Page 16 of Condemned By Secrets

But this morning, he saw the marble fireplace, the transom lights above the doors, the brass wall sconces above his bed with new eyes. There was charm here—history. Just like Anna wanted. Images of her swirled amidst the turbulent sea of his thoughts. Prim and proper in her tailored business suits, frowning at him as he teased her, then cute and uninhibited as she’d relaxed at dinner with his mom. Which Anna would he get when he took her to bed?

His blood stirred, and Luther groaned, throwing an arm over his eyes as if that would block out the picture of her swaying toward him, those bright strawberry lips begging to be kissed. The woman was driving him crazy. He was good with women, except for this one. He couldn’t figure her out, and he wanted to. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to know every inch of her—inside and out.

Honesty was important to Luther, so he wouldn’t lie, even to himself. But owning up to the need to get to know Anna, to caring enough about her to want to get close, pierced him with a stab of anxiety. He rubbed at the spot above his heart as an ache started there. That particular organ hadn’t been involved in a relationship in a long time, and the thought of risking it again made his whole chest tight with fear. The last time he’d given his heart, the recipient had tossed it from a five-story window and then run over it for good measure. That was almost ten years ago, but thinking about the possibility of it happening again, had him ready to break out in cold sweats.

He supposed it was laughable that the tiny brunette scared him. But she did. The question he had to answer was, could he face his fear? Anna’s big gold eyes and the secrets she hid there made him want to. That much he was sure of. But he had other secrets to uncover first, including who slashed her tire, and he wasn’t going to find out lying in bed. Already exhausted, Luther grunted and felt like an old man as he forced himself to get up and get ready for a long day of legwork.

???

Despite the rough start to her morning, Anna had a very productive day. She was beaming at the file on her computer screen, the one she’d spent all day perfecting. Excitement over the plans she’d drawn up for the abandoned farm property thrummed in her veins. Yeoman’s Hall, she was calling it. She hoped the townspeople would like the name and were willing to drum up half as much enthusiasm as she felt for it. Then, they’d be getting somewhere. For that to happen, though, she needed Richard’s help. A movement caught her eye and Anna glanced up.

Speak of the devil.

“You wanted to see me?” Richard was leaning against her door frame.

“Yes. I need a strategy for engagement.” Anna smiled. “That’s where you come in.” She gestured for Richard to take the seat in front of her desk. Community outreach was his forte, and she needed someone who’d lived in town longer than five minutes to help her figure out the best way to present her plans.

While he moved to sit down, Anna exited out of the document and ejected the thumb drive it was saved on. Handing it to Richard, she asked, “Can you look over my proposal for the Cooper Farm property and give me your ideas on how to get the community involved?”

He accepted the drive with a raised eyebrow. “I didn’t realize we had plans for the Cooper property.”

Anna grinned, and her golden-brown eyes twinkled as bright as stars. “We didn’t, but when Rosie showed it to me, I knew it needed to be our focus. If we can get the community involved with something like this, they’ll be more open to the other changes Rolling Brook needs. Maybe then we can turn some of those neglected buildings on the edge of town into offices and rentals.”

“If the mayor doesn’t have them torn down first,” Richard muttered.

Anna’s stomach dropped. Despite the muttering, she’d heard him loud and clear, and his statement killed her buzz. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before meeting her gaze. “Only that Mayor Landstrom is set on revamping that whole area into some modern-looking mixed-use development with retail, offices, and apartments all in one spot.”

Anna wanted to groan in frustration, but she kept her composure. She’d known the mayor was pro-modernization. “Is there already a development plan for the area, or is it just conjecture?” If nothing had been approved, they had time to change the mayor’s mind.

“I don’t believe so.” Richard shook his head, and his dark waves bobbed with the movement. “But,it is part of the campaign she ran on. As far as I know, nothing has been submitted to the committee for approval just yet.”

Anna sighed in relief. “Good. We still have a chance to win that battle, then. It’ll help if we can get the town behind us, and I think the Cooper property could be a good start with that.”

“All right.” He nodded.

“Thanks, Richard.” Anna smiled in dismissal and turned her attention back to her computer screen. She had an email to send before she called it a day. As she pulled up her inbox, she noticed Richard hadn’t left. She looked over at him. His stare bore into her, and she couldn’t read his expression. Confused that he was still waiting, she asked, “Was there something else?”

He blinked, then smiled, clearing his gaze. “No. You just surprise me, that’s all.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Anna clenched her hands together and gave Richard her full attention, bracing herself for what he might say. He’d been dancing around her since they’d met, and something about him tended to get her hackles up.

He chuckled, and it set her teeth on edge. “I know this is your first real job, and . . . you’re not floundering.”

Anna kept her smile pleasant even though her claws threatened to come out. “You thought I’d flounder?”

“The county wanted to hire someone with the right degree. They didn’t care about how much experience that person had.” Giving a small shrug, Richard smiled to soften the remark, but her face had already reddened in embarrassment.

She was struggling with how to reply when Richard stood and waved the thumb drive. “I’ll take a look at this tomorrow. I’m sure with my experience, we’ll find a way to sell your project to the town.”

Anna forced a smile through the tightness that had taken over her body. She was tensed for a fight, but Richard left before she was able to respond. When he was out of view, she exhaled and felt some of the tension leave her muscles.

Shi—take mushrooms!She was no stranger to veiled insults, but those had hit home. Did Richard have a problem with her background or the lack thereof?

Agitated from the exchange, Anna pushed to her feet and moved to open the window. She was desperate for some fresh air, but of course, it was painted shut.

Fudgesicles!

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