headed toward Joe’s office. But though he mechanically noted the security sensors positioned overhead, his mind was still on Heather McGrath. When she’d first stepped into Joe Colton’s office, he’d felt like some sort of awestruck schoolboy. She was almost too perfect. Like every man’s ideal woman. Tall, willowy, with soft blue eyes and a turned-up nose. She even had perfect dimples when she smiled. And to top it off, all that smooth blond hair flowing like silk.
He’d had to touch it. Just to assure himself it was as soft as it looked. The jolt he’d been forced to endure had been worth it. It was the kind of hair a man wanted to sink his hands into.
And then there were those lips. So perfectly formed. The lower lip full and inviting. He’d been shocked by the urge to kiss her, to touch his mouth to hers and drink his fill.
The perfume she wore was intoxicating. Like crushed roses. When he’d breathed her in, she went straight to his head and sent it spinning.
A man could get addicted to a woman like that.
He’d been grateful for those few minutes to study her when she’d first arrived. It had given him the advantage when they’d been introduced.
Of course, that didn’t explain why he’d spent all that time studying her again when he’d come upon her just now.
He frowned. Men didn’t need a reason to look at a woman like that. It was the most natural thing in the world. And it wasn’t as if she didn’t know she was beautiful. How could she not be aware of it? She’d probably been stared at by men since she was old enough to wiggle those sexy hips.
He knew her type. In his line of work he’d come across dozens of women like her. Rich, pampered, adored. They took their beauty and their lifestyle for granted. And when things started to fall apart, so did they.
He’d be willing to bet that her idea of work was leeching off her rich uncle and talking endlessly on the phone to her friends. The first time she broke a fingernail she’d probably throw a tantrum.
Still, when they shook hands, he’d felt the heat clear to his toes. There was no denying she was one hot little female.
And, he figured, as long as he was going to be here conducting an investigation, he may as well enjoy the view. Even though he’d have to remember not to touch.
Heather McGrath was too rich for his blood.
He knocked, then opened the door when he heard Joe Colton’s voice summon him to enter.
“What’d you find, Thad?”
“It’s a good security system, as far as it goes. But I’d recommend that you add some refinements.”
Joe nodded. “Okay. That’s why I asked for your help. How soon can you have it done to your satisfaction?”
Thad shrugged. “A day or two. I can order the parts you need. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hire the workmen myself. No sense having strangers on the premises that haven’t passed a security check.”
Joe smiled. “Whatever you say, Thad. Can you stay for lunch?”
“No, thanks.” Thad turned away. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
When the door closed behind him, Peter McGrath gave Joe a long, measuring look. “Seems to me you’re going to a lot of trouble for a man who doesn’t think anything’s wrong.”
Joe clapped a hand on his foster brother’s shoulder. “After what’s happened lately, I’ve decided to wise up and take precautions. Besides, my favorite niece plans on living and working here now. I’d like to think that all these security measures will give you and Andie some peace of mind.”
Peter nodded, thinking of the way his wife, Andie, had reacted when she’d heard what Heather planned to do. She liked having her daughter close. “You’re right, of course. I’m grateful that you’re finally ready to put your safety in the hands of an expert.”
At the appearance of the housekeeper, Inez, announcing that lunch was ready, the two men made their way to the beautiful dining room, overlooking the courtyard. They met Heather just coming from the other direction.
“Will Aunt Meredith be joining us?” she called cheerfully.
Joe shook his head. “Meredith never eats lunch here. In fact, she’s rarely at home. That’s just one more reason why I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart. You’ll be great company. Besides, your father assures me that you’re an expert at whipping an office into shape.”
As the three were seated they could see, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Thaddeus Law walking to his car.
“Speaking of experts.” Peter nodded toward the figure of the officer. “I wouldn’t want to mess with Detective Law. He looks like he could take on an entire gang of gunmen without flinching.”
“Yeah.” Joe laughed. “And spit out their bullets if they were foolish enough to fire at him.”
The two men shared a laugh while Heather merely watched in silence as the man they were discussing tossed his jacket on the passenger seat before stepping inside and driving away in a cloud of dust.
Somehow she had the impression that her father and uncle weren’t too far from the truth.
Two
Heather showered and dressed quickly, in a simple turtleneck and jeans, eager to begin her first day at the ranch. She ran a brush through her hair and tied it back with a clip, then let herself out of her room and danced barefoot down the stairs.
She knew that the tender farewell scene with her father yesterday had been much harder on him than on her. He’d felt that he was losing his baby, and had actually said as much. For her part, she felt only a sense of freedom. For the next few weeks or months she would have no commitments. Her only responsibility was to her uncle and his business affairs. That was a level of comfort that suited her far more than the corporate setting she’d had to adapt to for the past couple of years.
She smiled to herself. She was sick of business suits and cramming her feet into high-heeled pumps. Bored with long-winded presentations and working lunches. Weary of dressing up at night for black-tie charity events, and making small talk with high-powered executives who always seemed to have one eye on the media.
In the kitchen she was thrilled to discover that she was the first one up. She plugged in the coffeemaker before rummaging through the cupboards. When she located some cereal she poured a bowl, topped it with milk, and grabbed up a spoon before heading out the door. On the porch she settled herself on the top step and leaned her back against the railing, enjoying the spectacular sunrise while she ate.
The sky was ablaze with ribbons of pink and mauve and deep purple. The air was warm and dry, with just a hint of the perfume of jewel-colored dianthus and ivy in nearby terracotta planters.
Heather saw a blur of movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to look, her spoon halfway to her mouth. She nearly bobbled the spoon when she realized it was Thad Law. But this wasn’t the man in the rumpled suit that she’d met the previous day. This was a man in snug jeans and denim shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, which displayed a toned, muscled body. She knew men in her parents’ country club who worked out daily with personal trainers, hoping for a body like his.
In his arms was a cardboard box and a length of electrical wire.
Thad caught sight of her at the same moment and paused in mid-stride. Then he quickly recovered and walked closer. “’Morning.”
“Good morning. I didn’t expect to see you here this early.”
He set down his burden on the bottom step and straightened, regarding her with that piercing look. “I might say the same for you.”
She smiled easily. “I’ve always loved the morning.” She nodded toward the cereal. “Have you had your breakfast?”
“Yeah.”