The one-night stand who got away is back—and expecting...

Security entrepreneur Zachary Gatlin can’t decide whether to kiss her senseless or give her the brush-off, but Sadie Adams insinuates herself into his business and he’s hooked.

Sadie’s on a mission to dig up dirt on Zach and disqualify him from a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Success means she’ll be able to pay for her little sister’s medical bills. But when Zach once again proves irresistible to Sadie, she faces a fateful choice: follow her heart or save her sister. And then there’s the child she’s carrying—Zach’s child...

Well, look what snuck in while I was in the kitchen.

Zach should stay away—he really should—but knew he wouldn’t. Casually making his way across the room, he stopped to check in at a few tables while keeping Sadie in view. Her laughter, her smile were beautiful things, though she wasn’t overtly flirting. Still, a surprising surge of anger streaked through him. He found himself circling slowly, almost like a lion studying his prey from all angles.

Coming in from behind, he could no longer see her face, but he could finally hear her words.

“So did they know someone was sabotaging the mill before this?”

Every cell in his body went alert at the question. Why was she asking?

“Oh, yeah,” one of the locals eagerly replied. “Of course, those of us that work there knew it way before any manager did.”

She nodded, which caused the muted lighting to glint off her ruby curls.

Standing right behind her, Zach felt a moment of evil satisfaction that he stood so close, yet she seemed unaware. Every time he was around this woman, his hackles rose.

He wasn’t sure whether to shake her or kiss her.

* * *

Expecting His Secret Heir is part of the series Mill Town Millionaires from Dani Wade.

Dear Reader,

My mama used to say that when you married someone, you married their family, too. In Expecting His Secret Heir, family is the one thing that brings Zach and Sadie together—and the very thing that keeps them apart. Family can be complicated, happy, troubled or, in this case...a secret.

Zach and Sadie are each working hard to keep their families safe, and I was amazed how such noble intentions could cause so much conflict between two people trying to do their best. Still, they can’t stay away from each other. Will they both get what they want? Or will one of them have to sacrifice their good intentions on the altar of a new family waiting in the wings?

I’d love to know what you think about Zach and Sadie’s story! You can email me at readdaniwade@gmail.com or keep in touch with me through my website www.daniwade.com. I’m also active on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/dani.wade.1.

Enjoy!

Dani

Expecting His Secret Heir

Dani Wade

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DANI WADE astonished her local librarians as a teenager when she carried home ten books every week—and actually read them all. Now she writes her own characters, who clamor for attention in the midst of the chaos that is her life. Residing in the Southern United States with a husband, two kids, two dogs and one grumpy cat, she stays busy until she can closet herself away with her characters once more.

To the Worshams, Tates, Nelsons, Schafers and Raymos, for teaching me all that family can mean during the highs and lows of life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Extract

Copyright

One

From her crouching vantage point, Sadie Adams sized up the composition before her with an artistic eye.

Wide, straight shoulders of a towering man, silhouetted against the smoking buildings and rubble. A small strip of dead cotton plants in the foreground. The sun lightening the top of his thick head of hair, leaving the rest of him in shadow. Standing in profile, hands on his hips, head hung as if in despair.

As the shutter clicked, she wondered about his story. Had he been an employee of the ruined mill behind him, or was he there to help? As several men approached, he raised his head, giving her a clearer view of his rough-cut features.

I should have known.

Those broad shoulders, clothes that fit a tight, strong body in all the right places—he was the most capable man she’d ever known. The most incredible lover she’d ever had. The one it had almost killed her to walk away from.

Zachary Gatlin was the reason she was back in Black Hills, South Carolina. But he could never know that.

She took a few more pictures, surreptitiously inching in the other direction, as he talked with the men surrounding him. Yet she kept Zachary Gatlin in her line of sight. Five years ago, he had blended in with the crowd. A worker bee. Now, he was clearly in charge, directing those around him with decisive gestures and a firm tone that reached her even though she couldn’t make out the words.

Had he worked his way up into management at the mill? Would that change how he treated her? Would it change how he saw her?

Moving along the edge of the parking lot, she attempted to get closer to the ruined buildings. Her high-quality camera had some amazing close-up capabilities that she was eager to test. The piece of equipment was a luxury she couldn’t afford—but her employer could, and he was pulling out all the stops to ensure she got the information he needed. She should feel dirty for accepting the camera, but it was the one thing—the only thing—she didn’t regret in her current situation.

If Zachary knew the truth, he’d make sure she deeply regretted ever coming back here. He wouldn’t rage or get physical. He wouldn’t need to. That dark stare and hard features would be enough to make his point. At least, that was the Zachary she’d known—or thought she’d known.

Would he be the same now?

Turning to the smoking ruins, she focused on the things she knew. Angle, lighting, depth, perception. Her circumstances had prevented her from pursuing photography at a professional level, even though she’d had a few photographs published, thanks to a friend. But if her life had been different, with fewer obligations, maybe she could have followed her own dreams instead of lying awake at night wondering how her family would all survive.

Lost in her art, she’d almost blocked out her surroundings until a masculine voice spoke near her. “Ma’am?”

For just a moment, her heart jump-started. Had Zach finally spotted her? But she turned to find a generic security guard by her side. “Yes?”

“If you’ll come with me, please?”

Though it was a question, his firm gesture in the direction he wanted her to go brooked no arguments.

After ten steps she had no doubt where he was leading her. Desperate to delay the inevitable, she paused. “Excuse me? Could you explain what happened here?”

Possibly fooled by her innocent expression, the man stopped, too, and cocked his head to the side. “You aren’t from around here, are you?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve visited before, and really wanted to come back. But I didn’t think I would find the quiet place I remembered in such an uproar.”

That was the truth. The single hotel in the area had been booked full. Sadie had managed to get the last room in the last B and B with an opening. From the types of people she saw coming and going, most of the influx consisted of firefighters and construction crews. From the looks of the half-full parking lot, quite a few of those guys were out here today.

“I kinda guessed, based on the accent,” he said with a smile.

Yep. No matter how she tried to tame it, her Texas breeding colored her every word.

The guard went on, “Well, the admin building on this side of the plant had a bomb go off in it.”

Sadie made herself look surprised, even though she’d picked up this tidbit of information around town already. “Really? Who would want to do that? This is the main source of employment for the town, if I remember right.”

“It sure is,” the man said, shaking his head. “They say they have a suspect in custody but haven’t released any names yet.” He stared up at the building for a moment, looking confused. “I have no idea why someone would want to ruin the mill, but after all the bad stuff that’s happened around here in the last year—”

“Steve,” Zach barked from over a dozen feet away.

“Oops. Better get movin’,” the guard said.

Each step felt like a final walk down death row, but Sadie forced herself to move. After all, making contact with Zach was the reason she was here. She needed to spend as much time with him as possible—and she hoped their previous one-night stand might give her a bit of an in, even if the fact that she’d disappeared after it wouldn’t make it a positive in.

Zach still had a group of workers around him who parted as she drew near. She expected them to skedaddle now that the boss had new business, but no. Not a single one moved away.

Her petite five-foot-five stature had been the bane of her existence ever since she’d realized she wouldn’t be growing anymore, and being surrounded by a bunch of six-foot-tall men did not set her at ease. She felt like David approaching Goliath against his will.

