Read Online Fatal Disclosure by Sandra Robbins - Free Book Online

meant.”
    Her heart fluttered, but she spoke with a stiff upper lip. “Don’t do that, Mark.”
    He turned to stare at her. “What?”
    “Don’t bring up what we said to each other. It’s all in the past, and we need to keep it there.”
    He exhaled. “Okay. I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I was just making conversation.”
    She pushed back from the railing and turned to face him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’ll try not to read something into everything you say. After all, you didn’t have to offer to keep an eye on me. I hope you don’t feel like my family forced you.”
    He shook his head. “I don’t think that. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” He shrugged. “But who knows? We may be all wrong about this. Those phone calls may have nothing to do with what happened at Springer’s Point.”
    “You don’t believe that any more than I do.”
    His white teeth flashed behind his lazy smile. “Maybe not, but I thought it might make you feel better.”
    She wrapped her arms around her waist to control the shudder coursing through her body. “I don’t think I’ll feel better until we know who tried to run me down,”
    “I won’t give up until I find out who it was.”
    His words, meant to console her, only added to her conflicting emotions. If there was one thing she knew about Mark Webber…it was that once he had a goal in mind he didn’t waver. She also knew the last time she’d crossed his path she had ended up as a victim in his desire to see justice done. She couldn’t let that happen again.
    She stepped back from the railing and peered up at him. “I know you won’t. I’ve seen you work before. This time I’m just glad I’m not the one you’re after.”
    His eyes hardened and he spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Betsy. I promise I won’t do it again. After this case is over, I’ll leave on the first ferry out of here, and you won’t ever have to lay eyes on me again. Until then, it looks like we may be spending a lot of time together, and I’m getting tired of defending my past actions. I’d like to call a truce for now. Can you do that?”
    The truth of his words sent a flood of remorse through her. Had she tried to make Mark feel guilty by reminding him of their past connection? If so, she needed to concentrate on why he was here and the reason she needed him in her life right now. She took a deep breath.
    “Consider it done. I won’t bring the past up again as long as you’re here.”
    “Good. Now why don’t we go inside? It’s been a busy day, and I’m beat.” He walked to the back door and held it open for her. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
    She slipped past him into the house. The sound of his footsteps behind gave her a feeling of security as she climbed the stairs to her studio. When they arrived at the door, she turned and smiled. “I enjoyed having dinner with you tonight, Mark. And I’m glad we were able to talk afterward.”
    He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Me, too.”
    She pushed the door open but stopped before entering her room and turned to face him. “As you know, Scott is taking me out in the boat tomorrow morning so I can take some pictures of the waterfowl feeding. Would you like to tag along?”
    She could hardly believe she had invited him, but for some reason she really wanted him to come.
    “I’d like that.” His soft words flowed over her.
    She cocked her head to one side and grinned. “We’re leaving at five-thirty. Think you can get up that early?”
    A tiny smirk pulled at his lips. “I’m an early riser. I’ll meet you in the kitchen at five-fifteen.”
    “Good. I’ll see you then.”
    He reached out and touched her arm as she took a step to enter the room, and she halted. He moved closer and gazed into her eyes. “I don’t know what the next few days will be like, but I promise I’ll always be here for you.”
    “I appreciate