Read Online At Hidden Falls (Angel's Bay Novel) by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online

good?”
    “They have the best blueberry waffles you’ve ever tasted. Believe me, I’ve had more than a few,” she said with a laugh, putting her hands on her plump hips. “But so has my husband, so we’re keeping up with each other.” She tilted her head again. “I don’t think it’s the chief you remind me of, though. He doesn’t have your striking blue eyes. I’m sure it will come to me, I’m pretty good with faces. Speaking of which, you look a little beaten up. Are you feeling all right? Can I get you some water?”
    “I’m fine, thanks to your cousin. He saved my life.”
    “That’s what I hear—not that he’ll tell me anything about it. He didn’t used to be so shy when it came to bragging.” Colleen had barely finished speaking when the office door opened.
    Isabella straightened, a tingle of anticipation running through her as Nick stepped through the doorway.
    “Colleen, do you have—” Nick’s voice broke off when he saw her. His dark eyes turned surprised, then a little wary.
    Without the blur of her dreams or the foggy shadows of the accident, she saw that he was even more attractive than she’d realized. He’d traded in his business suit for jeans and a dark sweater, the sleeves pushed up on his forearms. His dark, wavy hair touched the edges of his shoulders, and he had a strong jaw, a long nose, and a full, sensuous mouth. He was tall, too, well over six feet, with a strong, lean build.
    She needed to say something. The silence between them was going on for too long. But he was returning her gaze with the same scrutiny. She wondered what he saw, now that she wasn’t wet and muddy and frozen with fear.
    Colleen finally cleared her throat. “Miss Silveira wants to speak to you,” she said.
    “Yes,” Isabella said, finally finding her voice. “I do want to speak to you.”
    “Why don’t you come in?” Nick stepped back and waved her into his office, closing the door behind her.
    The room was large and airy, with windows on two sides bringing in lots of light and offering a great view of the boats in the harbor. A large oak desk sat in front of one window, a conference table ran along the wall, and on the opposite side of the room were two drafting tables. What a wonderful place in which to create. She’d love to design in a studio like this.
    “This is a beautiful room,” she said. “You must feel inspired here.” She turned back to face him.
    “On occasion,” he said, digging his hands into his pockets.
    She tried to tamp down the nervous flutter in her stomach. She wasn’t a shy person by nature; she liked people. But this man made her feel tongue-tied. There was something between them that she didn’t understand and couldn’t explain, but it was there, so palpable she wondered if he could feel it, too.
    “I took your coat to the cleaner’s,” she said finally. “A guy named Otto said they’d have it done by tomorrow. I can pick it up for you and bring it here.”
    “That’s not necessary. I’ll take care of it.”
    “You saved my life last night. I wouldn’t have made it out of the car without your help. And I’m not sure I said thank you.”
    “You said it—several times.”
    “Words don’t seem like enough.”
    “I’m just glad I was there,” he said, sounding uncomfortable with her gratitude. “How are you feeling today?”
    “Like I drove off a cliff.”
    A light sparked in his eyes, a smile crossing his lips. “Nice that you didn’t lose your sense of humor.”
    “Just everything in my car. But I know how lucky I am.”
    “I spoke to your brother on the phone a few minutes ago,” Nick said. “I told him I didn’t see the other car. I wish I could have been more helpful.”
    “At this point, I don’t know what difference it makes, but Joe won’t let any crime go unpunished if he has something to say about it.” She should leave and let Nick get back to work, but she wasn’t at all ready to say good-bye. Who knew when she’d have