The Black Sheep and the Princess by Donna Kauffman Read Free Book Online Page A

was tired. But, if he wasn’t mistaken, she was also more than a little unsettled. Either by what was going on at the camp, or by something else entirely, he had no idea. He didn’t know Kate or what was going on in her personal life. A salient point he should make a personal note of.
    â€œI was headed there myself. Let me ride along and I’ll fill you in on what I know so far. And what my recommendations are.”
    She looked as if she was about to argue, but in the end, she jerked her chin to the other door. “Get in, then.”
    He found himself smiling again. “Please, no need to thank me, my pleasure.” Like hell it was. Pleasure was going to have absolutely nothing to do with this little adventure. No matter if his rapidly responding body parts were telling him otherwise.
    â€œI didn’t ask for your help,” she reminded him flatly when he rounded the other side.
    He had to work the handle a few times, but finally wrenched the door open. “That’s the beauty of this arrangement. You don’t have to ask.”
    â€œExactly. You’re here because—well, because I don’t know why exactly—but you don’t have to be, so don’t expect me to fall all over myself in gratitude.”
    â€œYet,” he said as he climbed in. His knees protested a little as he crammed them into the too small cab. “What, couldn’t afford a real truck?”
    She peeled out, spewing gravel behind her and making him grab for the door handle and his seat belt at the same time. “I’ll be more than glad to drop you at your car.”
    He shot her a sideways glance, surprised to see the flash of real anger, not just irritation. He doubted she was all that angry with him. He hadn’t been around long enough yet for that. Give it time , he thought. “What’s got under your skin this morning?” he asked. “Besides me.”
    â€œNone of your concern.” She glanced at him, then shifted her gaze firmly back to the winding mountain road. “Why are you here, Donovan? Just tell me.”
    â€œMac,” he reminded her, shifting a little in his seat as the fit of his jeans got that much more uncomfortable. Dammit. “Just Mac. And I told you. I saw the write-up in the paper, saw you needed some help.” He lifted a shoulder in what he hoped came off as a nonchalant shrug. “I happen to be in the helping people line of business these days. Or you can just consider it assistance from an old friend.”
    She snorted at that, then looked almost surprised at her own outburst. “We were hardly friends,” she said, shifting uncomfortably, possibly feeling his steady regard.
    He didn’t look away. Couldn’t, actually. The morning light was far more revealing than the porch light had been last night. Much to the detriment of his physical comfort, but it also got his mind to working, too. And not strictly on the business end of things. Not a good sign, but perhaps if he just indulged himself now, he could get it out of his system and find a way to take her out of his past and put her squarely into the present. As his client. Not some teenage sexual fantasy come true.
    â€œNo, I guess we weren’t. Sentimental reasons, then. I grew up here, after all. Is it so strange to want to give back?”
    She looked at him again, clearly suspicious. “You couldn’t be bothered to come home after your father was buried, and please forgive me if I’m being completely insensitive, but you don’t strike me as the sentimental type. Especially where Winnimocca is concerned. Not that I blame you.”
    Mac decided to drop all pretense. “You’re right about that. I’d just as soon never step foot back on this property. A lot of memories are tied up here, most of them bad.”
    â€œThen my question stands. Why did you come back? And don’t tell me it’s about some stupid newspaper article. There