Not that she had any sort of righteousness on her side.

There was only a moment to study Zach up close. His thick jet hair was a little longer than it had been the last time she’d seen him. Remembering that night long ago, she couldn’t help the itch to bury her fingers in those silky strands again. Or to run her fingertips over the weary lines of his chiseled features until the tension melted away.

Her sensual memories were dimmed by the current hard look on his face. There was no glimmer of recognition or softening as she stood before him, even though she could remember every detail of the body that now towered over her. No smile of welcome softened his sculpted lips as he asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m just taking some pictures,” she said quietly, lifting the camera still in her hand.

If anything, his dark eyes hardened more. “On private property.”

She glanced around, uncomfortable under the stares of the other men. “This is...was a business, right? There aren’t any signs posted about private property or trespassing.”

“That’s because they were all blown down by the bomb.”

Really? She wanted to challenge him, push past that stony facade to find out if he was simply making that up. Was he trying to punish her for walking away? Or did he really not recognize her? Had she been that unmemorable? The thought made her slightly ill.

She settled for a simple, “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

Zach stared her down. What would he do next? She had a feeling this wasn’t going to end as a friendly little chat. Her cheeks started to burn. Inwardly cursing her fair skin, she tilted her chin up to counteract the feeling of inadequacy. So what if he didn’t remember her...she’d still find a way to get what she needed.

But she couldn’t force her gaze back up to his.

“As you can see, this is still an active fire zone, and we’ve got a great deal to investigate before we know how safe it is.”

She smirked at the lame excuse. “I wasn’t anywhere near the fire. I was in the parking lot with a bunch of other people.”

The crowd around her shifted, as if uncomfortable with her spark of courage. But Zach didn’t back down. “Do you have a press pass?”

“What?”

“A press pass,” he said, enunciating each word with careful control. “Do you have permission to be taking photos of the scene?”

She seriously wanted to roll her eyes at his show of dominance but held herself in check. “No.”

“Steve, please escort this lady back to her car.”

Startled, she snapped her gaze up to meet his eyes once more. Surely he wasn’t throwing her off the property?

He stepped closer, close enough for her to catch the scent she’d missed all too often, mixed with perspiration from his work despite the cool October air. His fingers—the same ones that had explored her body that long-ago night—caught her chin, tilting it up just a touch more until it was uncomfortable. Then she had no choice but to meet his gaze, despite their height difference. Her heart thumped hard, though she didn’t know if it was from his nearness or fear.

“I suggest you stay away from where you don’t belong.”

As the guard escorted her back to her car, she had only one thought.

Guess he does remember me after all...

* * *

Zach Gatlin stood behind his desk, lost in thought as he stared at the large monitor. Where had she come from? Did he really want to know?

Unfortunately, he did.

As much as he wished he could forget the red-haired beauty he’d taken to bed five years ago, the memory of her eager passion had resurfaced all too often. As had the memory of her love of sunsets and people and nature—her artistic eye had taught him to see the gentler world he’d forgotten in the midst of war.

Then, with no warning, she was gone. He’d consoled himself with the thought that if she hadn’t been willing to say goodbye, she wouldn’t have stayed in the long run anyway. Probably for the better, since Zach’s responsibilities were a heavy load.

Sometimes he wondered if that inner voice lied.

Shaking off the memories, Zach focused on the present. The question was: Did he look into her or not? Running a background check would be all too easy, especially now that he ran his very own security business. The tools were within close reach. Close enough to make his fingers twitch. He could know all he wanted within minutes, every small detail of her life within days.

But was it the right thing to do?

Maybe he should have asked himself that before he threw her off mill property yesterday. He’d had a gut reaction to seeing her there, so close but seemingly oblivious to him. He wished he had controlled himself, but what was done was done. He couldn’t go back.

With his life, he knew that all too well.

Turning away from the computer, he decided to confront this problem head-on rather than hide behind snooping. Security might be his business, but it didn’t have to be his life.

Thirty minutes later, he wondered if he should have taken the easy way out. Figuring out where Sadie was staying had been easy—this was, after all, a small town. Getting past the nosy owner of the B and B? Well, that was an altogether different problem.

“Gladys, I know she’s here, I just need to know what room she’s in.”

“Is she expecting you?”

“Probably.” At least that much was the truth. If Sadie remembered anything at all about him, it should be that he was a man of action.

Gladys leaned against the high desk in the foyer. “Now, why would Black Hills’s newest hero want to see some strange woman who just came into town?”

Lord, this woman wanted a pound of flesh, didn’t she? “I haven’t always lived here, Gladys.”

“So you met her somewhere else?” Was that a gleam of excitement in her eyes? How sad that his life had gone from daily drudgery to full-on gossip mill fodder.

He’d met Sadie right here in Black Hills, but it had seemed like another time and place. “The room number?”

Probably recognizing the obstinate look on his face and realizing she wasn’t getting any gossip from him—outside of his very presence here—Gladys relented. “Room three.”

Back straight, he refused to look over his shoulder to see her watching him as he climbed the stairs. He hesitated before knocking, but luckily there was no one to see it.

The door opened, revealing Sadie. She was just as he remembered her, with smooth, translucent skin, an abundance of fiery red hair and green eyes that appeared guileless. A trap he wasn’t falling for this time.

“Zachary,” she said.

He stalked through the doorway. The suite was more spacious than the tiny hotel room she’d occupied the last time she’d been here. This was open and airy, with a lightly feminine touch. His gaze bounced away from the bed in an alcove and came to rest on the laptop in a low sitting area in front of a fireplace. He made his way forward with measured steps.

“It’s been a while, Sadie,” he finally said.

“Five years,” she murmured.

He paused, giving away the fact that he’d heard her when he would have preferred not to show any reaction at all. He was ashamed to admit, even to himself, that he’d often thought about what he would say if he ever saw her again. He’d pictured himself as calm, slightly condescending as he asked her why she’d left without a word, without any explanation.

Nothing in that scenario came close to the amped-up emotions he was experiencing at the moment.

Eager for a distraction, he paused in front of the open laptop. Several pictures shared space on the screen, showcasing the smoldering mill from different angles. He’d never had much time for art, but to his inexperienced eyes, these looked pretty good.

Which for some reason made him even angrier.

“You weren’t authorized to take pictures there.”

“Did you tell that to every bystander in that parking lot with their cell phones in their hands? Or just me?”

He glanced in her direction, mildly surprised by her return salvo. He hadn’t known her to be very confrontational. Not that they’d spent much time arguing, but they had talked—a lot. He wouldn’t have called her a doormat, exactly, but she’d shown a lot more spirit in the last twenty-four hours than he’d seen in the week he’d known her five years ago. A week that had ended in a night he couldn’t forget.

She raised one fine brow. “There were no signs posted. No one said I couldn’t be there...at first.”

He studied the images a bit longer. Damn if she didn’t have him stumped. What exactly had he wanted to accomplish by coming here? To go over the same territory as at the mill? To find out why she had returned? To get information without having to ask any direct questions?

To put himself out there to be hurt again?

Gesturing toward the screen, he asked, “So you came back just for pictures?”

