The Secret Sister Read Online Free PDF Page B

here says he can work around me. So...Mom won’t be able to launch that argument.”
    â€œShe can launch any argument,” Keith grumbled. “Watch her.”
    When her brother walked out onto the porch and leaned on the railing, Maisey glanced at Rafe. “I really won’t be any trouble,” she murmured.
    â€œI’m sure you won’t,” he said, but she couldn’t tell if he was being facetious.
    â€œAs soon as you tell me you need to be in here, I’ll get out.”
    â€œRight. If we’re careful, we can avoid each other indefinitely.”
    She wanted to tell him that wouldn’t be necessary. She saw no reason they couldn’t continue to be civil if they happened to bump into each other. But she was afraid to start another conversation along those lines with Keith in such close proximity. “I’ll grab my bags from the car. I might as well leave them here while we go over to the house.”
    Keith watched from his spot on the porch as she wrestled her heaviest suitcase out of the trunk and dragged it over to the porch steps. He wasn’t happy she was staying, so he didn’t offer to help. Instead, Rafe came down and insisted on carrying her luggage into the cottage. She kept trying to tell him she could manage. It didn’t seem polite to let him do her a favor on the heels of her refusal to go out with him. But he acted as if he didn’t hear her.
    â€œThat’s it, then,” she said to Keith when her things were stowed in the otherwise empty bedroom. “We might as well head over to see Mom.” She couldn’t put it off any longer.
    â€œFun,” he muttered, and started for the car.
    She stood on the porch, watching her brother’s retreating back as Rafe locked up.
    â€œShould I bring over a mattress and a few other necessities, like a fridge, and have them here for when you get back?” he asked.
    â€œNo, I’ll do that myself.” She had no idea how she’d move something as heavy as a fridge. But she hoped that, between Keith and her, they’d manage. She didn’t want to be a nuisance to Rafe Romero, didn’t want him complaining to her mother. Having to take that into consideration at all bothered her. It was part of the reason she resented the fact that he was living here. She didn’t feel she should have to answer to anyone—not at Smuggler’s Cove.
    â€œIt could be dark when you get back to this side of the island,” he said.
    She checked her phone—nearly two. “The sun won’t set for another five hours.” She certainly hoped she wouldn’t have to stay at Coldiron House that long.
    â€œI was under the impression you’ve been gone from Fairham for quite a long time.”
    â€œI’m afraid it hasn’t been long enough.”
    His expression was inscrutable as he removed a key from his ring and handed it to her. “This will get you in here. Stop by later, and I’ll take you over to Unit 9.”
    â€œWhy don’t you give me that key, too? I can put it under your mat when I’m done, if it’s too late to disturb you.”
    â€œSorry, I’ll need it this afternoon. I’ve stored a lot of my construction materials there.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œBut I’ll slip the key under your mat when I finish up if you’d rather not come to my place.”
    â€œThat’ll be ideal. Then I won’t have to interrupt your evening.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t want to need anyone,” he said, and went down the stairs before she could respond.
    Maisey followed more slowly and joined her brother in the Mercedes.
    â€œWhat was that all about?” Keith had the air on—thank goodness, because the humidity was even more oppressive than usual for this time of year.
    â€œWhat?” she replied, preoccupied with Rafe’s last comment. She didn’t want to need anyone. Everyone she’d known had