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A slow grin formed. “Is that a yes?”

Samanthaforcedhereyesto watch the road instead of the man beside her. His subtle cologne that had tickled her senses on other occasions was intensified in the closed space inside his Range Rover. And she was nearly certain he cultivated the day old growth along his jawline intentionally to drive women wild. Why she’d agreed to spend time with him up close and personal like this, she couldn’t begin to explain. She must be glutton for punishment. Because no sane person would’ve agreed to put themselves in this predicament.

“There it is.” Gavin nodded toward a white farm house set back from the road. There was a car in the driveway.

“You can’t park here. Around here a strange vehicle will be spotted in no time.”

“What do you suggest then?”

“Turn right.”

“Okay.” He did as she instructed. About fifty yards down, she indicated a spot for him to pull over. “Tuck into that pull off far enough that your vehicle won’t be spotted.”

After doing so, he raised an eyebrow. “We won’t see much from here.”

“There is an abandoned cabin on state game lands about a quarter-mile from here. We can hike in and watch the house from there.”

“You sure it has a view of it.”

“Would I steer you wrong?”

He shook his head slowly a smile forming. “I don’t believe you would.”

“Let’s do this.”

He grabbed his backpack from the rear and loaded it with the snacks and drinks they’d picked up for their stakeout.

Inside the cabin, he drug an old spool over to a broken window and climbed atop it. Then he dug out his binoculars and aimed them. “I’m not seeing the house.”

“Here let me.” She focused on the house and showed him where to aim.

“Got it. Thanks.”

“We can walk over if we need a better view.” She chuckled. “I’d suggest game cameras, but that might be going too far. I could lose my job for setting up cameras on his property.”

“Not a bad idea. I’ll do it when you’re not with me.”

“You’re not protecting me from the consequences of your actions if you come right out and tell me you’re going to break the law.”

“Okay. I won’t come back and install game cameras.”

“Now you’re lying.”

“No pleasing you, woman.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Answering that comment could prove dangerous. “Let’s focus on why we’re here.”

He nodded and lifted the binoculars back to his eyes. “No movement in there.”

“Show some patience.”

Themanleanedbackin his armchair and stared into the blazing fire. This was his sanctuary. The place God had given him to carryout His will away from the unenlightened.

The door creaked open and Vanessa led Cate Garrison into his space before removing her blindfold. He insisted on the measure whenever people met with him in his study. As annoying as Vanessa was, she was a necessary tool and the only one with access to him. An obedient wife who knew that doing what she was told was the only way to ensure her own happiness.

Cate’s eyes widened as she took in her opulent surroundings.

“Take a seat, Miss Garrison.” He stood to greet her and indicated a chair across from his desk.