Undercover With The Heiress

He gripped the railing. “Is that a threat?”

“I need all the man power I can muster to clear drugs off the street.” Roger didn’t expand on his threat.

Kaden punched the pillar. He was not getting booted from the task force. No way.

“I’ll talk to my grandfather.”

* * *

COURTNEY TOOK ANOTHER SIP, but her prosecco had gone flat. “Mother, you have to get Father to relent.”

“Courtney, he just discovered your car was repaired before you left for Savannah.”

“It’s those stupid gates.” She headed deeper into the garden. “Can’t you suggest he have them moved farther apart?”

“No one else has trouble with the gates.” Her mother’s voice was more stern than normal.

Courtney scuffed her toes along the stone walk. “That doesn’t mean they’re not a problem. But this time I swerved for an animal.”

“Courtney.” There was a scolding tone in her mother’s voice.

“It’s the truth. An animal jumped out and I swerved.”

“Of course.” Her mother sighed. “I think you should stick with your plan and work for your brother. Your father isn’t budging.”

“Tell Daddy I’m sorry about the car. I’ll watch for animals and be more careful turning the corner.” But she wasn’t going to commit to working for her brother. By escaping to Savannah, she was buying herself time. That was it. “I’ll call tomorrow. Please work on Daddy.”

“It’s best if I let the issue rest. Besides, he’s traveling for the next few days.”

“A few days? But I want to come home.” What was she supposed to do in the meantime? “He’s not coming to Savannah, is he?”

“He’s heading to Toronto and then Montreal.”

“Good.” She didn’t want Father and Gray comparing notes. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Think about the direction of your life. Think about what makes you happy,” Mother said, before saying goodbye.

Happy? The direction of her life? Ever since Father had practically ignored her getting on the high-school honor roll, her life had been circular. She’d worked so hard to make straight As. Dear old Dad had dismissed her accomplishments. Even when she’d set out to prove she was as smart as her brother, he’d scoffed at her dean’s list accomplishment and then crowed about Gray’s summa cum laude.

She tugged on her curls. The only praise he’d ever given her had been for her looks. Right after college she’d tried modeling, but the agency had suggested she lose ten pounds. Not going to happen.

She sank onto a bench. Laughter floated from a Fitzgerald House balcony. The fountain splashed. A cricket chirped near Carleton House and something scurried through the bushes.

Shouldn’t these sounds be soothing? Instead, they highlighted how alone she was. Mother wanted her to find direction? She didn’t want to think that deeply. She just wanted to go home.

What made her happy? Coloring with the kids had made her happy. Chatting with Josh at dinner had made her happy. Did that mean she wanted to be a mother?

She shook her head. At twenty-six she was too young to think about having children. And the idea of marriage... She rolled her shoulders, but couldn’t get rid of the itch at the base of her neck.

There wasn’t a man she’d dated longer than a month or two. No one held her attention. Most groveled too much, or were more interested in getting close to her father or Gray. Some only wanted her as arm candy.

She tapped her nail against the bench. But not Kaden Farrell. He’d barely glanced at her all through dinner. That never happened.

Kaden’s dimple had only appeared when he’d talked about fishing and his grandfather. She shuddered at the thought of slimy fish making someone happy.

Mother wanted her to find her direction? If she had to hide in Savannah, she would get Mr. Kaden Farrell to look in her direction and ask her out. That shouldn’t be so hard.

* * *

KADEN HANDED HIS granddad a towel.

“Thanks.” Granddad wiped his upper lip. “Wouldn’t want the ladies to see me sweat from my physical therapy.”

“You already have a fan club?”

“There are some lovely ladies here.” His grandfather settled into the wheelchair. “But I told you, you don’t have to spend all day with me. Head back to Atlanta. I don’t want to pull you away from your work.”

“I want to be here.” Kaden had so much to live up to. Granddad always put other people’s needs first. He pushed the wheelchair into the sunroom. “Want something to drink?”

“Water, please. My therapist might be lovely, but she’s a dictator.”

Kaden laughed and headed to the coffeepot. He poured a mug for himself and then a glass of water.

“Thanks.” His grandfather took a long drink. “What’s on your mind?”

“How do you do that?” Kaden asked.

Granddad pointed between Kaden’s eyebrows. “Whenever you want to discuss something, or something’s weighing on you, you get this crease between your eyebrows. I wouldn’t suggest you ever try gambling. It’s a big tell.”

“I’ll remember not to play poker with you.” He pulled up a chair so they sat facing each other.

“What’s bothering you?”

“You know Issy from the B and B?” Kaden asked.

“Sweet thing. Nathan’s daughter. Little girl doesn’t say much. Mother just up and dropped her off.” Nigel shook his head. “Never told Nathan about her.”

“She’s...connected with one of my cases.”

“Issy?”

“No. The mother.”

Understanding broke across his granddad’s face. “The mother’s in the drug world?”

Kaden nodded. “We’re pretty sure Issy witnessed a murder right before the mother dropped her off with Forester.”

“Poor kid.” Granddad closed his eyes. “Thank goodness Nathan has her now.”