It was as close as he’d let himself get to addressing the elephant in the room. He really wanted to know why she hadn’t come back for him. She was the one woman he’d ever felt he could actually let into his life, have a real relationship with. And she’d walked away without looking back.

“I was in the area and heard about the explosion. I wanted to check it out.”

She looked too calm, acted too casual. And she just happened to be in the area? He shook his head. When had he gotten so suspicious?

“What about you?” she surprised him by asking. “What were you doing there?”

That’s when he realized she wasn’t the only one who had changed in five years. “I’m head of security for the Blackstones—”

She smiled. “Wow. That’s really great. Going from maintenance to head of security is a big jump.”

He knew he shouldn’t, but he said it anyway. “I’m not head of security for the mill. I handle security details for the entire family and all of their interests. I run my own security firm.” Bragging did not come easily to him. Not that he’d ever had much to brag about. But somehow it felt good to rub his success in Sadie’s face.

He wasn’t the same man she’d met then—recently returned from combat in the Middle East, fighting the nightmares while maintaining a strong facade for the women in his family he’d spent a lifetime supporting.

Then one night he’d let her in, and he wished she’d never seen that side of him.

“Until we can get a good look inside and evaluate the damage, the mill is a huge security risk. So the Blackstones have asked me to oversee this initial part of the investigation.”

“I heard it was a bomb.”

He nodded. Yep. A bomb set off by a crazy man.

“Any suspects?”

It was a natural question. Simple curiosity. So why did his muscles tense when she asked?

“Yes, but that information is not being released to the public.”

The words came out in a more formal tone than he would have normally used, but it was all for the best. Keeping their distance meant keeping himself sane. Instead of leaning in to see if her hair smelled the same as it did before.

He did not need to know that.

He eyed the bright waves dancing around her shoulders. He definitely didn’t need to know.

“So it would be better to stay away from there right now.” And away from me, so all these emotions will respond to my control. “Wait until we can guarantee it’s safe.”

“In the parking lot?”

“Right.” He didn’t care if she wasn’t buying it. A man had to do...

Suddenly realizing he’d accomplished nothing but torturing himself during this visit, he stalked back to the door. Unfortunately, she followed, until she was within arm’s reach. He was too far away from the door to escape.

It all flooded back—all the memories he’d struggled to hold at bay since that first moment he’d seen her again at the mill. The way his heart pounded when she laughed. The way her soft voice soothed his nerves as she told him a story. The way his body rose to meet the demands of hers.

So many things he couldn’t force himself to forget.

But he could force himself to walk away this time. “I’ll be seeing you, Sadie,” he said, as casually as he could.

She pulled the door open and smiled. “Definitely.”

Something about her tone, that confident edge, ruffled him, pushed him to throw her off balance. He couldn’t stop himself. He stopped in front of her, bending in low to place his mouth near her ear. He sucked in a deep breath. “So...” he said, letting the word stretch, “aren’t you gonna tell me why you really left?”

Her gasp left him satisfied...for now.

Two

Sadie’s entire body instantly snapped to attention. She might not have moved, but every nerve ending was now awake and focused on the man before her.

She hadn’t thought he’d directly address her leaving. Indeed, he’d seemed to do everything but ask the all-important question: Why? She’d thought she was prepared. Her flippant answer rattled around in her brain for a moment, but she couldn’t force it out.

Instead she stared up into his brooding dark eyes and lost her breath. She’d known she would hurt him, leaving like that. He’d never tell her so, but she couldn’t help but wonder if it were true from his somber gaze.

His body seemed to sway a little closer, and her mouth watered at the thought of his lips on hers once more. Then the trill of her phone broke the moment of silence.

Suddenly he was back to arm’s length, leaving her to wonder if she’d imagined that moment. Wished it into being.

His eyes grew wider, reminding her that her phone was still ringing. She ignored both him and the phone. Her mother called late in the evening, when her duties for the day were done. Only one person would be calling her at this time of day, and she wasn’t about to speak to him in front of Zach.

Her heart pounded. She licked her lips, trying to think of something to say.

Instead of waiting for an answer, Zach gave a quick smirk and then walked out the door without another word. She waited until he was down the stairs and out of sight before pushing the door closed. Then she dissolved against it like melting sugar.

Tears welled, along with the wish that things didn’t have to be this way. She quickly brushed both away. Her life had been one long lesson in dealing with reality, not dreaming of fairy tales.

At least he hadn’t forgotten her.

Forcing herself to her feet, she crossed to the sitting area and picked her phone up off the low table. The very name she expected flashed across the screen. She sucked in a deep, bracing breath, then touched the screen to call him back.

“I’m listening.”

She hated when he answered the phone like that. The part of her that rebelled against what she had to do forced her to hold her words just a minute longer than necessary, garnering some petty satisfaction from making him wait.

“What do you need, Victor?” she asked.

“Ah, Adams. Where were you?”

The impersonal use of her last name grated on her nerves, but she was, after all, simply a servant. “Away from my phone.”

“Don’t get uppity with me, Adams. Just because you’re hundreds of miles away from Texas doesn’t mean you’re off the leash.”

Right. Remind her of the dog she was—that would make her work harder. But it was an apt description—she was a hunting dog. Sent to search for and fetch exactly what her owner wanted.

“I apologize,” she said, hoping he couldn’t tell her teeth were gritted. “But I didn’t think you wanted me to answer the phone and give you an update in front of Zachary.”

“Very good, Adams. I knew I could trust your judgment.”

As if it had been all his idea. If Victor Beddingfield had an original idea ever in his life, she’d be shocked. Of course, this little expedition was his idea—and here she was. But the idea wasn’t original to him. His father had tried it first.

“So you’ve already made contact? Good girl.”

Yep, she was definitely a dog to him. “I have, but he’s not happy about it.”

“You simply have to make him like it. You know how to do that...don’t you?”

She wished to goodness Victor had never found out the truth about her last visit to Black Hills. Not that he cared about her choice to deceive his father, telling him that Zachary couldn’t possibly be the son he sought. The longer Zach had been out of his life, the more of their father’s money Victor could spend. Still, the knowledge had given him a weapon to use against her—but not the biggest one.

“This might take some time.” Although, even if she had all the time in the world, Zach would probably never forgive her—then or now.

“Well, we don’t have time, remember?” he said, his voice deepening in a way she perceived as a threat. “I need money. Now. And I’m sure you do, too—or rather, your sister does.”

Not really. Amber didn’t worry about that sort of thing. The hospital treated her cancer, that was all she knew. It was all Sadie wanted her sister to know. The practical aspect—bills, scheduling, medical decisions—all of that was handled by Sadie. Some days, it was enough to make her feel like she was drowning, but she did it anyway. It kept her sister alive, for now. It allowed her mother to be at her sister’s side for however much longer they had her. That was all that mattered. Still, the reminder struck home.

But Victor wasn’t done. “So get me the dirt I need to disinherit him, and we will all be in a much better position. Got it?”

How could she not? “I understand. I’ll do my best.”

“Good girl.”

One of these days, Sadie’s teeth were going to be worn to a nub, just from the irritation of listening to this guy. “He’s not giving me much to work with,” she said, consciously relaxing her jaw.

