McFarlane's Perfect Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

reached over and squeezed her hand. “It’s good to think ahead. And it’s a fine project, an important one.”
    â€œWe’ll help all we can,” Allaire promised.
    Haley went on beaming. “I knew I could count on you two.”
    The little bell over the door chimed again. It was Melanie Chilton. Ignoring Tori’s warning look, Allaire waved her over.
    â€œJoin us.” Allaire gave Connor’s sister a big, sweet smile.
    â€œOnly for a minute.” Melanie slid in next to Tori. “I’ve got to get back to the Hopping H.” The waitress appeared. They all ordered, with Melanie asking for hers to go. When the waitress left, Melanie asked Allaire, “So how was the weekend reunion?”
    â€œThe mini reunion,” Allaire corrected. “Just the local Traubs and Corey and Dillon. It went great. Both of DJ’s cousins say they’ll be back in town soon.”
    â€œTell DJ we loved the barbecue. We had a wonderful time.”
    â€œSo I heard,” said Allaire, sending a meaningful look Tori’s way.
    Melanie glanced at Tori and then back at Allaire. “Okay. What am I not picking up on here?”
    Allaire gave an airy wave of her hand. “Oh, nothing.”
    Tori glared at her, mostly in fun. “You are impossible.”
    Now Allaire was grinning. “So I’ve been told.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Haley demanded.
    Tori realized it was kind of silly to try to keep the date with Connor to herself. Everyone in town would know anyway, after she showed up at the resort with him on Friday night. “Connor asked me out to dinner. I said yes. It’s not a big deal, but Allaire is trying to make it one.”
    Melanie blinked. And then she grinned. “I thought there was something going on with you two.”
    Tori frowned. Everyone seemed to know something she didn’t. “You did?”
    Haley asked Melanie, “Connor. That’s your brother, right?”
    Melanie nodded and told Haley what Tori and Allairealready knew. “He’s in town for the summer.” And then she lowered her voice so only their table could hear. “He’s always been…difficult to get along with, at least, for me. He and my father looked down on me. No matter how hard I worked, I was never good enough, never man enough, to be an equal partner in McFarlane House Hotels. But Connor’s been surprising me lately. He’s different, since his divorce, since he and our father had to sell a couple of failing locations, including the new Atlanta hotel, just to stay afloat.”
    â€œYou’re saying you believe Connor’s changed?” asked Allaire, sounding annoyingly doubtful.
    â€œI do,” said Melanie. “Or at least, he’s not nearly as overbearing as he used to be. Now and then, in the past few days, I even get the feeling he’s actually listening to me. And to Russ.” And then she chuckled wryly. “My father, though. Donovan McFarlane is a man who’ll never change.”
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    â€œThunder Canyon, Montana,” Donovan McFarlane growled in disgust. “It’s a black hole, Connor, and you know it.”
    Connor reminded himself to breathe slowly and evenly. He ordered his fingers to hold the phone more loosely. “I can get a good deal on the resort. But I need a little time to work on Caleb Douglas, to show him how the best decision for him is to sell.”
    â€œMcFarlane House does not need a resort in some tiny Montana town. I’ve seen the numbers on that location. They’re not good, trending down.”
    â€œEverything’s trending down lately.” Even McFarlane House, Connor thought. “Once we’re in charge, we’ll start making the necessary changes to get the resort in theblack again. We’ll cut back, at first, focus on the strongest services, get rid of any staff that isn’t ready to—”
    â€œHonestly, I don’t know