All for the Heiress Read Online Free PDF

or tears up the town looking for us.”
    “We could say our love could no longer be denied and we eloped to America.” He hugged his arms around his ribs, expecting her to poke him.
    “Well, that won’t work, because I’m coming back, remember? I don’t want to be one of your millions of jilted lovers, thank you. And,” she paused, putting her hand on his wrist. “What if you want to come back as well?”
    It was the same as asking what he would do if Catie had already decided on Oliver, and he knew it. He furrowed his brow and slid his arm away from her pitying touch.
    “I dinna see that happening,” he told her, his voice less confident than when she’d previously brought it up. “But we need to work fast. Every day I’m apart from her, that blackguard gets his meat hooks further into her.”
    She put down her pen to stare at his earnest frown. “Okay, what to address first. Blackguard or meat hooks.”
    His wind burned cheeks grew redder. “I’m trying to sound more like how they might talk. Y’know, old fashioned?”
    “Perhaps we ought to just wait and see how they talk when we get there. And anyway, Catie liked you for who you are. You shouldn’t act differently just to please her.”
    His eyes grew wide and he self-consciously tugged on a lock of her hair before sweeping it behind her shoulder. “Thanks, Mel. That’s kind of ye to say.”
    She was surprised at his sincerity, and a little thrown by the affectionate gesture. Ah, that was just Shane. She needed him on his A-game, so nodded encouragingly. In order for her plan to stand a chance, his had to succeed.
    “Well, I’m going to tell Piper and my parents I’m interviewing at a hospital in Glasgow, and then staying for a few days with my old pen pal.”
    “Ye had a pen pal from Glasgow? That’s pretty lame.”
    “No, idiot, she was from Taiwan. She’s just visiting— it’s all a lie, anyway!” she sputtered. “Do you really think I’m going to Glasgow? I’ll be with you.” She flicked him in the side of the head as he laughed at her. “It took me a long time to come up with that story! What are you going to say?”
    He shrugged. “I’ll just bribe Danny and Tom to cover for me here and no one will even miss me.”
    She sighed, wishing it would be so easy to disappear. “Piper will think it odd, since I haven’t even graduated yet. I might just chicken out and leave a note.”
    “That’s what ye get for being so responsible and having people rely on ye,” he said, a touch of sadness in his voice.
    She didn’t know what to say, not liking that he sold himself short, for she found him plenty responsible, especially since he’d begun working at the estate. She remained matter-of-fact, knowing he wouldn’t appreciate more pity.
    “Let’s split up this to-do list and report back to one another tomorrow after dinner.”
    “Aye, captain,” he said, offering a salute. He turned the key to start the golf cart, telling her to shut up when she said she could walk back. In truth, she was grateful for the ride, because she wanted to get started on her half of the list. “I’m awfully glad you’re coming along,” he said after they buzzed down the hill a ways.
    She waved her hand, wondering when they’d become so kind to each other. Honestly, it set her off kilter, and she nudged her knee into his to get her equilibrium back. He turned and smiled, a real one, not his jokey flirtatious smile, and it made her recall how he used to email her funny little games he’d made. She wanted to jump out and roll the rest of the way down the hill. He pulled up next to the shed where they kept the carts and they sat there a moment.
    “Well, see you tomorrow night,” she said briskly, but continued to sit in the cart.
    He shoved her out and zoomed away, leaving her gaping in the fumes. Well, what had she expected? An escort to the kitchen door?
    She was technically supposed to be in class, and to avoid the risk of being questioned if