Stealing Her Best Friend's Heart by Tara Randel

Author:Tara Randel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-05-13T20:43:16+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“GRANDMOTHER, WE HAVE to call a truce.”

Seated in the formal living room at Masterson House on Sunday afternoon, Reid stared at his grandmother calmly.

“Why, Reid, whatever do you mean?”

“Don’t pull the innocent act with me.”

Her hand covered her heart. “Me?”

Rising, he shoved his hands into his pants pockets and stalked to the window. Sunlight streamed in through the clear glass. Outside, life teemed; from the spring blossoms opening wide to welcome the warm sun, to bees buzzing from flower to flower searching for pollen. A rabbit darted across the front lawn.

He grinned. He was sure Heidi would have a comment about the animal as it scurried away. She had lots of opinions. When they were younger, they’d had a great time debating issues, but now, he wanted her outlook on everything. Wanted to listen to her for hours as she pointed out the good things in this world.

And yet Heidi hid her traumatic childhood from everyone.

He still couldn’t wrap his mind around her story. It explained so much. So many little things he’d overlooked when they were growing up. Yet she’d become a strong woman, maybe because of the trials she’d endured, working diligently to move past the things that would have broken another person. Perhaps that was why, whether she knew it or not, Heidi viewed life with hope.

His grandmother’s voice cut into the thoughts that had been running through his head ever since Heidi had shared her secret. “Reid, please tell me what you mean.”

Reining in his frustration on all fronts, he turned. His grandmother sat in her favorite chair, regal as a queen. Despite her meddling, he loved her to his core.

“Grandmother, your interference in my life has to end.”

“What interference, dear?”

Tamping down his aggravation, he began to pace the old wood floor covered by a large tapestry rug. “The women who accidentally show up when I’m eating lunch or stopping for a cup of coffee.”

“Perhaps the women were running errands.”

“Really? You’re going with that?”

“I will admit, I do see lots of different people in my travels about town.” She gave an effortless shrug. “If I mention to one or two of them what you’re up to, I can’t control their actions.”

He sank down at the end of the couch, his arms resting on his thighs as he faced her. “I don’t need you finding me a girlfriend.”

“You haven’t been doing a very good job on your own.”

“Maybe there’s a reason.”

“Like what? Making me happy in knowing you have someone to share your life with? Denying me great-grandbabies?”

He kept from rolling his eyes, the eternal question why? echoing in his head. “When I find the right woman, things will be different.”

“But Reid, you’re not even trying.”

He began pacing again. “I have a lot going on. There are two renovations happening and there’s another house I’m interested in buying.”

“You’re truly never going back to the family business?”

He met her gaze, needing her to understand. “Not right now.”

She nodded, not without sorrow lining her face.

“All right then.” She clasped her hands in her lap.

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