Page 174 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Something in his dark-eyed gaze put her at ease. He didn’t seem at all threatening, so she couldn’t figure out why Max was so antagonistic.

“I’m Becca. Becca Lynn.”

“My assistant,” Max said shortly. “And this is Robert Jeffries. He’s just leaving.”

“Bobbie!” Mrs. Jeffries waved to him from the porch. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

Robert slipped past Max and kissed Mrs. Jeffries on her cheek. “Mom, you look as beautiful as ever.”

Mrs. Jeffries fluttered her hands like a schoolgirl, and Becca gaped at the sight. The housekeeper had a girlish bloom to her cheeks, and she was smiling widely. Becca’s gaze went back to Robert. She remembered him now as the suave, handsome young man she’d mooned over when she was a kid. She’d been much too young for him to notice though.

“I just made some oatmeal cookies,” his mother pronounced with obvious delight.

Tossing a look of triumph to Max, Robert sauntered after his mother.

Max practically growled as he stomped back to his office.

“Why don’t you like him?” Becca asked.

“He’s a sycophant, a man who uses women,” Max snapped. He tossed a stack of computer print-outs onto the desk and several fluttered to the floor. “He got Gram to finance his last hare-brained scheme to the tune of ten thousand dollars which he promptly lost, of course.”

Becca winced. “Still, what do you care? It’s not your money. It sounds like Mrs. Baxter has plenty. Ten thousand dollars is probably nothing to her.”

“Gram is too sweet and good for a jerk like that to take advantage of. She’s like my own grandmother. Besides, I wouldn’t let any friend fall under Robert’s influence if I could help it.”

He seemed to genuinely care about Gram, and Becca couldn’t help but believe him. Maybe it wasn’t all about the money for him after all.

“I can’t imagine why he’s showing his face around here again,” Max muttered.

“Maybe he just wants to see his mother.” But even as she said the words, Becca remembered how Robert had frowned when he realized Gram wasn’t here.

“I need to get rid of him before Gram comes home,” Max said. “He’s probably got some new scheme up his sleeve.”

“Mrs. Baxter surely won’t fall for it a second time.”

“There’s no telling with Gram. She’s got a soft spot for lame ducks, no doubt about it.”

Becca could only pray her grandmother had enough of a soft spot to help her when they met next week.

Dinner had been an excruciating affair.Robert and Max had glowered at one another all through the meal. As soon as dessert was finished, Becca invited Shayna to her room. Shecould sense the other woman’s loneliness and had decided she’d do what she could to befriend Shayna.

Shayna dropped to the carpet and began to look at the books on the shelves beside the bed. “Lots of classics here. I can’t remember the last time I read a book. You seem fond of romances.”

Becca’s cheeks grew hot. “They’re Christian romances,” she said.

Shayna gave a sly grin. “Still looking for Mr. Right, huh? I suppose you won’t consider a man unless he’s a Christian too?”

“That’s the plan,” Becca said. “A marriage is hard enough without trying to build a relationship where the husband and wife don’t have similar beliefs.”

“I guess that lets out Max and Nick.”

Shayna’s interest seemed a little too pointed. “I’m not really looking for a relationship right now. I’ve got plenty of time.”

“I wish I’d taken a little longer myself.”

“I’ve noticed you and Tate seem to be arguing a bit right now. Anything I can do to help?”

Shayna’s smile faded. “I think we’re beyond help.” She stood. “Thanks for the female companionship. I needed a friend. I’d better go find Tate.” She glanced at the books. “Mind if I borrow a book?”

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