Seasons of Love by Elizabeth Goddard Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t convinced before that John’s death had been no accident, he was now. Since the thieves were still lurking around the office, then perhaps they had not retrieved what they were searching for. That put Riley and Chad in danger, as well. He took comfort in the fact that she’d allowed him to work with her. At least he would be on hand if protection was required.
    After bringing the boxes up to his condominium and stacking them in his home office, Zane swiped the photo of Riley out of the box and found a lone soda in the sparse refrigerator. It would be a long, grueling night, but he needed to get started searching through the documents if he was to make any sense of it all.
    He reclined on his navy blue leather sofa and gazed at Riley’s photo while he sipped, the carbonation burning his throat as it went down. No, the woman in this picture was not Riley. Warm images of the feisty woman he’d spent the morning with floated through his tired mind.

six
    A bright blue sky promised a glorious day and, Riley hoped, a better one than yesterday. She covered a yawn as she carried Chad, who was still sipping on his cup of milk and wearing footed pajamas, to the Sanderford Farms office. The structure rested across the circular drive from Grandpa’s farmhouse.
    Zane’s sleek, black luxury car was parked in front. Her heart skipped a beat. The unexpected reaction to seeing he’d arrived early aroused mixed emotions, and she couldn’t decide if she should smile or frown.
    She’d wanted to spend time with Zane going over Grandpa’s plans for expanding the farm and had counted on Grandpa taking Chad for the morning. But he’d mentioned working on the pumps for the irrigation system and left early. He must have unlocked the office door for Zane. Since she’d agreed to allow him to assist in the business, she would have to remember to give Zane his own key. She pressed her lips to Chad’s forehead and tousled his already mussed-up hair then opened the office door.
    Zane stood behind the desk, holding a spray bottle and cloth, dressed in a cream-colored sweater and blue jeans instead of a designer suit like he’d worn the two times she’d seen him. He looked up from orderly papers and files and sent her a brilliant, heart-stopping smile.
    “Good morning, Riley.” His blue eyes glistened with warmth as he moved around the desk in one fluid motion.
    Riley shut the door behind her and clung to the knob as if it would give her strength to fight the strange weakness in her legs. “You’ve been busy.”
    “How’s my boy this morning?” Zane reached out his arms, and Chad allowed Zane to take him. He rested his head on Zane’s chest.
    Zane scrutinized the child’s hands. “What, no chocolate today?”
    “Shh.” Riley glared at Zane. “You know he understands you, right?”
    Chad lifted his head to Riley. “Candy?”
    “No, sweetie. Aunt Riley won’t make that mistake again. At least not in the office while I’m working.”
    Chad scrambled down and toddled to his toys left on the quilt from yesterday.
    Zane stuck his hands in his pockets. “You know, even the best moms hire babysitters sometimes, that sort of thing. It wouldn’t hurt to get help with him. In fact, he might enjoy going to a day care.”
    His words sounded like an affront to her. She crossed her arms and glowered. “Only yesterday you questioned how I could run the business and give Chad the time he needed. Were you just using that to get your way? I thought you were here to help.” Her pulse pounded in her ears.
    “Calm down, Riley. I did say that, and I meant it. I wasn’t using your predicament with Chad.” He shifted closer to her and placed a tanned hand on her arm. “I was merely thinking of you. You looked tired and drained. And Chad would enjoy time with other children. You can still be his primary caregiver.”
    She turned away from him and took a calming breath to rein in her irritation. The man acted as if he knew more about