Free The Black Sheep and the Princess by Donna Kauffman

susceptible as the next girl. Though he’d never once aimed that grin at her. For someone who’d passed the thirty-year mark a few years ago, she shouldn’t feel all giddy because Donovan MacLeod had finally aimed that heart-stopping grin at her.
    â€œI do admire what you’re doing, Kate. Or trying to do. It’s a lot of work. Refurbishing the buildings for year-round use alone is quite an undertaking.”
    â€œTrust me, I’m fully aware of the monumental task in front of me. I just want to settle whatever it is that needs settling, and get on with it. I mean, what’s the big deal about me taking on this old, unwanted property anyway?”
    â€œMaybe it’s not as unwanted as you think it is.”
    She sighed and tried not to think about that. What she wanted to believe was that there was some simple explanation for why Shelby was a no-show yesterday, and that they’d set another day and time, sign the papers, then she’d show the people of Ralston what a woman was capable of when her mind was set, and everything else would fall into place. “Maybe, maybe not. I’ll know more when I talk to Shelby. So, are we all done with the interrogation, Detective?”
    He smiled at her dry tone. “I’m not interrogating. I’m researching, just trying to fill in as many of the blanks as possible. When will you be able to get started on the renovation work and construction? Do you have everything lined up?” He shifted slightly in his seat, which wasn’t easy considering his tall, broad-shouldered frame was all but crammed into the cab of her truck. A tall, broad-shouldered frame she was having an increasingly difficult time ignoring. It didn’t help any that she could feel his gaze pinned on her.
    â€œThat’s actually part of my agenda in town this morning. I’m going to see Sheriff Gilby about the latest graffiti hit-and-run; then I have an appointment with the head of the chamber of commerce to try and get a little goodwill established.”
    â€œYou say that like you expect resistance.”
    â€œOh, I didn’t expect it, but I’m getting it all the same.”
    â€œWhy? You’re bringing work in the short term and a customer base in the long run. They should be lining up to help you out. What’s the reaction been?”
    â€œI’m not sure I understand it entirely, but I think it’s just old-fashioned resistance to working with or for a woman. I can’t actually hire anyone yet, until Shelby and I settle things, but—”
    â€œAnd you don’t think that might be related to the vandalism?”
    â€œI don’t know. I hadn’t put those two things together. The town isn’t exactly right down the road from the camp.”
    â€œWell, if the townsfolk aren’t happy to see you, and someone is spray painting ‘go home’ on your trees, you might want to.” He shifted back. “Something’s not adding up here, Kate.”
    She wanted to believe he’d spent too much time on the streets of New York City and therefore, had just jumped to the worst case scenario out of habit, but when he put it that way, it was hard to deny he might have a point. “It’s not like anyone has been hostile, or said a negative word. I’m just having a hard time finding my niche in town. I haven’t been here all that long. I figure once I actually hire someone, anyone, and they see I’m serious, they’ll be a little more excited about the possibility of getting some work from me. I chalked it up to them not wanting to commit labor and supplies to a job they don’t fully trust is happening yet, possibly turning down other work in the meantime.”
    â€œAnd you might be right. But have you thought about the possibility that it might be more than old-fashioned prejudice at work here? Maybe they’ve gotten wind of the developer interest.”
    She shrugged,