The Main Attraction by Jayne Ann Krentz Read Free Book Online Page A

Seattle.“
    „But no particular man?“
    Filomena fastened her seat belt with a no-nonsense efficiency. „I don’t think that’s any business of yours. Take me home, Trent. It’s getting late.“ – „If that’s what you really want.“
    „It’s what I want.“
    He turned the key in the ignition and drove silently back toward the main lake road. It wasn’t until they were pulling into the lodge parking lot that he spoke.
    „I was right,“ he said as if he were taking a great deal of satisfaction in something.
    „Right about what?“ Filomena gave him a suspicious glance.
    „I could feel the passion in you just as easily as I can see ripples on a lake at dawn. It felt good, elf, even if it did leave me with an ache that’s going to keep me awake half the night.“
    Filomena climbed out of the car and hurried toward the front door of her parents’ home, which was just behind the main lodge.
    As she fled up the steps she decided the evening hadn’t turned out to be quite as amusing as she had anticipated, after all.

3
    Filomena enjoyed the drive from the lakeside lodge into the town of Gallant Lake the next morning. The day was fresh and clean and already turning very warm. The forest that edged the road sent wave after wave of glorious pine scent through the open window of the Porsche, and the car felt good, as it always did, under her hands.
    Alone at last, she thought with a smile. True, she was on a mission for her mother, but that was all right. She didn’t mind making herself useful by picking up more supplies for Shari’s wedding. Besides, it was a great excuse to get away for a while.
    She had faced the expected inquisition at breakfast, but she thought she had handled it well. Fortunately breakfast wasn’t a very private affair when the family ate in the lodge dining room. Chatting with guests and making sure everyone was enjoying himself or herself was the primary goal at such times.
    Amery and Trent had both been absent. They had left to go fishing before dawn and hadn’t returned by seven-thirty. That had left Shari and Filomena’s mother to conduct the investigation.
    „Did you have a good time last night?“ Shari had asked her older sister brightly as she’d poured herself a cup of coffee. Shari had her own cottage near the lake, but she frequently showed up for breakfast in the lodge dining room.
    „I had a great time,“ Filomena had replied. When she hadn’t volunteered anything further, her mother had entered the conversation.
    „Isn’t Trent Ravinder a nice man? We’ve so enjoyed having him at the lodge this summer. He’s rapidly becoming one of the family. Your father says he’s an excellent fishing partner. Amery finds him quite interesting.“
    „He’s interesting, I’ll grant you that,“ Filomena had responded. „But I’m not so sure I’d label him ‘nice.’“
    „Don’t keep us in suspense. Get to the good stuff,“ Shari had said with a grin. „Did he finally make a pass on the way home last night? Mom says you were about twenty minutes later than she and Dad were getting home.“
    Filomena had smiled benignly. „I’m afraid Trent took a wrong turn. It delayed us somewhat.“
    Shari had doubled over with laughter. „Oh, no, I don’t believe it.“
    „What? That he made a wrong turn? It’s understandable. You know how many little side roads there are around these hills. Very easy to get off on the wrong track if you don’t know where you’re going.“
    „Hah. A wrong turn? When he had you along? Come off it, Fil. You were raised around here. You know all the back roads. He did make a pass, didn’t he?“ Shari’s eyes had danced as she’d turned to her mother. „See? I told you. No need to fret about Fil making mischief with Brady Paxton. Trent’s going to keep her out of trouble for us.“
    „Such a nice man,“ Meg Cromwell had repeated in heartfelt tones. „You know, Fil, lately I’ve been worrying that you might be getting a little too