“Then get creative,” Victor said. Without another word, he disconnected the call.

Get creative.

Sadie sighed. Easy for him to say. Victor had always had someone to do the dirty work for him. Her role in his father’s household made her a convenient option. Her role in his father’s investigation of his older son five years ago told Victor she wasn’t just convenient, but experienced.

Now he wanted the investigation into Zach reopened so he could discredit the man who didn’t know he was Victor’s older brother.

Time for Sadie to earn her keep.

Plopping down onto the couch, she stared at her computer screen. Get creative. How? She couldn’t think of any way to get around Zach’s present uncooperative state. She needed to get close to him, learn everything she could about him. But he wanted her nowhere near him.

Glancing around to remind herself that she was alone, Sadie clicked on the computer folder she’d closed when Zachary had knocked. Instantly the screen filled with images of him. There were pictures from all different angles, taken while he wasn’t looking. Not for Victor’s benefit. Not because she had to. Because she wanted to.

Because the single photo she had of him from her last visit wasn’t nearly enough to last her a lifetime.

She hadn’t dared take home any more, certain that her employer, Victor and Zach’s father, would discover them and realize she was lying about how much she’d found out about Zach.

She studied the haunting image she’d gotten of Zach silhouetted against the smoking building from yesterday. The contrast of his strength with the ruins of the mill reminded her of his conscientious care for his family, his quiet way of watching those around him until he saw a need that he could fill. If only he could fulfill her needs, free her from this mess of a life so she could be with him once more.

No, she couldn’t think like that. This was her problem to solve, as always. If Zachary knew what she was involved in, he’d lead the mob running her out of town. The town didn’t know her, either. They’d protect their own.

At least, that was the perception she had from watching him at the mill. But did she really know? What could the town tell her about Zach that he wouldn’t tell her himself?

She studied the picture once more. She needed to find out, and she had an idea how she might make that happen.

I need more information.

And she wasn’t going to get it moping in her room. Grabbing a light jacket against the autumn chill, Sadie threw a quick glance at the computer to make sure it was off, then headed out the door.

She shouldn’t worry about her laptop. But Victor had taught her that people did all kinds of things that served their own ends—and invaded other’s privacy. She never wanted to be caught off guard again.

Not that she had many secrets, but Victor had managed to find a doozy.

She paused on the stairs. Zach had said he owned a security firm now. Would he have checked her out?

Even now, had he figured out who she was? How long after that would he find out who her employer was, and what he meant to Zach?

Once that happened, her mission would be over before it even began. The ticking time bomb had been set.

Luckily, the overly friendly proprietress of the bed-and-breakfast was at the front desk when Sadie reached the office. The woman’s husband was as reticent as she was open, so he wouldn’t have been nearly as helpful. For now, luck was with Sadie.

The woman even started the conversation in the direction Sadie wanted it to go.

“Wow! New to town and already getting visits from the local hero.”

Technically it was a statement, but Sadie could hear the question beneath the words. And Gladys wasn’t finished. “Of course, not everyone feels that way...”

Interesting.

“Why is that?” Sadie didn’t feel the need to beat around the bush. Subtlety wasn’t Gladys’s forte.

“Oh, there was a big to-do when he came home. He graduated to officer in the military, survived combat. Then came home to take care of his family after his mama’s heart attack.”

Sadie murmured a few encouraging words, even though Gladys didn’t need them.

“But then all those plants got poisoned earlier this year—”

That made Sadie’s ears perk up. “What plants?”

“Cotton fields.” The older woman leaned toward Sadie over the high desk in what Sadie had learned was Gladys’s favorite position. “One of the things Zach did to earn money was crop dust. Early this spring he dusted nigh on half the county in a day. By morning, the plants were dead. Boy, did that cause an uproar.”

“I bet.” Probably more like a riot. Killing the cash crop of choice for the area... “Did the police get involved?”

“You bet. Quite a spectacle it was, though I wasn’t there. Handcuffs and all. But they released him the same day.”

Gladys lowered her voice, though they were the only two around. “Them Blackstone brothers got involved. And they obviously believe in him, because he’s the biggest news story around here...besides the bomb, of course.”

“You mean his new job?”

The woman nodded, her tight gray curls bouncing. “He don’t have to work three jobs now, that’s for sure. I hear his business is taking off like hot cakes.”

See, he doesn’t need the money.

Sadie pushed away the seductive thought. She wouldn’t sugarcoat what she was doing. Regardless of his current circumstances, Zach deserved the inheritance her late boss had wanted to give him. The one she had denied him because she had lied and told Victor’s father that Zach wasn’t, in fact, the son he sought. She’d been afraid he would corrupt Zach the same way he had everything else around him.

Still believing his firstborn was out there somewhere, Beddingfield Senior had willed him his inheritance. The only way for Victor to get it was to ruin Zach. Because he knew the truth...the truth behind the lies she’d told.

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

Gladys had just given her a place to start looking for Zach’s dirty laundry. And if Sadie succeeded in her mission, she’d steal away every last dime.

From Zach.

Three

“I heard there was an incident at the mill yesterday.”

Of course she had. Zach glanced over at his sister. Despite her engagement to the richest man in town, KC had kept her bartending job, and she heard everything. “You mean besides the fire?”

“Well, this was a bit more interesting than a bomb, in my opinion. It was about you...and a woman.”

Only KC would find that more interesting. But since there was never any gossip connecting him to any women in town, he could see her point of view.

Zachary hated that he paused before answering, practically admitting his guilt. “You heard about that?” His sister was too smart for him to bother pretending he didn’t know what she was talking about.

Her sassy attitude was displayed in a raised brow and hand on her hip. “Seriously? This is a bar. In a small town. People in here have nothing to do but talk all day...” She studied him in a way that made him want to squirm. “Did you really throw her off the property?”

“You make it sound so much worse than it was.”

KC’s eyes widened. “Zach! Why would you do that?”

He wanted to use his lame security excuse again, but he seriously needed better lines. Instead, he focused on pulling a beer. “Let’s talk about it later—we’re kinda busy right now.”

“That we are,” KC said, filling her tray with drinks for a rowdy table of off-the-clock firefighters. The dinner hour was just approaching, and Lola’s bar was already filled to capacity. “But you’re not off the hook,” she warned him.

He wanted to let his rare bad temper loose and tell her to mind her own business, but knew his sister’s fiancé, Jacob Blackstone, wouldn’t pull any punches putting him in his place if Zach made his own sister cry. Besides, it wasn’t KC’s fault.

It was Sadie’s.

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, to the point that he wished his brain had an off switch. Even sleeping hadn’t given him any relief. Ever since seeing her two days ago, he’d dreamed of the single night they’d been together, and the glorious sensuality of her body.

The images in his brain were not calming him right now. Any part of him...

He distracted himself by checking on his orders in the kitchen, along with the two new hires he’d put in place a month ago. One was a veteran chef from the military who’d put in ten years of duty before losing a leg in Afghanistan. The other was a hardworking kid who reminded Zach a lot of himself at his age, with a single mom and baby sister at home to support. Only Miguel’s dad had been killed in a car accident. Zach’s had simply walked away when supporting a wife and child got too boring for him to handle.

