Ladd Fortune Read Online Free PDF

the firm line of confrontation, his light brown eyes
held a mischievous gleam. He was the same old Jeremiah she knew in
an instant—the one who, given the chance, would taunt
relentlessly.
    Jeremiah glanced indoors and wrapped
his gaze around her, meeting her eyes after a lustful once over.
“Hello, Delaney. Long time, no see.”
    His pleasure slid down to his mouth,
opening it into a smile of comfort and ease. Delaney steadied her
voice. “Hello, Jeremiah.”
    “ It’s Jerry,
now.”
    “ Jeremiah,” she returned
bluntly. “What brings you by?”
    He chuckled. “I see some things don’t
change.” Addressing Nick, currently blocking his entrance, Jeremiah
asked, “May I come in?”
    Nick opened the door and stepped aside,
allowing him to pass. Without closing the door, he shadowed
Jeremiah’s movements inside the cabin as her cousin surveyed the
interior. Wood floors polished to a subtle shine, log walls and
ceiling marked by exposed beams, a lone painting by the fireplace—a
scene straight from the river banks. Her home was rustic, simple,
and all she needed.
    “ I like what you’ve done to
the place,” Jeremiah commented. “Especially the floors.”
    Delaney didn’t thank him. This wasn’t a
social visit. Flipping her gaze to Nick and Malcolm, she registered
their silence. This was her deal and they were allowing her to take
the lead. “What do you want, Jeremiah?”
    Bringing hands to his hips, he slid his
fingers into the front pockets of his jeans. Still opting for
cowboy boots—his current ostrich more fashion than
function—Jeremiah wore a purple and navy shirt with a floral
pattern woven into the background. Seems the Tennessee hillbilly
had gone metro. Dressed in red plaid and jeans, Nick looked more
country than Jeremiah.
    “ I think we both know why
I’m here,” Jeremiah said smoothly.
    Remaining by the kitchen island, she
replied, “Maybe you should spell it out for me.”
    “ I understand you’re the new
owner of Ladd Springs.”
    “ I am.”
    “ Actually...” He paused,
tapping a knowing gaze to both Nick and Malcolm. “Your daughter
is.”
    At the mention of her
daughter, Delaney tensed, thankful Felicity was with the Parker
boys today. Delaney didn’t like the idea that her child was mixed
up in this mess at all, but like Jeremiah said, it was her name officially listed
on the deed.
    “ Is she here?” He rolled his
eyes to the bedroom, the loft. “I’d like to discuss some business
matters with her, if possible.”
    “ You leave my daughter out
of this,” Delaney snapped.
    “ What?” He feigned shock.
“She’s the owner, isn’t she?”
    “ You have any business with
Ladd Springs, you deal with me.” Despite herself, she stole a peek
at Nick.
    “ I see.” Jeremiah nodded,
crossed his arms over his chest. “So what is Felicity, about
sixteen, seventeen?” He glanced at the men and grinned. “I bet
she’s a looker. Does she take after you, Delaney?” he asked, and
seemed to purposefully plant his gaze on her breasts. “You’re still
as hot as ever.”
    Anger spit through her veins. “I’m
warning you, Jeremiah. Back off.”
    “ You’re here about the
property,” Nick intervened. “We know.” Jeremiah shot a smug smile
toward Delaney as Nick continued, “But the title has been
transferred and recorded. There’s nothing you can do.”
    Jeremiah sighed, a tad more exaggerated
than warranted. “Yes, you have a vested interest, don’t you?
Building a hotel, right?”
    Where Jeremiah received his
information, Delaney had no idea, but he was dead on. Smooth as
silk, too, Delaney marveled, and wholly different from the brash
boy she remembered. The old Jeremiah would have come in half-cocked
and punched Nick in the face by now. But not this one. He was cold
and calculating.
    “ Too bad you wasted your
time. Unfortunately for you, my father saw fit to transfer title
without first consulting with me.”
    “ He doesn’t need to,” Nick
informed. “It’s