The Spring at Moss Hill Read Online Free

avoiding her.” Loretta nodded toward the plants Julius had trimmed. “They look great. This is such a nice spot. I’m glad it’s staying in the family. We can come for brunch. Your daughter makes a great frittata.”
    Russ was out of there if they were going to talk frittatas.
    But Loretta had narrowed her dark eyes on him. “Julius has told you about my connection to Knights Bridge, hasn’t he?”
    â€œDylan McCaffrey and Noah Kendrick.”
    She gave the smallest of smiles. “That cuts to the chase. Dylan and Noah are best friends. They grew up together in LA and got rich together. Dylan in particular is involved in several new ventures based in Knights Bridge. Adventure travel, an entrepreneurial boot camp and an inn of sorts.”
    â€œNot to mention goat’s milk soaps,” Julius added.
    Loretta kept her gaze on Russ. “The soaps and the inn are Olivia McCaffrey’s ventures, but, of course, Dylan is involved. Olivia is the local woman he married on Christmas Eve. Noah is engaged to Phoebe O’Dunn, the former Knights Bridge librarian and the eldest sister of Ava and Ruby, the twins who put together Daphne’s master class. NAK, the company Noah founded and Dylan helped launch, is based in San Diego. They both have homes there, but Knights Bridge—” she sighed “—it’s home for Phoebe and Olivia.”
    â€œAre they involved in Daphne’s class?” Russ asked.
    â€œShe’ll be staying at the Farm at Carriage Hill, Olivia’s inn. I don’t know if either Olivia or Dylan will be at the class. Olivia’s a graphic designer, so she might be interested. Noah and Phoebe are at his winery at the moment.”
    Russ downed the last of his coffee. “Two friends from California fall for two women from Knights Bridge. Great, but I’m not seeing a role for me here.”
    â€œLoretta worries about Dylan and Noah,” Julius said. “They’re like surrogate sons to her.”
    â€œDylan’s a longtime client,” she said. “I started working with him when he was a defenseman in the National Hockey League. That he’s now worth at least a hundred million and Noah over a billion...well, yes, I do worry about them. Knights Bridge is a small, idyllic New England town. It’s easy to be lulled into thinking it won’t attract people who might not wish Dylan and Noah and the people they care about well.”
    Russ got to his feet. “What are you asking me to do?”
    â€œHave a look at their lives in Knights Bridge from your point of view,” Loretta said. “Talk to Dylan. See what you think. You have more experience with security than either Julius or I.”
    â€œIs Dylan expecting me to talk to him?”
    â€œHe will be by the time your flight lands tomorrow. I’ll call him myself. Noah, too. He won’t be there, but Dylan won’t make a move on anything that concerns Noah without talking to him first.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll let you know. I’m not sneaking around, just so we’re clear.”
    â€œNo problem,” Loretta said.
    â€œAnd my first priority on this trip is Daphne.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œEven if it’s a waste of time,” Russ added, half to himself.
    Julius brushed a bit of plant matter off his polo shirt. “Be glad the O’Dunn twins are putting you up at Moss Hill instead of their mother’s place. She has dogs, cats, chickens and over a dozen goats. That’s where Olivia gets the milk for her goat’s milk soap.”
    Russ stared at his friend and colleague. “Goats, Julius?”
    â€œNigerian Dwarf goats.”
    â€œI have to admit they’re adorable,” Loretta said.
    â€œHave you ever seen a goat, Russ?” Julius asked.
    â€œI have.”
    Loretta inhaled sharply. Her husband winced. “Afghanistan or Iraq?”
    â€œBoth. I doubt I’ve seen a Nigerian