Cooper (The Family Simon Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page A

leave when the curtains in the window to his left moved. He spied Morgan and gave a small wave, flashing the smile that usually did the trick. Sure, this woman seemed immune to anything he had to offer, but Cooper figured it couldn’t hurt.
    A few seconds passed, and he stood back as the door slowly opened. Once again, she was dressed in loose-fitting clothes that pretty much covered her —sweats that looked as if they’d seen better days. The gray hoodie with USC emblazoned across the chest had frayed ends, and the orange logo was no longer as vibrant as it should be.
    Cooper knew this because he’d attended USC for all of one year before he’d switched to Berkeley.
    “You were a Trojan?” he asked, noting the surprise that flickered briefly in her eyes.
    “I…” She stammered a bit, her right hand fisting as she cleared her throat. “What do you want?”
    She sure as hell was a prickly thing, but Cooper had never been the guy to give up. “I was hoping we could have a conversation about the attic.”
    “I thought you didn’t want anyone mucking about your business.” Her nostrils flared slightly, and patches of color appeared on her face.
    “I changed my mind.”
    “I’ve already given Charlie a refund, so…” He was dismissed. It was in her tone, the coolness in her eyes, and the tilt of her chin. She didn’t like him, and if he’d been thinking right, Cooper might have asked himself why it mattered so much that she did. But he wasn’t thinking. He was just wanting to get his attic sorted out.
    It took a bit, but Cooper managed to keep his smile in place. “Are you telling me you won’t reconsider?”
    “Who’s there?” The voice came from somewhere behind Morgan, but with the door only open a few inches, Cooper couldn’t see who was there.
    “Mr. Campbell?” He took a step to the side and peered over Morgan’s shoulder.
    “That’s me.” The answer wasn’t exactly welcoming, but it wasn’t as cold as the look on his daughter’s face either.
    The door was yanked open—roughly so—and Morgan winced, glancing away for a moment before swinging her gaze back to Cooper. An older man stood beside her with salt-and-pepper hair poking from beneath a worn-out New York Rangers cap. His eyes were faded, but Cooper saw where Morgan got her unusual coloring. Several days’ worth of whiskers shadowed his chin, and he was dressed in a stained T-shirt and jeans that needed washing. The Campbells didn’t exactly sport the business look, and considering his rocky start with Morgan, Cooper was beginning to think that maybe he should pass on his idea and do the damn work himself.
    “This is Mr. Simon,” Morgan said slowly, glancing at her father once more.
    The old man’s face lit up. “Simon, is it? You’re not a townie.”
    “No, sir, I’m not.”
    “Huh. You related to the young man married to Charlie Samuels?”
    Cooper nodded. “Rick’s my brother.”
    “I like your brother. He’s a Rangers fan.”
    “Something we have in common.”
    The older man scratched his chin. “You bought the old McLaren place.” It wasn’t a question, and Cooper nodded without answering. “Didn’t Morgan do some work for you last week?”
    “She did.” Morgan’s face was averted and Cooper couldn’t read her.
    The old guy’s eyes narrowed. “She screw it up?”
    Morgan jerked slightly but didn’t look up at him. Cooper slowly shook his head. “No. In fact, I’m here to apologize for my behaviour the other day, and I’m hoping that she’ll come back. I’ve got a job for her.”
    That seemed to change everything.
    “Don’t just stand there, Morgan. Let the man in. We can discuss it over a beer.”
    Morgan’s head whipped up, and Cooper knew she didn’t want him anywhere near her home or her father.
    “I’m sure Mr. Simon—”
    “Call me Cooper.”
    Her eyes flashed. “I’m sure Mr. Simon is busy, Dad. Any business can be conducted over the phone.” She lifted her chin. “I left a