Read Online Simple Deceit (The Harmony Series 2) by Nancy Mehl - Free Book Online

he’d come to live with his aunt.
    “Sounds very entertaining if not a little painful. Your mom must have been a lot of fun.”
    His mouth relaxed and he smiled. “Like I said, we didn’t hit each other hard. More like a tap. And yes, she was fun. In fact, sometimes you remind me of her.”
    “Thank you, Sam. That means a lot to me.”
    We were quiet the rest of the way to town. I hoped someday he’d reveal more about his mom. I knew so little. Just that she’d died in a car wreck and that she’d never been married. I blew air out slowly between pursed lips. What was it about men that made it so hard to get to really know them? Put two women together and within fifteen minutes they’ll be privy to each other’s entire life story. But men… It takes a lot of trust and effortto get them to open up.
    By the time we pulled up in front of Mary’s Kitchen, I felt warm and toasty. I could only hope the café wasn’t cold. When we entered the quaint seventies-style restaurant with its polished wooden floors and cerulean blue walls, I was thrilled to find that I could take my coat off and still be comfortable.
    “Gracie!” someone yelled out. I turned to see Eric Beck waving at me from a table in the corner of the room. He sat across from a thin, rather rat-faced man who glared at me like I’d come into the diner just to annoy him.
    I pulled on Sam’s arm and guided him over to where Eric sat. In his expensive suit he looked out of place at the old table with its yellow laminated top and stainless steel legs.
    “I heard you were in town,” I said, smiling. “Sounds like your plans are public knowledge now.”
    His warm laugh highlighted the kindness in his face. Eric’s dark, wavy hair brought out his light blue eyes and perfect white teeth. “Yes, I’m afraid the cat’s out of the bag. I discovered that Harmony residents aren’t a shy bunch. Nor are they willing to let a stranger keep any secrets.”
    I nodded. “I could have told you that.” I patted Sam’s shoulder. “Eric, this is Sam Goodrich. I guess you two haven’t met yet.”
    Eric held out his hand and Sam shook it. “No,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I don’t think I have. You must not come to town much.”
    “Haven’t lately,” Sam replied. “Been kind of busy at my place. Nice to meet you.”
    “You, too, Sam. I suppose you both know Rand McAllister.”
    He motioned toward the other man sitting at the table, who glowered at us but didn’t say anything.
    “Yes,” Sam said, ignoring Rand’s obvious distaste for our presence. “Nice to see you again, Rand.”
    Sam’s greeting was acknowledged with a grunt.
    I ignored the ill-mannered man and directed my attention to Eric. “So is the town meeting still on for tonight?”
    He nodded. “Yes. Six o’clock in the empty building next to the hardware store. I’m renting it as a kind of base of operation while I’m here. The church down the street is loaning us some chairs, so we should have plenty of room for everyone who wants to come. I’m just trying to hash out the final details with Rand. Hopefully we’ll have everything settled before the meeting.”
    There was a slight hesitation in Eric’s voice that caused me to glance at Rand. As far as I knew, the deal had been agreed upon weeks ago. What still needed to be “settled”? The look I got back was toxic. I pulled once again on Sam’s arm.
    “Excuse us, Eric,” I said, ignoring Rand, who’d fastened his beady eyes on me. “I’m starving. If we don’t eat soon, I might pass out right here. We’ll see you tonight. If you need any help…”
    “Thanks, Gracie,” he said. “But I’m set. I used the flyers you made to announce the meeting, and I think the whole town knows about it. We should have a great turnout.”
    I told him good-bye, not even bothering to acknowledge Rand. I was beginning to think Sweetie had described the man pretty accurately. I said the same to Sam when we sat down. We were well enough