The Look-Alike Bride (Crimson Romance) (16 page)

“Traitor.” Adam resigned himself to a cabin filled with his family for the next few days and turned his mind to ways of being with Leonie in spite of his relatives’ presence. “When’s Mom arriving?”

Beside him, Jeremy froze. His hand gripped Adam’s shoulder, directing his brother’s attention to something on the edge of the woods. The crickets and frogs sang on, undisturbed.

“There’s someone out there,” Jeremy said softly. “Do you think your girlfriend followed you back here?”

Adam stiffened but managed to lean casually against the deck rail. He turned just as casually to direct Jeremy’s attention toward the trail that led to the lake, all senses on the alert. While he did so, his trained gaze scanned the dark, wooded area Jeremy indicated.

For a long moment, nothing moved, but as he and Jeremy continued to scan the woods while discussing a possible motorboat ride the following morning, Adam became aware of a slight movement in the deeper shadows. Whoever had followed him was trying to vanish, unnoticed, back into the woods.

Suddenly furious, Adam leaped over the deck and raced toward the woods. If he could just get a glimpse of the person who was terrorizing Leonie . . . .

Sounds behind him indicated Jeremy followed. But even as he entered the woods and swept his little flashlight out of his pocket, he knew it was too late. Crashing noises ahead indicated the watcher had decided to quit while he was able.

Adam realized he was an idiot, chasing someone who might turn out to be armed and dangerous. Moreover, he was dragging his brother into possible danger. Courting Leonie had affected his mind.

He jogged to a halt. At least, he had put a scare into the person spying on them.

“What now?” Jeremy said from beside him, barely audible over the crickets and frogs singing their nightly serenades.

“We’d better go back. Maureen won’t like it if both of us vanish without a word and leave her alone.”

Jeremy turned and walked beside him through the loud, fragrant night air. When they reached the deck stairs, he halted and turned to face his brother. “Do you care to tell me what this is all about?”

Adam sighed. “It’s a long story. Why don’t you comfort yourself with the thought that, this time, it isn’t me they’re interested in.”

There was a moment of silence then Jeremy’s hand clamped down hard on Adam’s shoulder.

“If you think that comforts me, I’ll take you down to soak your head in the lake,” Jeremy warned.

“You can try.” Adam laughed, suddenly feeling better. “And keep your mouth shut. I don’t want this getting back to . . . anyone.”

Even in the darkness, Adam could see his brother’s grin. “Oh, I wouldn’t think of spreading this around to anyone who goes by the name of
Mom
. Go ahead, brother. Talk.”

For once, Adam was happy to comply with an order from his older brother.

• • •

Leonie awakened after a night spent dozing and tossing and longing for Adam’s presence. She glared at the sun. She did not want to get out of bed. She so did not want to go to her rock-painting class.

She told herself firmly she also did not ever want to see Adam Silverthorne again. He had called her the night before and gave her a long explanation about his brother’s arrival, but something about the whole scenario rang false in Leonie’s ears. Most likely Adam had decided that one night with her was enough. The fling was over. He probably intended to avoid her, or maybe even escape back to Dallas.

Well, let him, she told herself. A vacation romance was, by definition, limited anyway. Why drag things out?

She felt like crying. Then she got mad and told herself she could not possibly be in love with a man she hadn’t even known a week. She ought to go for a good long swim and forget the rock-painting class, at least for one day.

But Leonie was a creature of duty. Having paid her money, she wasn’t about to miss a single one of her classes if she could help it, Adam Silverthorne or no. If she treated him coolly, perhaps he’d get the message and leave her alone.

If he showed up at the class that morning—a mighty big “if” in her opinion.

She wasn’t holding her breath on that one. The only paint he had applied to a rock so far was that awful green splotch she’d spent time correcting yesterday.

To make matters worse, the telephone rang the moment she finished her morning shower.

“All right, baby,” Zara said. “Confess. What was Adam Silverthorne doing over there?”

Baby. That was a big-sisterism designed to keep her in her place. Leonie reflected that she was twenty-six years old now and didn’t have to report to Zara about her private business. The best defense was a good attack.

