Trophy Wives Read Online Free PDF Page B

regarded as one of the top three accommodation publications in the world. I don’t think you appreciate the honor it is to be included.”
    Lucy privately thought it was a bit high-handed of the club to demand exclusive advertising rights. “Honor is all very nice, Tom, but it won’t pay the bills, and you do seem worried about money all of a sudden.”
    â€œWhich is something you have never given the slightest thought to,” Tom retorted. “Swanning off all over the world for years with your hand out.”
    That stung, even as she recognized the truth in it. She loved traveling, and goodness knows she hadn’t been wanted around here since her mother had left. But the moment she’d heard of her father’s stroke, she had come home.
    Never mind that it served as a timely escape from a tricky entanglement.
    And when Tom had asked, she was only too pleased to help him with the business. But the truth was, she didn’t really care about the lodge. Of course she would hate to see it fail, but her love was the forty thousand acres of countryside. Her birthright—and Tom’s.
    â€œI’m sorry for that, and I’ll do anything I can to help.”
    Trouble was, with the life she had led so far, she didn’t know how much help she would be.
    â€œAnything?”
    She touched his hand, feeling sorry he’d had to carry this burden alone. “Anything. You’re really worried, aren’t you?”
    â€œI am. If you want to help, I’d like you to think about selling the land. Part of it, anyway.”
    Lucy jerked her hand back. “The land? Our land?”
    â€œLucy, since the farm manager quit a year ago, I’ve let the farm run right down. Half the stock that’s left is wild. And the rest I pay next door to drench and move. We either need the farm to pay its own way or get the money for it. Otherwise how will we keep this place up to scratch?”
    She could hardly believe her ears. Foreboding, deep and menacing, hollowed out her stomach. “What’s going on, Tom? Why are things so bad?”
    He turned away from her, his shoulders slumped. “It’s a downturn in the market, that’s all. We have to be prepared to explore other options.”
    â€œI’d sell the lodge before the land any day,” she declared. “This is farming country. It’s McKinlay farming country.”
    â€œIt’s a last resort, Lucy. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. We have to make sure Magnus has a great hunt and his wife has an equally good time.” He turned off the lights to the bar and stood at the door, impatiently waving her through.
    â€œYou wouldn’t… You can’t be serious.” How could he drop a bombshell like that and then just expect her to go to bed? She stalked past him, fingers of agitation squeezing her throat.
    â€œAnd try to organize a tour or something for Rae,” Tom ordered, his imperious voice riling her further. “I don’t like the idea of him sniffing around while I’m on the hunt.”
    â€œPerhaps I should give him a tour of me,” she told him snippily. “I could seduce him. Get him on our side that way.”
    She almost laughed at her half brother’s shock.
    â€œYou will not! You’ll keep your distance and be totally professional with that guy. I know his type—all business. He’d eat you for breakfast.”
    Lucy turned her back on him. “Man, I wish I knew what was bugging you lately.” She shot him a scowl as she stomped off down the hall. “I was joking.”
    â€œI mean it, Lucy,” Tom called after her. “Keep away from Rae. He’s dangerous.”

Three
    L ucy rose in the half light, too restless to sleep. As was her custom when she stayed at Summerhill, she put her swimsuit on under a warm track suit, tossed a towel around her shoulders and skipped downstairs and out to the pool. It was just past