Mystery in the Moonlight Read Online Free PDF Page A

she got herself drunk? she wondered, her pulse surging crazily at the thought.
    Caitlin could almost feel his strong arms around her as he lifted her and carried her out into the moonlight. She could hear the sound of the ocean lapping against the shore, intermingled with the romantic phrases he’d whisper into her ear. The tropical wind fluttered the palm trees as he dipped his head closer, his beard gently chafing the soft skin of her cheek. And then…
    The shrill scream of one of the Lewis children snapping her out of the daydream, she focused on the large family sitting at the opposite end of the longhouse at the only other occupied table. Realizing where the silly fantasy had been leading, Caitlin felt an uncomfortable heat seep through her.
    Yet she couldn’t help studying the man speculatively from under lowered lashes. His sun-bronzed skin seemed warm and vital, as did his lips, which tantalized her through his beard. She remembered how she’d felt after Jean had kissed her: like she’d rather have been kissed by this man instead. Of course, he caught her staring at him when the waitress left to attend the honeymooners, who had just arrived.
    “Like something you see this time?” the man asked her. “Or do I have another spider on my shoulder?”
    “Uh, it was one of those tiny birds that fly through here all the time,” Caitlin quickly improvised.
    “I hate to tell you that your imagination is getting away from you, but those birds are day creatures. You never see them after dark.”
    Obviously displeased at being ignored, Babs appeared determined to rectify the situation. “I declare, we haven’t even introduced ourselves properly.” Her tone was so firm, the man seemed compelled to look her way. She held out her dainty hand until he took it in his. “I’m Barbara Lee Gordon, but you may call me Babs. And this is my best friend, Caitlin O’Connor. What did you say your name was?”
    “Bryce.” When he turned his attention back to Caitlin, it made her feel like she’d been backed into a corner. But when he held out his hand, her own acted of its own volition, allowing itself to be trapped in his. She felt his touch all the way down to her toes. “Caitlin. What a romantic name. It goes with the setting.”
    Caitlin knew she was grinning stupidly, at a loss for words as usual when she met a man to whom she was highly attracted. Why couldn’t she be as confident as Babs and bat her eyelashes at him? As if they had a will of their own, her eyelids flicked rapidly just as Babs had demonstrated dozens of times, and silly words poured from her mouth.
    “My goodness, it’s no more romantic than your own name, Bryce.” Her eyelashes fluttered once more.
    Good Lord, was she actually flirting?
    Though Bryce appeared startled for a moment, a lazy grin softened his lips. His teeth seemed to glow against his mustache and beard. “You must have something in your eye.” He leaned closer. “Why don’t you let me take a look?”
    Feeling her face suffuse with color at his teasing, Caitlin turned to Babs for help. But her friend didn’t look too happy now that Caitlin finally seemed to have taken her advice. She guessed she was on her own.
    “No! Whatever was there is gone,” she croaked, renewing her interest in her fish, even though her stomach was churning.
    The waitress arrived with Bryce’s food, and the next several minutes were spent in a strange dinner conversation. Babs would address her comments to Bryce, he would turn the discussion to Caitlin, and Babs would either suffer in silence or say something that was sure to irritate Caitlin.
    “How long are you plannin’ to stay here at the resort?” Babs asked Bryce.
    “Actually I’m not a registered guest. My digs are over on Harmony, the larger island across the channel. But the staff at the plantation where I’m staying said I should make it over here for the day.” He gave Caitlin a searing glance. “And I’m very glad I did.”
    “But