Read Online Hot Licks by Jennifer Dellerman - Free Book Online
Authors: Jennifer Dellerman
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except for Amy and Lisa who were frowning and eying Gwen like a bug on a windshield.
Mortified, Gwen pressed her fingertips to her eyes.
How had this hike become personal? She was supposed to answer any questions about the Orchards or the reserve, not about her love life. Or lack thereof.
Before she could get the group back on track, squeals of joy reached her ears, the sound making her forget the whirlwind her mind was in and smile knowingly.
They had found the treasure.
Turning, she watched two very exhilarated boys run towards their not so very astonished parents. “We found it!
We found it!”
The boys dropped to their knees and laid a small tin chest, about five inches long by four inches high, in front of them. Gwen looked around and felt her heart rise to her throat when she saw Rome strolling toward the group, his face nearly as thrilled as the boys. As he reached her side, his dark gaze locked on hers for several moments. When he arched a brow in question, she managed a small smile before tearing her gaze away to see Byron and Lynn moving to sit on the dirt across from their sons.
Jason fumbled with the little latch and opened the lid of the chest. Inside were several bundles covered with tattered material. Carefully, displaying a sense of reverence far beyond his years, seven-year old Jason unwrapped each piece.
The first item revealed was a necklace of glowing beads and precious stones which he promptly draped over his mother’s head. A large gold and garnet signet ring with the letter M inscribed on it was deliberated over before the boys decided to give it to their father as he was the head of the family. Plus the ring was far too large for either boy.
The next item Jason pulled free was a small glass pirate ship that shimmered with brilliant colors in the sun.
Gwen knew Brett was the one who liked ships. Curious, and then delightfully wistful, Gwen watched Jason hand the pretty piece over to his awed younger brother.
A corncob pipe came next and Jason trailed his fingers over the intricate carvings with the same awe Brett handled his ship. Finally, he unwrapped the last two items, two small daggers, their hilts glinting with precious stones.
Both boys gaped, looked at each other and whooped with joy.
Lynn looked up at that moment and caught Gwen’s gaze. The woman had tears in her eyes as she mouthed “thank you” to Gwen and Rome.
Everything was fake of course and, with parental permission, hidden in the rocks specifically for the boys to find. This was what James had been doing yesterday.
Though the gifts were far from extravagant, and totally fake, Melinda made it a point to ensure every child not leave the B&B empty-handed. It was a loving gesture and simply another reason in a long list of many why Gwen adored her employers.
As everyone oohed and aahed over the find, Gwen peeked over at Rome. His eyes were on the family of four, something akin to longing in those dark depths. It stirred something deep inside her. Knowing the stock he came from, Melinda’s love and compassion and Andreas’s solid strength and generosity, Gwen felt her insides melt, reaffirming her belief that Rome was indeed a menace. Not to society as she had first thought, but to her heart.
Chapter Seven
Gwen pushed absently at the solid steel plating of the critter fence with a gloved hand, her focus not wholly on the job, which continued to tempt her ire. She and Dennis were inspecting the east side fencing of the Orchards, checking for loose fittings, holes and general wear and tear. A necessary task, but one that continued to be interrupted by thoughts of Rome.
After lunch yesterday, she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him. Not at dinner, not when she’d strolled out to the garden swing and not at breakfast. It was as if he were avoiding her, and that rankled. Which was irritating because she had told them a physical relationship between them was not in the cards, so she should be satisfied. And though
Mortified, Gwen pressed her fingertips to her eyes.
How had this hike become personal? She was supposed to answer any questions about the Orchards or the reserve, not about her love life. Or lack thereof.
Before she could get the group back on track, squeals of joy reached her ears, the sound making her forget the whirlwind her mind was in and smile knowingly.
They had found the treasure.
Turning, she watched two very exhilarated boys run towards their not so very astonished parents. “We found it!
We found it!”
The boys dropped to their knees and laid a small tin chest, about five inches long by four inches high, in front of them. Gwen looked around and felt her heart rise to her throat when she saw Rome strolling toward the group, his face nearly as thrilled as the boys. As he reached her side, his dark gaze locked on hers for several moments. When he arched a brow in question, she managed a small smile before tearing her gaze away to see Byron and Lynn moving to sit on the dirt across from their sons.
Jason fumbled with the little latch and opened the lid of the chest. Inside were several bundles covered with tattered material. Carefully, displaying a sense of reverence far beyond his years, seven-year old Jason unwrapped each piece.
The first item revealed was a necklace of glowing beads and precious stones which he promptly draped over his mother’s head. A large gold and garnet signet ring with the letter M inscribed on it was deliberated over before the boys decided to give it to their father as he was the head of the family. Plus the ring was far too large for either boy.
The next item Jason pulled free was a small glass pirate ship that shimmered with brilliant colors in the sun.
Gwen knew Brett was the one who liked ships. Curious, and then delightfully wistful, Gwen watched Jason hand the pretty piece over to his awed younger brother.
A corncob pipe came next and Jason trailed his fingers over the intricate carvings with the same awe Brett handled his ship. Finally, he unwrapped the last two items, two small daggers, their hilts glinting with precious stones.
Both boys gaped, looked at each other and whooped with joy.
Lynn looked up at that moment and caught Gwen’s gaze. The woman had tears in her eyes as she mouthed “thank you” to Gwen and Rome.
Everything was fake of course and, with parental permission, hidden in the rocks specifically for the boys to find. This was what James had been doing yesterday.
Though the gifts were far from extravagant, and totally fake, Melinda made it a point to ensure every child not leave the B&B empty-handed. It was a loving gesture and simply another reason in a long list of many why Gwen adored her employers.
As everyone oohed and aahed over the find, Gwen peeked over at Rome. His eyes were on the family of four, something akin to longing in those dark depths. It stirred something deep inside her. Knowing the stock he came from, Melinda’s love and compassion and Andreas’s solid strength and generosity, Gwen felt her insides melt, reaffirming her belief that Rome was indeed a menace. Not to society as she had first thought, but to her heart.
Chapter Seven
Gwen pushed absently at the solid steel plating of the critter fence with a gloved hand, her focus not wholly on the job, which continued to tempt her ire. She and Dennis were inspecting the east side fencing of the Orchards, checking for loose fittings, holes and general wear and tear. A necessary task, but one that continued to be interrupted by thoughts of Rome.
After lunch yesterday, she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him. Not at dinner, not when she’d strolled out to the garden swing and not at breakfast. It was as if he were avoiding her, and that rankled. Which was irritating because she had told them a physical relationship between them was not in the cards, so she should be satisfied. And though
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