Land's End Read Online Free PDF

irritation. “Close her down.”
    â€œKind of rude, don’t you think?” Derek’s long-fingered hands moved on the keys, picking out something harsh and dissonant.
    â€œYou can pretty it up any way you want.” His voice was equally harsh. “Just don’t tell her anything to encourage her.”
    â€œYou’re the boss.”
    He frowned at Derek’s flippant tone. But Derek, no matter how he felt, would cooperate.
    A step sounded on the tile floor, and he turned to see Farrell, the driver-cum-body-guard, standing just inside the door, his heavy face impassive.
    â€œWell?” He’d left the man at the inn to confirm that Sarah went on her way.
    â€œThought you’d want to know.”
    â€œKnow what?” The only thing he wanted to hear was that Sarah had left the island.
    â€œDoc Wainwright. She left the inn, but she didn’t head for the mainland. She moved into the guesthouse at the Lees’.”
    Derek played something ominous and threatening, like a storm coming up at sea.
    â€œStop it,” Trent snapped at him.
    Derek lifted his hands from the keys. “It sounds as if Sarah didn’t do what you expected. How enterprising of her.”
    â€œShe will.” His jaw tightened, and he turned toward Farrell. “That’s all. You can go.”
    She would. No matter how enterprising she was, Sarah wouldn’t find any answers here. He’d see to that.
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    Sarah rubbed the back of her neck as she turned into the drive at the Lees’ seaside villa. “Tara with hot tubs,” some local wag had called it. Jonathan stopped in front of the pillared portico, she stopped behind and he then came and slid into the front seat of her car.
    He pointed. “Just go round the end of the house.”
    Oleander branches, thick with blossoms, brushed the car as Sarah pulled up to the guesthouse. The architect had given up on antebellum design here—the cottage was a typical Low Country beach house. Its wide windows had shutters that could be closed against a storm. Between it and the main house, a turquoise swimming pool glowed with underwater lights.
    Jonathan heaved her bags from the car. “You feel free to use the pool anytime you want. That’s what it’s there for.”
    Sarah followed as he unlocked the front door and switched on lights.
    â€œI’ll just put these in the master bedroom. You make yourself at home. You ought to find everything ready.”
    Sarah dropped her shoulder bag on a glass-topped coffee table. Pale cream walls, pale beige Berber carpeting, glass everywhere. The bright cushions on the white wicker furniture were the only splash of color, other than the seascapes on the walls. A living room with dining area, tiny kitchen, two bedrooms, two baths…This little retreat for extra guests was more than comfortable.
    Sarah glanced out toward the pool, remembering how it had looked a year ago at Adriana’s party. Twinkling white lights had festooned the trees. Everywhere there had been flowers, music, laughter, the clink of china. All of island society had been there. The heavy scent of magnolias in an isolated corner of the garden filled her mind.
    No. She wasn’t going to remember.
    Jonathan came back, handing her the key. “Come up to breakfast anytime you like.” His black eyes warmed with sympathy. “Honey, you look plain exhausted. Tomorrow we’ll talk about your problem with Trent. Okay?”
    Sarah nodded, her throat tightening at his kindness. “I’ll do that. Jonathan, I can’t thank you enough…”
    â€œDon’t.” Something she couldn’t read moved in his eyes. “I’m not sure we’re doing you a favor.” He kissed her cheek lightly. “Good night.”
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    Jonathan’s advice was good, but Sarah wasn’t sure how to follow it. Once ready for bed, she couldn’t settle. She turned down the peach spread on