Chased by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders): Trish Ryder Read Online Free PDF Page A

hearing him talk about panties hadn’t made her insides quiver. “What do you think?”
    His jaw tightened as he drove out of the parking lot. “I said I was sorry the call took so long.”
    “It’s fine. Let’s just get going.”
    They listened to the radio as they drove. His phone vibrated a number of times. Each time he lifted it, glanced at the screen, then set it back down.
    It vibrated again and she finally had to say something. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”
    “Nope.”
    “What if it’s important?”
    “Unless you want to wait on the side of the road for another half hour, I’ll deal with it when we get there.”
    “So you’re not answering because you don’t want me to hear your conversation?” That piqued her curiosity.
    “Bingo.”
    Her phone rang and she reached into her bag for it with a smirk. “This is how much I care about you hearing my conversations.” She saw her brother Duke’s name on the screen and silently cursed. Why couldn’t it be Fiona? She could speak cryptically and Fiona would understand every word. Duke wasn’t nearly as easy.
    “Hey, Duke.”
    Boone slid a curious look her way. She gave him a see-how-easy-this-is smirk.
    “Hey, sis,” Duke said. “You didn’t return my calls. Everything okay?”
    “Sorry. Things have been crazy. Everything’s fine. I’m on my way to Hurricane, West Virginia, for ten days, as per Chuck Russell.” She purposely left out that it was just her and Boone, given her brother’s propensity for worrying.
    “They changed the filming schedule? I thought you were in LA for another month.”
    “Something like that,” she said. “I spoke to Gabby last week. She said the wedding planning is done. You must be relieved.”
    “Very. I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d agree. Hold on a sec.” She heard him talking with someone, and when he came back on the line he sounded rushed. “Trish, I’ve got to run, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. Jake Braden called and said you were having a hard time with Boone Stryker. Let me know if you need me. The guy’s got a harsh rep. I don’t want you going face-to-face with him alone, okay? Promise me you won’t.”
    She eyed Boone, who was pretending not to listen, but she was pretty sure he was taking in every word. “Duke, you know there’s nothing I can’t handle.” Her brother knew it was true, even if he refused to treat her as if he believed it. She didn’t make the promise to Duke because she knew there was no way she’d keep it. But she assured him she’d call if she needed his help.
    They drove down Main Street, where a massive bank with wide stone columns that looked like it belonged in the Deep South was built beside a one-story, old-fashioned diner, and just beyond, stand-alone shops varied in heights and design. Some looked more like houses, while others looked like brick-front office buildings that belonged in bigger cities. The wide sidewalk was illuminated by streetlights, and potted trees graced every corner, giving the quirky little town a welcoming feel.
    They stopped for gas and groceries. The young cashier studied them as she rang up their purchase. “Y’all look familiar.”
    “Just passing through town,” Boone said.
    “Huh.” She watched Boone swipe his credit card, then handed him the receipt. “I know who you look like. That Cuban actor. What’s his name? Oh, I know! William Levy. My friend is gaga over him. But he doesn’t have all those tats like you do.”
    Boone smiled. “William Levy. I’ll have to Google him.”
    Trish stifled a laugh. William Levy was hot as hell, but he wasn’t exactly a household name. She shouldn’t be surprised Boone had no idea who he was.
    “Where do people go for fun around here?” she asked the cashier.
    “Fun? In Hurricane?” She laughed. “If you like playing pool or karaoke, you could try the Rum Hummer, but mostly people just hang out.”
    They thanked her, and while Boone put the groceries in the car,