Free Double Dealing (2013) by Linda Cajio Page B

the muddy blue river rolled past, its deep ripples endlessly joining, one after another. The estate had always seemed like an ageless sanctuary. No, not quite like a sanctuary, she corrected herself. It was like coming home. A Barkeley had built it, and a Barkeley had sold it, and a Barkeley had bought it back again. A Barkeley would keep it this time, she vowed, while trailing a loving hand along a browning azalea bush.
    Deep laughter captured her attention, and she looked up to see Jed pointing toward the river as he explained something to the boys. His lean body was outlined in the jeans and blue hooded sweat-shirt he’d changed into after Burrows had returned from his errands. A drugging warmthflowed through her body, and she hugged her arms around her middle in an attempt to fight the sensation. Even as a child, she’d been drawn to him. What she was suffering now, however, was a purely adult reaction. She wanted him. Knowing she wanted the wrong man didn’t stop the feeling. In fact, it only made the warmth burn hotter and deeper. While the boys’ presence would keep her physically safe from Jed, she realized they were no barrier against what was happening inside her. That was something only she could fight.
    Joining them at the steep riverbank, she forced herself to relax. Delilah finally raced off with Samson on a doggie hunt, and, with a sense of resignation, Rae watched her go. Delilah might not have accepted Jed yet, but the dog obviously realized everybody else had. Including herself.
    She sat down next to Michael at the top of the stairs that led down to the wooden dock and said, “Did you win?”
    “Almost,” her youngest nephew replied, satisfaction in his voice. “Jed runs real fast.”
    “And Jed’s pooped out,” Jed added, sitting on the grass next to the steps. He casually leaned back on his elbows.
    Rae was all too aware of the hand that rested only inches away from her hip. She swallowed and fought the urge to lean back against him.
    “Do you think the pirates took their prisoners over there and tortured them?” Mark asked, pointing to the woods directly across the river.
    “Bloodthirsty brat,” Rae said affectionately, reaching over Jed’s middle and cuffing her nephew’s leg. Mark grinned at her.
    “Maybe they hid their treasure there,” Randall commented, staring at the tree-lined horizon.
    “Maybe they did,” she said, getting to her feet. “And it’s up to the Barkeley Club to find out. Everyone to the car!”
    The boys whooped. Grabbing Michael’s hand, she started running for the garage on the far side of the house. Suddenly, Jed was running on the other side of Michael.
    “Can a Waters join the treasure hunt?” he asked.
    “Yes, please!” Michael gasped and took his hand too. His feet stumbled as he tried to keep up with the adults. The older boys passed them.
    As one, Rae and Jed lifted the little boy off his feet. Michael screamed with fear and delight as he literally flew through the air.
    “Almost makes you wish you were five again,” Jed said, grinning at her over Michael’s head.
    Rae had no breath to answer. Silently, though, she admitted she’d never want to be five again.
    It was much too young for what she was feeling.

Seven
    “Coffee, sir.”
    Startled by the interruption, Jed glanced up from his reading to see Burrows entering the drawing room. The butler carried a heavily loaded silver serving tray.
    “Thanks, Burrows,” he said, rubbing his tired eyes. “Where is everybody?”
    “The young gentlemen and Miss Rachel have turned in for the night.” Burrows set the tray down on the low Duncan Phyfe table in front of the sofa. Lifting a silver coffeepot, he poured the steaming black liquid into a delicately flowered porcelain cup. “If I may say so, sir, you should turn in too. The hour is late, and young boys are no doubt quite enthusiastic on a treasure hunt.”
    “So my bones tell me. What an afternoon! But I’m almost finished here.” In