Free His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride by Lois Richer Page A

that’s dealing with serious legal issues elsewhere.”
    “Who are you suggesting, then?” he demanded, his gaze narrowed.
    “I’m still checking into that. Ida mentioned a couple of local people who may be interested.”
    “Locals?” Jason’s forehead furrowed. “I was hoping for someone with enough resources to make a big impact. I’m not sure a small local venture is—”
    “It might be exactly what we want. The personal touch and all that. Besides,” she reminded him, “we can hardly turn away their request for development. We don’t want to be guilty of bias. The friendly, small-town aura a local would offer could be an asset, don’t you think? Wainwright is known for their big, expensive hotels. Intimidating to some.”
    He didn’t look convinced.
    Piper changed the subject and by the time the meal was finished, Jason had completely forgotten about Wainwright—she hoped. She insisted on paying for his meal. After all, he’d listened to her ideas. She could tell Jason wasn’t happy about that situation, either.
    “I’ll agree, as long as you let me buy next time.”
    “Agreed. Thank you.” So there’d be a next time? Piper checked her watch. “I’d better head home. I’ve got a lot of notes to make. I don’t want to forget anything we’ve discussed.”
    “You really get caught up in a project, don’t you?” he asked, head inclined to one side.
    “What can I say?” She grinned, spread her hands. “I love my job.”
    He walked her to Shalimar, waited while she stowed her briefcase. But the engine wouldn’t start.
    “That’s odd. It was working well this morning.”
    “I didn’t notice you sailing over,” he murmured.
    “You were probably still sleeping. I was in a bit of a hurry to get to work.” Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you. It was a promise of God’s and yet she couldn’t just leave her father to Him, could she? She had to stop Wainwright cold—before Baron got a foot in the door. She pushed the start button again. Nothing. “I wonder what’s wrong.”
    “Can I take a look?”
    “You don’t mind?”
    “Truthfully?” He waited for her nod, then climbed aboard. “I’ve wanted to check this baby out since the first day I saw her.”
    She unlocked the door to below, waved a hand, then chuckled at the speed he used to uncover and display the motor.
    “I never would have guessed you were interested in her. Well?”
    “When and where did you last fuel up?” he asked after tinkering a few moments. He touched a spot of something, rubbed two fingers together.
    “Yesterday. At home.” She saw tiny bits of grit on his fingertips. “What’s that?”
    “If I was guessing, I’d say sugar. Or salt. Whichever, it’s going to have to be cleaned out. Thoroughly. You can’t go home in her tonight for sure.”
    “How would salt or sugar get in my gas?”
    Jason held her gaze, his own open, thoughtful.
    “Someone put it there.”
    “Someone...?”
    He shrugged. “I doubt it happened here. Andy or someone would have noticed.” He checked the lock on the boat’s entry door to below. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s tampered with this. Maybe it’s your tank at home.”
    “The whole tank?” She stared at him. “I just had it filled.”
    “Do you keep it locked up?”
    “Of course. In fact, it’s inside the boat shed. You have to have a key to get inside. Besides, I did cross the bay this morning. Could I have done that if it had been in the tank from Cathcart House?”
    “No,” he admitted with a frown.
    Piper didn’t like where this was leading. First someone had been in the house. Now her fuel had been sabotaged. She’d have to call the police again.
    “Do you want me to run you home?” Jason closed up the motor and replaced the door, sealing it from the rest of the boat. “It’s no problem.”
    “That’s kind of you. But I have my car. I’ll drive.” She dug through her bag for her car keys. “Would you be able to fix the motor,