Read Online Her Desert Treasure (Entangled Ignite) by Larie Brannick - Free Book Online Page B

and Meg had felt safe for the first time in a long time.
    She wasn’t proud of the fact that she’d been too frightened to press charges against Troy, especially after he’d convinced the police the whole thing had been an accident. As long as he stayed away from her, she was willing to live with it. She was stronger now and would never allow anyone to control her again.
    “It never really felt like home to me, but I had a good job, and I fell in love with my boss, so I stayed. I came back for Grandpa’s funeral and to take care of his estate.” She shrugged. “I hadn’t realized how much I missed it until I got here.”
    “So you came back even though you love your boss?” He scowled and sounded irritated.
    She smiled. “My boss, Gwen. She’s also my best friend and the closest thing I have to family. I already miss her like crazy, but I know I’m doing the right thing staying here.”
    His scowl relaxed. “Sorry. I guess I just assumed you meant… So there’s…nobody waiting back in San Diego?”
    She shook her head. Nobody worth mentioning .
    “John talked about you all the time. At first, I had an image in my head of an eight year-old in pigtails. He told me you were a teacher?”
    His question broke into her thoughts. “I got my teaching certificate and a business degree in college. I taught sixth grade for three years.” Her heart rate sped up. God, she thought she’d gotten over this, the anxiety attacks were under control. She forced herself not to reach for her stomach. The physical scars had faded, but the emotional one still plagued her.
    “Meg?”
    “What? Oh, sorry. Budget cuts took out several positions. I was lucky to find a job with Gwen.” Who, she thought privately, had saved her in more ways than one. “But the ultimate goal has always been to come back here and build a living classroom on Grandpa’s land. I could teach, and he could use his experience and knowledge to teach students, as well.” The backs of her eyes pricked with the threat of tears, but she forced them back. “Even though he won’t be here, I want to move forward.”
    “That sounds terrific. I remember John talking about wanting you to come home to teach. What are your plans? Is there anything I can do to help?”
    Was he for real? After her disastrous relationship with Troy, she’d been leery of trusting another man—not to mention, what stranger would volunteer to help her without so much as batting an eye? Especially after her telling him she couldn’t help with his idea for the refuge. She’d figured that Jake was one of the good guys, but she hadn’t realized how good. She felt terrible for talking about her plans and shooting his down. “There are some roadblocks I have to deal with, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But thanks for the offer.”
    “I hope it all works out. I think this is a great idea. John would be proud, Meg.”
    She stared at their clasped hands. A current of electricity raced up her arm, her abdomen tightened with an awareness she’d never felt before. Why now? Why this man? Her body reacted to the mere sight of him. When he touched her, every nerve became hypersensitive. The curious sensation confused her.
    Admittedly, her experience with men could be summed up as sadly lacking. The only thing she had to compare it to was her relationship with Troy. She had no other reference point to judge what was happening. She gazed up into his deep brown eyes and could swear she saw not only compassion, but passion. Desire. Untangle your tongue, Meg .
    “Thank you. I hope I can make him proud.”
    The deadly dimples were back, and she was toast. She could have stayed in that chair, looking at him all night, but some small part of her logical brain chose that moment to pipe up. She had a million things to do tomorrow. Her cell phone had beeped reminders all night. Not one thing crossed off her to-do list today. Slowly, she pulled her hand from Jake’s, immediately missing the