If The Shoe Fits Read Online Free PDF Page B

sister-in-law?
    “Didn’t say that,” he said, hastening to
correct her.
    “Priscilla? No way! She barely said five
words last night.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Unless he likes them
quiet. Is that it, he likes the quiet, shy type?”
    There was no hope for her. She mentally
kicked herself. What was she thinking anyway? Alex wouldn’t be
interested in her. She wasn’t the cool, sophisticated society wife
that he obviously needed by his side.
    Of course, she wasn’t even interested in
marriage.
    And then there was Dex… A twinge of guilt
shot through her. She’d barely thought of her friend since she’d
left his lab late yesterday and after he’d called earlier. Deep
down, she sensed his feelings were more involved, more than two
friends sharing their passion for work and saving the store.
    “Ma’am, you’re jumping to conclusions
now.”
    Another thought struck her. “Well, if it’s
Stepmother, I think you ought to have the man committed.”
    “I’d drive him there myself and make sure he
doesn’t come out for a long, long time.”
    They both laughed at that. Charlie now knew
that Alex had to have told Edward at least some of the details of
the King family. Just how much she couldn’t be sure.
    “You’re not going to tell me, are you,
Edward?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    She sighed. “In spite of it, I still like
you.” That gave her another idea. “Hey, are you available?”
    “For you?” His voice sounded puzzled.
    “Not me, silly,” she said, lightly swatting
him on the shoulder. “My friend, Dolly.”
    Twenty minutes later, after having extolled
Dolly’s virtues to the interested man, he pulled into the
marina.
    “Fishing? Is that his idea of lunch?” she
muttered under her breath.
    Edward must have heard; he chuckled as he
came around the car to open her door.
    The warm balmy lake breeze caressed her face
as she stepped out into the sunlight. Closing her eyes, she
breathed in deeply, smelling the tangy air. She murmured her
approval.
    “Like it?” Alex’s question tugged her out of
her reverie.
    Opening her eyes, she followed his voice. He
stood on the pier with his hands on his hips, wearing worn tight
jeans and a low-buttoned white shirt. She sucked in a sharp breath.
“Yes, I like it very much.” She skipped the details on just exactly
what she liked.
    His driver helped her negotiate the parking
area and the wooden planks of the pier. “Thanks, Edward.” She gazed
behind Alex at the tall, gallant white vessel. Looking at him
again, she said, “My, what a big boat you have, Mr. Royale.”
    His easy grin slid across his face. Alex
waited at the bottom of the stairs. He bowed, and then raised a
hand to the hulking ship. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
    She giggled, liking his playful manner. He
wasn’t the stuck-up businessman she’d assumed he was.
    Holding out a hand, he guided her down to his
level.
    She stepped in close, bumping him slightly.
“Oops,” she said, looking up into his twinkling brown eyes. Trying
to step back, she felt his hands hold her waist lightly.
    For long, silent minutes he gazed down at
her. The intense stare mesmerized Charlie. Finally, she broke the
heated contact only to end up glancing at his lips. They were
moving, saying something, but she couldn’t be certain what since
all the blood had rushed to her ears.
    Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t
understand.”
    “You will. In time,” he whispered back.
    Slowly, he released her, and Charlie wasn’t
sure if her shaky legs would cooperate and move. But he helped her
down the last of the pier and up into the awaiting yacht.
    Gleaming blonde wood and the soft lap of
water hitting the side of the vessel greeted her. Within minutes,
he introduced her to the crew and asked if she’d like a tour.
    Looking down at her feet, he said, “You may
want to trade those in. Heels aren’t exactly the best form of
transportation on a moving yacht.”
    She followed his gaze, and then looked at his
bare