Thirty Day Affair

“Why not?”

“Who wouldn’t want to go to a party?”

“Me.” Now, if the party were in St. Tropez, or Gstaad, he’d be right there. But a small-town party in the middle of Nowhere, U.S.A.? No, thanks.

She stared at him as if he’d just grown another head. Then she shrugged and went on as if he hadn’t said a word.

“The town council was incredibly grateful for your donation.”

“You told them?” An uncomfortable itch settled between his shoulder blades. He didn’t mind donating money. It was simply a part of who he was. But he preferred anonymity. He didn’t want gratitude. He just wanted to be left alone.

But even as he thought this, he realized that he’d been complaining about the solitude just a minute before.

“Of course I told them,” she said, picking up a throw pillow from the couch and fluffing it before she dropped it back into place. “Who am I, Santa? Dropping money into the town coffers without an explanation? I don’t think so. They all want to meet you, to thank you for your generosity.”

“Not necessary.”

“Oh, but it really is,” she said and reached down to straighten a stack of magazines strewn across the coffee table. “If you don’t come to the potluck so everyone can meet you…”

“Yeah?”

She shrugged. “Then I guess everyone will just have to come to you.”

Nathan sighed. She was blackmailing him into attending her damned town function. And doing a pretty good job of it, too. If he didn’t go, he had no doubt that she’d lead droves of citizens up the mountain to intrude on the lodge. He’d be hip-deep in people before he knew it.

“Extortion?”

“Let’s call it judicial negotiations.”

“And if I go to the party, you’ll leave me alone.”

She held up one hand like a Girl Scout salute and said, “I so solemnly swear.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Gee, attractive, crabby and smart.”

A smile twitched at his mouth, but he fought it into submission. No point in encouraging her any.

“Fine. I’ll go.”

“Wow,” she said, patting her hand over her heart, “I’m all excited.”

Her green eyes were shining and a smile curved her tantalizing mouth. The gray sweater she wore beneath a black leather jacket outlined the swell of her breasts, and her faded jeans and battered boots made her look too tempting to a man who was going to be trapped on a damn mountaintop for a month.

So Nathan got a grip on his hormonal overdrive and turned to the hall closet. He opened it, snatched out his brown leather jacket and pulled it on over his dark green cashmere sweater.

A few minutes ago, he’d been complaining that he was too alone. Now, he was going to a block party, of all things.

Be careful what you wish for.

Keira sneaked glances at him as she drove down the mountain. His profile was enough to make her heart stutter and when he turned his head to look at her, she almost drove into a tree.

“Whoops.” She over-straightened and her snow tires slipped a little on an icy patch of road.

“Was this a ploy to get me on the road long enough to kill me?”

“Everything’s fine,” she said, tightening her grip on the wheel. “But would you like to take a look around before we head into town?”

“No, thanks.” He checked the gold watch on his left wrist. “I can only spare an hour or two.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Ah. Good reason.” Keira smiled and followed the curve of the road. There was a steep drop-off beyond the white barrier and Nathan glanced down into the abyss.

“Look,” he said, “I’m only coming to this party to avoid the alternative.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be glad you came.”

“Why do you care if I attend this party or not?”

“Why?” She risked another glance at him as soon as the road straightened, then turned her gaze ahead again. “You and the others who’ll stay at the lodge after you are doing something tremendous for our town. Why wouldn’t we want to thank you for that?”

He shifted uncomfortably on the truck seat. “I can’t speak for the others, but I’m not doing this for you or your town.”

“Then why?”

His mouth flattened into a grim line. “It’s not important.”

“But it’s important enough for you to come here. To stay for a month?”

Still scowling, he said, “I’m here. As to the month…I don’t know.”

A small spear of panic jolted through Keira at the thought that he might leave. If he did, then, according to the terms of the will she’d read, the town of Hunter’s Landing would get nothing and the lakeside mansion would be sold.

She couldn’t let that happen.

She had to convince Nathan Barrister to stay for the whole month. And maybe the best way to do that was to show him the town he and his friends were going to help. To let him see firsthand what a difference a month of his time could make to all of them.

But if he really wanted to go, how could she make him stay?

“But you agreed to the month.”

“I did,” he said, and she sensed, more than saw, him shrug his broad shoulders. “But I don’t know that it’s feasible. I have businesses to watch over. Places I’m supposed to be.”

Already he was making mental excuses. Giving himself an out. Looking for a way to escape the terms of the will. The panic Keira’s heart felt a moment ago jumped into hyperactive life and did a quick two step in the pit of her stomach. Did he believe that by making that incredibly generous donation he didn’t have to complete the terms of the will?