Despite the rush, he found everything moving along smoothly in the kitchen. There was no need for Zach to be working at Lola’s. In fact, he refused to let his mother pay him anymore. The last thing he needed these days was money—a concept he couldn’t quite absorb. But he couldn’t stay away.

Taking care of his grandmother, mother and sister was a way of life for him. He’d only been away from them while he was in the military. No matter what his job was now, his day still wasn’t complete until he’d touched base with them. And he wasn’t the kind of man to sit around while the women worked. He wasn’t like his father—uncaring enough to walk away from the people who needed him. Nor KC’s father, who’d done the same when the going got tough. Zach had never let down the women in his life, and his new millionaire status wasn’t an excuse to start now.

So here he was on a Friday night, carrying a tray of appetizers out to a table surrounded by several couples eager to eat before hitting the dance floor. Lola’s was crowded tonight. Lots of people were in town needing to blow off steam, especially those who worked out at the mill. Too many probably thought about the disaster they would have faced if it hadn’t been a mandatory shutdown weekend when the bomb had gone off.

Zach talked to the customers for a few minutes about the damage, then left them to their food. As head of security, he’d done his best to spread the most positive outlook. He hoped he was having some effect, because the last thing this town needed was for the people living here to give up. Regardless of the damage, the Blackstone brothers were not going to let the mill close and the town disappear. They’d all worked too hard to have that happen to the people they cared about.

Hearing some boisterous laughter, Zach glanced at the table of firefighters only to spot an unexpected redheaded beauty in their midst.

Well, look what snuck in while I was in the kitchen.

He should stay away—he really should—but knew he wouldn’t. Casually making his way across the room, he stopped to check in at a few tables while keeping Sadie in view. Her laughter, her smile were beautiful things, though she wasn’t overtly flirting. Still, a surprising surge of anger streaked through him. He found himself circling slowly, almost like a lion studying his prey from all angles.

Coming in from behind, he could no longer see her face, but he could finally hear her words.

“So, did they know someone was sabotaging the mill before this?”

Every cell in his body went alert at the question. Why was she asking?

“Oh, yeah,” one of the locals eagerly replied. “Of course, those of us who work there knew it way before any manager did. But we needed proof, right?”

She nodded, which caused the muted lighting to glint off her ruby curls.

“They say they got someone in custody,” the man continued. “Whoever it is, they’re gonna get a sh—oops, not supposed to say that in front of a lady.”

Was that a hint of a blush on the curve of her cheek he could actually see?

“But the whole town, they’re already up in arms.”

“That will just give them a target,” she murmured, nodding her understanding.

Standing right behind her, Zach felt a moment of evil satisfaction that he stood so close, yet she seemed unaware. One by one the men at the table spotted him. Oddly enough, none gave away his presence to the lamb in their midst.

Every time he was around this woman, his hackles rose. He told himself it was because he’d found her at the mill, where she didn’t belong, but he was afraid the reason was much, much deeper.

“Why would you want to know?” he finally asked.

Sadie jerked around to face him, causing her drink to slosh over the rim and drip from her fingers. “What are you doing there?” she asked before lifting her hand up and gently sucking the moisture away.

Zach ignored the tightening in his groin, ever aware of his surroundings and a half dozen pairs of eyes glued to their interactions...and that was just at this table. Zach gave a short nod in the direction of the men, then cupped Sadie’s elbow with his palm. “Let’s get you a fresh drink.”

Without waiting for a response, he ushered her around a dozen tables to get to the less crowded, more utilitarian end of the bar. The whole time his heart pounded with intensity, though he wasn’t sure why the conversation affected him that way. He forced himself to speak quietly. “Why are you asking all those questions?”

Sadie didn’t jerk away, but she kept up a firm pressure with her arm until he let her free.

Zach ignored KC’s curious glances from several feet away, grateful that there were enough customers to delay her interrogation. He turned back to his prey. “What was that all about?” he demanded again, letting anger seep through his self-control.

At first, he thought she would cave and spill her guts. His stomach churned as he realized he wanted to know everything about why she was here, why she’d walked back into his life and turned his emotions on their head.

Then her thick lashes swept up, revealing those gorgeous green eyes, and somehow he knew he wasn’t getting what he wanted tonight.

She wiggled her glass. “I thought I was here for a fresh drink?”

He wasn’t sure whether to shake her or kiss her, but he felt relief as he moved behind the bar. Being that close to Sadie only encouraged his circuits to misfire.

So he tried a different tactic. He let his fingers slide slowly over hers as he lifted the glass from her hand. Her lowered lashes told him she had something to hide. At least that secret he could guess, if her reaction was anything like his.

“You know those guys?” he asked as he refilled her Coke. He wanted to grin at her drink of choice. As far as he’d been able to tell, she didn’t drink, smoke or get into trouble. Her innocence simply hinted at an incredible sensuality that he’d never been able to forget.

She shrugged delicate shoulders. “A couple of the guys are staying at the B and B. The hotel ran out of room.”

They’d been lucky with all the crews that had come in to help fight the fire and pull debris. Unfortunately, Black Hills wasn’t very well equipped for visitors. Every last vacant room was in use at the moment. There were even a couple of fire chiefs bunking out at Blackstone Manor.

“I told them there was a great place for food and drinks out this way. They invited me to join them when I was free. I hope that was okay?”

The glance from under her lashes didn’t seem to be seeking permission so much as a reaction.

It was his turn to shrug. “I’ve always been easy to find.”

Her petite body stilled. She glanced around, as if making sure no one was close enough to listen. “Look,” she said, “I’m very sorry about leaving. I just got...scared.”

He stepped closer, bypassing the safety of the counter. “Why?”

She swallowed, hard. His instincts were to follow the movement with his mouth, taste what he could only see.

Reaching out, he forced her chin up with demanding fingers. “Why?”

“It was just too much for me,” she whispered.

Without thought, he found himself murmuring, “Me, too.”

Startled eyes met his. He could drown in all that fresh green color. Five years ago, her eyes had been just as vibrant. Just as alluring. He’d fallen for her seductive pull and received the rudest awakening in his life for it. But he still couldn’t forget the night spent drowning in her green gaze.

Suddenly Sadie was bumped from behind, breaking the hold she had on Zach. Quickly he shuttered his expression.

He stepped back once, twice, until he found his breathing distance. “Now, what’s with the questions?”

“Why? Do you see me as a threat?”

In more ways than one. But he wasn’t giving her more ammo, so he bit his tongue. “Should I?”

Her gaze dropped at his question, causing his hackles to rise once more. Why was getting any information from her like pulling teeth?

“Just don’t stir up trouble.” He turned away, lifting a tray of dirty glasses off the counter and stepping through the opening behind the bar.

Only then did he hear her say, “And how’s a busy guy like you gonna stop me?”

* * *

“Don’t you know you don’t have to do this anymore?” a male voice from right behind Sadie asked.

Zach turned back toward her, focusing over her shoulder with a grin that she wished was directed at her. But it was better than the glower she’d been sure to receive after her challenge.

“My mama doesn’t care how much money I make,” Zach said. “She simply points at a table and tells me to get busy.”

When Zach came back out from behind the bar she was forced to step to the side, giving her a good look at the newcomer.

