Whirlwind by Nancy Martin Read Free Book Online

across the street to cajole Carl into driving her up to the lodge to look at her disabled Thunderbird. The mechanic agreed, and while riding in the tow truck, Liza planned what she was going to say to Cliff Forrester when she moved into the lodge.

CHAPTER THREE
    C LIFF HAD BEEN under siege before. In Cambodia, he’d experienced some of the most frightening barrages of gunfire known to man. He’d been scared then.
    When Liza Baron descended on Timberlake, she did it with just as much noise as incoming artillery. But Cliff wasn’t scared this time. He was furious.
    â€œJust what the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, confronting her in the kitchen while the mechanic from town tinkered with her convertible outside.
    She dumped a huge plastic bag full of clothing on the stainless steel kitchen counter, bestowing on Cliff a wide, self-satisfied smile. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
    â€œLike you’re moving in.”
    â€œGive the man a cigar!” Liza crowed, prancing happily around the counter and ripping open the plastic bag. “That’s exactly what I’m up to!”
    Cliff throttled back the surge of anger that rose from inside him. “You’re not moving into the lodge.”
    â€œOh, yes, I am. In fact, Granddad gave me permission to do whatever I please while I’m here.” She rummaged around in the plastic bag and came up with a new package of cigarettes.
    Cliff struggled to keep his temper and growled, “That wasn’t the arrangement he made with me. I’m supposed to be the sole tenant.”
    Nonchalantly, Liza leaned against the counter and proceeded to unwrap the cellophane from her cigarettes. Looking very pleased with herself, she said, “I guess he changed his mind. I have been known to have that effect on people, you know. Have you got a match?”
    Seething, Cliff said, “I’m not sharing this place with you, Miss Baron.”
    â€œHeavens, Forrester, my great-grandfather used to hold hunting parties up here and invite a hundred guests. It’s a big lodge.” She blinked prettily, then gave him a taunting smile. “I’m sure we’ll manage to stay out of each other’s beds if we try, don’t you?”
    â€œDammit, you can’t barge in here like this!”
    â€œI already have,” she replied, cool and amused as she flipped a cigarette out of the pack and expertly waved it between two fingers. “Are you scared of me, Forrester?”
    There were limits to human suffering, Cliff thought savagely. Without warning, he snatched the cigarette from Liza’s grasp and managed to grab the pack out of her other hand before she could react.
    â€œHey!” she cried, affronted.
    â€œI may be forced to tolerate you,” he snapped, “but I won’t have you stinking up the place with cigarette smoke!” He squashed the pack in one hand and threw the crumpled remains on the counter between them.
    Liza glared at him as she stood squarely in the middle of the lodge kitchen, still wearing his sweater over that ridiculously short skirt. Her high-heeled shoes were gone, however, and in their place was a pair of brand-new sneakers. She looked young and fit and breathtakingly lovely.
    And very angry, too. Her eyes were throwing blue sparks as she glared at Cliff.
    â€œI don’t take orders from anyone,” she said. “I’ll smoke if I want to smoke.”
    â€œIt’s a stupid habit. You probably do it only because you think it makes you look sophisticated.”
    â€œThat’s not it at all. I—”
    â€œYou’re a silly, shallow, spoiled girl, Miss Baron, andyou’re probably used to inflicting yourself on people all the time. Well, I won’t put up with it. If you want to smoke, go back to Chicago.”
    Her expression turned shrewd. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? You want to get rid of