Right Before His Eyes by Wendy Etherington Read Free Book Online

pilot. “Maybe Gil will resist the urge to hold a strategy meeting.”
    â€œWorkaholic, huh?” Maybe they did have more in common than she’d realized. “I guess I haven’t really seen that side of him.”
    â€œHe makes the drivers seem low-key.”
    â€œAren’t they? They’re always smiling when I see them.”
    â€œThat’s because you’re feeding them. Trust me, you’ll get a different viewpoint this weekend.”
    From town gossip Sheila knew Marley was engaged to Linc Shepherd, one of Gil’s drivers. Tall, dark-haired Marley with her Sizemore beauty and black-haired Linc would probably have kids even better looking than their parents. Impossible as that seemed.
    â€œYou aren’t telling Sheila any stories you shouldn’t, are you?” Gil asked as he walked up.
    â€œI have no idea what you’re talking about,” Marley said, somehow succeeding in looking both innocent and capable of mischief at the slightest urge.
    â€œWhat stories?” Sheila asked.
    â€œMy baby sister thinks it’s hilarious to tell people about all the stupid things I did as a kid. And the more humiliating, the better.”
    Marley flipped her long, dark hair off her shoulder. “Humph.”
    â€œBut I’m still the favorite son.”
    â€œYou’re the only son.”
    Gil grinned. “Being surrounded by women was always a great burden.”
    Sheila gave him a meaningful look. “Excellent practice for your adult life. My waitresses—among others of the estrogen variety—fawn over you shamelessly.”
    â€œIt’s a crime to be popular?” he asked with a teasing note of defensiveness.
    â€œDepends on who you’re interested in impressing,” Sheila returned, her gaze locked with his.
    Again with the flirting. Did Gil naturally send her toadolescence or inspire a fun, engaging side of her she thought she’d lost over years of disappointment?
    Marley patted his arm. “Don’t worry, brother dear, I won’t spill anything. I actually like Sheila.”
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” the pilot said before Sheila could further question Gil. “Please take your seats. We’re ready for takeoff.”
    Gil led Sheila to a pair of seats in the back of the plane. As she hooked her seat belt, it suddenly occurred to her that this little metal tube—as luxurious as it seemed—was about to be several thousand feet off the ground.
    This sensation went straight from her gut to her mouth, which she used to babble nervously. “What did Marley mean, she likes me?”
    â€œShe likes you.”
    She jabbed him lightly in the stomach with her elbow.
    â€œAs amazing as it seems, I’d figured that much out. Does she not like many people?”
    â€œMarley gets along with everybody—one of the key reasons she’s so good at sponsor relations. My mother used to say she could charm the ticks off a hound dog.”
    â€œ Your mother? I thought she was Queen of the Debutantes.”
    â€œShe is, but Queen of the Deep South chapter.”
    â€œAh. That still doesn’t explain Marley’s comment, though.”
    â€œI guess not,” he admitted reluctantly. “I’d imagine she was referring to the fact that since her and Linc got together she’s been retaliating against my overbearing interference in her love life by expressing her displeasure over mine.”
    â€œI see.” Sheila shook her head. “No, actually I don’t.”
    â€œShe doesn’t like the women I date.” He started counting off reasons on his fingers. “Too prissy, too dingy, too self-absorbed, too catty, too lazy.”
    She peeked out the window and noticed they were moving rapidly down the runway. “Is that all one girl, or several?”
    â€œMore than one,” he hedged. “Are you nervous about flying?”
    â€œNo, I—” She could feel the plane