“You tell me,” she said in her huffiest tones. “He’s supposed to be your boyfriend and he’s driving me crazy. If you don’t do something about him right away, I’m going to tell Mama everything, and she’ll tell Daddy. Shame on you, Zara Daniel.”

“Shame on
me
?” Zara sounded absolutely flabbergasted. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the things you and this Adam Silverthorne have been doing together, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re supposed to be setting a good example for me, but let me tell you something. Mama’s going to have a lot to say about the kind of example you’re setting. First, there’s this excuse for a bathing suit of yours.”

She was on a roll, Leonie thought. Poor Zara didn’t know what she was defending against, or where the next blow was coming from.

“No wonder he thinks I’m a—a bimbo,” Leonie flowed on. “And those cookies he bakes. They’re absolutely sinful. I’ll bet I’ve gained five pounds.”

Leonie wished she hadn’t mentioned the cookies, but it was too late now.

“More cookies?” Zara exclaimed, outraged. “Leonie Daniel, if you don’t tell me what’s going on this minute, I’m sacking this mission and coming home to sort this out myself.”

“And I’ll tell you another thing,” Leonie ranted, enjoying herself hugely. “I don’t appreciate being followed by those two goons in the bronze sedan. It’s getting on my nerves. What if they’re serial killers or rapists? I want you to call them off right now. Do you hear me?”

The conversation went downhill from there. By the time Zara gave up and ended the call, Leonie very nearly breathed fire.

“That’ll keep her busy,” she told Butch. “Do you know, I just realized something. If I’m suffering from little-sister syndrome, poor Zara probably has a huge case of big-sister syndrome. I never realized before how maddening it must be to always have to set a good example for your little sister.”

For some reason, that thought sent her into a fit of giggles. By the time she and Butch stepped out the front door of the cabin for their morning swim, she was in a relatively good mood despite her troubled night and Adam’s continued absence.

“I know what I’m going to do after we finish painting our roses,” she said to Butch. “I’m heading to the nearest department store and buying a decent bathing suit.”

“Butch and I both say we like the one you’re wearing,” Adam said.

Leonie whirled. Adam came toward her around the side of the cabin.

“Well, I don’t.” She regarded him in a challenging way. “I’m scared I’m going to fall out of it.”

“I’ll catch you, angel,” he said, grinning. “Ready for a good swim?”

“I thought you said your relatives were in. Aren’t they going to wonder why you disappeared?”

“I told them there was a good-looking woman staying in the cabin behind us who expected me for an early morning swim. They understood.”

“I’ll bet.” But her spirits soared. This was not a good omen for her future peace of mind.

He reached her and pulled her against him for a lingering kiss. “Believe me, when they get a look at you, they’ll understand even more.”

Leonie hoped they never got a look at her. The less acting she had to do, the better, and it went very much against the grain with her to deceive Adam’s family, not to mention Adam.

But that was between Adam and Zara, she told herself righteously. She was just a stand-in for Zara, and chances were that Adam would tire of the affair and head back to Dallas long before Zara’s mission ended.

But he was here now, and that was what counted. She gave herself to the kiss, melting into his embrace with embarrassing eagerness.

Adam lifted his head and stared at her. “I have an even better idea. Let’s adjourn to your bedroom for a marathon session of sex.”

She wanted to so badly, she almost gave in.

But not quite. “If you’re going to feed me home-baked cookies, I’m going to have to swim. It’s that simple.” She broke loose from his hold and headed for the lake before she gave into the longing that swept through her at his mere touch.

“Slow down, angel. I’ve been up most of the night, and it’s a little tough keeping up with you this morning.” He and Butch paced along beside her.

“Good. I ought to be able to beat you to the outcrop and back.” She did not intend to ask him why he had been up most of the night.

“Were you born cruel, or does it come naturally?” He glanced down at Butch. “Does she treat you this way? I’ll bet she didn’t even save me any breakfast.”

“Breakfast was served at six,” she said. “Butch ate your share of the pecan pancakes.”

“Pecan pancakes?” Adam actually groaned. “This is what I get for standing guard outside your cabin all night? No pecan pancakes?”

