Page 59 of Playing for Keeps

His eyebrow twitched mischievously. “Seems like a fun early morning mission to me.”

She only had to consider it for a moment. “I really want to,” she told him eagerly.

CHAPTER 21

They were somewhere near the sixth hole when Allie and Hugh ducked behind the wide trunk of a solid oak tree. Around them, bushes and dense foliage kept them hidden.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Allie whispered, feeling her stomach muscles tense in her effort to hold laughter in.

“I always thought I’d make a great secret agent.” Hugh leaned around the tree to look out, then popped quickly back, shifting Allie with his hands at her waist.

“What are you doing?” Again, laughter threatened to take over.

“They’re coming this way. At least the guy is.”

“Freddie,” Allie said. They’d crept through the woodland at the edge of the golf course, tracking Daisy and Freddie until they parked the small supply truck by the green.

From their lookout, they’d watched Freddie rake the sand trap while Daisy trimmed the grass on the green. Now, Freddie was heading their way and Allie’s heart thudded while she waited to see if they’d be discovered. Maybe it was also the fact that Hugh had her pinned against the rough tree trunk that had her heart working in overdrive.

“Is he still there?” Allie asked, her voice barely audible.

Hugh placed a finger softly on her lips, not-so-subtly telling her to shut up. The sound of a motor starting up was close and loud. It also indicated that their cover hadn’t been blown.

Leaning forwards, Allie put her mouth besides Hugh’s ear. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” She could hear the excitement in his voice. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“That’s a bit sad—” Allie stopped talking as the noise of the strimmer cut out. She held her breath, hoping she’d shut up quickly enough.

“What’s wrong with it?” Freddie asked loudly.

“You’re doing it wrong,” Daisy replied.

“I’m cutting the edges. How on earth can I be doing it wrong?”

“You have to be precise.” There was a bite to Daisy’s words that Allie hadn’t heard before. “It’s a golf course, not a back garden.”

“I am being precise.”

“No, you’re not. Look! You missed a bit.”

Laughter rattled Freddie’s words. “Like three blades of grass.”

“Exactly. You have to be more precise. If I have to go after you and do it again, I may as well do it all myself.”

“You can’t do it all yourself,” Freddie said wearily.

“Just do it properly,” Daisy snapped. “I’m not paying you to mess around.”

“I told you, you don’t need to pay me.”

“We agreed I’ll pay you. Now please just cut the grass, and don’t miss any.”

“Yes, boss.” Freddie’s words were low and with a hint of anger.

Silence fell for a moment and Allie imagined Daisy walking away so was surprised to hear her speak again.

“Sorry,” she said softly. “I’m tired.”

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