Read Online Hide and Seek by Charlene Newberg - Free Book Online

south.”
    She released him and stepped away. “Despite what you may think, I am not a witch!”
    “That’s up for debate.” As the lantern’s light reflected in his eyes, his hand sought hers. “You're a beguiling distraction who creates havoc with my blood pressure and one other immediate reaction."
    She flushed, imagining that reaction. She could never tell him, but Holt made her feel more powerful than she had in months. Their fingers laced, and his gaze lowered to her lips.
    “You wanted to speak to me? I can think of something I’d rather do.”
    His thumb gently swept the top of her hand. Her heart hammered at the gentle contact, but reality came swirling back. “Have you met anyone planning to leave the area?”
    “There's a woman a block away. Nadine Castellano. Esmeralda ripped the roof off her family room. She's leaving tomorrow for her mother's home in..."
    “That’s great,” Caprice cried. "You found us a ride. Thank you!”
    "Bangor, Maine," he finished. "Nadine has two boys, great company for Shawn.”
    Blistering, frustrated, Caprice jerked her hand from his. “Maine? Are you serious?”
    “After you arrive, catch a flight to…"
    "No. That's a waste of time. It’s imperative that I meet with Agent Ly…”
    She stopped, but his gaze narrowed. “Who? What type of agent? Does this have something to do with the plans that thug mentioned at the airport?”
    “There you go again, demanding answers I’m not prepared to give.”
    He studied her for seconds. “Lady, you’ve got to agree that this isn't the place for Shawn, and Nadine's a nice lady."
    "Forget it, LeBerger. I'll borrow a flashlight and speak to Jack's neighbors myself. Maybe they've remembered someone who is traveling south."
    He shook his head. "The nighttime curfew is in effect. If you’re caught outside, a guardsman will demand identification."
    “All right. I see your point, but don’t make decisions for me."
    His eyes flashed. "Plan to shower and sleep in the camper again. Dad will sleep in the house on his only dry mattress.”
    She inhaled, compelled to soothe things over. "I understand Shawn and I don't belong here. We’re an inconvenience."
    "It's just a bad time, Caprice. That’s all."
    Regret softened his tone. To be fair, she appreciated that he had left his responsibilities to help his father, but Holt also expected his orders to be followed. She bit her lower lip. Should she take her chances and defy the curfew? Somehow she had to find a ride to Georgia.
    ****
    It was after midnight when Holt found Caprice sitting on the camper’s floor separating the damp pages of his father's heavy-bound book on aviation history. A box of cornstarch and a dry rag sat nearby.
    Holt dropped to sit beside her. "Shawn's asleep?"
    Without looking up, she nodded, maintaining her meticulous rhythm. Wipe, dust, turn. Wipe, dust, turn. Wipe, dust…
    Holt captured her forearm midair. She inhaled sharply and pulled, but he maintained a light grip, and was ensnared by eyes like green lasers. “Lady, you're angry enough to cast hexes. Why?”
    "I am not going to Maine.”
    With his thumb, Holt stroked the heel of her hand, above delicate tendons and veins. He liked touching her. She was soft, irresistible, and... His brows collided. So, what had become of his self-control? Truth was, he wanted Caprice to lose her fear of him, yet wondered why he even tried.
    After all, she was a stubborn, persnickety woman. At dinner, she had brushed breadcrumbs from around her plate and Shawn's. The boy needed a man around. He needed to be rescued from Caprice’s overly-feminine ways. In spite of that, Holt found he wanted to kiss her senseless and make her forget her fastidious fussing.
    "I have a solution to your problem," he said and had her full attention when her eyes widened and lips parted. "Good for you, but bad for me. I'm leaving tomorrow and heading home."
    “You’re leaving so soon? Why?"
    "According to the National Hurricane Center,