Summer frowned. I cant imagine Im his favorite subject.
Well, like I said, hes always ever-so polite. Hes been especially interested in your romance with Hugh. Gram smiled. Asked me whom I thought was more fun-Hugh or himself?
I said Hugh was a rich movie star, who probably wouldnt waste his time on an old lady. I told Zach he had nothing to worry about.
Summer squeezed her eyes shut and counted to ten.
Kneading the knot between her eyes, she said, Did you or didnt you tell him I was coming home because Im upset about Tucks job?
Its hard for me to remember exactly what I do or say these days, but if I did tell him, what can it matter? You said that what happened between you two was over a long time ago.
Summer frowned. Yes, of course, it was over. So, why was she obsessing about him?
I think Thurman had Zach all wrong. I told your stepfather he was too hard on the boy at the time, that you were just youngsters in love. But Thurman doesnt ever listen to anybody.
He hadnt listened when Summer and her mother had begged him to drop the charges against Zach, and the stress of that time had ended her mothers remission. Her mothers death was just one of the reasons Summer was estranged from him. The other had to do with a tiny grave in New Orleans.
He hadnt listened when Summer and her mother had begged him to drop the charges against Zach, and the stress of that time had ended her mothers remission. Her mothers death was just one of the reasons Summer was estranged from him. The other had to do with a tiny grave in New Orleans.
But Summer didnt want to think about that. Okay, back to selling this place to Zach. That cant happen.
I cant help it if Im not averse to moving into a modern condo, if Zach comes up with some favorable financin.
But I love this house, Summer protested. I cant believe youve actually gone this far with a deal without once mentioning it to me. Whats his next move?
He said hed put an offer together, but so far hes been too busy.
Maybe well get lucky and hell stay busy, Summer muttered, squeezing her eyes shut.
Somehow she didnt really think Zach, who could be relentless, would leave her grandmother alone until he got exactly what he wanted. Had he hired Tuck to win over Gram? So shed sell him her home, which had been in the family for more than a hundred years?
Word has it he closed on that tract across from us just yesterday. Thats where hell build the dock, Gram said. So hed like to control this property. He definitely doesnt want me selling to anybody else.
Inspiration struck.
Gram, Ill buy the house from you. Then you can live here or in a condo. Your choice.
Oh?
I want you to call Zach and tell him you wont sell. Hopefully, when he learns Im here checking up on you, hell back off.
Her grandmother watched her intently for a long moment. You never looked at Edward the way you used to look at Zach. Fifteen years is a long time for you to still be bothered by a man, said her grandmother wisely. Have you ever asked yourself why?
No. Summer yanked her scrunchy out of her hair and pulled her ponytail even tighter. Because Im perfectly happy with my life as it is. Can we quit talking about him and not start on your dissatisfaction with my single state?
Oh, all right, dear. I wont bring him up again-or the fact that youre an old maid-not unless you do.
Old maid? Gram, theres no such thing anymore.
Maybe thats so in Manhattan, but thats definitely not so in Bonne Terre. Ask anybody.
Grams set expression stung way more than it should have.
Tuck stuck his head out the door. Zach called and needs me to come in, so Ive got to get to work.
Hey, Tuck, your job is one of the reasons I came home. Can we talk? Summer said.
Later. He needs me to run an errand.
Summer ground her teeth as she watched her brother lope out the door.
Tuck refused to quit his job. Summer and he had quarreled about it briefly, but Zach had just promoted Tuck to full-time status and he now spent his whole day running errands for Zachs contractor.
As for Gram, she was as good as her word. Two whole days had passed without her ever once mentioning Zach.
She was the only one silent on the subject, however. The whole town was buzzing because Summer and Zach were both in town. Whenever Summer went shopping, the curious sneaked sidelong glances at her. The audacious stopped her on the street and demanded to know how she felt about Zach now.
Do you regret what you and Thurman did-now that Zachs so rich and nice and set on saving this town from economic disaster? Sally Carson, the postmistress, had demanded.
Your grandmother told me hes been real sweet to her, too, Margaret York, one of Grams oldest friends, said with a look of envy.
Well, his return to this town has nothing to do with me, Summer replied.
Doesnt it? Margarets face was sly and eager. Men dont forget
Well, I have.
I wonder how youll feel when you see him again. We all wonder.
One of the worst things about fame was that it made everyone think they had a right to know about her private life. Some things were too personal and painful to share with anyone, even well-meaning neighbors.
