At Wild Rose Cottage Read Online Free Page B

For the first time she was realizing that polite titles could maintain a desired distance. Come to think of it, perhaps the infuriating, self-anointed mavens of society she’d encountered at her boutique would have had more respect if they’d had to say “Ms. George.”
    â€œIs something wrong?” Trent asked.
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œI asked a question, but you didn’t seem to hear me.”
    Drat, her mind had gone merrily wandering again.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she apologized. “My brain occasionally travels south when it’s supposed to be headed north. Of all things, I was considering the merit of polite society.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œWhat were you were saying?” she asked, wondering if it was her imagination that he was so tense. He practically radiated the focus of a cat on the prowl.
    â€œI asked when you expect to return the contracts.”
    She waved the envelope Alaina had given her. “Actually, I stayed and read them, signed on the dotted line, got my copies and am heading home to assure Wild Rose Cottage that its neglected days are over.”
    His eyebrows lifted a half inch, then his face smoothed. “In that case, the crew will begin work on Monday, Ms.— Emily.”
    â€œThat soon?” Her toes fairly danced in excitement.
    â€œYou seemed anxious. Is 7:00 a.m. too early?”
    â€œNope. The house and I will be ready and waiting for your guys to start.”
    Emily slid into her car and he politely closed the door for her. She breathed a sigh of relief as she fastened her seat belt. Trent Hawkins may or may not have been suffering from tension, but her entire body had tightened as soon as she’d heard his voice. It would have given her second thoughts about having Big Sky do the renovations, but it was silly to regret the decision, especially so soon after making it. Anyway, it was probably the last time she’d see him.
    With a business the size of Big Sky, Trent Hawkins would be too busy to think about a single house under contract, much less its not-so-memorable owner. Emily knew from experience that guys as gorgeous as Trent Hawkins automatically dismissed ordinary women. And if she’d ever cherished illusions about fairy-tale possibilities, her former fiancé had drummed the fantasy out of her.
    Oh, well.
    Emily shrugged as she drove toward the grocery store. She’d concentrate on the good feelings she had about her new house. It was as if Wild Rose Cottage had whispered in her ear and begged for a second chance. And its chance was coming even earlier than she’d expected.
    That was something to celebrate.
    * * *
    T RENT WATCHED E MILY ’ S car disappear down the road and suppressed the adrenaline surging through his veins. He wouldn’t get to bulldoze 320 Meadowlark Lane into toothpicks, but at least had a chance to salvage the situation.
    Turning, he strode toward the office.
    â€œHey, Trent,” Alaina greeted him as he came through the door. “Did you intend to sign that contract with Emily George before she saw it?”
    â€œEr...yeah.”
    â€œOkay. She didn’t ask for any changes, so it’ll save time. You never said somebody asked for an estimate on our old house.”
    He hadn’t considered the chance Alaina would figure it out.
    â€œYou remember the address?” he asked.
    â€œNo, but Mom has mentioned Meadowlark Lane, so I checked and it’s the same one. I can’t recall anything about the place.” She bit her lip. “I wish I could remember something about our parents... I mean, our first mom and dad.”
    â€œYou were pretty small when they died. What...three and a half?”
    Personally, Trent was relieved Alaina didn’t remember anything about them. He had few pleasant memories himself, though life with their biological father had taught him valuable lessons—mostly that people couldn’t hurt you if you didn’t let