Matinees with Miriam by Vicki Essex

Author:Vicki Essex
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

BOB FORDINGHAM SWAGGERED OVER, his face glowing like a heat lamp. He bared his small, evenly spaced teeth in a grin that reminded Shane of a tired old picket fence. “Didn’t expect to see you two being cozy together.”

“Just a friendly dinner.” Shane made to stand to shake the man’s hand. He didn’t want to invite a deeper conversation, but he didn’t like Fordingham looming over him, either. His considerable bulk cast a wide shadow.

“Oh, don’t get up. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. Didn’t think there’d be much on the menu here you’d like. Your people like curries, eh?” He laughed as if it were the funniest thing he’d ever said.

Shane kept his expression neutral. “I’m more of a meat and potatoes guy. That your family over there, Bob?” He nodded toward his table. It was an unsubtle way to remind the man, and himself, to be civil.

“Just the blonde and the two kids. The rest are friends. I have a lot of ’em.” The implied threat wafted from the statement as unsubtly as the alcohol fumes from Bob’s mouth.

“How nice for you.” Shane knew he’d be better off making this man an ally rather than an enemy, but he’d already burned him in public. And Fordingham didn’t strike him as the type to forgive and forget.

The former mayor swung toward Mira. “You’re not letting this wise guy talk you into selling the Crown, are you?”

Contempt crackled the glaze of her imperturbable facade. “I’m having dinner.”

The man’s expression grew lascivious, as if she’d just described her undergarments to him, and he stooped closer, swaying slightly. “I never got to speak to you after the meeting. I admired your grandfather very much. He was real respectable. His son was a piece of work—I knew the guy. But Jack raised a beautiful granddaughter.”

She met his eye blandly, unblinking, silent and full of judgment. It seemed to make the man uncomfortable because two heartbeats later he straightened and said, “If you need anything from me, give me a call, sweetheart.” He produced a business card from a stack in his pocket. She took it by the edges and laid it on the table, and Fordingham ambled back to his table.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Mira made a sound of disgust. “Grandpa hated him,” she muttered. “He thought he could buy everyone’s loyalty and bullied anyone who didn’t bow down to him. Never did a thing to help this town, either.”

The chatter from Fordingham’s table dropped, then rose again in earnest. Mira grew quiet and picked at her meal. It wasn’t until he peeked over his shoulder that he realized the Fordingham party was staring at them, whispering, laughing.

“I’m not as hungry as I thought.” Mira pushed her plate away.

“Then let’s go find something that will tickle your appetite.” Shane signaled the waiter immediately and got the check. Mira didn’t relax until they were back in the car. This was supposed to be a fun night out for the two of them.

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