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“They’re both fine. How was your first day?”
“Long. I just got home.” Savannah shoved the last bite of processed macaroni and cheese into her mouth, then dumped the plastic tray into the recycle bin. “I made my proposal to the entire family—”
“You met all the Abbotts?”
“Everyone except their mother, Iris, and Joseph Abbott.” Savannah was both angry and relieved she hadn’t had the chance to look into the eyes of the coldhearted bastard who’d ruined her grandfather’s life.
“What were they like?”
Savannah sank onto the sofa. Blake’s dreamy eyes and kind smile danced in her head. The vision had come to her in her sleep more than once since they’d met.
In her dreams, they weren’t from opposing families. They’d been increasingly intimate, holding hands, embracing. And last night she’d awakened in a cold sweat after they’d shared a passionate kiss.
She’d struggled to drive those images from her head while spending a good portion of her day in his company.
“The Abbotts aren’t the ogres you expected, are they?” There was a hint of vindication in Laney’s question.
“No, but I met most of them for the first time today. They were trying to make a good first impression. After all, even a serial killer can have a charming facade.”
Laney didn’t acknowledge her logic. “Tell me about them, based on what you observed today. Not on what you thought you knew about them.”
Savannah removed her ponytail holder and shook her head. Her curly hair tumbled to her shoulders in loose waves from being pulled tight.
“It was hard to get a read on their dad—Duke. He’s personable, but all business.”
“What about the rest of them?”
“I met Blake, Parker, Max and Zora—the four siblings who run the distillery. There’s a fifth—Cole. He has his own construction company.”
“Why didn’t he go into the family business?”
“Don’t know.” Savannah had wondered, too.
“Quit stalling and tell me more.”
“Zora is sweet. Max is funny. Parker is kind of an asshole.”
“And what about Blake Abbott? This was your second encounter. Did your impression of him improve?”
“Yes.” She hated to admit that it was true. But Blake’s genuinely warm interactions with his employees during the tour made him appear to be an ideal boss.
“So now that you see you were wrong about the Abbotts, will you please let this thing go?”
So much for Laney being on board with the plan.
“The congeniality of Joseph Abbott’s grandchildren isn’t the issue here.”
“Savannah—”
“If they’re genuinely innocent in all of this...well, I’m sorry their grandfather was such a bastard. It isn’t like I plan to steal the company from under them the way he did from Granddad.”
“Then what exactly do you want, honey? What’s your grand plan here?”
“Our family deserves half the company. That’s what I want. And if they don’t want to share, they can buy us out. Plain and simple.”
Laney made a strangled sound of frustration. A sound she made whenever they discussed their grandfather’s claims regarding King’s Finest.
“I couldn’t do what you’re doing.” Laney’s voice was quiet. “Getting to know people. Having them come to like and trust you. Then turning on them.”
Savannah winced at the implication of her sister’s words. “I’m not ‘turning’ on them. I’m just standing up for my family. As any of them would for theirs. Besides, I’m not harming their business in any way.”
“You’re spying on them.”
“But I’m not taking that information to a competitor. I’m just gathering evidence to support Granddad’s ownership claim.” Savannah tamped down the defensiveness in her tone.
“And what about Blake?”
“What about him?”
“You like him. I can tell. What happens when he learns the truth?”
A knot twisted in Savannah’s belly. “If he’s as good a man as everyone seems to think, he should want to make this right. In fact, I’m counting on it.”
Six (#u2ef9d15f-5968-58a5-b903-af5c982d5c44)
Savannah smiled in response to the email she’d just received from Max, who was away at another trade show. They’d secured the endorsement of a local boy who’d become a world-famous actor. With his rugged good looks and down-home, boyish charm, he was perfect.
Her plans for the jubilee were in full swing. The rustic gala, to be held in the Abbotts’ old country barn, would celebrate the company, its employees and distributors and attract plenty of media coverage. The renovated barn would provide King’s Finest with an additional revenue stream and create jobs in the small town.
Savannah had been working at the distillery for nearly a month. The residents of the small town had done their best to make her feel welcome—despite her desire to hang in the shadows and lie low.
Every Friday she turned down no less than two invitations to the local watering hole for drinks after work. One of those invitations always came from Blake.
An involuntary shudder rippled down Savannah’s spine when she thought of Blake with his generous smile and warm brown eyes. Savannah shook her head.
She would not think of how good Blake Abbott looked in the checkered dress shirts and athletic-fit slacks he typically wore. Each piece highlighted the finer points of his physique. A broad chest. Well-defined pecs. Strong arms. An ass that made it evident he was no stranger to lunges and squats.
His clothing was designed to torture her and every other woman with a working libido and functioning set of eyes. It tormented her with visions of what his strong body must look like beneath that fabric.
A crack of thunder drew her attention to the window. She checked the time on her phone. It was barely after seven, but dark clouds and a steady downpour darkened the sky, making it feel later.
