About That Man by Sherryl Woods

indispensable after all.”
    Daisy didn’t like the way her pulse kicked up at his announcement. She was pretty sure the reaction didn’t have a thing to do with Tommy’s best interests.
    â€œYou’re welcome to stay here,” she said impulsively.
    His gaze clashed with hers, and for a moment the air sizzled with more of that astonishing electricity. Then he shook his head. “Bad idea.”
    â€œI agree,” Frances said.
    â€œBut you’re the one who said he and Tommy need time to get to know one another,” Daisy protested. “What better way than if they’re under the same roof?”
    â€œYes, but they’ll also need some space. And frankly it won’t help if half the town is gossiping about you having a stranger living with you. Somebody will want to make something of it, and you’ll be left to live it down.”
    â€œHe could stay at Cedar Hill,” Tucker suggested slyly. “There are plenty of rooms to spare over there.”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Daisy said fiercely, scowling at her brother. She knew exactly what he was up to. She could just imagine Walker being subjected to an endless diatribe from her father, probably followed by an attempt to bribe him into taking Tommy away from her.
    â€œWhat’s Cedar Hill?” Walker asked, regarding her curiously.
    â€œMy family’s home, still ruled by the indomitableKing Spencer,” she explained. “Trust me, you do not want to go there.”
    He grinned. “I don’t know. You’re making it sound like a challenge.”
    â€œMy father is a trial, not a challenge.”
    Tucker’s eyes flashed with amusement. “Trying to keep them apart, Daisy? What are you afraid of?”
    â€œYou know perfectly well that Daddy will try to stick his nose in and manipulate this so it works out the way he wants it to.”
    â€œYou’re not giving me much credit,” Walker said.
    â€œYou are no match for my father,” she insisted. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
    â€œHe doesn’t matchmake, does he?” Walker asked with a deliberately exaggerated shudder.
    â€œWith a Yankee? Heaven forbid,” Daisy said.
    â€œThen I don’t see the problem.”
    â€œShe’s afraid our father will have you and Tommy reunited and out of town before daybreak,” Tucker explained. “No matter how he has to accomplish it.”
    A teasing glint appeared in Walker’s eyes. “Which one of us are you most afraid of losing?” he inquired.
    Daisy could feel heat climbing into her cheeks. She hadn’t blushed this much in years, if ever. She avoided glancing at her brother or Frances before she said quite firmly, “Tommy, of course.”
    A grin spread across Walker’s face. “Of course.”
    â€œAm I missing something here?” Tucker inquired, his brotherly antennae clearly on full alert.
    â€œNothing,” Daisy said sharply. “Not one damn thing. You all settle this however you want to. Walker can sleep on the ground for all I care. I’m going to say good-nightto Tommy, and then I am going to bed. Breakfast’s at eight, Detective. If you’re still in town then.”
    A low chuckle followed her inside, but she couldn’t tell if it was Walker’s or her brother’s. At this point, it didn’t much matter. She held the same low opinion of both of them.
    Upstairs she found Bobby and Tommy engaged in a cutthroat round of a Monopoly game.
    â€œWatch him, Tommy. My brother really, really likes to acquire real estate. He’s already bought up half the waterfront in Trinity Harbor.”
    Tommy’s eyes widened. “For real? You own the beach?”
    â€œNot the beach,” Bobby said. “Just the land nearby.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do with it?”
    â€œHe’s already built a marina,” Daisy said.
    â€œThe one with all the boats and the