Or rather, newcomers. The trio looked like the epitome of wealth...and exhaustion. Zach shook hands with the blond man before turning to do the same with a man whose dark hair had a mind of its own. The woman between them received a light, social hug.

Based on her discussions with people in town, these must be the Blackstones.

If she remembered her gossip correctly, this would be Aiden Blackstone, his wife, Christina, and one of the younger brothers, Jacob. The utter weariness in their expressions spoke to the trials of the last week. Their brother Luke was currently in the hospital after being near the epicenter of the exploding bomb.

Suddenly another woman arrived through the break in the bar counter, pushing Sadie even farther back. The blonde beauty threw her arms around the one Sadie assumed was Jacob, holding nothing back. The surrounding people didn’t seem surprised. The woman pressed light, quick kisses against his lips, then settled at his side. Her touch never wavered and never dropped. If Sadie remembered correctly from local gossip, Zach’s sister, KC, was engaged to Jacob.

Zach studied them a moment, then asked, “How’s Luke doing?”

“Much better,” Jacob said. “They say he can come home tomorrow.”

“No further damage to his legs?” KC asked.

Jacob shook his head. “None.”

“Good,” Zach added. “We don’t need any more damn tragedies around here.”

Everyone murmured their agreement.

“Anyway.” Aiden stepped closer. “My wife is in firm need of sustenance that isn’t hospital food, and I promised her some of your mama’s fried chicken.”

Zach grinned in a way that took Sadie’s breath. “With a baby on the way, that woman should have anything she wants to have. She’s doin’ all the work, after all.”

“Amen,” Christina said, leaving the whole group laughing.

Sadie smiled, even though she knew it was a little sad around the edges. The group reminded her of her family. There were only three of them, but she, her mama and her sister had taken care of each other through a lifetime of heartache. They could often make each other laugh during the hardest times. And they never gave up hope that they would be together.

Zach stepped back to the kitchen to put in the order without so much as looking in her direction, intensifying Sadie’s feeling of solitude in the midst of the crowd. She eyed the distance back to the table she’d come from, but the Blackstones simply took up too much space for her to squeak by without notice.

Then the silence around her registered and she glanced back to realize she’d become the center of attention. Four sets of eyes studied her. Her familiar technique of disappearing into the shadows where she wouldn’t be noticed wasn’t an option here, as she was boxed in by the wall on one side and the bar counter behind her.

Finally the woman she recognized as Zach’s sister stepped closer. “Hi, there. I’m KC, Zach’s sister. And you are?”

Sadie wasn’t used to people offering her their hands, but she shook anyway. “Sadie Adams.”

“Let me guess,” KC said with a slight smile. “You must be Zach’s new nemesis.”

How had she known? “Um...”

“Oh, is this the woman from the mill?” Christina asked, interest lighting her eyes.

Suddenly Sadie felt as though someone had dialed up the spotlight.

“I believe she is,” KC replied.

“How did you know?” Sadie asked.

“Honey, it’s a small town.” KC’s smile was friendly, not condescending as Sadie had expected. “Trust me, everybody knows.”

“I don’t know,” Aiden said with a frown.

Christina patted his chest. “I’ll fill you in later, dear.”

That didn’t stop him from studying Sadie in a way that made her more reluctant than ever to stay. But KC picked up her now watered-down drink from the counter and dumped it before starting a fresh one. “Come on over and tell us about yourself,” she invited.

Sadie hung on to that friendly smile, even though she knew more than anyone how deceiving it might be from a stranger. But she needed these people for her mission, so she forced her feet forward.

“What do you do, Sadie?” Christina asked.

“I’m a photographer.” It wasn’t the entire truth. She did take photographs. She just didn’t do it for a living, as she’d led them all to believe.

“Oh, where’s your camera?”

“Outside.” She’d been afraid Zach would make a scene if she brought it in.

Christina didn’t seem fazed. “Have you had anything published?”

“Yes, actually. A few pieces through Barnhill Press.” The art press wasn’t anything to sneeze at, so at least Sadie didn’t feel like such a fraud.

Until another voice chimed in. “So you no longer describe yourself as domestic help?”

The people around her froze, unsure how to take Zach’s comment. Sadie had no problem with being seen as domestic help. After all, she’d fallen into that category all of her life.

She’d tried to stick as close to the truth as possible. She’d only ever held two things back from Zach the first time around: her employer’s true identity and her sister’s situation.

Sadie raised her chin and spoke confidently. “Actually, my longtime employer recently passed away. I’m taking a bit of a break before looking for a new position.”

“Good luck,” Aiden said.

“Thank you.” She took a deep breath for courage. “I have an idea I think might interest you.”

Suddenly the trio on this side of the bar with her adopted that slightly uncomfortable look that rich people got when they know they were about to be asked for money. She’d seen it often enough back home. But that wasn’t what she wanted...

“I wondered if I could have your permission to shoot a series of photographs about the rebuilding of the mill? I visited the town several years ago and became quite attached to it.” If they only knew... “From what the people here have been telling me about your family and what you are doing to keep the town alive, well, it’s incredible.”

She smiled brightly at Christina, since the woman’s calm features were easier to focus on. “If nothing else, I think it would make a wonderful memento for the people of the town.”

Christina glanced back up at her husband. “Aiden, that sounds wonderful.”

“I could talk to the publisher at Barnhill. I’ve worked with him on several projects...though this would be my first solo proposal,” she added, feeling the need to be honest.

On the other side of the bar, she could feel a sense of frustrated resistance coming from Zach. He stared at her, though she refused to meet his gaze. Luckily, she’d already gotten a positive response or she had a feeling he would have blasted her before his employer, simply to keep her from getting close.

Though he still didn’t know how close she planned to be...

KC must have sensed it, too, because she kept glancing sideways at her brother. But she didn’t speak. Finally Aiden said, “That does sound good. I am a bit worried about safety issues—”

Before he or Zach could go further, she cut him off. “Not a problem. I’ve already seen the destruction at the mill, and I would definitely need someone to steer me in the safest direction. Someone local, with a lot of experience with the area who could introduce me to people who know the history, the ins and outs of the area. The people and places that make Black Hills so special...”

“That’s a great idea,” Christina enthused.

Jake and Aiden were nodding along with her. “Definitely,” Aiden said. “Zach fits both those criteria and as head of security could keep us informed about your project, too. Would that be a problem?”

“Not for me,” she assured him.

Only after speaking did she glance at her former lover, whose hard-won mask barely covered the resentment pushing to get out. Sadie wondered if anyone else could see it. Probably not, because they went on talking as if this were a done deal.

Only Zach kept quiet. Good thing he didn’t know the whole story. Otherwise, she might have to worry about her safety.

But at least he would learn. She would get what she wanted...no matter what.

Four

“Just what the hell did you think you were doing?”

Sadie quickly suppressed her smile before turning to face Zach’s rage. She and she alone knew the depths of despair she’d experienced since the last time she’d walked away from him. But she couldn’t have realized she’d be thrilled to see him under any circumstances...including when he looked like he would choke her if he could.

“Who, me?”