So Summer stopped going into town. Instead, she stayed at the house to work on her script and formulate a new way to approach Tuck.
On this particular afternoon shed set a plate of cookies and a glass of tea garnished with a sprig of mint beside a chaise longue on the screened veranda. She paced in frustration, gesturing passionately as she fought to discover her character, a young mother. The role eluded Summer because, for her, young motherhood was a painful theme.
But today she did something shed never let herself do before-remember how shed felt in New Orleans when shed been expecting her own child. Suddenly, she broke through the protective walls inside her, and grief washed over her in waves.
Her eyes grew wet, and she began to tremble, but she didnt relent. So deeply was she immersed in painful memories, she didnt hear the hard, purposeful crunch of gravel beneath a mans boots until he was nearly upon her.
A low vicious oath startled her. Expecting Tuck, Summer whirled, dabbing at her damp eyes with the back of her hand.
And there he was.
At the sight of Zachs hard, chiseled features swimming through her tears, the pages shed been holding fell to the wooden floor.
Well, hello there, he said.
Zach. She hated the way his low, velvet voice made her heart accelerate, made the air feel even hotter. Frantically, she dabbed at her eyes so he wouldnt see her tears. Gram said youd been visiting a lot. Her voice sounded choked and unnatural.
Did she? Black eyes narrowed as he pushed the screen door open. She told me you were coming home. Zach scowled. Youre pale, and your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
No! Its nothing, she whispered. I was just acting out a part.
His lips thinned. You always were damn talented at that.
Good, he bought it.
Tall and dark in a long-sleeved white shirt and jeans, and as lethally handsome as ever, Zachs tight expression told her he wasnt happy to see her.
As she bent over to retrieve her script, his insolent dark eyes raked her body in a way that made her aware of how skimpily clad she was in her snug blue shorts and thin, clingy blouse.
Feeling strangely warm and too vulnerable suddenly, she bristled and sprang to her feet. I told Gram to tell you. If she decides to sell, shell sell to me. So, why are you here now?
I havent spoken to her. My secretary arranged my appointment with your grandmother, he said, striding closer. When I saw you in those shorts, I imagined she told you I was coming and you were lying in wait
As if Id do-and, hey, its August. II have a perfect right to wear shorts, she sputtered.
Yes. His gaze drifted over her appreciatively. You look good in them. Too good-which Im sure you know.
Gram didnt tell me you were coming.
And she didnt tell me to cancel my visit. I wonder why. Maybe she likes my company. Or maybe shed prefer to sell to me. This old place and that brother of yours are way too much for her.
None of that is any of your business.
Your Tuck was running pretty wild, got himself fired from a bar because money went missing
As if you know anything about Tuck. He doesnt steal!
Zachs black brows arched. Still thinking the worst of me while you defend everybody else. Your stepfathers been giving me hell, too.
The comparison to her stepfather cut herdeeply. Zach hadnt been there for her when shed needed him either, had he? He hadnt cared
Maybe because he hadnt known.
As a matter of fact, I like your grandmother. Thats why I hired Tuck. When I happened on him late one night, hed had a flat tire. He didnt have a spare or money or a credit card, and his phone was dead. So he accepted my offer to haul him to a service station and buy him a new tire on the condition that he become my pool and errand boy and work it off.
I see through your Good Samaritan act.
I was sort of suspicious about it myself.
Youre just using Tuck to get at me in some way. So go, she whispered. You are the last person I want involved with my family, especially with Tuck, whos extremely vulnerable.
Well, sorry if my return to Bonne Terre upsets you, or if Tucks being my employee bothers you, he said, not sounding the least apologetic. But since Ive got business in this town for some time to come, and Tuck works for me, I suppose you and I were bound to meet againsooner or later.
Gambling? Is that your business?
Yes. What of it? Youre an actress, someone skilled at weaving seductive illusions. You sure seduced me with your little act. And I let you off easy. You should feel lucky. Im not known for lenience with people who betray me.
Easy? Lucky? New Orleans lay like a weight on her heart.
All you see is your side.
I was the one who damn near got strung up because of your lies, he said. Im the one whos still found guilty every time some reporter decides to write another story about us.
Well, maybe you dont know everything! She stopped. She would never make the mistake of trying to confide in him. But despite her best intentions, she said, Youyou cant believe I ever wanted to accuse you, not when I begged you to run off with me, and when it was my idea to