Now You See Me Read Online Free Page B

“If you’d rather I didn’t, could we pretend this is a drive-through?”
    From the corner of her eye she saw a flash of red. Oh, no. Jillian was moving in for the kill.
    “Well, well, well. So much for that line about being adults.” Jillian crossed her arms and looked him up and down with—in Lyddie’s opinion—a bit too much interest. If Ted heard about this, there would be hell to pay. “You’re still as crazy as ever.”
    “Only when I’m here, Jelly.”
    Behind Lyddie, Nadine snickered back to life. “Jelly?”
    Lyddie had much the same thought. She’d never met anyone who could put Her Worship in place with five little words. When the mayor clamped her lips together and hustled out the door, Lyddie had to remind herself that this was the potential bad guy in front of her.
    But bad guy or not, she couldn’t leave him standing in the doorway. She waved to let him know the blades were acceptable but couldn’t keep from adding, “After all, it’s your place, Mr. Delaney.”
    The soft whir of wheels across slate marked his progress. That and the swiveling of every head in the room. He moved slowly, as if making sure everyone had a chance to size him up.
    “Morning, Mrs. Krupnick.”
    “Morning, J.T.” Nadine spoke far more cautiously than Lyddie would have expected. “What can I get for you?”
    “A cup of French roast.” There was a slight pause before he added, “Please.”
    Lyddie stifled a groan. Just what she needed. A landlord with a God’s-greatest-gift complex.
    She had to meet him eventually, so she straightened her shoulders and prayed that she would come off as an efficient businesswoman instead of the brain-dead twit she was currently channeling. Though how she was supposed to do that when he’d dropped in on her out of the blue like this...
    “Hi.” She thrust out a hand, well aware that it was more challenge than greeting. “Welcome to River Joe’s. I’m Lydia Brewster.”
    “J. T. Delaney.” He took her hand, palms meshing in a perfect fit. An unanticipated fog rolled through her brain. All she could think was that he sure didn’t look like a landlord. Nor, to be honest, did he resemble her idea of a wild arsonist. She wasn’t sure why. He certainly had the “wild” part down. Maybe it was his teeth. They seemed far too straight and white for someone with a juvenile past.
    Nadine slid a full mug in his direction. He lifted it and inhaled like a drowning man who’d just found an oxygen tank.
    “God, that smells good.”
    Okay, he appreciated good coffee. That was a plus. But looking at him made something bubble inside Lyddie. She couldn’t put a finger on it. She was irritated and intrigued and frustrated and fascinated, all at the same time, but none of those emotions seemed to capture exactly what she was feeling.
    All that was certain was that she needed to know the truth—not through a rumor, but from him.
    She gave him a moment to swallow before saying, as casually as possible, “I hear you’re selling the building.”
    The room echoed with a dozen sudden inhalations.
    J.T., however, showed no reaction other than a slight quirk of an eyebrow. “Word travels fast as ever, I see.”
    She nodded. Crossed her arms. Settled her hip against the corner of the counter so he’d know she was in no hurry.
    A slow smile spread across his face. No surprise. It was the brief hint of some other emotion flashing in his eyes that made her pay attention. Was that guilt she spied?
    But his next words laid to rest her brief hope that J. T. Delaney was having second thoughts.
    “That’s right.” He spoke clearly, slowly. She had the impression he wanted to make sure everyone in the room caught every word. “I’m selling this and every other building my father owned. I want it done quickly and easily so I can leave at the end of summer. The sooner I can get back to Tucson, the better.”
    A chorus of whispers filled the room. Lyddie was glad for the solid wood against her hip.