Love Is the Drug Read Online Free PDF Page A

line up some local contractors, get the permits needed, etcetera. I’ll have my drafting table and other supplies sent up here as well, so that I can begin designing the lodge. ‘Course, I’ll have to find the best spot for the building and get the surveys done as well. But, as soon as I feel it’s safe to do so, I’ll continue on from my base in Houston.”
    “So…you’ll only be here a few weeks then?”
    Jason shrugged. “Yeah. If that long.”
    She sat forward, resting her crossed arms on the table edge again. “You and I will have to agree on every aspect of this resort before you build it.”
    Jason gave her a sharp nod. “Of course.”
    Julie’s heart fluttered, and so did the butterflies in her stomach, but she thrust her handshake toward him. “It’s a deal then.” Please, please, PLEASE, don’t let this be the biggest mistake of my life!
    * * *
    Jason grinned. He’d tested her and she’d passed—with flying colors. He grabbed hold of her kid-sized hand and gave it a little squeeze. “It’s a deal.” Those huge, brown Elsie the Cow eyes of hers widened, but he had to hand it to her, she returned the pressure. Then she jumped a little when he gave it a firm shake. He was beginning to think it was a good thing his dad wanted this property, because this little brown mouse was too naïve by far to start a business on her own. And as much as his dad liked the girl, he’d no doubt enjoy taking her under his wing.
    Which was another good thing, because his dad needed to occupy himself with things more mentally stimulating than reading—and evidently watching —the tabloid news. He sat back. “So…how much did you get the property for anyway?”
    It was her turn to grin. “Six-hundred and fifty thousand.”
    Jason gave her a one-sided smile and shook his head. “Excellent.”
    * * *

CHAPTER 3
     
     
     
     
    Julie pretended to scan the scenery as they flew down the farm-to-market road an hour later, but she was really watching Jason. They’d talked about her prospectus, his and his dad’s ideas, and the general concept of how the partnership would work after she’d told him the amount of her winning bid.
    However, when she’d reminded him that they still hadn’t ‘cleared the air’ about Connie, he’d brushed the conversation off, saying that he had to get home and spend some time on the phone with his dad and then with his business partner, or rather, other business partner, so they’d have to postpone that conversation for another time.
    Which was fine and dandy with her. In fact, if she could get away with it, she’d postpone it for, oh, say two years?
    “I have to hand it to my dad; he picked one helluva magnificent part of the state to build the resort.” Jason turned and looked at her. “And this was where you grew up?”
    Julie combed her fingers through the hair flying around her face and scooped it back, holding it in place with her hand as she answered with a nod, “Yeah. Well, actually, not here here. Until I was ten and my parents moved us onto this property”—she glanced at him—“it was inherited—we lived in several places in north Texas. But this was our family’s first permanent home. And I agree; this is gorgeous country around here.”
    She felt the car slow as he lifted his foot from the pedal ever so slightly. “Where’d you live after your parents died—or…do you mind my asking?” he said.
    Julie was very familiar with answering these types of questions; she’d been well-schooled in the answers by her sister’s publicist, but it never seemed to get any easier. At least, it didn’t for her. Connie had never seemed to mind talking about herself, or her past.
    She bit her lower lip and wetted it with her tongue before she answered. “No, I don’t mind. And, I suppose, since we’re partners now, full disclosure”—she was surprised when she didn’t choke on those words—“is expected and necessary. Right?” She looked directly at him