Savannah worked late most nights. The gala was quickly approaching and there was so much to do.
Plus, being the last member of the administrative team to leave each night gave her a chance to do some reconnaissance. She could access files she didn’t feel comfortable perusing when Max, Blake or Zora might pop into her office at any minute.
Then there was the surprising fact that she thoroughly enjoyed the work she was doing. She was often so engrossed in a task that time got away from her.
Like tonight.
Outside the window, increasingly dark clouds loomed overhead. The steady, gentle rain that had fallen throughout the day was now a raging downpour.
Another flash of light illuminated the sky. It was quickly followed by a peal of thunder that made Savannah’s heart race.
It was lightning that posed the real danger. Savannah knew that better than most. The thunder was just sound and fury.
She loathed driving in inclement weather. Tack on the steep hills, narrow roads, one-lane bridge and her vague familiarity with the area, and it was a recipe for disaster.
One wrong turn, and she could end up in a ditch, lost in the woods, undiscovered for months.
Stop being a drama queen. Everything will be fine. Just take a deep breath.
Savannah took a long, deep breath.
She’d hoped to wait out the storm. Her plan had backfired. Engrossed in her work, she hadn’t noticed that the rain had gotten much heavier. And it didn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon.
After composing and sending one final email, Savannah signed off her computer. She gathered her things and headed for the parking lot, as fast as her high-heeled feet could carry her.
Shit.
She was without an umbrella, and it was raining so hard the parking lot had flooded. No wonder the lot was empty except for her car.
If it stalled out, she’d be screwed.
A flash of lightning lit the sky like a neon sign over a Vegas hotel.
Jaw clenched, Savannah sucked in a generous breath, as if she were about to dive into the deep end of the pool. She made a mad dash for her car before the next bolt struck.
Despite the warm temperatures, the rain pelted her in cold sheets as she waded through the standing water. Her clothing was wet and heavy. Her feet slid as she ran in her soaking-wet shoes.
Savannah dropped into the driver’s seat and caught her breath. Her eyes stung as she wiped water from her face with the back of her hand, which was just as wet.
She turned her key and gave the car some gas, grateful the engine turned over.
There was another flash of lightning, then a rumble of thunder, followed by a heavy knock on the window.
She screamed, her heart nearly beating out of her chest.
A large man in a hooded green rain slicker hovered outside her window.
She was cold, wet, alone and about to be murdered.
But not without a fight.
Savannah popped open her glove compartment and searched for something...anything...she could use as a weapon. She dug out the heavy tactical flashlight her grandfather had given her one Christmas. She beamed the bright light in the intruder’s face.
“Blake?” Savannah pressed a hand to her chest, her heart still thudding against her breastbone. She partially lowered the window.
Even with his eyes hidden by the hood, she recognized the mouth and stubbled chin she’d spent too much time studying.
“You were expecting someone else?”
Smart-ass.
If she didn’t work for the Abbotts, and she wasn’t so damned glad not to be alone in the middle of a monsoon, she would have told Blake exactly what she thought of his smart-assery.
“What are you doing here? And where’d you come from?”
“I’m parked under the carport over there.” He pointed in the opposite direction. “Came to check on the building. Didn’t expect to see anyone here at this time of night in the storm.”
“I didn’t realize how late it was, or that the rain had gotten so bad. I’m headed home now.”
“In this?” He sized up her small car.
She lifted a brow. “My flying saucer is in the shop.”
Savannah knew she shouldn’t have said it, but the words slipped out of her mouth before she could reel them back in.
Blake wasn’t angry. He smirked instead.
“Too bad. Because that’s the only way you’re gonna make it over the bridge.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re renting from Kayleigh Jemison in town, right?”
“How did you know—”
“It’s Magnolia Lake. Everyone knows everyone in this town,” he said matter-of-factly. “And there are flash-flood warnings everywhere. No way will this small car make it through the low-lying areas between here and town.”
“Flash floods?” Panic spread through her chest. “Isn’t there another route I can take?”
“There’s only one way back to town.” He pointed toward the carport. “The ground is higher there. Park behind my truck, and I’ll give you a ride home. I’ll bring you back to get your car when the roads clear.”
“Just leave my car here?” She stared at him dumbly.
“If I could fit it into the bed of my truck, I would.” One side of his mouth curved in an impatient smile. “And if there was any other option, I’d tell you.”
Savannah groaned as she returned her flashlight to the glove compartment. Then she pulled into the carport as Blake instructed.
“Got everything you need from your car?” Blake removed his hood and opened her car door.
“You act as if I won’t see my car again anytime soon.”
“Depends on how long it takes the river to go down.”
“Seriously?” Savannah grabbed a few items from the middle console and shoved them in her bag before securing her vehicle. She followed Blake to the passenger side of his huge black truck.
She gasped, taken by surprise when Blake helped her up into the truck.
