Free Hot Pursuit by Christina Skye Page A

works?”
    Taylor took a deep breath, recalling how much she hated handing out spa recipes and aromatherapy wraps to the well-heeled clientele of Summerwind Resort. “If you need me, I’ll come. Of course, it
may
require heavy animal tranquilizers to get me in the door, but I’ll do whatever it takes to help you. Just say the word.”
    â€œIdiot. You can forget the animal tranquilizers.” Annie’s voice softened. “I’ll manage. I’ve got a great staff—and
they
don’t need tranquilizers to greet our clients. But thanks anyway.” She sighed. “I don’t even mind cutting back to half-days now. My back hurts sometimes, and it’s a relief to get off my feet.”
    Now it was Taylor’s turn to imagine the worst. “What do you mean?” She gripped the phone. “When did your back start hurting? Is something wrong? Is the baby—”
    Annie gave a soft laugh. “The baby is fine. We had an ultrasound last week, and everything’s just where it’s supposed to be.” She sighed. “Ignore me, please. I’m an irritable old cow these days. I
hate
being a blimp and I hate not being able to wear anything that isn’t Lycra or a size 16 wide. I hate not being able to run, and I know it’s wrong, since I have everything in the world to be thankful for—Sam, you, my work. Oh, hell.” She made a watery sound that wrenched Taylor’s heart. “Pay no attention. It’s just the hormones at work.”
    â€œTake some time off.” Taylor said quietly. “Rest and enjoy the attention. I can’t imagine a more beautiful, glowing mother-to-be.”
    â€œYou really
do
have a fabulous imagination.” Annie cleared her throat. “Except for my bouts of temporary insanity, I’m fine, Taylor. Sam’s been wonderful. The whole staff has been great. Even Izzy called last week.”
    Taylor grinned at the thought of the big, hunky Denzel Washington look-alike who had worked on a recent government mission with Annie’s husband. “How’s our electronics genius doing?”
    â€œYou know Izzy, off on something hush-hush and gravely important. But stop trying to distract me. You’re sure you weren’t hurt in that robbery?”
    â€œAll my fingers and toes are in working order, I promise.” They hurt, but they worked, Taylor thought.
    â€œDid you see a doctor?”
    â€œOf course,” she lied. “Now go rest, the way Sam and your doctor have been telling you. I want to be an aunt before I’m too senile to enjoy the experience.” Taylor smiled. “By the way, watch out for runaway golf carts.”
    â€œThey only go runaway when
you’re
driving them.”
    Taylor was laughing when her eyes fell on the big gray envelope forgotten on her desk. The sight was like cold water tossed in her face. Gone was the easy teasing, the gentle rivalry. Taylor knew that Annie had no inkling of the revelations contained in that envelope, and Taylor wasn’t sure she’d ever tell her. Meanwhile, the awareness of her parents’ lie haunted Taylor, driving a subtle wedge between her and the sister she adored. Fair or not, the fragile, wounded part of Taylor’s mind kept asking why
Annie
couldn’t have been the adopted one.
Why me?
    And the question sickened her.
    She leaned against the wall, hit by the same churning emotions that came hourly since she’d found out the truth about her birth.
    â€œHey—are you sure you’re okay?”
    Taylor took a jerky breath. “Sure, I—I’m strong as a horse, you know that.” As she spoke, the phone clattered to the floor. One minute her fingers worked, the next minute they simply gave way.
    â€œThat does it,” Annie snapped when Taylor recovered the receiver. “We’re leaving this second.”
    â€œNo.”
Taylor couldn’t see her sister now. She’d never be able