When Sparks Fly by Autumn Dawn Read Free Book Online Page A

mocking me. And if you won’t work, you
can’t stay.”
    “I plan to work: hard,” he corrected, a
gleam of humor entering his gaze.
    “Not the way I want you to,” she ground out.
“I’m not paying you to be my bodyguard.”
    “You’ll realize I’m worth it,” he promised,
and took a swallow of water from a bottle near his feet. “Your
security system is archaic. With all these miners running amok, I’m
surprised you haven’t been robbed blind already. The way you take
risks, you’d think your address was Pleasantville, Nirvana. I’ve
got a list of surveillance equipment that needs to be set up to
make you current. If you can open your wallet wide enough to buy
it, I’ll save you the installation fee and set everything up
myself. I know just the place to pick it all up. I figure I’ll go
this afternoon…”
    Bright fury rose in Gem, making her fingers
shake. He was assuming power that wasn’t his, taking liberties he
wasn’t due. Since her father had died, she’d answered to only one
authority; her own. She’d compromise with her sisters, because this
was a family establishment, but the final say was hers. Now, here
Blue was, offering advice, making criticisms, trying to take over
and pushing too hard.
    As she opened her mouth, he placed a finger
over it. “Before you say something nasty, consider. I’m trying to
help you. Who else is doing that?”
    She jerked away. “You’re an ass!”
    “I saved you.” That serious look was
back.
    Gem calmed a degree. “I don’t want your
help.”
    “You have someone else lined up?” he asked.
“Show him to me and I’ll back off.”
    Scary, how that reasonable response shook
her. “You know I don’t.”
    Blue remained calm. “Then let me show you
what I can do. You have nothing to lose but your life.”
    “Fine.” She was caving and couldn’t stop it.
“Fine, but you’re not installing anything in the guest rooms or
bathrooms. No surveillance equipment anywhere like that. Not in my
room, either!”
    He smirked. “Something interesting going on
in there?”
    “No!” Color stained her cheeks. “You’re just
not going to invade our privacy.”
    Blue rested his weight on one leg. “I don’t
need to. The cameras are for the grounds and the public areas. I
don’t need to see you strutting around naked. I have a good
imagination.” His smile was sly.
    Gem’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the only place
you’ll ever see me like that.”
    His light touch on her arm stopped her as
she turned to go. “I’ll come to you with the list later. Then I’ll
head to the store.”
    “Fine.” She forced herself to walk away. She
stumbled on a rock, cursed, and kept going.
    Forget the sniper. Blue is the dangerous
one.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    The wake started at six that evening. While
Gem’s presence wasn’t required, she liked to look in and make sure
things were progressing smoothly. The band, a bunch of moonlighting
miners, had already arrived and arranged themselves. She could hear
them warming up, and they weren’t half bad. Maybe she’d talk to
them about doing some work for her. She could envision a small
corner stage in the bar. If they brought in enough business, she
might even be able to expand the taproom. Maybe they could even try
having an open mike some evenings, host a dance…
    Her head full of ideas, she showered quickly
and threw on some clean pants and a slinky, sparkly shirt. A touch
of makeup and a sparkly clip later and she was done. She hadn’t
known the dead miner, but this wasn’t the first wake they’d hosted
at The Spark. Mine accidents were common enough, and the inn made a
good place for both celebrating and mourning. They were hosting
enough events recently that she was thinking of adding a complete
banquet room. Maybe she’d see about getting some estimates in the
morning.
    Brandy had taken the night off, rightly
assuming the staff could handle things. She’d been spending more
time tinkering in the distillery