Free Three Little Words by Susan Mallery Page B

Talk about the blind leading the blind. “Maybe you should ask someone else about it. Someone more adventurous.”
    “I don’t want anyone else to know. You won’t say anything, will you?”
    “No.” First, because she’d given her word, and second, because there wasn’t anything to say. She didn’t know who they were talking about or what Consuelo was nervous about.
    “Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life,” she offered. “The next time a guy you like asks you out, say yes. If you want to kiss him, kiss him. If he reacts badly, please don’t kill him.”
    Consuelo got an odd look on her face. “You’re saying I shouldn’t have sex with him and then slit his throat.”
    Isabel laughed. “Probably not.”
    But instead of chuckling in return, Consuelo shook her head. “I’m never going to get this right,” she muttered, before stalking away.
    Isabel stared after her, not sure what on earth had just happened.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    “I LIKE THE PLAN ,” Jeff Michelson said, walking with Ford through the CDS building. “The combination of challenging physical activities and classroom time is perfect.”
    “I’m glad you think so. The Gold Rush Resort has plenty of rooms for the weeks you’re interested in, and we can extend the reservations into the weekend for anyone who wants to bring his or her family. We’ll have transportation from the resort to CDS and run a shuttle into town. Car rentals are available, too.”
    “Great.”
    This was Ford’s second presentation of the week, and they’d both gone well. He was going to get a contract from both. So far he was significantly above the projected sales target, but Ford figured with the company just starting, he was picking low-hanging fruit. There would be more challenges later as he had to hunt down clients.
    The plan was for the companies to be so pleased they came back every year or two, which would give them repeat business. But it would take a while to kick in.
    The two men went back to Ford’s office. He confirmed the tentative dates, printed out the contracts and handed them over.
    Jeff took the folder. “We’ll make our decision this week.”
    “I’ll hold those two weeks until Friday,” Ford told him.
    “You have other companies interested in them, don’t you?”
    Ford smiled. “We’re getting busy, but don’t worry about that. As soon as I hear from you, the time is yours. I’ll hold the hotel block of rooms, as well.”
    “I saw the casino on my drive into town. Could we stay there?”
    Ford leaned back in his chair. “You can, but I’ll tell you, the casino offers a big distraction. Your people will stay up later gambling, so they’ll be less focused the next day. If you want to offer them accommodations there, I would suggest they switch hotels Friday night and then stay the weekend.”
    “Good point,” Jeff said.
    They rose and shook hands. Ford walked the other man out. As they reached the parking lot, he saw two blonde women walking toward them and sighed heavily. Jeff noticed, as well.
    He whistled softly. “They part of the team?”
    “No. They’re my sisters.”
    “Sorry, man.”
    “No worries. They’re both married, by the way.”
    “Right.”
    Jeff nodded and got into this rental. Ford thought about ducking into the building but knew there was no point. He had no problem running from a fight when it came to his family, but Dakota and Montana would simply continue to hunt him down. Disappearing meant postponing the inevitable.
    So he waited as the two women approached.
    They were the same height, with the same attractive features. Brown eyes, blond hair. Montana wore hers longer. Their other triplet—Nevada—was missing, but Ford knew he would be hearing from her soon enough.
    “Hey, big brother,” Montana said as she reached him and leaned in for a kiss. “How are you?”
    He hugged her. “Wondering how much of a pain you’re going to be in my ass.”
    She stepped back and laughed. “Bigger