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Chapter One

Donovan Chance had done a lot of favors for his friend and e actual risk to life and limb—but he had never served as a babysitter While that wasn’t exactly what he was doing on this Sunday afternoon in early April, the description felt uncomfortably accurate

He had reluctantly agreed to escort Chloe Pennington—Bryan’s current girlfriend—from her Little Rock, Arkansas, apartment to Bryan’s vacation home on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri It would be a little er, a trip Donovan wasn’t anticipating with any enthusiasm

With a sigh, he reached for the door handle He owed Bryan a lot s about this one in particular

The apart onto a covered sidewalk Rain was in the forecast—lots of it—and the air was nippy Hunching a little against a brisk breeze, he rang the doorbell

Fronized the woman who opened the door Mediu-lashed hazel eyes set in a fair-skinned oval face Straight, smallish nose Soft mouth, the lower lip fuller than the top More pretty than beautiful Dressed very casually in jeans and a long-sleeved red T-shirt

He wouldn’t have thought she was Bryan’s type—but then, this whole situation had been a surprise to him He wished he could say it had been a pleasant one

He was quite sure no emotions were revealed in his expression when he introduced hiton? I’m Donovan Chance, Bryan Falcon’s associate”

Rather than ave hi she’d spotted floating in her soup “Associate?” she asked “Don’t you mean flunky?”

His eyes narrowed in response to the unveiled insult This was the woman Bryan wanted to marry? The one he’d described as sweet, warm, funny, a little old-fashioned? If Donovan hadn’t seen a photograph, he would be certain he’d coton, aren’t you?” he asked just to be sure

“Yes May I call you Donnie?” Her honeyed tone was pure insolence this time Donovan had always believed that no one could deliver an insult more effectively than a woman of the South

“Not if you want me to answer” He hadn’t been prepared to like her particularly, but he’d thought she’d at leastpleasant He’d bet she never talked this way in front of Bryan He’d had a great deal of experience

dealing with difficult people, so he was able to keep his voice blandly polite “I suppose we should get on the road May I carry your bags for you?”

From babysitter to bellhop Bryan could well owe hiton’s attitude didn’t inificantly Soon

“If it were up toin a car with you,” she said, and her expression now seemed to be an odd mixture of frustration and disapproval “Then your rich boss could go shopping elsewhere for a suitable partner for his ridiculous e of convenience”

Noas confused He’d thought Chloe Pennington was a willing participant in this ind courtship—too willing, actually He’d been certain she was as attracted to Bryan’s money and power as to Bryan hi the past few years But this wo forward to the week she would be spending with theher so persistently Did she really think it didn’tas she behaved properly in front of Bryan himself?

Because he’d long since appointed himself Bryan’s protector, he spoke sharply, “Look, if that’s the way you really feel about this, let’s just forget it Bryan doesn’t have time for a vacation now, anyway, especially with someone ould rather be elsewhere And to be honest, I have plenty s to do than babysit a…”

“Grace? I saw Mrs Callahan in the laundry room, and she askedkhaki slacks and aa load of folded laundry in a round plastic basket, ca in the open doorway “Oh,” she said, looking suddenly flustered “You must be Donovan Chance You’re early”

Donovan wasn’t usually caught couard, but it took him a moment to respond “Actually, I’m exactly on time”

The woman set the laundry basket on the couch and approached the door “I’ that lately”

Though their appearance was al that this wohter—the newcomer’s voice armer than the one who had opened the door to him, her expression friendlier “Grace, haven’t you even invited Mr Chance inside?”

“Actually, I had alned, Grace stepped out of Donovan’s way

Sighing, Chloe stepped forward to extend her hand in Donovan’s direction “I’m sorry ifI’ton, and it’s very nice to meet you, Mr Chance Bryan has often spoken of you”

Donovan remembered now that Bryan had mentioned that Chloe owned a business with her sister He had neglected to add that the sisters were identical twins Donovan would have to discuss that with his friend later

He shook Chloe’s hand briefly “It’s nice to ton,” he said, because etiquette demanded it of him