Read Online His Tempest by Candice Poarch - Free Book Online Page B

He’d worked pretty hard today.
    â€œAnother early day tomorrow?” Noelle asked.
    Colin nodded. “I can’t stay long, but I just wanted a few minutes alone with you.”
    â€œAnd maybe you should rescue George from his nephew.”
    â€œHe’s gone already. He never stays long. Just long enough for George to remember to make him the main beneficiary.”
    â€œHow sad. George has another sister, doesn’t he?”
    Colin nodded. “She’s a nice lady. She visits sometimes. Spends a few days. She’s trying to get him to visit her, but he doesn’t like to be away from the farm.” In frustration, he leaned forward and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I wish I could help him. Mackenzie meant the world to him. I know he’s been dealt a low blow. And it’s going to take some time to get over it. But I feel so…incapable.”
    Noelle heard the agony in his voice and wished she could ease it. She rubbed his back.
    â€œI think you being there helps. It’s going to take time for him to recover,” she said and felt sad because she couldn’t reveal who she was, not after someone had already tried to cheat George.
    Colin nodded and stood. “I have to go. I’ll try to make it by to help Greg with the furniture tomorrow evening. It might be after dark before I get here.”
    â€œThat’s fine, thanks.” Noelle wanted to tell him they could handle it alone, but some of the furniture was pretty heavy, especially the sofa and armoire.
    She walked him to the door where he captured her in his arms and kissed her. He held her as if he was reluctant to let her go.
    When he finally did, cold air brushed over Noelle. She quickly closed the door behind him and shivered. Rubbing her arms, she went upstairs where she changed into sweats and got into bed. Sleep proved elusive. She couldn’t stop thinking of George Avery. What a fix. To have the one person who truly loved you gone. And the ones left were circling like vultures for what they could get.
    Suddenly Noelle felt sad for the kindly man. She understood why Colin was fond of him. A man of quiet dignity, George was the perfect cultured Southern host. He’d gently put William in his place without breaking stride and had then changed the conversation. He got his point across without indignation and without raising his voice.
    Her grandfather was hurting. Noelle hated to see anyone in pain. Would it help if he knew he had a granddaughter? How would her father feel if she became involved with him? Mackenzie was dead so he wasn’t a threat to Franklin. She and her father had never talked about it, although he knew she was here to see her grandfather. He accepted it and didn’t seem to be intimidated by it. Or at least he pretended he wasn’t. Noelle closed her eyes briefly. She loved her father. Couldn’t ask for a better one. And she didn’t understand her need to know the man who’d donated sperm for her.
    Noelle sighed. She couldn’t reveal her identity. Colin would think she came to Virginia for the same reason William visited the older man or for the reason that woman had pretended Mackenzie fathered her child—for what they could get. Colin had a great deal of influence over George. He’d think she, too, was there for monetary reasons.
    No, she couldn’t reveal her identity. But maybe she could become more involved with George. Maybe she could volunteer to take him to grief-counseling sessions or something. Then maybe Colin would see her intentions were genuine.
    Why did it matter so much? she asked herself.
    Because Colin mattered.
    Noelle sighed. She was finally getting sleepy, but she was saddened.
    Never in a million years would she have thought she and Colin would date. Not the womanizer. But he seemed to have changed.
    Could a man really change that much?

Chapter 5
    â€œN oelle.” Colin’s deep husky tone was a gentle balm early