“Actually, it was French toast,” Leonie admitted. “Why were you standing guard outside my cabin? Or should I be scared to ask?”

“Some goon followed me to my cabin when I left you last night, and I caught sight of him. So I figured I’d better keep an eye on your place in case he returned.” Adam tossed his shirt to the ground and stepped out of his trousers to reveal a pair of bathing trunks beneath his clothes. “My brother helped. He had a great time, by the way, and he sends you his thanks for an exciting evening.”

Leonie heard this with trepidation. “I’ll bet he does. And I’ll bet his poor wife would like to break a frying pan over my head. Come on, Adam. Nobody likes to be around somebody who’s being trailed by spooks and peeping Toms.”

“My family loves the exciting life,” he said, grinning. “They can’t wait to meet you.”

Leonie grimaced. “I’m sure. Let them get over the shock for about a week before you plan on introducing me to them. The introduction will probably go a lot better.”

She stepped into the water quickly and paddled out into deeper water before Adam saw the truth in her face—that she had no intentions of ever meeting his family if she had anything to say about it.

“You’ll like them.” Adam caught up to her. “They already like you.”

“How can they? They’ve never met me.” She struck out for the outcrop that marked her daily distance. “Maybe you’d better give the painting class a miss. I’ll explain to Mrs. Phelps that you’ve got family visiting.”

“Not me.” Adam’s swimming didn’t appear to be affected by his sleepless night. “I can’t wait to paint primroses or whatever it is we’re painting today. Wouldn’t want to get behind.”

Now she knew he was teasing her. “That’s right. After the roses, we’re doing tulips, and after the tulips, there are daffodils or lupines. Who knows. If you miss the roses, she might not let you touch tulips.”

“That would be punishment indeed.”

Adam stayed right beside her, obviously full of vim, vigor, and male vitality that would have annoyed her if she hadn’t longed to make love with him so much. She couldn’t out-swim him, so she contented herself with concentrating hard on her technique. One had to stay in shape and remember all the basics, just in case. Her next job might include coaching a swim team.

The moment they arrived back at their starting point and came onshore where Butch sat with dignity beside their belongings, Adam swept her up in his arms.

“Now I’m going to finish up what I never got to start last night,” he said.

Leonie was so far gone, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say that would stop him. Not that anything would, she thought, on an intense wave of gratitude for that fact. Adam tended to be really single-minded when sex was involved.

In spite of the time spent making love and cooking Adam several slices of her specialty French toast, they arrived at Leonie’s rock-painting class in plenty of time. With no bronze car shadowing them, she spent an enjoyable morning mastering the art of painting a rose on a single, smallish rock.

Adam watched her, smiling, and even deigned to pick up a paintbrush himself. He painted the background color on his rock and gave it to her for the painting of the flower.

“Prepping them is well within my capabilities, but I always flunked anything involving creativity,” he said.

Leonie thought she had never been happier in her life. She had discovered an agreeable hobby, her surroundings were stunning, and she had a handsome, tireless lover for what she considered the ultimate vacation romance. Could life get any better?

She should not have asked.

“By the way,” Adam said, as he boosted her into his Jeep. “We’re meeting my brother for lunch at the Mountainside Manor.”

Leonie froze. “What?”

“My brother and his wife are buying us lunch.” Adam studied her face and broke into laughter. “I never turn down a free lunch, angel. Don’t look so scared. Unlike Butch, they don’t bite.”

In the back seat, Butch heard his name and turned his long muzzle toward them.

“Butch doesn’t bite,” Leonie said automatically, while her mind turned over this new development. “Look, Adam, I’m not dressed for lunch at a nice restaurant. You’d better drop me off at that store on—”

“I’m not leaving you alone in some store,” Adam said. “Not while those two goons are tailing you.”

“They’re not tailing me today.” Leonie set her jaw. “Besides, they can’t very well abduct me out of a store full of people, especially with Butch looking after me.”

“Nothing against Butch, darling, but I’d rather look after you myself.” Adam, still grinning, came around and hopped up beside her. “Besides, they’re dying to meet you.”

That was what Leonie was afraid of. She searched her brain but could not find one single excuse that would cause Adam to take her back to her cabin.