Read Online Family Matters by Barbara White Daille - Free Book Online

stood thumbing through a file cabinet drawer. At the sound of their feet on the tiled floor, she turned to them.
    â€œMorning, Alice,” Kerry said. “Is Don around? I’d like to talk with him.”
    â€œNo. But…”
    The woman looked past them to the doorway. Matt sidled up a half step closer behind Kerry, indicating they were together. Alice barely glanced at him.
    â€œKerry, he isn’t a bit happy about Bren putting all those boxes and things in the game room. He didn’t want to take itup with Maeve, but he’s planning to come in later today, even though it’s Saturday, to track down your uncle.”
    In front of him, Kerry’s shoulders stiffened. The clipboard snapped up toward the sweatshirt again.
    â€œFine, Alice. Exactly what I wanted to talk to him about. I’ll see him then.”
    The bright tone she’d tried for came out sounding brittle, to his ears at least. Alice must not have noticed, because the frown lines between her eyes disappeared. “And, Kerry—” she gestured over their shoulders “—he wants that box in the hall out of here. As in yesterday.”
    â€œNo problem.” The brittle tone again. “I’ll take care of it right now.”
    Again before he could react, Kerry made a move, whirling toward the doorway, then stumbling backward when she found him standing so close to her.
    He reached out quickly to grab her forearms, then wished he hadn’t when his palms registered the sensation of warm, supple skin. Her eyes met his for a split second before she pulled herself away.
    She dropped her clipboard onto a nearby chair and went out into the hall.
    This time, following in Kerry’s wake, he felt suddenly like a water skier losing control behind a runaway boat—and he didn’t like the sensation one damned bit.

Chapter Six
    Matt actively disliked everything about the entire situation he’d been forced to step into. Except, maybe, this woman.
    This woman, who had been coerced into things she’d rather not be involved in, either. This woman, who had somehow gotten to him in a way he couldn’t explain or understand. All he knew was, she raised emotions in him he didn’t want to feel. He had to get his mind back on business—right now.
    â€œKerry.” He reached for her, this time taking care to make contact with sweatshirt fleece before resting his hand on her shoulder. “Hold on a minute.” He kept his voice down, mindful of Alice in the next room. “This whole situation is ridiculous. We have to talk.”
    Once they set foot back in the game room, there’d be no chance to see her alone. Although, judging by the skeptical expression she turned his way now, his chances of talking her into a resolution to the problems her uncle had caused might have been better if he’d cornered her where there were witnesses.
    â€œI have work to do. Honestly, I don’t have time to stand around arguing.”
    â€œBut you’ll take on an irate manager later today, just to save your uncle’s hide?”
    â€œWhy not?” One corner of her mouth quirked up. “I’m getting plenty of practice with an irate lawyer.”
    Yeah, he had to admit she had a point. What made him effective in the courtroom might have him sound unintentionally ruthless in private conversation. Time to change his tactics. “Yes,” he said very calmly. “My argument exactly. I don’t understand why you should have to do anything, when it was someone else who created this entire mess.”
    â€œThen there’s no use my explaining, is there? Because if you haven’t caught on by now, you’ll never get it.”
    â€œLook, I’m only trying to give you an out.”
    She nodded. “Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”
    The sound of a file drawer sliding closed followed by Alice’s footsteps crossing the tile floor cut off anything he’d