Free Hunter's Bride and A Mother's Wish by Marta Perry Page A

her fairy tales, but she didn’t think he’d believe it. She could tell him it wasn’t his business—but she was the one who’d brought him here. Or she could tell him the truth and let him make of it whatever he wanted.
    â€œMy father and Uncle Jefferson don’t speak to each other unless it’s absolutely necessary.” She hadn’t realized how odd that sounded until she said it aloud to him. “I guess that seems strange to you.” She sent him a defiant look.
    He leaned on his elbow, the movement bringing him close enough that she felt the energy radiating from his skin.
    â€œI’d say it was strange, yes. How long has this been going on?”
    â€œSince I can remember.” She swallowed, knowing that answer wasn’t all of it. “Since they were teenagers.”
    He whistled softly. “That’s a long time to live in the same small community with your brother and not speak. What happened?”
    â€œThey quarreled,” she said shortly. She felt his gaze on her and knew she had to say the rest of it. “No one knows exactly why, but people guess over a girl. They seemed to go in opposite directions after that. My grandfather divided the family property between them. Daddy took the inn and Angel Isle. Uncle Jeff got the boatyard, the cannery and the real estate. He…well, my daddy would say he wheeled and dealed so much he forgot who he was. Forgot what it meant to live with honor.” She shrugged. “And Uncle Jeff thinks my daddy is old-fashioned, self-righteous…” She stopped. What was Luke thinking?
    â€œMust be hard on your grandmother.”
    He had hit on the sorest point. “Yes, it is. I wish I knew how to make it better, but I don’t.” She hated that helplessness.
    He put his hand over hers. “I guess your family isn’t so perfect, after all.”
    She sat up, yanking her hand away. “I never claimed it was.” Her resentment spurted. “I suppose yours is.”
    â€œMy family?” His mouth narrowed to a thin line. “No, Chloe, my family’s not perfect, either. Not by a long shot.”
    A barrier had suddenly appeared between them. She couldn’t see it but she knew it was there. All the sunlight seemed to have gone from the day.
    Secrets. She’d always known Luke had secrets to hide—always guessed it had something to do with his family.
    But he wasn’t going to tell her, that much was clear. The illusion of friendship between them was just that—an illusion.
    Â 
    This was getting to be a habit. Luke sat on the porch late that afternoon, frowning at the computer screen. Once again, Chloe’s face intervened, hurt evident in her eyes.
    He hadn’t meant to cause her pain with his questions earlier about her father. He’d just been curious, trying to figure out what made the sprawling Caldwell clan tick. But he should have realized he was prodding at a tender spot.
    He glanced out at the water, absently watching a white sailboat curve across to the mainland. He hadn’t imagined it would cause Chloe pain to talk about it. He had no basis for comparison when it came to families, happy or otherwise.
    All the more reason he shouldn’t get further entangled with Chloe and her family. He should let them get on with their work, while he got on with his.
    He looked around, exasperated. The Caldwells were doing a fine job of that. Daniel and David had taken a few guests out on a dolphin cruise. Miranda had whisked out of the kitchen a few minutes earlier, deposited a pitcher of iced lemonade and a plate of molasses cookies at his elbow and disappeared again.
    As for Chloe…he had to smile. Chloe was busy setting up a Web site for the inn. Her parents’ reluctance had been almost comical, but she’d finally gotten through to them. It looked as if Chloe had absorbed a bit about marketing from Dalton Resorts.
    He was the only one not getting