Read Online At Hidden Falls (Angel's Bay Novel) by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Barbara Freethy
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Isabella,” he said firmly.
She heard the finality in his voice, but she knew they weren’t over—even if he didn’t. “I’ll see you around.”
Nick blew out a relieved breath as Isabella left. Last night, he’d chalked up his reaction to her as too much adrenaline, but what was his excuse today? He hadn’t been this unsettled by a woman in a long time. And he didn’t like it. He didn’t have time for a powerful distraction like Isabella.
But God, she was gorgeous, with her long, thick black hair, striking turquoise-blue eyes, clear tanned skin, and soft, full lips that seemed to smile so easily. When he’d touched her, the strangest feeling had run through his head, as if it was important for him to hold on to her—so important that he’d forced himself to let go.
Damn.
He sucked in more air, because, for some reason, he was still having trouble breathing.
Colleen came back into the office. “So that was the woman you saved last night. She’s really pretty. And don’t even try to tell me you didn’t notice, because I haven’t see you this rattled since you asked Beth Haldeman to the prom.”
This is what he got for hiring his cousin to work in his office. “I noticed. It doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.”
“Why not? You’re single. Maybe she is, too,” Colleen said hopefully. Happily married to her high school sweetheart, Colleen had been trying to set him up for years.
“Stop trying to matchmake. I have my hands full with Megan. Besides, Isabella is just visiting.”
“She’s from L.A. Last I heard, you had an apartment there, too.”
“Right now, my base is Angel’s Bay. Megan needs the whole family, because at the moment, she wants nothing to do with me.”
Colleen frowned. “Things aren’t going better?”
“They’re not going at all. We’re sharing a house, and that’s it. She barely speaks to me.”
“You have to keep trying.”
“I am, but I’m not getting anywhere.”
“I don’t want to add to your worries, Nick, but Cord told me Megan is hanging out with the skateboard crowd, and he’s worried about her.”
Since Colleen’s oldest son, sixteen-year-old Cord, was a straight-A student and an all-around good kid, that wasn’t the best of news. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t pick her friends, can I?”
“No, you can’t,” she said with an understanding look. “We’ll talk later. Right now, Tory and the rest of the family are waiting for you.”
“I should have my head examined for agreeing to talk about theater renovations with them.”
“How could you not? They need your help.”
Ironic, since his parents hadn’t been available when he’d needed their help. But that was in the past, and his parents had short memories when it came to their own failings.
After saying good-bye to Colleen, he headed down the stairs and drove across town to the theater, his thoughts going back and forth between Isabella and Megan. It irritated him that Isabella was in his head at all. He’d spent half the night tossing and turning, trying to forget her image. When he’d pulled her from the car, she’d clung to him, pleading with him not to let her go. Of course, he hadn’t then, but he needed to let her go now.
He needed to forget that jolt of attraction that had caught him by surprise a few minutes ago. He hadn’t felt that gut clench in a long while. Maybe seeing death come so close had bonded them in some way. They’d shared a highly charged, emotional experience, but it was over.
He didn’t do emotionally intense relationships anymore. After his disastrous marriage, he’d put his heart away and kept his relationships casual and short-term. He didn’t need to change that now.
He also didn’t need to get involved with his family’s plans, he thought as he turned into the parking lot of the Angel’s Bay Regional Theater. He’d managed to stay out of their business for a long time, but since he’d brought Megan back to the
She heard the finality in his voice, but she knew they weren’t over—even if he didn’t. “I’ll see you around.”
Nick blew out a relieved breath as Isabella left. Last night, he’d chalked up his reaction to her as too much adrenaline, but what was his excuse today? He hadn’t been this unsettled by a woman in a long time. And he didn’t like it. He didn’t have time for a powerful distraction like Isabella.
But God, she was gorgeous, with her long, thick black hair, striking turquoise-blue eyes, clear tanned skin, and soft, full lips that seemed to smile so easily. When he’d touched her, the strangest feeling had run through his head, as if it was important for him to hold on to her—so important that he’d forced himself to let go.
Damn.
He sucked in more air, because, for some reason, he was still having trouble breathing.
Colleen came back into the office. “So that was the woman you saved last night. She’s really pretty. And don’t even try to tell me you didn’t notice, because I haven’t see you this rattled since you asked Beth Haldeman to the prom.”
This is what he got for hiring his cousin to work in his office. “I noticed. It doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.”
“Why not? You’re single. Maybe she is, too,” Colleen said hopefully. Happily married to her high school sweetheart, Colleen had been trying to set him up for years.
“Stop trying to matchmake. I have my hands full with Megan. Besides, Isabella is just visiting.”
“She’s from L.A. Last I heard, you had an apartment there, too.”
“Right now, my base is Angel’s Bay. Megan needs the whole family, because at the moment, she wants nothing to do with me.”
Colleen frowned. “Things aren’t going better?”
“They’re not going at all. We’re sharing a house, and that’s it. She barely speaks to me.”
“You have to keep trying.”
“I am, but I’m not getting anywhere.”
“I don’t want to add to your worries, Nick, but Cord told me Megan is hanging out with the skateboard crowd, and he’s worried about her.”
Since Colleen’s oldest son, sixteen-year-old Cord, was a straight-A student and an all-around good kid, that wasn’t the best of news. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t pick her friends, can I?”
“No, you can’t,” she said with an understanding look. “We’ll talk later. Right now, Tory and the rest of the family are waiting for you.”
“I should have my head examined for agreeing to talk about theater renovations with them.”
“How could you not? They need your help.”
Ironic, since his parents hadn’t been available when he’d needed their help. But that was in the past, and his parents had short memories when it came to their own failings.
After saying good-bye to Colleen, he headed down the stairs and drove across town to the theater, his thoughts going back and forth between Isabella and Megan. It irritated him that Isabella was in his head at all. He’d spent half the night tossing and turning, trying to forget her image. When he’d pulled her from the car, she’d clung to him, pleading with him not to let her go. Of course, he hadn’t then, but he needed to let her go now.
He needed to forget that jolt of attraction that had caught him by surprise a few minutes ago. He hadn’t felt that gut clench in a long while. Maybe seeing death come so close had bonded them in some way. They’d shared a highly charged, emotional experience, but it was over.
He didn’t do emotionally intense relationships anymore. After his disastrous marriage, he’d put his heart away and kept his relationships casual and short-term. He didn’t need to change that now.
He also didn’t need to get involved with his family’s plans, he thought as he turned into the parking lot of the Angel’s Bay Regional Theater. He’d managed to stay out of their business for a long time, but since he’d brought Megan back to the
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