Read Online Where Truth Lies by Christiane Heggan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christiane Heggan
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shot.”
Founded in 1893 by Everett J. Anderson, a wealthy mill owner, Anderson College was a private institution that offered a diverse range of degree programs, including a strong art department, which was the reason Lucy had chosen the local college. Located on Route 202, the sprawling campus now boasted more than a thousand students from all walks of life.
Finding a parking space was a challenge, but Matt lucked out when two male students jumped into a Nissan parked two spaces from the front entrance and drove away. Matt was leaning against the Durango, arms folded when a human wave of laughing, jean-clad young women poured out of the main building. With individuality practically nonexistent, picking out his sister among the crowd wasn’t easy. Not only did all the girls wear similar attire, they also wore their blond or brown hair long and straight.
At last he spotted Lucy, her blond locks bouncing with every step. But although she made an effort to keep up with her friends’ ebullient chatter, she seemed quieter, more subdued. Matt’s heart went out to her. Born when Matt was already in college, she had taken a special place in their parents’ heart, especially Fred, who adored his little girl. They had grown even closer after the death of their mother ten years ago.
“Luce!”
At the familiar nickname, she looked up and a huge grin split her pretty face. Her worries temporarily forgotten, she ran toward Matt and threw herself in his arms. “Oh, Matty, I’m so glad to see you.”
He caught her, trapping her books between the two of them, and held her tight for a moment before he put her down. “I’m glad to see you, too, Goldilocks. Let me take a good look at you.”
He held her at arm’s length and took a quick inventory. She had their late mother’s good looks—silky hair so pale it almost looked white, a fair complexion, large blue eyes and a small mouth that was made for smiling.
“You look good, kiddo.”
“You, too.”
As if to confirm her last statement, Lucy’s two friends came to stand beside her. Ginny Peruso, who had been Lucy’s soul mate since they were toddlers, smoothed down her brown hair while Barb, a stunning blonde, struck a pose. “Hi, Matt,” they said in unison.
Feeling suddenly very old at forty-one, Matt wrapped an arm around his sister. “Ladies.”
“Are you going to be in town long?” Barb had always been on the precocious side, but the coy looks and sexy tone were new. Matt reminded himself that they weren’t little girls anymore, or awkward teenagers. Almost overnight, they had become women. As had Lucy.
“I’m not sure yet.”
As though sensing that her big brother needed rescuing, Lucy took his arm. “Okay, guys, enough with the flirting already. Ginny, I’ll see you after dinner.” Then, not waiting for an answer and ignoring the two girls’ look of disappointment, she pointed at the Jeep. “Is this yours?”
“Yup.”
She jumped in and waited until he was behind the wheel before saying teasingly, “You took a huge chance coming here. You could have had all your clothes ripped off.”
Matt pulled out of the parking space. “By two nineteen-year-olds?”
“By a swarm of red-blooded females,” she corrected. “It isn’t every day that those hallowed halls are graced by the presence of a hunk like you.”
“I’m more than twice their age.”
“And therein lies the attraction, big brother.”
Matt threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. “Okay, what’s with all the compliments? You need money? A new car?”
“I don’t need or want anything. I’m speaking the truth. Didn’t you notice the hungry looks you drew? Even Professor Adler couldn’t take her eyes off you.”
“Professor Adler can’t see farther than her nose.”
“She had laser surgery. And a boob job. Could you tell?”
It felt good to hear her giggle. “Now that you mention it,” he replied playfully. “She did
Founded in 1893 by Everett J. Anderson, a wealthy mill owner, Anderson College was a private institution that offered a diverse range of degree programs, including a strong art department, which was the reason Lucy had chosen the local college. Located on Route 202, the sprawling campus now boasted more than a thousand students from all walks of life.
Finding a parking space was a challenge, but Matt lucked out when two male students jumped into a Nissan parked two spaces from the front entrance and drove away. Matt was leaning against the Durango, arms folded when a human wave of laughing, jean-clad young women poured out of the main building. With individuality practically nonexistent, picking out his sister among the crowd wasn’t easy. Not only did all the girls wear similar attire, they also wore their blond or brown hair long and straight.
At last he spotted Lucy, her blond locks bouncing with every step. But although she made an effort to keep up with her friends’ ebullient chatter, she seemed quieter, more subdued. Matt’s heart went out to her. Born when Matt was already in college, she had taken a special place in their parents’ heart, especially Fred, who adored his little girl. They had grown even closer after the death of their mother ten years ago.
“Luce!”
At the familiar nickname, she looked up and a huge grin split her pretty face. Her worries temporarily forgotten, she ran toward Matt and threw herself in his arms. “Oh, Matty, I’m so glad to see you.”
He caught her, trapping her books between the two of them, and held her tight for a moment before he put her down. “I’m glad to see you, too, Goldilocks. Let me take a good look at you.”
He held her at arm’s length and took a quick inventory. She had their late mother’s good looks—silky hair so pale it almost looked white, a fair complexion, large blue eyes and a small mouth that was made for smiling.
“You look good, kiddo.”
“You, too.”
As if to confirm her last statement, Lucy’s two friends came to stand beside her. Ginny Peruso, who had been Lucy’s soul mate since they were toddlers, smoothed down her brown hair while Barb, a stunning blonde, struck a pose. “Hi, Matt,” they said in unison.
Feeling suddenly very old at forty-one, Matt wrapped an arm around his sister. “Ladies.”
“Are you going to be in town long?” Barb had always been on the precocious side, but the coy looks and sexy tone were new. Matt reminded himself that they weren’t little girls anymore, or awkward teenagers. Almost overnight, they had become women. As had Lucy.
“I’m not sure yet.”
As though sensing that her big brother needed rescuing, Lucy took his arm. “Okay, guys, enough with the flirting already. Ginny, I’ll see you after dinner.” Then, not waiting for an answer and ignoring the two girls’ look of disappointment, she pointed at the Jeep. “Is this yours?”
“Yup.”
She jumped in and waited until he was behind the wheel before saying teasingly, “You took a huge chance coming here. You could have had all your clothes ripped off.”
Matt pulled out of the parking space. “By two nineteen-year-olds?”
“By a swarm of red-blooded females,” she corrected. “It isn’t every day that those hallowed halls are graced by the presence of a hunk like you.”
“I’m more than twice their age.”
“And therein lies the attraction, big brother.”
Matt threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. “Okay, what’s with all the compliments? You need money? A new car?”
“I don’t need or want anything. I’m speaking the truth. Didn’t you notice the hungry looks you drew? Even Professor Adler couldn’t take her eyes off you.”
“Professor Adler can’t see farther than her nose.”
“She had laser surgery. And a boob job. Could you tell?”
It felt good to hear her giggle. “Now that you mention it,” he replied playfully. “She did
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