Strangers in the Night Read Online Free

relief.
    â€œAbbie. I’m not a threat.” He caught her gaze and held it.
    Taken aback by the intensity and sincerity of those blue eyes, Abbie looked away. “I hope not.”
    â€œI want to help you.”
    â€œHow do you plan to do that?”
    â€œFirst, we need to get you back to Oregon.”
    â€œThat’s not going to happen. I can’t—”
    â€œHear me out.” Jake leaned down to open his briefcase. “There’s a place called Cold Creek for sale on the Oregon coast.”
    She shook her head. “You mentioned before it was a town, but I don’t understand.”
    â€œCold Creek is an old lumber town that fell on hard times. They were doing great until the stock market fell in ’29 The owner died shortly after that and the widow has been selling off bits and pieces of property ever since to people who had previously rented and wanted to stay.”
    â€œHow awful for her.” Abbie glanced down at the aerial photo Jake handed her. The circled area included a mountain, a lake, forests, a creek, and a small town with a main street and about twenty houses, along with a number of small cabins. She handed the photo back. “That’s a lot of property.”
    â€œIsabelle Johansson has weathered the storms pretty well.” He smiled. “She’s considered the town’s matriarch. She’s decided to sell off the entire town except for her home and some acreage around it. Isabelle is luckier than a lot of folks. At least she owns the property free and clear and it’s close enough to the coast to make it appealing. And real estate prices are projected to climb—especially in resort areas. Bear Lake borders the town and is one of the most beautiful places around. Unfortunately, a lot of people have had to move to the cities in order to find jobs. That’s left a number of buildings vacant, especially in the downtown area, so it’s a bit run-down. It’ll need a lot of work.”
    Abbie sighed. “I don’t see what this has to do with me. Are you saying my parents want to buy this town?”
    â€œActually, they want to buy it with you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s complicated. Your parents want to turn the place into an artist colony, and they want you to run it. They said, and I quote, ‘Tell Abbie it’s time to stop hiding and come home. This is what she’s always wanted.’”
    Excitement stirred in her chest. Her parents knew her well. Ever since she’d visited the Artists’ Way in Rhode Island during college, she’d dreamed of being a part of a place like that. “I can’t.” She sighed. “I’m wanted for kidnapping. I can’t afford to go back, no matter how wonderful it sounds.”
    â€œI really don’t think you need to worry about this so-called kidnapping. I have a good friend who’s a lawyer.”
    â€œYou talked to a lawyer about me?”
    He raised his hands. “Not you. Not specifically. I asked him about custody cases in general. From what he told me, I have no doubt you can fight it and win.” He lowered his hands and cast her an apologetic look. “Besides, your parents have already put earnest money on it.”
    She ran her hands through her hair. “Why do I feel like I’m being manipulated?”
    â€œBecause you are.” He grinned, easing the insanity of it all. “They are really into this artists’ retreat. They understand that they can’t force you.” He chuckled then. “Actually, your dad suggested that if you wouldn’t accept the offer, I should kidnap you and Emma and bring you back.”
    Impossible. You can’t take the chance, Abbie. You know that .
    â€œI’ll do it.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Abbie couldn’t believe what she’d said. Going back meant facing charges of kidnapping and possibly losing Emma for