Mr. Unforgettable Read Online Free PDF Page B

tears. “You didn’t…it’s just…” How to explain the fear that came with bereavement, the shock of the new after the familiar.
    â€œYou don’t like to be touched,” he finished.
    She nearly laughed. Touch was what she missed most, but not the comfort of strangers. Yet when she looked into his eyes, read his empathy, Luke didn’t feel like a stranger. So she was honest with him. “I’m not used to being touched anymore,” she said.
    To her surprise he took her shaking hands, cradled them lightly between his. “Okay?”
    She nodded. His warmth seeped into her fingers, her shaking eased to trembling, then stopped. “If I’d lost Harriet, too…” No, she wouldn’t cry again. Liz broke contact. “I should never have taken her near the water. But I thought with the safety tube and staying in the shallows…” She straightened her shoulders. “No excuses.”
    â€œHow about I teach you?” he suggested. “Swimming lessons for chess games.”
    â€œOh, that’s kind but…” She searched for a polite excuse. “My schedule is erratic.”
    He grinned. “Bring your chaperone if you like.”
    She shook her head vaguely. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œYou’re feeling awkward because you think I’ve seen you naked—I haven’t.” Only half-naked . Fully concentrated on covering her front, the mayor had forgotten her back was reflected in the mirror.
    Luke had turned away quickly but he could still summon an image of the long pale slope of her back, faintly pink from the sun, her apple-cheeked bottom and slender legs. But she didn’t need to know that.
    A blush tinged her cheeks. “You’re very frank, aren’t you?”
    â€œI’m not a politician,” he agreed. “You might find that refreshing.”
    She laughed. “ Being a politician, I can’t answer that.”
    â€œNo pressure,” he said. “Think about it.” He almost regretted the impulsive offer already.
    â€œI should get Harriet home.”
    His driveway opened to the cul-de-sac next to the public walkway to the lagoon, where Liz had parked her Ford sedan. Despite her protestations, Luke insisted on carrying the baby for her.
    â€œHaven’t you forgotten something, Mayor Light,” he asked when she’d strapped Harriet into her safety seat and was ready to drive away.
    Confused, Liz thanked him again effusively then started the engine.
    Luke reached in the open driver’s window to get her fake spectacles on the dashboard. He put them on, to confirm what he’d suspected over the past hour, then handed them back to her with a smile. “Like I said, I can keep secrets.”
    As she drove away, Liz decided she’d been wrong in her assessment. Luke Carter was dangerous. And she wouldn’t pursue his acquaintance.
    Â 
    â€œA T LEAST WE NOW KNOW that Snowy’s going to rely heavily on his experience as elder statesman.” Kirsty leaned forward and topped up Liz’s glass of chardonnay before she could protest. She’d been at council offices from dawn until seven; another glass would only put her to sleep. And she needed to concentrate.
    Overnight, billboards supporting Snowy Patterson had sprung up like mushrooms in supporters’ backyards. Under his benign smile ran the slogan Wisdom, Experience and Vision. Vote Right, Vote for Patterson.
    Liz and Kirsty had already met twice over the previous four days to thrash out her key policy points, but they were nowhere near ready to go public. Liz kicked off her shoes and sank back into Kirsty’s couch. “Even more important to counter with my youth and energy.”
    Realizing she was massaging her aching feet with her free hand, she chuckled, nearly spilling her wine. She’d have to work on her youth and energy.
    â€œI’ve already scored one coup.”