The Tycoon's Perfect Match Read Online Free Page B

retrospect, yes, he’d been an idiot.
    â€œDon’t worry about food, Mari. The Eagle Scout comes through again. I stocked the fridge. I got you some basics, along with hot dogs and hamburgers and some frozen pizzas. It should last you a few days until you go shopping.”
    â€œCoffee?”
    He nodded. “And a bottle of wine.”
    â€œYou’re an angel, Brian.”
    â€œAww…thanks. But that’s not what the other girls say.”
    â€œSo then, you’re a devil?”
    He winked. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
    â€œYou are so thirteen years old.” She rolled her eyes.
    He could have stayed there all night, teasing and talking to her, but he could take a hint. Instead, he gave her a salute, climbed into his car and drove off with a friendly wave.
    He’d be back tomorrow to check on her.
    Â 
    After Brian left, Mari was struck by the silence.
    There weren’t any sounds of horns blaring or construction noises. There weren’t any traffic jams or people yelling, no phones ringing or faxes buzzing. There was only the gentle lapping of Hawk’s Lake as it kissed the shore.
    She opened the van doors and put the bags of linens in the front seat. She’d unload them later. Then she pulled out a folding lounge chair and carried it to the sandy beach at the edge of the lawn, unfolded it, got in and stretched out. As she watched the sun sparkle on the lake, she could hear the distant sound of a loon calling. Then she studied theintricate patterns on the double wings of a dragonfly that had landed on her sleeve.
    When a dragonfly landed on you, it was supposed to bring good luck. She could use some good luck.
    Pulling her jacket on as the cool evening air rolled in, she watched the sun set in a blaze of red and gold, and then decided that she needed to unload some clothes from the van. After making several trips, she was done, and it was dark out. Very dark.
    Her stomach growled, so she found some hot dogs in the refrigerator and put them in the microwave. How nice of Brian to stock the fridge for her. He’d always been sweet and thoughtful.
    No. Not always. On her last day at Sherwood Lodge, he had hurt her to the bone.
    After she ate, she grabbed a suitcase and the bags of linens that Brian had given her and climbed the stairs to her old room. Pausing at the doorway, she flicked on the light and looked around.
    The windows overlooked the lake on three sides. On the right wall, there was a little screened-in porch that faced the side yard and the boathouse. She used to watch for the Hawkins kids from that window, hoping that they would ask her to come out and play.
    On rainy days, she’d read a book or write in herdiary. Some nights, she’d fall asleep on the small chintz-covered couch as the gentle waves lulled her to sleep.
    Mari set everything she was carrying onto the hardwood floor and walked over to the bed—her old brass bed! She ran her hand over the cool metal headboard that was decorated with sunflowers.
    She remembered snuggling under the covers and listening to the murmur of her parents’ voices on the porch below her.
    With both of her parents downstairs, Mari felt safe and secure and totally happy. This cottage was the only place that had ever really felt like home.
    Mari made up the bed, then undressed and slipped into a T-shirt and flannel pants. By the time she finished, a brisk wind was rattling the window frames. Soon, a hard rain began to pummel the roof and windows. A loud banging noise startled her, and she jumped. Over her pounding heart, she realized that it was just a loose shutter slamming against the outside of the cottage.
    She slipped into bed and snuggled under a colorful, striped Hudson’s Bay blanket and a fluffy beige comforter that she’d found in the hallway closet. The shutter banged again.
    It was going to be a long night.
    Â 
    Midmorning, Brian turned down the dirt road that led to