Thrill Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

thing. A knee-jerk reaction to an unexpected visit from her past.
    Del had been her first love. Of course there would be residual emotions. Knowing him, caring about him, had changed her forever.
    â€œAbout the videos,” she said.
    â€œYou have lots of ideas.”
    â€œHow did you know?”
    He looked at her, his dark eyes bright with amusement. “You always did and you were forceful with your opinions.”
    â€œThat’s not a bad thing.”
    â€œI agree. You told me what they were, then explained why I was an idiot if I didn’t listen to you.”
    She sipped her coffee. “I doubt I said
idiot
,” she murmured.
    â€œYou were thinking it.”
    She laughed. “Maybe.”
    She had been forceful and determined. Instead of finding her annoying, Del had encouraged her to explain herself. He’d wanted to know what she was thinking.
    â€œYou had some good ideas to improve the tours,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll have good ideas about the videos. Of course, I have some experience with the medium myself.”
    He could have acted like a bastard, she thought, remembering how things had ended. Of course, if he’d still been angry, he would have refused to work with her.
    â€œChallenging my authority?” she asked lightly.
    â€œWe’ll see.”
    She glanced at her watch. “I need to get to work.” She suggested a day and time for their first official meeting, then stood and walked back toward town.
    Partway down the path, she had the urge to turn back. To see if Del was watching her. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw he wasn’t. He’d gone inside.
    Foolishness
, she told herself. Just like the tingles. If she ignored it, it would go away. At least that was the plan.
    * * *
    D EL FINISHED HIS COFFEE , then accepted the inevitable and drove to his parents’ house. As he pulled into the long driveway, he braced himself for the inescapable drama. Because this was his family and nothing was ever easy.
    He parked and walked toward the front door. The huge rambler looked as it always had—sprawling with a large garden front and back. Beyond the rear yard was the workshop his father used. Two stories of windows in a steel frame, because of the light. Ceallach also had a studio on the far side of town for when he needed to get away.
    His father was a famous glass artist. World famous. When he was good, he was the best. But when he drank...
    Del tried to shake off the memories, but they were persistent. His father had been sober several years now. He no longer destroyed a year’s worth of work in a single afternoon’s drunken tantrum and left the family desperate and destitute. It was better now. But for Ceallach’s five sons, better had come too late.
    A happy bark drew him back to the present. A brown, black and white beagle raced around the side of the house and headed for him. Sophie bayed her pleasure as she rushed at him.
    â€œHey, pretty girl,” he said, scooping her up and standing. She wriggled in his arms, trying to get closer and give kisses at the same time.
    â€œYou probably don’t remember me,” he told the dog. “You’d be this happy to greet a serial killer.”
    Sophie gave a doggie grin in agreement. He put her on the ground and followed her to the front door. His mother opened it before he could knock and shook her head.
    â€œYou couldn’t shave?”
    He chuckled, then hugged her. “Hey, Mom.”
    She held on tight, then drew back and shook her head. “Seriously. Would it kill you to use a razor?”
    He rubbed his jaw. “Most mothers want to talk grandchildren.”
    â€œThat would work for me, too. Come on.” She held open the door.
    He stepped into the house and back into the past. Very little had changed. The living room had different sofas, but in the same spot. His father’s glasswork was everywhere, all carefully mounted or