Whisper of Revenge (A Cape Trouble Novel Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

lifted her chin in defiance of
the impulse to back up.
    “Have any more presents been delivered?”
    She couldn’t believe he really cared, but…  He was here. 
Asking.
    “Actually, yes.”  This one had been a whopper.  “A puppy.”
    He stared at her.  “A what ?”
    “You heard me.  Ian has been begging for a dog forever.  I
keep saying no.  Needless to say, he doesn’t understand.”  The way his face
would fall had been killing her.  “We’re not home enough.  Especially not for a
puppy.  What do I do, tie him out in the back yard for ten hours a day?”
    Elias’s focus was intense once he zeroed in on her.  “Tell
me.”
    “I usually bring Ian with me to work on Saturdays.”  And
usually Sundays, too, of course.
    Elias nodded; he knew.
    “Naturally, that was the day we found a puppy tied beside
the back door.  He had a big blue bow tied around his neck.  I don’t know how
long he’d been there, but he was ecstatic to see us.  Ian thought I was
surprising him.”  The other gifts, especially the mug, had unnerved her.  This
one infuriated her.
    “I’m sorry, Hannah.  What did you do?”
    Her shoulders sagged.  “What do you think?”
    One side of his mouth curved.  “I think you now have a
puppy.”
    “I should have taken him to the shelter, but how could I do
that?”
    He touched her cheek, a light brush of fingertips that made
her shiver.  “Of course you couldn’t.”
    Her brain stuttered, but she managed to say, “He’s not
potty-trained.  Shuttling him in and out and cleaning up puddles has become my
new hobby.”
    “You’ve fallen in love with him.”
    Of course he was right, in a way.  But how she felt about a
small, plump, brown-and-white spotted puppy with an eager tongue had nothing on
her feelings for this man, a near stranger.  Thank God he had no idea, or he’d
never darken her door again.
    A crush, that’s all it was.  She didn’t really know him, had
a suspicion nobody did.
    Lines formed between his eyebrows, maybe at whatever he saw
on her face.  “Did you take a stab at—” 
    “Finding out where the puppy came from?  Yes.  I called the
shelter.  I dug out last Sunday’s Tribune and called every free puppy ad.”
    “You’re so sure he was free?”
    “There’s no way he’s a purebred anything.”
    Elias nodded.  “I’ll take your word for it.”  He hesitated. 
“Anybody in particular talk to you about the puppy?”
    She made a face.  “Who hasn’t?”
    She kind of thought Patrick Fletcher – call me “Fletch” –
had been the first.  He’d said, “What’s this I hear about a puppy?”  When she
rolled her eyes, he’d laughed.  “At least I had enough foresight to sell you a
house with a fenced yard.”  Fletch was a prominent local Realtor who had found
her the space for her business as well as her house.
    Oh, Lord – what if she’d had to spend the money now to
fence?  She had thanked him fervently.
    Since then…practically every customer had teased her about
her latest surprise.  Searching each of their faces, she’d wondered which one
of them was responsible.  Having to doubt every expression, every amiable
comment, had her feeling sick.
    Elias had been watching her, no doubt reading her thoughts. 
Now, he lifted his gaze past her.  “Our conversation is annoying several of
your customers.”
    “What?”  She turned her head, to see that Ron Campbell, Rand
Bresler and Fletch were among those who had their eyes trained on her and
Elias.  “Oh, for pity’s sake,” she muttered.  “Everyone in there is staring. 
This is Cape Trouble.”
    He gave a rusty chuckle.  “I haven’t heard anyone say that
in a long time.”
    “That?  Oh.”  For pity’s sake.  “I picked it up from Louella
Shoop.”
    “I shouldn’t keep you.”  He shoved his hands into his jeans
pockets.  “I’ve been worrying about you.”
    So much he’d stayed away.  “I’m sure there’s no need.”
    “I think