearly required little fuss. Her simple, tailored clothes did nothing to flatter a figure he’d already assessed as too thin. Her low-heeled shoes, a necessity for a woman on the run all day long, did nothing to enhance herlegs. Mack was really, really partial to women in strappy spike heels that made their legs look endless. He simply didn’t get whatever it was Richard obviously saw.
    Eventually his gaze made its way to Beth’s eyes, which were regarding him with a perplexed expression. He blinked and looked away guiltily.
    “I thought you’d want to know that it’s okay to go back in to see Tony now,” she said.
    “Thanks.”
    Richard looked from Beth to Mack and back again, then shrugged. “Dr. Browning, I’m Mack’s brother Richard. He seems to have lost his tongue. It happens sometimes. I can understand it in your case. I imagine you render him speechless a lot.”
    Beth gave Richard a startled look and a blush tinted her cheeks. “Not that I’ve noticed.”
    Richard grinned at Mack. “Then it must be something I said.”
    Before Richard could explain that remark and further embarrass him, Mack clapped his brother on the back a little more forcefully than necessary. “Thanks for stopping by to pass on the message,” he said. “I know how busy you are, though, so feel free to take off. Give Melanie a kiss for me. Go win over a few voters or raise a few million for your campaign. You’re going to need it, since I intend to vote for whoever runs against you.”
    Richard barely managed to contain a laugh at the brush-off. “If it comes down to one vote costing me the election, I didn’t deserve to win in the first place,” his brother said, unperturbed. “And I’m in no hurry. I can hang here awhile.”
    “No you can’t,” Mack said, his voice a little tighter. “I’ll walk you out.”
    He spun Richard around and aimed him toward the door. As they were leaving, he called back to Beth. “Let Tony know I’ll be back in a minute.”
    “Sure,” she said, staring after them with a puzzled expression.
    Not until they were in the elevator did Mack face his brother, staring him down with a look meant to intimidate. “Don’t get any ideas, big brother. None, you hear me?”
    Richard returned his glare with a look of pure innocence. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about. I just wanted to get to know your new friend.”
    “You say that as if you’d caught me on the playground with some girl in pigtails,” Mack grumbled.
    “Believe me, I am well aware that you’re past being infatuated with a kid. Those are definitely grown-up sparks flying between you and the doc.”
    “You’re crazy.”
    “I don’t think so,” Richard