Her innocent question only served to incense him even more. The show was quite spectacular, in fact. Zach’s skin took on a ruddy color underneath, showcasing the extent of his anger. But a lifetime as help to people who only wanted things to go their way had taught Sadie to take her kicks where she could get them, even if she could only feel her amusement on the inside.

“You knew I didn’t want to spend time with you. So why would you set this whole thing up?” he growled.

Ouch. That hurt, but she had known the way he felt before he even said it. “Look,” she said, not afraid to push back. “You started this with your high and mighty attitude, not me.”

“So this is all a game to you?” He waved a hand at the damaged building behind him. “This is not a game to these people. This place was their life.”

“Yes, and I think it will mean a lot to them to have someone document its resurrection, don’t you?”

She wasn’t wrong in this. Knowing how much people got attached to places—like she had to Sheldon Hall, even though it would never be hers—gave her a glimpse of exactly how these townspeople felt. “Building positive memories will help shore up the community and keep people here. Isn’t that what you want?”

She could see on his face that there wasn’t a right answer. He did want that, but it meant spending time with her. Though the reality made her chest ache, she had a job to do just as much as he did. With just as much at stake.

Through clenched teeth Zach brushed her off. “I don’t have time to mess with you right now. The fire marshal is here. Just go back to the B and B.”

As he stalked across the parking lot, she couldn’t help needling him a little more. “I can get some exteriors, though, right?” she called.

He might as well have flipped her the bird, considering the glare on his face. But he held his temper in a gentlemanly way, at least in the midst of the crowd of people he now walked through.

Sadie chuckled, simply because crying in front of everyone wasn’t an option, either. She’d suspected that coming back here would be tough, but she could never have imagined the roller coaster of dealing with her own emotions while matching wits with Zach.

Ever comforted by her camera, Sadie set off around the perimeter, once more trying to capture the compound from angles that showcased both the tragedy but also the potential for rebuilding, because that was exactly what people needed to see.

Just a few minutes in, a bell sounded. Glancing around, Sadie saw numerous soot-covered men exit the site and make their way across the parking lot to a couple of huge tents that had been erected along the far edge near the fencing. Must be lunchtime.

After taking a few shots of the men, she edged away from the crowd. Her focus here was pictures, not food.

“Hey, there,” a voice said from behind her a few minutes later.

Sadie sighed but finished up her shot before easing her camera down from her face. Had Zach sent another security guard to escort her away today? If so, he was going to have a hell of a fight on his hands.

Turning without any rush, she eyed the man behind her. There was no badge attached to his clothing, and he didn’t look dirty like most of the men here. A buttoned-down shirt and Dockers weren’t really appropriate attire for a disaster site. But at least he looked friendly.

“Hi,” she said, her unease calming down a notch.

“Is that a Canon Mark III body?”

Warmth spread through her. A fellow photographer, maybe? “Yes, with a custom lens. You know it?”

“Ah, I admire from afar and spend my budget on paper and ink instead.” The man grinned, looking young despite his thinning hair, and held out his hand. “I’m Lance Parker, editor of the local paper.”

She met his hand for a firm shake. “Nice to meet you, Lance. I’m Sadie.”

“You must be getting some good pictures, then.”

Pulling the camera from around her neck, she clicked on the picture preview and turned the screen so they both could see.

Fifteen minutes of talking cameras and photo composition and lighting fed Sadie’s artistic soul. None of her family were interested in photography. She had few friends because of all her responsibilities, but she had managed to join an artists’ group near home that she tried to go to once a month. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes not. But she tried to get her fix in when she could.

“Would it be possible for me to use a couple of these in the newspaper?” he asked. “We’d compensate you, of course. These are wonderful and my two photographers are busy with the cleanup, which keeps them from snapping away right now.”

Sadie barely had a chance to think before another voice cut in. “Hey, Lance. How’s it going?”

She looked over the newspaper editor’s shoulder to see Zach’s sister, KC, approaching them. Lance smiled as she arrived.

“As good as can be expected, I think.” He gestured to Sadie. “Just trying to convince Sadie here to share a few of her pictures with the community. They would be a great accompaniment to the recovery stories.”

KC studied Sadie for a split second, but then her lashes swept down, shielding the expression in eyes so like Zach’s. “That would be cool. So, Sadie, what do you think?”

That I don’t like being put on the spot... “Yeah, I’ll come by and we can look over them again. Tomorrow?”

“Great,” KC said, as if she’d decided the subject was closed. “Now y’all want some lunch?”

Lance agreed enthusiastically, but Sadie shook her head. “I’m still full from the breakfast spread my landlady puts out, but I’d be happy to volunteer, if you’d like?”

KC’s raised brow and hesitant “Sure” didn’t make Sadie feel better. She knew it didn’t really matter what KC thought of her, whether she approved. Sadie wouldn’t be sticking around Black Hills long enough to make real friends...or sisters-in-law. Somehow that didn’t stop her from wishing differently.

Although KC might be hesitant for completely different reasons. Had Zach told her about Sadie? How much did she really know?

* * *

Zach made his way back across the parking lot to the food tents KC and Christina had installed. He tried to keep an eye out for Sadie along the way, though he desperately wanted to curse himself for caring where she was in the first place. He could tell himself all he wanted to that it was about suppressing her plans, but deep down he was afraid there were far deeper reasons than that lame excuse.

He didn’t see her until he was closer to the tents, and that fiery red hair came into view as she scurried behind the serving line. It wasn’t entirely clear from this distance, but it looked almost as if she were in charge.

“Kind of amazing, isn’t it?”

Zach glanced to the side to see his little sister approach, her arms filled with a box. He automatically reached for her burden, taking it on himself as he nodded his head in Sadie’s direction. “What’s going on here?”

KC didn’t look at the other woman but continued to watch her brother...making him very uneasy. “She volunteered to help after saying she wasn’t hungry. I could tell she wasn’t thrilled with the setup when she joined us, but she didn’t say a word.”

One side of KC’s mouth lifted in a slight smile. “I wondered if she would, but she never did until I started asking for help. It took a few minutes to get her to open up. As soon as she realized she wouldn’t offend me by making suggestions, she took the lead. We were whipped into shape in ten minutes and served hundreds in less than half an hour.” KC shook her head. “She’s good.”

Very good. But Zach didn’t want to think of that in front of his sister.

“She told me before that she made a living as domestic help, but never went into specifics,” he mused as he watched Sadie navigate the chaos with the calm demeanor of a woman who had many pots on the fire but wasn’t worried about losing one. He glanced at his sister, only to find her still studying him.

He was in trouble now.

“So you knew her before, as in before this trip to Black Hills?”

Why hadn’t he just kept his mouth shut? “Hmm...”

But KC wasn’t buying the noncomment. “Did you meet her while you were in the military?”

No, but those days right after he came home had been a blur of nightmares and worry over his mother, his family. He hadn’t known how to tell them he was falling in love. After she disappeared without a trace, he’d been glad he kept Sadie to himself and not made her a thing—that thing he had to explain to friends and family, pretend not to miss, or realize hadn’t been as real as he’d thought. He had happily done most of that without public scrutiny.

Now, though, he could talk about Sadie without having to get into all the ugliness of regret and pain. He’d never been a liar, but he kept it brief, strictly answering the question that was asked. “No, she’s been to town before.”

