Dangerous Intentions Read Online Free PDF

to make him uncomfortable.
    Now that we had walked back into each other’s lives, I couldn’t help wondering what would happen between us once my problems were sorted out—if they were sorted out. Would we pick up where we left off many years ago, or just continue on our separate ways? I had returned to his life with more baggage than most women my age. Dating me might be messy. We were also different people now, marked by our separate experiences.
    The door creaked open and Grace’s smiling face peeked inside. “Sorry to disturb you so early in the morning.” She pushed the door wider and I saw the basket on her arm. “I’m going downtown for a little shopping. Better to hit the shops early and get the freshest fruits and veggies. Wait too long and only bruised pieces will be left over.” She paused. “Lucy’s Scraps is just on the way. We could get you some clothes from there.”
    Lucy’s Scraps? I had to fight the urge not to laugh. Long way from designer clothes. I found it refreshing. “That would be lovely.” A sudden thought crossed my mind and I shook my head. “Actually, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think I should stay here at the ranch. I’m…”
    “Running away from someone?” Grace looked worried.
    My eyes widened. “How do you know?”
    “You have that look in your eyes, darling. The one my sister used to have when… It’s a man, isn’t it?”
    I nodded slightly. What was the point in lying? I’d be spending a lot of time with Grace, and it would be better for her to know so she could keep her eyes open. Just in case. “My husband. He’s dangerous.”
    Grace’s eyes widened. “I had no idea. I had no idea you were married. Did he hurt you?”Her face became suddenly pale. I nodded, but before I could say anything, Grace held up a hand. “The details are not important, just that you left him. Believe me, he won’t find you here in the middle of nowhere. Hardly anyone thinks to drop by Stony Creek.”
    I had no intention of staying in Stony Creek for good. All I needed was some time to hide until Jude gave up the search for me. I needed time to prepare a new life with a new identity, if it came to that. Reinventing myself completely could be the only way out.
    “If you’re not comfortable going into town today,” Grace continued, “we can go another day, or you can tell me what you need and I’ll get it for you.”
    I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it again. The risk of showing my face out in the open was just too high. Especially since I was still reeling from Jude finding me within twenty-four hours the last time I ran away. Staying put at the ranch for now was the safer option. I hated asking Grace to run my errands, but I also couldn’t continue wearing Dustin’s t-shirts.
    My silence must have given Grace the answer she needed, because she placed a hand on the door handle and smiled. “Let me do it. Don’t worry your pretty little head. It’s nice to have someone to care for apart from Travis.”
    I’d met Travis last night.
    Before Grace had left the ranch house, he’d shown up in a beaten-up pickup truck. The ranch was so big that Grace would have had to walk alone in the dark for at least fifteen minutes to get to their house. Dustin had offered to drive her, but Travis showed up before then. Like her, he was in his sixties, and much taller than her. He looked fit and healthy at his age. The way he looked at her, draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close—I could see he loved her deeply. Theirs was a healthy kind of love. The kind I thought I’d have with Jude. Until he tried to destroy me.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    I placed the jar of freshly pressed orange juice on the dining table and stood back, my gaze sweeping over the breakfast I had prepared—fried eggs and bacon, sausages, pancakes, and fresh coffee. Making the breakfast was my way of showing my gratitude to Dustin. After begging Grace for half an hour, she had finally