Read Online Mischief and Magnolias by Marie Patrick - Free Book Online Page B

wallpaper in her home where paintings had once hung and had assumed she’d sold them to keep food on the table, but it may well have been to keep her riverboats in tip-top shape, despite the fact there hadn’t been passengers in quite some time.
    “These will do quite nicely,” he murmured as he approached her. She stood at the bow of the
Sweet Sassy
, her face turned toward the deceptively gentle waters of the Mississippi. Several strands of her hair escaped the loose knot at the back of her head and fluttered in the breeze. “Who maintenances them? I’d like to hire him.”
    Startled, she jumped, then whirled to face him. “I do.”
    Remy cocked an eyebrow as he studied her face, noting how sad she seemed, noticing, not for the first time, how her throat moved when she spoke or swallowed, the white column soft and supple…and begging for the touch of his lips. “You?”
    “Surprised, Major? Did you think me incapable of getting my hands dirty?”
    He said nothing, mesmerized by the sudden flash of anger in her eyes as she looked up at him. Jock had said she was like no other woman he’d ever known, and now Remy could see why. Wisps of titian hair framed her face. He wanted to tuck them behind her ears and feel the softness of her skin beneath his fingertips.
    “My father always said it wasn’t enough to own these beautiful steamboats. One should know how they work and should be able to do every job on board.” Pride replaced her anger. “My brother and I learned everything we could from Papa. I can pilot and navigate as well as or better than any man. I can read the maps, stoke the firebox, paint and polish, and I can fix the engine.”
    Such dignity radiated from her, he stopped listening as she spoke of all she could do. Admiration for her fortitude and ingenuity made him smile. He could picture her, grease on her hands and in her hair, perhaps a smudge on her smooth cheek, as she wielded a wrench. He saw her at the wheel, her hands gripping the solid wood, or studying the maps spread out on the table in the pilothouse.
    Could he trust her to not tamper with the engines and leave them at the mercy of the Mississippi’s strong current?
    He studied her, saw the pride and passion on her face. Without a doubt, she’d never do anything to damage her riverboats. Oh, she might put vinegar in his coffee, but her steamboats? Never. And so he asked, “Would you consider continuing to maintenance your steamers? For me?”
    The question caught her by surprise. Her lips parted and her eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed. “Why should I?”
    Remy grinned at her, mesmerized by the way her chest seemed to puff out, exposing the silken tops of her breasts above the décolletage of her gown. “Why wouldn’t you? Knowing how you feel about your riverboats, why would you trust anyone else? Especially if he happens to wear blue?”
    She seemed to consider his offer, drawing her lower lip between her teeth as she thought, the sight erotic and spellbinding. After a moment, she inclined her head. “Yes, I will.”
    Those three words, spoken so softly, touched him in a way he hadn’t thought possible, and he couldn’t help smiling at her.
    • • •
    Shaelyn let the breath ease from her lungs. There was undisguised pleasure in the softness of his blue-gray eyes, although why that should matter, she didn’t know. The last thing she wanted to do was please him. She didn’t want to see him smile because of what that smile did to her. She didn’t want to see the lights dancing in his eyes either. She still hated his intrusion into her home…into her life…and wanted him gone from both.
    She turned away and left him standing at the bow, aware that his gaze followed her, causing her heart to beat a little faster in her chest and her blood to pound in her ears. Confusion and bewilderment swirled through her mind to cloud her judgment.
    This is ridiculous! He’s just a man. A man I don’t want in my house. And