Rockies Retreat: Destination: Desire, Book 5 Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Only famous in my own little art bubble. You’re pretty well-known by the general population.”
    He inclined his head. “The hazard of having your book series turned into films.”
    “Starring the hottest actor on the planet,” Laurel couldn’t help but point out.
    “It doesn’t hurt, no.” His gaze was intent on her face, and it felt as if he could see straight to her soul. The dark, almost midnight blue of his eyes was a little uncanny.
    “Right.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, uncharacteristically flustered. It wasn’t as if she’d never been attracted to anyone before. Jesus, she needed to get a grip.
    Violet grinned at her. “I saw one of your shows in New York with my mom a couple years ago. You had bangs then, and they were purple.”
    “Ha, yes, the purple. I know which show that was, then.” Laurel clasped her hands behind her back and rocked up onto her toes. “You’ve got a good memory.”
    “Thanks.” The teen beamed at the compliment, and Laurel had a feeling she’d just won a fangirl for the summer.
    “What did you think of the show?”
    “It was cool.” But something in her expression dimmed. “Mom wanted to buy one of your paintings, but the one she liked best had already been sold.”
    Laurel shrugged sympathetically. “That’s the problem with one-of-a-kind art pieces.”
    “Books are a lot easier that way,” Neil broke in, the skin around his eyes tightening with…worry? “Everyone who wants to buy a copy can.”
    “True.” Laurel glanced back and forth between father and daughter. The mood had shifted, but she couldn’t put her finger on how or why. Maybe something to do with Neil’s divorce from Violet’s mother? She couldn’t tell, but the strain was obvious. Laurel tried for a brighter tone. “Well, I should have several new pieces done by the end of the residency. Maybe your mom can take a look and see if she likes any of them.”
    Violet’s countenance went from dim to bleak. “My mom died last year.”
    Heart clenching so tight it was hard to breathe, Laurel reached out to squeeze the teen’s shoulder. “Oh, damn, sweetie. That’s a rough thing to deal with.”
    A little chortling snort escaped the girl and she swiped quickly at her eyes. “Thanks for not saying I’m sorry. I hate when people do that. They didn’t even know her, so they’re not really sorry.”
    “You’re right.” Laurel nodded, glad she hadn’t made the situation worse with her blunt condolences. “It’s just some empty thing people say when they don’t know what else to say.”
    “Yeah.” Violet’s chin set mulishly. “It’s stupid.”
    “Sadly, there’s a lot of stupid in the world.” Laurel heaved a mournful sigh, hoping it was dramatic enough to make the teen smile.
    She got a wrinkled nose and another snort. She’d take that.
    “We should probably head back and unpack.” Neil reached out and pulled his daughter in close. It wasn’t quite a hug, but the gesture of support wouldn’t make the girl feel babyish. Nicely done. Another mark in Neil Graves’s favor.
    “It’s gotten dark.” Laurel turned and pulled out one of the flashlights she’d found in the table by the door. “Take this.”
    “Good thinking.” Violet snagged it, flicked it on, and turned for the porch steps. “And I’m so glad your bathroom was working.”
    “Happy to be of assistance. See you later!”
    Neil looked at Laurel for a few seconds, his gaze again intent and incisive. His expression was unreadable, but he mouthed “thank you” before he disappeared into the darkness.
    After they’d gone, Laurel sagged against the wall. Violet was a trip—quirky and bright and handling a terrible loss with a grace that people three times her age couldn’t manage. Neil was…intense. It was the only word she could use to describe him. He was nothing like the light and easy men she was usually attracted to, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. As if she had a