Haven Creek Read Online Free Page A

arrived and I need to talk to him about something.”
    Chauncey rested a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “My kids and I are spending the summer in the Creek, so maybe I’ll see you around.”
    “I’m sure you will.”
    Chauncey had mentioned the strength it took for Nate to leave his wife, but for him it had nothing to do with strength. Although he’d had trust issues, his love for Kim outweighed them. He’d known their marriage was over when he found out that his wife was having an affair with her manager. When he’d confronted Kim she glibly admitted to having several affairs during their engagement and throughout their marriage.
    Nate wended his way through the guests who were claiming seats under the big tent now that the cocktail hour was winding down. The first thing he noticed was that his father was alone. “Hey, Dad. Where’s Odessa?” It was rare that anyone saw Lucas at a social event without his wife.
    Lucas smiled at his elder son. “She’ll be along once she decides what she wants to wear. As long as I live I’ll never understand women. Why can’t they make up their minds when it comes to clothes?”
    Nate returned the smile. “I don’t know, Dad. You’ve known them longer than I have,” he countered, giving his father a long, penetrating stare. Lucas pulled a handkerchief from his jacket pocket, blotting the moisture dotting his forehead. At five ten, the sixty-three-year-old Vietnam veteran had been a powerfully built man with large hands and muscled forearms, but had lost more than thirty pounds since he’d been placed on a restricted diet. He’d had to buy an entirely new wardrobe to accommodate the weight loss.
    Again, the resemblance between the Shaw men was remarkable. Nate knew what he would look like in twenty-five years whenever he stared at his father. Those who lived in the Creek said you could always tell a Shaw man because all of them looked alike. Lucas had grayed prematurely and several months ago had decided to shave his head, which had prompted him to wear hats to protect his scalp against the sun’s harmful rays.
    Taking off his brand-new Panama, Lucas wiped his head with a handkerchief. He’d pinned the commemorative poppy on his hatband. “How long you going to hang out here?” he asked.
    “I’m not sure. Why?”
    Lucas set the hat on his head at a jaunty angle. “I was wondering if you were going to drive Bryce home.”
    “I’ll take him back, but first I have to meet Morgan at three.”
    Lucas pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “Now I know I must be getting old. I forgot to tell you that she called and left a couple of messages wanting you to call her.”
    Nate scanned the tent for Morgan, finding her surrounded by several men, as if she were holding court. The expression on her face spoke volumes. Either she was bored or bothered by all the attention. He also hadn’t missed the obvious stares directed at her from a group of young women watching the exchange.
    “Yeah, I know. She let me know about it.”
    Lucas followed his son’s gaze. “What does she want?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You know she left Ellison and Murphy to open her own business.”
    Nate nodded. He’d read about Morgan going into business and setting up M. Dane Architecture and Interior Design in Sanctuary Cove. “I saw the article in the Chronicle saying that she’s been commissioned to oversee the restoration of Angels Landing.”
    “That’s a big job for a little girl.”
    “Mo is hardly a little girl, Dad.”
    A beat passed. “You’re right about that, son.” He snorted audibly. “I can’t stand it.”
    “Can’t stand what, Dad?” Nate asked.
    “Just look at those guys buzzing around her like flies on a carcass. Everyone knows they acted like she didn’t exist until after she fixed up her grandpa’s house and bought a new luxury truck. Her daddy told me she ain’t studdin’ none of dem,” Lucas drawled, lapsing into dialect.
    Nate never liked the gossip