Page 97 of Silver Brewer

“God, I’ve missed you,” he says, pulling back and closing his eyes as if he’s just admitted too much. His forehead lowers to mine and rolls against it. Then he breaks away, releasing me, and I wobble, feeling breathless and wrung out although he hasn’t touched me. Not really. I’m on the edge of an orgasm, desperately aching and hot. Damn him.

Answer my question or kick me out. Just don’t torture me like this, I want to scream.

Instead, he turns for the door, and I have no choice but to follow his lead.

36

Punishment and proposal

[Giant]

We’re quiet as we eat the chicken I prepared. Letty gives Finn tiny shredded pieces and then feeds him mashed peaches from a jar.

“He’s grown so fast,” she says, breaking into our silence. “It’s a wonder to watch him change.”

He can sit upright now, and he holds tight with his fingers, testing out his legs. He looks ready to stand, run across the floor, and take over the world. A king of kings, I called him, and he’s appropriately named for the fictional character in the book Letty likes.

“What ever happened to the book you were writing?” I don’t know why I think of that other than considering Finn’s name is from a story.

“Funny you should ask.” She pauses and reaches for her water glass. “Remember Mr. Calder? Did I mention I’ve been in contact with him?”

No.I haven’t heard anything from you in months.

“I asked him if I could write his story.” My head pops up, and I meet her eyes. “I couldn’t let it go. The mystery of the town, the history of the resort. His story with Annie. I wanted to know more. I interviewed him a while back and then told him I’d be in the area. I asked him if I could meet with him.”

I sit back in my chair and cross my arms. “Pretty sure of yourself,” I scoff.

“I’m suddenly not sure of anything,” she says, keeping her head lowered as she pushes her food with a fork. My brows pinch. What isn’t she certain of?

“So how does that work with him?”

“I’m going to interview him a second time. Have him proofread what I’ve written so far. His grandson is a pain in the ass. Drake had the land on the market, which is why I went there, but when Sam found out the truth, he was very upset. It’s sad.”

My eyes question hers. “What are your thoughts?”

“I’d love to rebuild the resort for him, but I don’t have that kind of capital.”

“But you know how to find buyers or investors. Could you help him out?”

“I don’t know.” She sets down the fork and looks up at me. “Think that’s a possibility for him?”

“I think Old Sam might like the idea.”

She beams, and I swear my home doesn’t need electricity when she looks at me like that. She lights up the whole place. “I could trade him. His story for my help.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I lean forward again and pick up my fork.

“Of course, that’s near Appleton, two hours away.”

The silence stretches between us.

“What happened to your nanny?”

“Oh…” She turns red, playing with her food again. “That didn’t work out.” She closes her eyes, keeping them closed as she licks her lips. “Actually, I didn’t have a nanny lined up.”

My fork clatters to the plate. Did she lie to me?

“Then I did hire one, and…I didn’t like it. I didn’t like her being in my house and dealing with Finn. I want to raise Finn, not share him with someone else.”