Free Passion's Law by Ruth Langan Page B

enjoy a little peace. But this cool, calculating mood was something new and different. She had the distinct impression that he meant to carry out this latest threat.
    What would she do without money? She started to pace. She needed a plan. She had to be ready to run if she was found out. She couldn’t just uproot two little boys and run from the law without a bank-roll.
    Oh, if only that ransom money hadn’t been marked and she could spend it. What she couldn’t do with—
    She stopped her pacing as a thought began to form.
    There was someone right here at Prosperino with money. Someone who had always been terrified that she’d go to Joe with the truth about their son, Teddy.
    She threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, Graham, what a lovely little surprise I have in store for you tonight. You’re about to become my very own personal sugar daddy.”
    She decided to wear her best dress to dinner. First she’d let him look. Maybe she’d even let him touch. But not without paying. And paying dearly.
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    Graham sauntered out to the pool and settled onto a lounge beside his son. In the water, Heather was roughhousing with Teddy and Joe, Jr. The two little boys had decided to come at her from either side, hoping to drag her under. Quick as a flash she caught Teddy and tossed him backward, then pinned his older brother’s arms to his sides, threatening to do the same to him until he agreed to surrender.
    The two boys were having a grand time. Their laughter filled the air as they splashed in the pool, as playful as a pair of young dolphins.
    Graham lowered his sunglasses to peer over the top at his son. “That’s one beautiful young woman.”
    â€œYeah.” Jackson grinned as Heather tossed Teddy again, sending the boy into shrieks of laughter when he surfaced. “She’s just so good for those two. I don’t know when I’ve seen them having more fun.”
    â€œYou could be having fun, too.”
    Jackson turned to look at his father. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œA pretty young thing like that stuck way out here in the middle of nowhere. I bet she’s feeling lonely.”
    Jackson made a sound of annoyance. “Yeah. She looks lonely, doesn’t she?”
    The air was filled with more laughter as the twoboys finally managed to push her head under water. She came up sputtering, then, after tossing the hair from her eyes, began swimming after them.
    â€œIt’s one thing for a woman like that to play with little boys. It’s a whole other thing to play with the big boys. If you get my drift. You could do a lot worse than Joe Colton’s favorite niece.” Graham paused to sip his Scotch, then added, “After all, it isn’t as though she’s related to you by blood. Why not have yourself a little fun?”
    Jackson shrugged. “We get along fine. In fact, better than fine.” He watched as she cut cleanly through the water before pulling herself up on the side of the pool and reaching for a towel. “I’ve always liked Heather.”
    â€œThere, you see? And she likes you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way she always lights up whenever you’re near.” Graham leaned back and closed his eyes, content that he’d planted a seed. Now if his son was half the man he thought, this little trip might reap an unexpected bonus.
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    In Joe Colton’s office Detective Thad Law stood at the monitor throwing switches, activating cameras from one end of the ranch to the other. When he activated the camera directed on the pool, he paused, watching the play between Heather and the two little boys.
    She looked so natural with them. More like a camp counselor than the smart, savvy, sophisticated woman he’d first met. As she pulled herself out of the water he studied the way she looked with water dripping, her head thrown back in laughter, and felt the quick sexual tug. At