Takin' The Reins by Stacey Coverstone Read Free Book Online Page B

the late afternoon when she’d first arrived.
    Taking a moment to admire the scenery, she realized a lot had happened in less than twenty-four hours. She grew excited at the prospect of seeing Cole again and hearing what he could do to improve the house. Shuffling back to the kitchen, she looked out over the courtyard and could picture in her mind’s eye the new stucco wall and bright blue gate; a color she knew was popular in the Southwest. She closed her eyes and could almost hear the fountain softly gurgling and smell the fragrant flowers that would bloom in pots sitting around the patio.
    Her pulse began to increase while considering how the plans for the Lucky Seven might all fall into place quicker than anticipated. The sun rode high in the expansive turquoise sky. Already, she felt a kinship to the desert. She liked the heat and the way her skin felt with the sun burning down on her.
    Despite growing up in Denver in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, she’d never liked snow, of which there’d been a lot. She didn’t ski or snowboard, and she’d barely learned to ice skate. Winter sports had never been her thing, even as a kid. There was something about the desert and these particular mountains that drew her in. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt a strong spiritual bond here— strong, like the pull of a magnet. It was strange, but from the moment she stepped out of her Jeep yesterday, she’d known she was home.
    Jordan forced herself to break from the view and stepped into the bathroom to draw water for a bath. When the coffee was ready, she poured a cup and took it with her to the bathroom to sip while she was soaking. After drying her hair, dressing and applying makeup, she sprinkled dry cereal into a bowl and ate while listening to the morning news on an old fashioned radio Lydia had left behind. When she next checked the time, it was eight-thirty. Once she’d brushed her teeth, she pulled her hair into a ponytail, rubbed some gloss over her lips, and checked herself in the mirror. She looked forward to seeing Cole again and had almost pushed the events of the previous night out of her mind. All, that was, except for Brannigan and his slow smile.
    A knock sounded on the door. “Coming!” she shouted, thinking Cole was early. Opening the door brought a surprise, and not a pleasant one.
    “Good mornin’, Ms. Mackenzie.”A stranger touched the brim of his white Stetson in greeting. She took him in head to toe. The man was short and rotund. He wore a white suit, and his stomach folded over a wide leather belt cutting into a large gold buckle. Several of his fingers were adorned with glittery diamond rings. His boots looked to be crocodile. His face was clean-shaven and his cheeks were pudgy and red, like Santa. A unibrow connected his bushy black eyebrows. They shaded two beady eyes that reminded Jordan of a rat. Before he introduced himself, she had a pretty good idea of who he was.
    “I’m Addison Stillwell,” he drawled. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” His thin lips curled into what she sensed was a fake smile.
    “I know who you are.” She refrained from shaking his fat hand when he offered it to her. She simply stared at him until his arm swung limply to his side. Her heart jumped like staccato notes, but she was determined not to let him see weakness or smell fear. If Lydia could handle him, so could she. Looking past him, she spied a yellow Cadillac convertible parked in the drive.
    “May I come in?” he inquired. “I have important business to talk over with you.” He moved toward the door, but she blocked the doorframe with her body.
    “We have no business to discuss, Mr. Stillwell,” she answered, crossing her arms. “Except, perhaps, the little matter of some trespassers on my property last night.” It was a bold accusation, but she wanted to see how he’d react. The man didn’t even pretend to feign surprise.
    “Now, now, dear. That was my way of