One Night With a Billionaire - By VickiLewis Thompson Page 0,46
glimpse of her walking down the path connecting her cabin with her workshop.
When that happened, he’d melt into the shadows, mindful of how observant she was. Often she’d sing as she worked, and the happy sound only added to his desire and frustration. Then he’d vow to stop the visits once and for all. But after several nights, he’d find himself circling the lake again.
Standing by the mantel, he ran his hand over the driftwood, well aware that having it close by was part of the problem. In lovingly carving this wolf, she’d revealed a part of herself that wholly captivated him. He really should get rid of the thing, but he had to find a way that wouldn’t draw attention to him. Maybe he should give it to Ted and let him sell it to the highest bidder.
But not right now. Draining the last of his ale, he walked out on his deck, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. Tonight, as he often did, he’d immerse himself in the cold water of the lake and swim until he was exhausted. Maybe this time he’d be too tired to pay her another late-hour visit. That would be a blessing.
***
Rachel cruised past the Polecat General Store at mid-morning to check for vehicles. The parking lot was empty except for Ted’s battered truck, so she flipped a U-turn and pulled in. She needed a few things, but she no longer shopped when strangers were there.
If the store was busy and she was desperate for groceries, she sometimes sent Lionel, or occasionally she called Ted, who’d deliver what she needed after locking up for the day. Although she refused to be a hypocrite and complain about the price of fame, she missed the days when she’d been able to pop into the general store whenever she’d felt like it.
As Polecat’s most high-profile resident, she had to be more cautious now. Fortunately the town was off the beaten path, so only the most rabid collectors showed up looking for her. The residents of Polecat were extremely protective and pretended they’d never heard of her. She’d set up a simple alarm system in her cabin and workshop but usually forgot to activate it. She hadn’t felt the need for a privacy fence or locked gates. With luck she could keep from turning her cozy home into a fortress.
Ted beamed at her when she pushed open the screen door. He had a great smile, a fringe of gray hair that he kept threatening to shave off, and thick glasses. He was going soft in the middle and didn’t seem to care, especially after his wife ran off with a life insurance salesman from Spokane. Ted seemed fine living alone and tending the store, but he’d canceled the life policy he’d bought from the guy.
Rachel returned his smile. “I noticed the parking lot was empty, so I thought I’d chance it.”
“I figured you must be running low on coffee and eggs.”
“And candy bars.” She’d discovered that nothing solved a creative problem like dark chocolate. “Lionel refuses to buy them for me.”
Ted laughed. “I noticed. You could threaten to fire him for that.”
“I couldn’t, either.” The thought of firing Lionel, the most earnest nineteen-year-old she’d ever met, made her stomach hurt. “He honestly believes sugar is evil and I should give it up for my own good. But I don’t intend to.”
“Just got a shipment yesterday.”
“Great.” Picking up a basket, she started toward the grocery aisle.
“Jake Hunter came in this morning.”
“Oh?” As she paused and turned back toward the counter, she hoped she wasn’t blushing.
Hearing Jake’s name conjured up a potent image of his extremely ripped and completely naked body right before he plunged into the lake the previous night, and the night before that, and every night since he’d come home. He had a predictable routine that included skinny-dipping around nine p.m. Once she’d identified the pattern, she’d organized her work schedule around it.
She justified her ogling as harmless entertainment for a thirty-two-year-old woman who wasn’t getting any. Jake’s was the only ogle-worthy male body in her world these days. Lionel was too young, and Ted was a sweetie but not exactly hot stuff. A girl had to have some fun, even if it was only of the voyeuristic kind.
She’d been trying to remedy her lack of a love life, but the logistics were tricky. She didn’t want a guy who was attracted to her money and fame, and she was protective of her privacy. Her girlfriends