door.
“Have you locked Porkahontas up? This crew’s never visited before, and I’d hate to face a lawsuit brought on by an overprotective pig.”
Emma rolled her eyes at him. She hated his teasing of Pocahontas but knew he was lightening a tense moment. He grinned, a wicked light to his eyes. “Don’t laugh,” she said, opening the front door. “She’s gonna slime you but good one of these days if you keep insulting her.”
“Yeah?” He quirked a brow and nudged her shoulder with his. “She loves me, and you know it.”
Emma glared. She much preferred the brooding, injured son persona to this roguish rebel. Whenever he pulled a personality back flip, it made it difficult to hide her feelings. “The Leary’s have overbooked their itinerary even though I pointed out they’d never fit in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in one day.”
“Hmm, you’ll straighten it out.”
“I always do.” The two of them emerged on the front porch at the same time the long, black limousine pulled up. She marveled at how easily they slipped into their roles.
***
Stone smiled brightly at the invisible people behind the dark tinted glass of the limo. He knew he’d placed both Emma and himself in a precarious position by invading her rooms, but the presence of Seamus Adams demanded drastic action. Even though he’d professed Emma’s safety, Stone wasn’t convinced. His gut screamed Adams knew her identity. This was either a brilliant plan or one he’d regret for eternity.
Four doors opened, spilling eight passengers onto the drive. They climbed over one another intent on absorbing the first view of River Run, talking and pointing and laughing in delight. Stone glanced at Emma. She smiled brilliantly at him, her eyes dancing and face glowing with pride, the twinge of fear only apparent to the most discernible eye. Stone saw it clearly along with a few other aspects that caused him pause.
He knew she loved River Run, but his heart caught when he realized how much. Stone turned quickly away, not wanting to ponder his insight or deal with his reaction.
A tall man, in well-pressed kahki pants and Rugby shirt exited last. He turned and faced the front door.
Stone felt Emma tense. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the steps, beside him. She backed up, he tugged forward and tossed her a warning glance. Panic and fear raged war against her professionalism and it sliced through his chest, almost decapitating his resolve.
Engage the enemy.
Offense is better than defense.
Nothing he could say would help Emma. She must face the man gazing at them curiously. She must greet her mother’s killer.
“I can’t go down there,” she said. Her voice strained to a bare whisper.
“You can do this.” He demanded, hating every inch of his plan.
She stared at him. Her body trembled from head to toe, but he remained impassive. Emma squared her shoulders, tilted her chin up, and turned to greet their guests. A surge of pride rushed through Stone. This was one tough lady.
Reaching Seamus Adams and his entourage, Emma extended her hand and greeted everyone with the professionalism of a polished hostess.
Seamus Adams clasped her hand firmly. The touch of the man who’d swam in her nightmares for the past fifteen years threatened to send her to her knees. She swallowed hard, blocking the image of the last time she’d seen his fingers.
Bloody. Deadly.
Stone walked up and stood behind her, his hand resting protectively upon her lower back. She glanced back, startled by the intimate contact, but he didn’t release her.
“Welcome to River Run, Mr. and Mrs. Adams. I’m pleased you were able to join the Leary party. It might be a few moments before your accommodations are prepared, so please won’t you accept a light lunch in the kitchen?”
“Aaah, Mr. Connor, I presume. I appreciate your quick acknowledgement to our request for a room. I’m house hunting in the area and when John and Linda invited