KC slapped her hands to her hips, making him wish he hadn’t been gentlemanly enough to take the box. “She was here before, long enough for you to talk to her about her job, and you never mentioned her. Was she a customer? Or—”

“What’s for lunch, my lovely?” Jacob’s voice interrupted his fiancée’s, much to Zach’s eternal gratitude.

“Barbecue and fixin’s,” KC said, giving Jacob a big smile.

“What?” her fiancé’s voice boomed over the lot. “Barbecued meat, a pretty lady and a cold beer? All I need is our son and it’ll be heaven.”

“Christina’s got him at the manor,” KC said, giving Jacob a quick kiss on the cheek. “Your mom started running a fever this morning, so she stayed home and offered to keep him, too.”

Zach saw the flash of concern that crossed Jacob’s expression, and knew that even the slightest bug could be very harmful for the Blackstones’ mother, who had been in a coma for many years. But KC gave him a reassuring smile.

Jacob pulled her into his arms. “Well, how long is that gonna last? Forget the barbecue. Let’s go home.”

“Nope, sorry,” she said, laughing as she swatted his chest.

Jacob buried his face in KC’s neck. “Doomed” was all Zach heard before mumbling and giggling took over. He glanced away, grinning at the two lovebirds’ antics. In the sea of chaos under the tent, Sadie stood oddly still. The look on her face, even from this distance, had a hint of sadness and longing before she blinked and it was gone. Actually, all emotion was gone, as if she were afraid for Zach to see too closely inside.

Funny, he felt the same way.

Finally Jacob and KC separated, walking to the food tent hand in hand. Zach fell in step beside them. They talked about the next step in their plan as they joined the dwindling line for food. Sadie certainly had stepped up the efficiency of the process, and now the parking lot was filled with hungry workers eating their fill.

“I’m so glad we could do this,” KC said, surveying the scene.

Jacob kissed the top of her head. “Me, too. Whatever it takes to keep Black Hills alive, that’s what we’re gonna do.”

They reached the steam table set up under the tent and chose their meal. Zach deposited the box in the serving area before taking his food tray. Sadie was at the other end in a cute apron with a pig on it, pouring drinks.

“Wow,” KC said as she reached Sadie’s table. “This was incredible. Thank you so much.”

Sadie shrugged away the thanks. “It was no problem.”

“No problem? I didn’t think so.” KC laughed. “Of course, I’m used to a well-ordered kitchen. Being outdoors and not knowing where everything is throws me off.”

“Organization is key,” Sadie said with a wink.

Jacob reached out to shake Sadie’s hand. “Well, we are extremely grateful for your organizational skills.”

Sadie shifted as if their praise made her uncomfortable. “I’m glad I could help,” she said, handing him a large iced tea.

“Would you be free tomorrow to help some more?” Jacob asked.

Sadie blinked. “I’m sure I can,” she said. “I’ll be out here tomorrow to take more pictures anyway.”

“Did you get any good shots today?” KC asked.

“Sure did.”

Jacob looked over at Zach in a way that made him distinctly uneasy. He kept looking. Zach could see the wheels turning.

“Tomorrow,” Jacob finally said, “we have a truck coming in with lots of supplies for the workers. Decent boots, heavy overalls, protective gloves and such.”

Oh, no. Jacob, please don’t do this to me.

Jacob didn’t even glance in his direction. But his jaw twitched as if he were aware of Zach’s dread...and amused by it.

“We need some help getting everything organized and out to the employees. I don’t want them working cleanup without good-quality gear.”

Zach looked at Sadie in enough time to see her eyes widen. “Isn’t that costing a lot for a company that’s not bringing in any money at the moment?”

Jacob nodded. “But we want them safe. Those that opted to stay on through the temporary closing and rebuilding are being paid wages to help with cleanup and reconstruction.

“We wanted to keep the work local, as much as possible,” Jacob said, his tone firm. “We’ve got some donations, but everything else is at Blackstone expense. Ultimately, this is about the good of the town. The people who live here deserve to be able to stay.”

KC chimed in. “Not be run from their homes by a crazy person.”

“That’s commendable,” Sadie said.

“Not really,” Jacob responded, giving her a puzzled look.

“Trust me.” She met his look without wavering. “I’ve known some businessmen who couldn’t care less about anything but their bottom line. They’d bring in the cheapest labor and not care who lost their livelihoods. Y’all are doing good here.”

Zach could see Sadie mulling all this over, her brain working in overdrive even though she didn’t ask any more questions. She simply picked at the puzzle, trying to unravel the complicated strands.

The fact that he could discern this made him uneasy. He didn’t want to read Sadie’s mind. Didn’t want to feel her curiosity, her disbelief that the Blackstones were good people who cared about their workers. What had happened in her life to lead her to question that?

No, he didn’t want to know.

“Sadie, if your organizing skills make this as easy as serving lunch, we’ll be in business in no time. Zach will be here when the truck arrives in the morning around nine. He can make sure whatever you need is carried out.”

Sure I will. Don’t ask me what I want.

Then Zach wondered if his thoughts were showing on his face, because his sister was watching him—very closely.

Sadie, on the other hand, looked pretty pleased with herself. Considering how he’d treated her since she came back to town, he had to wonder why.

As his sister and Jacob moved on, Sadie smiled over at him. “Looks like it’s you and me together—again.”

Was that a statement...or a threat?

Five

“It’s the truth, I tell ya.”

Sadie couldn’t help but grin at the man before her. Wearing the traditional farmer uniform of overalls, plaid shirt, ball cap and messy white hair, he was a perfect candidate for sitting on a bench in the town square. So were the other two grandfatherly types with him. But he was the talker.

“I think you’re pulling my leg,” Sadie insisted, knowing it would spur him on.

“No, I would never,” he said with a sincere shake of his head. “But I betcha they’re all in on it. The other cotton industries are pressuring the state to shut us down, because they want the business we’ve always had here. That’s why all of this is happening.”

She knew old men were prime candidates to become conspiracy theorists. They had too much time to sit around and think and talk and spin events into the way they wanted to see them. So she asked, “But Blackstone Mills has been here since the town started, hasn’t it?”

“And still putting out quality product,” one of the other men, Earl, said. “That’s why they have to put us out of business.”

Well, as much as she’d like to brush them off, the fact that a bomb had exploded here couldn’t be denied. That was deliberate malice, so someone definitely had it in for Blackstone Mills. And the police weren’t talking yet.

“I still don’t understand why anyone would want to put you out of business,” she said, hoping to get more gossip. “Wouldn’t someone local have to be in on this? Have access to the plant?”

“Oh, they were,” Mr. Farmer breathed.

“The other textile companies found someone local to do their dirty work, we’re pretty sure,” Earl said.

Farmer interrupted, “We heard about all kinds of things. Can’t keep stuff like that secret. Equipment failure and missing shipments. But it was the cotton that was the kicker.”

Now they were getting somewhere. Sadie forgot about the lines of men behind her, getting loaded up by fellow workers with their safety gear after she’d streamlined the process for them. Zach had introduced her to the lead volunteer then disappeared, which she was grateful for now, because she was pretty sure these old-timers wouldn’t be speaking to her with him around.

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