Read Online A Date on Cloud Nine by Jenna McKnight - Free Book Online

shit’—you know, being this close to a church and all.”
    “My pen won’t work.”
    “Yeah, right.”
    “No, really.” She scratched it across the check to prove it. “And there’s nothing sacrilegious about saying shit.”
    “It’s still cussing, so get in the goddam car.”
    She did so, saying, “Well I don’t know if I want a grouchy driver.”
    And he didn’t want a bossy passenger, but he couldn’t let his best friend’s widow travel into questionable areas of the city with an unknown driver who wouldn’t look after her the way he would. Besides, if she was in the mood to give away money, he wanted what was his.
    Leaning down between her and the open door, he said, “I’ll work on it.”
    “Good. How’s fifteen hundred a week?”
    He coughed to cover his surprise. “It’s okay.”
    She grinned, not fooled at all. “And I promise not to claim head injury on payday.”
    “You won’t make me late for my regulars?”
    “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
    “And you won’t treat my car like your own personal trash can?”
    “Why would I—”
    “People do, and I have to keep it clean, you know. Nobody does it for me.”
    “No talking to myself, no making you late, no trash in the car. Got it.”
    “In advance, then.” He shut her door, sealing the deal.
    This would give him time to work things through and pick the best approach while he waited for his dad to conclude his business deal with Lilly’s father-in-law. He’d already tried attorneys—forget that. Hers were bigger than his. He’d tried the direct approach, calling her house and writing her after the funeral, only to be deflected by Brady’s brother’s threats against his dad’s business and house. He’d deemed it wise to back off until further notice.
    Well, further notice was on the way! If she had second thoughts later, no way he was letting her back out of it. By the time he slid behind the wheel, he was also thinking he’d agreed too soon. If she’d offered fifteen hundred, she would’ve gone higher. It didn’t have enough zeroes in it, of course, but it was a start.
    “Plus expenses,” he said. “Gas, oil, lease, mileage—”
    “ That seems a little redundant.”
    “You want me or not?”
    She smiled wickedly. “Well, if you put it that way.”
    She’s hitting on me ?
    There was only one thing he could think of to protect himself, because while his brain knew what she’d done, how devious she was, his body—and maybe even his heart—was in danger of writing it off. Fortunately, his brain was back in control.
    “Make a pass at me, lady, and you ride in the back.”
     
    “Hm, I hadn’t counted on that,” Elizabeth said. She was looking in on Lilly’s progress from her higher vantage point, her robe swirling around her legs as she paced in tight, agitated turns and waited for John.
    This had to go better if she was going to save Lilly and get what she, herself, wanted—more freedom to help others in the future. John was a by-the-book kind of guy, and much too strict, in her opinion. People were weak and needed a gentle, guiding hand.
    Three million dollars hanging between Lilly and Jake—boy, what a test. She’d worked with John when he’d sent others back, but Lilly was the first one to reap the benefits of Elizabeth’s persuasive talents. Lilly could turn over anew leaf and get right into heaven upon her return; she just needed a little guidance.
    “Be sure it’s only a little,” John said when he arrived.
    The two of them gazed down at Lilly, who was drooling over Jake’s pan of fudge and trying to get him to share, and Jake, who was chomping at the bit to confront Lilly about his money.
    “It won’t be long before he tells her,” Elizabeth said, “and then she’s going to feel obligated to pay him back.”
    “One would hope so.”
    “But according to the rules, she can’t give her money to friends. Well, we just need to bend them a little bit, that’s all there is to