speechless and couldn’t remember what she’d been intending to say to him.
“Harrison, you scared the hell out of your passenger. Apologize,” the statue ordered, but Jane didn’t miss the unrepentant grin on his face that was a remarkable mirror of Harrison’s.
“Happy Birthday, Walter. How do you like your present? I raced over here because I was in a hurry to find out,” Harrison declared, resting a wrist on the steering wheel.
“Sorry about that,” Walter said, ignoring Harrison and offering a hand, which was taken automatically by the beautiful woman still wordlessly staring at him. He sure liked the interest in her gaze, and her hand trembling in his was fascinating.
“I’m Harrison Walter Graham II. Call me Walter.”
“Shouldn’t you be the third instead of the second?” Jane asked, staring into his eyes as she wondered just how old Harrison Walter Graham II was, deciding sadly that he couldn’t yet be thirty despite eyes that crinkled slightly at the corners. All his smile lines really said was that he had a keen sense of humor.
“Well, I might have been a third, but Harrison doesn’t believe in being predictable. My father’s name is Leland,” Walter informed her with a grin.
“That’s because it was obvious when he came out of your grandmother quietly looking around and not even crying that he was most definitely not going to be a junior,” Harrison pronounced, grinning at Jane’s hand still resting in Walter’s.
“Ignore my grandfather. I assure you my father turned out to be a perfectly nice man despite everything,” Walter said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “The original Harrison on the other hand could never be described as nice. I’m truly sorry if he frightened you. My grandfather is a bit—eccentric.”
“That’s too tame a term for your grandfather. I stand by my original assessment of Harrison being a maniac,” Jane declared, easing her hand from his firm grip. “But he’s a regularly paying one and I heard he once helped build this place, so he gets to stay.”
She turned to the man in the cart and lifted a finger to point at him. “I am never riding with you again.”
“You’ll forgive me tomorrow, Jane. Nothing is more beautiful than a woman in a rage. And no one is more bull-headed about causing irritation than a man who appreciates it,” Harrison quipped with smile.
Jane shook her head at Harrison and looked back at his much, much younger clone now that she had her initial hormonal reaction under control.
“Sorry you’re related to a maniac, Mr. Graham. Nice to meet you,” she said, walking around the mountain of male perfection.
“Nice to meet you as well. Call me Walter,” Walter urged, calling out behind her as she walked away. His gaze followed her legs making short work of the distance to the central Lodge. She’d be running into his parents just inside the door, but it couldn’t be helped.
“So?” Harrison prompted.
“So what?” Walter responded, dragging his gaze back to Harrison.
“Jane is your birthday present, doofus. Said you were tired of dating women who didn’t know their own minds. You used to be sharper on the uptake, boy. Been inhaling more smoke lately?” Harrison demanded.
“For God’s sakes, don’t mention that to Mom and Dad. If they find out I had smoke inhalation and didn’t tell them, I’d never hear the end of it. They’re already cranking up the pressure for me to go back to school full-time this fall. Dad offered me another car. And what do you mean Jane is my present?” Walter demanded, looking at his grandfather, who had a way too determined look on his face.
“Jane Fox Waterfield. Owner of the legs you just watched walk up the sidewalk. Real woman and current owner of North Winds. She’s the rejuvenator I sent you the email about,” Harrison declared.
“The flipper? That’s the genius who’s saving this place?” Walter asked, rubbing his chin. “Interesting. I had to watch. Her
Daniel Coyle, Tyler Hamilton