Storm Shells (The Wishes Series #3) by GJ Walker-Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

I said truthfully. “I would be proud to submit that kind of work.”
    She grinned and leaned back. “I know.”
    “Trieste, if you knew it was good, why did you drag me out to read it?”
    “I just wanted you to see how good it was.”
    “Humble, aren’t you?”
    “No,” she replied. “Not really. Can we eat now?”
    Trieste Kincaid grows on you – like a flesh-eating virus. As much as she annoyed me, I was warming to her. I was feeling no urge to ditch her and make a run for it so I headed to the empty kitchen to see what I could rustle up for lunch. Left-over pasta was the best I could do. I microwaved it half to death, piled it onto a couple of plates and made my way back to front of house.
    Trieste was standing near the far wall, studying Charli’s canvas prints.
    “These are very good,” she said, glancing back at me.
    I set the plates down on the table. “They are.”
    “I like this one the best.” The canvas she was pointing at was very familiar. It was a picture of the cliffs at Pipers Cove – the very same picture that had led me to Charli in the first place.
    I stood beside her, studying it as intently as she did. “It’s my favourite too.”
    * * *
    We’d almost finished lunch when Ryan strutted through the front door. The smart comments started immediately. “Cute place for a first date, Adam,” he taunted, walking toward our table. “Your wife’s restaurant.”
    I took the high road, because I almost always do where he’s concerned. “Ryan, this is Trieste Kincaid.”
    She held out her hand. “Hi.”
    Ryan grinned as he met her handshake. “Hello, Trieste. Nice ears.”
    She took no offense at all. “Thanks,” she replied, running her hands over the top of her beanie.
    “Trieste is in her first year of law at Columbia. She’s also looking for a job,” I explained.
    “Great,” replied Ryan, walking toward the kitchen. “Good luck with your search.”
    I called out to him. “I think you should hire her.”
    He didn’t even slow his walk. “No.”
    I turned my attention back to Trieste. “You can start Monday.”
    Ryan spun around and stalked back to the table, looking seriously pissed. “We’re not hiring.”
    I ignored him and winked at her. “Monday.”
    She smiled.
    My brother looked like he was in danger of exploding right out of his pretentious suit. “No. Trieste, I’m sorry. My brother is a little out of line. We’re not hiring.”
    I leaned back in my chair, grinning at him. “Three words for you, Ryan. Power. Of. Attorney.”
    A look of pure anger swamped him. “What are you talking about?”
    Trieste cleared her throat before interjecting. “Power of attorney is the authority to act for another person in legal or financial matters.”
    I laughed. Ryan didn’t see the funny side.
    “Yes, thank you, Miss First Year Law,” he said sarcastically before turning to me. “Why didn’t you tell me Charli gave you power of attorney? I just sent her a heap of papers to sign. You could’ve saved me the headache and signed them yourself.”
    I shrugged. “Hire Trieste and I’ll consider it for next time.”
    He caved instantly. “Trieste, you start Monday. Lose the ears.”
    As soon as Ryan was gone, Trieste thanked me. “No big deal,” I replied. “Just don’t sneeze in the coffee.”
    I wasn’t entirely sure that my gesture was an honourable one. Trieste had told me she was desperate to find a job. I figured giving her one would keep her out of my hair. She was an excellent student. She didn’t need mentoring any more than I needed her calling me at dawn on the weekends.
    * * *
    Considering it was a Saturday night, I was surprised that Ryan was home when I got there. He seemed surprised to see me too. The massive canvas print I was dragging through the door might have had something to do with it.
    Instantly, he knew I’d swiped it from Billet-doux.
    “Great,” he muttered. “First you’re getting me to hire staff against my will and now you’re