Racing the Hunter's Moon (Entangled Bliss) by Sally Clements Read Free Book Online Page A

had been pretty much mutual and instant, uncontrollable. She hadn’t meant to kiss him the previous night, but had been drawn to him like a wrench to a magnet.
    “You say you always want to do everything yourself, but you work well with me and Mel—you delegate and share responsibility fine with us.”
    Alice was right; when it came to decisions about their company, she trusted the others implicitly. Not only were they invested in doing the best for Under the Hood, but also the bond among them was stronger than blood. They were closer than sisters. “That’s because I trust you guys.”
    Alice tilted her head to the side and tucked a skein of white-blond hair behind her ear. “I know how important Operation Charmers is to you, but you might have to let someone else in. You might have to drop your guard and trust Joe.”
    I have to work with him, but I sure don’t have to trust him, not unless he proves himself worthy.
    Betty glanced at her watch. “Leonora will be here soon.”
    “The Rolls is ready,” Alice said. “Shall I bring it around?”
    Betty shook her head. “I’ll get it. I bought a bugging device the last time I was in Chesapeake. It’ll only take me a couple of minutes to install it…”
    Alice frowned. “I don’t think the garage should be involved.”
    “I’d only do it with Leonora’s consent…I was going to suggest it to her this morning.”
    “That might be illegal,” Alice insisted, “and I really don’t want the garage involved in anything hinky.”
    “Okay, I guess we’re done with her car then.” Frustration burned in Betty’s chest. She knew Alice was right, and it was vitally important that she didn’t do anything that might let Charmers escape on a technicality again, but it was just so difficult to be working in the dark all the time.
    She wanted to keep a closer eye on Leonora, too—more and more often she was meeting with Charmers alone, which could be dangerous. She needed some form of protection, some backup.
    The buzz of the doorbell heralded the arrival of a customer.
    “That will be Leonora,” Betty said.
    “I’ll bring the car around and then make myself scarce.”
    “Come on in,” Betty greeted Leonora and led her to the sofa in the back of the reception area. “How’s everything?”
    “Well it’s okay, but Alexander seems very anxious to take things to the next level.” Leonora swallowed and looked around nervously. “I’ve told him we have to have separate rooms for propriety’s sake during the rally, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold him off when we return to Meadowsweet.”
    Betty hated to see Leonora under pressure. “I should never have suggested this…”
    Leonora held up a hand. “You didn’t suggest it. We decided together, remember? The first time I met him at our canasta night, I was totally charmed. If we hadn’t bumped into you when he took me to the theater a couple of nights later, who knows what would have happened.” She shuddered. “Actually, I know exactly what would have happened. If you hadn’t taken me to one side and told me your suspicions—hadn’t shown me the picture of your mother and Alexander together, well, I might very well have been his next victim.” She squared her shoulders. “I’m not a fool, and I damn well resent being taken for one. You were looking out for me. Just as my son Josh would have if he were here instead of serving in Afghanistan. Did I tell you that he’s coming home? He’ll be back for my birthday, a week after the Hunter’s Moon Festival—I can’t wait to see him.
    “Oh,” Leonora said, as if suddenly remembering. “I heard that Mark broke his arm, but that can’t be right, can it? I mean you are still in the race, aren’t you?”
    “Of course,” Betty replied; there was absolutely no way that she would abandon Leonora. “He did break his arm, but we have a replacement. In fact, it works out even better than having Mark involved, because the new driver, Joe