An Unlikely Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

sputtered about fairness and good faith and half a dozen other things he didn’t follow, he mulled his options. He could throw her out—she wasn’t his client and therefore had no say in his employment. On the other hand, her reasons for derailing the settlement could range from merely misguided to serious malfeasance. And, because she was not his client, he had no way to protect her in either case. He decided he would do his best to keep her out of trouble. She was his sister’s friend and a tenant at Chatam House, which meant that he had represented her as well as her grandfather.
    His decision made, he pulled open a side drawer, took out a receipt pad and flipped it open. “If it will make you feel better,” he interrupted, “then by all means, pay me.”
    “But I just told you that—”
    “How much cash do you have on you?”
    For a long moment, she said nothing. Asher sat back in his chair, enjoying the moment. For once, he had reduced Ellie Monroe to speechlessness.
    “What?” she finally squawked.
    “How much cash do you have on you?” he repeated slowly.
    Frowning, she pulled her purse into her lap. “Seven or eight dollars, maybe.”
    “Let’s make it a buck, then,” he said, leaning forward to scribble out the receipt. “No, two. One for you, one for your grandfather.” He made certain to write both of their names on the correct line. After tearing the receipt out of the book, he tossed the pad back into the drawer and nudged it closed.
    “You can’t mean to represent us for two dollars.”
    “It’s that or nothing,” he retorted with a shrug. “You’re the one who wanted to pay me. Call it a retainer, if it makes you feel better.”
    Frowning, she reluctantly laid two crumpled dollar bills on the desk. He swiftly traded the receipt for them and slipped them into his shirt pocket. “That takes care of that.”
    She made a face. “Look, even if your aunts did drag you into this, I don’t expect you to knock yourself out settling our little insurance claim, not for two bucks.”
    He smiled. “I have a question for you.” He folded his arms atop his desk blotter. “Why are you trying to get me off this case?”
    Shock flashed across her face, followed swiftly by guilt. “I—I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Tell me what you’re hiding.”
    “What makes you think I’m h-hiding something?” she hedged, averting her gaze.
    “This isn’t my first day on the job,” he pointed out, hardening himself against those suddenly woeful eyes. “And you’re a terrible liar.”
    “I’m not lying!”
    “You’re stalling the insurance company,” he accused in his most lawyerly voice. “Why?”
    Biting her lip, she shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
    “I’m trying to, because I can’t help you if I don’t know why you’re doing this!” He leaned toward her. “Is it your goal to remain at Chatam House indefinitely?”
    She broke, blurting, “I only want my grandfather and your aunt to have a chance to get together!” She quickly clapped her hand over her mouth.
    “I knew it!” Asher cried, smacking a hand against the desktop. The lawyer in him crowed, even while the annoyed nephew was exasperated.
    But Asher Chatam, who had known Ellie for quite some time, was worried.
    He now had at least a part of the truth.
    He wasn’t at all sure, though, that he wanted the rest of it. Because he wasn’t sure that he could protect her—not if her foolishness was as great as he feared.

Chapter Three
    S he had told him! She had told Asher of her deepest hope, despite Dallas having warned her that he would be appalled, even offended, at the very suggestion of Odelia and Kent rekindling their romance. Ellie suddenly feared what else she might tell him if he pressed hard enough.
    “I need to know everything about the fire, Ellie,” he said in a soothing voice that she dared not trust, not after the grilling she’d just endured. “Tell me about that night.”
    Dismay filled