A Moment Like You (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,81

to ensure that you’re safe.”

“You have to stop,” I demand. “No more coming at night to sit on my swing. No more strawberries, no more… I can’t. She called you her boyfriend.”

“I can end it right now,” he offers. “She doesn’t mean anything.”

“No. You’re not going to put the lives of so many people on the line because of me,” I protest. “The point isn’t what it means to her. It’s the time that doesn’t seem to pass fast enough. The uncertainty…And even when everyone thinks she’s the bad guy, she’s not. She’s alone and oblivious, and what if one day you decide to rescue her? You’ll feel an attraction to the person who needs saving—instead of me.”

“Have you slept lately?”

“Not the point?”

“It is. You have bags under your eyes, and I don’t feel comfortable to let you drive like that. Let Vance drive you. Julian should be here this week.”

“I don’t need your driver,” I complain.

“You can’t possibly believe that I’ll be fine while you barely sleep and then commute for four hours almost every day. I’m not saving you. I’m just thinking selfishly because if I lose you, there’s nothing else for me.”

He turns around and goes back into my house. In that precise moment, Vance is coming my way.

“Come on. The helicopter is ready,” he announces. “You’re the best excuse I can use to avoid babysitting Martina today.”

“Are you taking turns?”

He nods. “Yeah, that woman is a full-time job. Yesterday she let all the animals loose. Pierce and Leyla weren’t happy.”

Thirty-Three

Sophia

“I haven’t seen you all week,” Henry says, taking one of the brochures I’m handing out for today’s festival.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Julian told me you’ve been going from Happy Springs to Portland every day,” he says.

“Right. I forgot he’s your spy,” I complain.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Julian a lot, but he’s always reporting to Henry my every move. Seeing him was exciting, but also it felt like I’m back in Henry’s care, and I can take care of myself. He even bought me a top of the line SUV, so I can be safe and comfortable.

“I’m sending him to pick up my parents on Monday,” I announce.

“No, I’ll pick them up,” he offers. “I think it’d be best for your Mom if I fly them.”

I’m about to complain when Martina saunters toward us, “Here you are, loverboy. Do you know she’s a New Yorker like us?”

Loverboy? I mouth and grin because he hates pet names.

“He does,” I state, in case he wants to deny my existence.

Pierce, who is close by, takes a step further and says, “Small town, huh?”

Leyla rolls her eyes.

I recognize that they are doing the same thing we used to do over the weekends, but Martina has taken my place. Leyla reaches to me and squeezes my hand. “Can I stay? I’m done walking around.”

“Sure,” I agree, grateful for her company.

“You should come with us tonight. One of the brothers is playing at the bar,” Martina invites me.

“I’ll be there,” I respond, not because she’s inviting me but because Beacon likes when we go to support him. I tilt my head toward the people waiting behind them. “Not to be rude, but there are people wanting some information.”

“Oops,” she apologizes and walks away, dragging Henry with her.

“I’m okay,” I whisper, after I give instructions to a tourist on how to get to Happy Springs.

“She’s trying harder to get Henry’s attention,” Leyla says, rolling her eyes. “Are you sure you’re going to the bar?”

“Yeah. Camden, the new owner, invited me.”

“You’re getting along with the new guy?” Leyla asks curiously.

“He’s okay, and I can use a distraction from Martina and her boyfriend.”

“Don’t be jealous. It’s only temporary,” she says.

“You’re trying to get a divorce, and every time a woman talks to Pierce, you’re about to pull her hair and poke her eyes,” I remind her.

“I think he’s seeing someone,” she says. “If I can find out who she is, I’d be able to get my animals and leave him behind.”

So, it’s the animals? I want to ask about it, but I go for, “Why do you think he’s cheating?”

“Last Monday, he said he had a conference call with you and Henry,” she explains. “On Tuesday, he says he has to go to Portland with Henry to see the offices. The same day, I spot Henry at The Lodge. Hayes arrives during dinner time, claiming he had some emergency and that there was some legal issue, and since Pierce was down in Portland, he was staying