Heartstealer (Women of Character3 by Grace Brannigan Page B

then his brother. Sloan wondered if she were making comparisons between he
and James. James was easygoing, he was not. He moved across the deck and toward
the stairs, knowing the answers he wanted would have to wait.
    "I love it here, although I
was just telling Sloan I can't imagine these mountains when the snow
comes."
    James laughed. "Sometimes we
get snowed in but there’s all kinds of possibilities, depending who you
get stranded with."
    She gave a husky laugh, and the
sound rippled all the way through Sloan. What would it be like to be stranded
in a snowstorm with Jacie? Images rose to his mind, entwined limbs and hushed
voices. There was no doubt in his mind it would be interesting and thoroughly
fulfilling.
    "Actually, Sloan, I need to
talk with you." James’ voice snapped Jacie back to full awareness.
How could she be daydreaming in broad daylight? She had had the most erotic
thoughts about Sloan. What was the matter with her?
    "Mom and Dad will be arriving
in a few days," James said. "I want to set up some arrangements and I
need your input."
    "I was just heading back to
the office," Sloan said. He turned back to her. "Are you going to be
okay?"
    "Of course," she told
him.
    "Are you ill?" James asked
with concern.
    "No, just a momentary
dizziness. It’s passed," she reassured him.
    "Let us know if you’re
interested in the overnight in two days," Sloan reminded her as he stepped
off the deck.
    "Sure." As if she hadn't
just had the air knocked out of her, she waved gaily at him and James as they
left. From what Sloan had said, she had assumed his mother was dead. James said
she and their father were coming for a visit. She would get to meet the woman
who had given birth to Sloan, the woman who had hurt him. She felt a strange
mix of antipathy and curiosity.
    She picked up her hair band where
Sloan had left it on the rail and stared out over the valley. The sun was
almost completely down, the day nearly over. A soft sigh escaped her. Life sure
took some strange turns. She looked to the heavens, staring at the rose and
orange streaks placed there by nature. The sun rose and set, it remained
constant. Why weren't people so predictable? Once this job was complete and she
proved to herself she was as good as new, she would move on and leave Timber
Falls. Leave Sloan, a man she felt more and more attracted to each time they
met.

§ Chapter Six §
    Following dinner that evening Jacie
sat at the lodge bar and nursed a tumbler of Schnapps. Lifting the glass
slowly, she took a small sip, relishing the icy peppermint as it slid past her
tongue and burned down her throat. She twirled the glass, watching MaryAnn and
her husband sway on the small dance floor. Other couples sat at the tables. A
slow, romantic song by Willie Nelson played on the jukebox.
    She half-closed her eyes, recalling
another night. It had been spring, and she had just met Brad, a client from
Bonnie's car rental company.
    She’d let him talk her into a
date and then taken him to a honky-tonk bar to give him a taste of her favorite
music. She ran a hand through her hair, staring up at the dark beams supporting
the ceiling. Brad had not been interested in the slow, easy pace of country. He
wanted rock and roll and city sights. In all fairness, she’d been right
there beside him, keeping pace.
    "Jacie, can I get you another
drink?" Michelle asked from behind the bar.
    Dragging herself out of the past,
she glanced at the other girl. "I’m okay for now. By the way, how
did you end up bartending?" she asked curiously.
    "I go wherever the boss needs
me," Michelle said with a grin. "They were short-handed so I'm
filling in. I'm hoping to get into college next year, so I'm saving every
penny. Of course, it helps that Sloan and James are first cousins. They give me
a lot of overtime."
    "You're a versatile woman,
Michelle." The music ended and it became quiet. "This place is too
quiet." She dropped her feet to the floor.
    "Leaving so soon?"
Michelle asked.
    She