Simple Deceit (The Harmony Series 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

family members, several of our business owners are seeing dollar signs, especially during the holidays. I hope it’s true. Ruth could use the business, and so could Gabriel and Sarah. You know they’re working hard to get Levi’s candle shop off the ground.”
    I put my fork down and frowned at him. “I knew Eric was in town, but Grant said he was just here to spread the word about a town meeting tomorrow night. I figured he’d save all the details until then.”
    Sam shrugged. “When a stranger comes to Harmony and starts asking residents to attend a meeting, there are going to be questions. I doubt he had much choice.”
    “You’re probably right. Still, I wish he’d waited for me to get back. I could have helped him.”
    “I believe he’s been here almost two weeks now,” Sam said. “But only during the day, I guess. I doubt he’s driving back and forth from Wichita. He’s probably staying in Council Grove. No other hotels nearby.”
    “So what exactly do
you
have to do with all this foolishness?” Sweetie asked me, still eyeing Snickle, who had curled up next to her feet.
    “I’m going to be working on this project with Eric. You know,helping to get things set up. Designing the brochures and promotional material for the community. It’s my first freelance job for Grant, and I’ll be making pretty good money. If this project works out well, Eric promised Grant even more business down the road. That means more work for me.” I grinned at Sam. “Makes it possible for me to pay for all that fancy electricity that’s powering my house. Also means I might actually have food through the winter.”
    “Like we would let you starve.” Sweetie sniffed. “You don’t need no hoity-toity developer to take care of you. You got us.”
    I smiled at the woman who had become like a second mother to me. When I’d first come to Harmony, I’d seen her as a nuisance—someone to avoid like the plague. Now she was one of the most important people in my life. “Thank you, Sweetie. I know that.” I reached over and covered her hand with mine. “I feel the same way about you.”
    She scowled at me and moved her hand away, but not before giving my fingers a little squeeze. “Land’s sakes. No need to get all sloppy about it.”
    “Okay, but thanks anyway.”
    She cleared her throat and grabbed another roll. Sweetie didn’t express her feelings very often, but when she did, it didn’t last long.
    “Hope this big-time developer’s not plannin’ on breakin’ ground now. Bad weather will be comin’ down on us soon enough. Not a good time for buildin’ anything.”
    “No, he intends to get started in the spring. He wants to get the planning out of the way—and get the community behind the idea.”
    “So tell me about this Eric,” Sam said. “I still haven’t met him. Haven’t been to town much, and every time I do manage to get there, he seems to be gone. How old is he? Should I be jealous?”
    “Eric Beck’s around thirty years old, wealthy, and quite handsome.” I laughed at the stricken look on his face. “And no, youshouldn’t be jealous. Of anyone. Ever. I’ve discovered I have a thing for farm boys with gray eyes and long blond hair, and Eric is definitely a city guy. All the way.”
    “Sounds like a slick showman with a tricky streak,” Sweetie said sharply.
    I sighed. “Well, he isn’t. He’s a very nice man who truly believes his retirement village will be a blessing for everyone.” I shot her a disapproving look. “You might want to reserve judgment until you actually meet him.”
    Aware that she’d been chastised, she murmured something under her breath and reached for the jelly. Hopefully the storm was over for a while.
    I turned toward Sam and rolled my eyes. He shrugged. We were both used to his aunt’s outspokenness, but sometimes she went too far.
    “Do you know whose land he’s looking to buy?” Sam asked.
    “A Rand McAllister. I don’t know him.”
    “Rand