Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon

Author:Irene Hannon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance;Love Stories;FIC042040;FIC027020
ISBN: 9781493428618
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

“Aunt Stephanie?” Zach pushed through the door from the garage into the kitchen, dropping his keys on the counter as he called out to his houseguest.

“In here.”

He continued to the threshold of the living room. “Sorry again about being late. Thanks to the crumb brigade that stopped in near closing, cleanup took longer than usual. I love our kiddie customers, but they tend to leave a mess in their wake.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She waved his apology aside. “My days of having every second of my life booked—or overbooked—are gone forever, thank the Lord.”

“Give me five minutes to change into old clothes and I’ll be with you.”

“Don’t rush on my account. My book will keep me entertained.” She held up the new Irene Hannon suspense novel she was reading.

Despite her reassurance, he hustled. Being at Hope House by two, as he’d promised, wasn’t going to happen—but they ought to be able to get there by two thirty.

In three minutes flat, after exchanging his work clothes for worn jeans and a paint-splattered T-shirt, he rejoined her.

“Wow.” She set her book down and gave him a once-over. “What did you do, shift into warp speed?”

“Close. Listen—are you certain you’re up for this? From the quick walk-through I did Sunday afternoon, we’re going to have to put a ton of muscle into stripping wallpaper and drywall prep before we can paint. I know you’ve done your share of rehabbing and remodeling, but I hate to put you to work on your vacation.” He snagged his keys off the kitchen counter.

“It will give me much-needed exercise—and be far more interesting than visiting a gym.” She stood . . . but stayed in place.

Odd vibes began wafting toward him, and his pulse picked up.

What was going on?

Propping a shoulder against the doorframe, he folded his arms. “Why do I get the feeling you have something you want to tell me?”

She offered him a smile that appeared forced. “Because you’re a smart, intuitive man?”

“A person would have to be totally oblivious to miss the sudden tension in the air. What’s up?”

Faint furrows creased her brow. “I don’t know if I should tell you this or not.”

He tightened his grip on the keys.

Whatever she had to say concerned his dad.

He knew that as surely as he knew his father would be furious to learn they were having this conversation. The Garrett patriarch did not like his personal business discussed behind his back.

“After that teaser, you can’t not tell me.” He managed to maintain a conversational manner. Even inject a teasing note. “Unless you want to be pestered for the rest of your visit.”

The corners of her lips rose a hair. “You know, in many ways you remind me of Richard.”

That wasn’t the most flattering comparison he’d ever received.

“So what’ll it be? Spill the news, or face the inquisition?”

“Put like that . . .” She lowered herself to the arm of the couch. “It’s about your dad.”

His instincts were batting a thousand.

“What about him?”

“He’s having health issues.”

Zach schooled

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