The Tycoon's Perfect Match Read Online Free Page A

sun….
    What was she doing? This sabbatical was supposed to be about her, not a one-time crush. Touching her bare ring finger, she encouraged herself to remember that.
    It wasn’t about Jason Fox, either. He’d loved her—or so he said—but had only used her to get a vice president position at Sherwood. She’d given him the job, all right, then suddenly he started keeping his distance. She’d just been a tool to obtain what he wanted. How foolish she’d been to think a man would want her for herself.
    She had to stick to her decision to stay away from men. Including sexy Brian Hawkins.
    It was nice of him to be concerned about her staying alone, but she wasn’t worried. Even thoughshe was away from the main village and would be alone at the lake for another month or so, Hawk’s Lake seemed like a place where people still didn’t lock their doors.
    But she’d still lock up. And not just her door—her heart was off-limits, too.
    She couldn’t wait to make pottery again, couldn’t wait to feel the wet clay under her hands as it spun on her wheel. She wanted to take long walks in the fresh air, and watch the sun set on the lake every evening and rise every morning. And she’d enjoy biking to the village when the spirit moved her. Above all, she wanted to find herself again.
    Brian would just be a distraction—one she couldn’t afford.
    Â 
    Mari walked toward Brian with a happy grin, looking much more cheerful than when he’d first seen her at his real-estate office.
    â€œIs Sherwood Lodge how you remembered it?” he asked.
    â€œEverything is even better than I remembered it.”
    â€œGood.”
    She snapped her fingers. “The porch off the kitchen is a perfect place to put my wheel. I can put my kiln in the boathouse. Is there 220 power in there?”
    Brian crossed his arms. “Yes.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Mari added quickly. “I brought heavy plastic and a rug with a rubber backing. I won’t harm a plank on the porch. And I won’t burn down the boathouse.”
    He knew he should relax, but he was very protective of his properties. “I know you’ll take care of the place as if it were your own.”
    She glanced back at the house. “I wish it still was.”
    He could kick himself for reminding her that the Sherwoods didn’t own Sherwood Lodge anymore. “I’m sorry, Mari. That was stupid. I didn’t mean to insinuate that—”
    â€œOh, I know.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “Don’t give it another thought. But I don’t want to keep you, Brian. I know you have other things to do.” Mari stifled a yawn. “I’m suddenly tired. Must be the fresh air. I could use a nap.” She winced. “Oh, no. I forgot to bring linens.”
    â€œNo problem.” He went into his trunk and pulled out two plastic bags that contained two pillows, a set of queen sheets and some towels, and handed them to her. “I’m always prepared for any contingency.”
    â€œYou always were. Must be the Eagle Scout in you.”
    He slammed the trunk shut and walked to the driver’s side of his car. “What about food? Are you hungry?”
    â€œFamished.” She rubbed her forehead. “Oh, no. I was so eager to get here, I can’t believe I forgot to pick up groceries, too. But I packed enough clothes for a year’s stay.”
    Mari seemed much more relaxed. At least they were talking freely and joking a bit. He knew they hadn’t parted on very good terms, but that was long ago, and he hoped that she didn’t still hold that against him. He’d been young and confused about his feelings for her.
    The only thing that he hadn’t been confused about was his plan—a carefully laid-out plan for his future. A plan that included him taking the business world by storm. And that plan hadn’t included Mari.
    But in