Read Online Opposites Distract by Judi Lynn - Free Book Online

go. See you in the morning.”
    She could feel the intensity of his gaze on her as she went up the stairs. Poor Brody. He’d never understand her. He’d lived in an orderly world for far too long.

Chapter 8
    S he finished the last bite of coffee cake at three in the morning. She’d made a half pot of coffee, gotten a second wind, and was so wrapped up in her story that she forgot the time. Her phone sang “Oh, baby, baby . . .” at seven-thirty.
    â€œNo.” She turned off the alarm and tried to go back to sleep, but Luxar just wouldn’t settle down. He pestered her until she stumbled out of bed and returned to her laptop. Seven pages later, she slumped over the desk and fell asleep.
    When Brody called at noon to remind her to get ready for lunch, she couldn’t remember what day it was. His voice sounded strained. She was a writer. Even when her brain felt fuzzy, she noticed things. Nuances made a big difference in stories. Foreshadowing cranked up tension. Something had been bothering Brody yesterday. It bothered him more today.
    A glance out her window confirmed that gray skies and more snow had come to stay. No specks dotted the ice fishing holes today. A wind whipped across the lake and shook the naked branches of the trees in the back yard. She’d remind Brody to clean his boots. Things were going to be even slipperier than before.
    When she reached the lobby, a heavy sheet of plastic blocked off the west wing. She lifted it to take a peek. Two-by-fours framed a hallway with four openings for doors. The men had started hanging drywall in the back and must be working their way forward. She could finally picture how the suites would work.
    She slid onto her chair at the dining table at exactly twelve thirty, dressed and close to being presentable. She’d even slapped on some mascara and blush. She glanced at the others. Quiet. Gloomy. Delicious-looking sloppy joes and potato chips sat on each plate. No one was paying attention to their food. Paula looked from one brother to the other. Finally, she asked, “Is everything okay?”
    Harmony didn’t feel right asking, so she was glad Paula did. Tension buzzed in the air. She and Brody were acquaintances, not friends. If he wanted to tell her something, he would, but he hadn’t. So it surprised her when he looked directly at her and said, “Cecily’s pregnant.”
    Oh, boy. The woman who wouldn’t have his baby had gotten preggo as fast as she could with an older man. “Was it an accident?” she asked.
    Brody’s mouth went grim. “Not according to my mother. They still bump into each other at social functions. Bridget called to tell me something was up, that Cecily was walking around like . . .” He hesitated.
    â€œ. . . Her ass weighed a ton?” Harmony finished.
    He nodded. “That’s how Bridget put it. Bridget would. Mom said Cecily came right up to her to tell her the news and asked her to let me know. Said I’d be happy to hear she finally got knocked up.”
    â€œShe likes to hurt you.” No wonder Brody was so prickly around women.
    â€œWhen Bridget found out, she started digging around. She knows half of the population in the area.”
    Ian nodded. “Like Tessa’s grandmother. That woman knows everyone.”
    â€œShe found people who told her the scoop.” Brody’s broad shoulders hunched. He wasn’t happy about the news. “Her husband promised to hire a live-in nanny, so that Cecily wouldn’t be tied down. Maybe if I’d thought of that . . .”
    â€œYou’d still be hitched to Super Bitch,” Ian said.
    Harmony felt her eyebrows shoot up. “I thought they only hired nannies in English Regency novels—shuffled the kid off to a nursery and let him visit his parents between social engagements.”
    Ian shook his head. “No, lots of career women hire nannies so that they can go back to their work