Read Finding Eva (Highland Creek Series) for Free Online

bad, this is me backing off.” He raised his arms in surrender.
    She just laughed as she got up to leave. “Don’t do that.”
    He leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands over his chest and grinned. “Do what?”
    She returned the grin. “Be nice.”
    “Why?”
    “Because then I may start to like you,” she said before turning around to leave, walking out to the sound of masculine laughter.
    “Still just as gorgeous,” Eva thought as she waved bye to the competent Mary, who promised to file the paperwork and expedite her inheritance as she walked out the door. If he really knew that all I thought about was having him slam me on that desk throughout his whole apology, he’d probably have me arrested. She took note of his card, seeing his cell phone in the professional black font, and let her mind wander to all the things she thought about doing to him in that office. It was just as well; she wouldn’t be here long enough to get too attached. She headed home to start going through her mother’s stuff.
     

     
    Pulling into the driveway of the house, Eva thought of her plan of action, deciding that the bedroom would be the best place to start. All I want is some answers, she thought, and shouldered herself to begin her journey. Thirty minutes later she was ready to scream in frustration, having learned next to nothing about her mother. She noticed that she liked nice things, if the designer duds hanging in the closet were any indication, her private label beauty products speaking of a wealth that she was unfamiliar with.
    She went through the perfume, surprised they shared at least one of the same fragrances, and painstakingly went through the clothes and shoes. There were some she tried on, laughing at the fact that she and her mother wore the same size. Here was a woman that she didn’t know but thought she might be able to move beyond the whole situation and forgive her mother if only she knew why. The big problem was that she couldn’t find that answer wrapped up in finery, the doubts and speculations killing her. It didn’t help that she hadn’t eaten much that day, which always made her a bit loopy. Her stomach growled on cue.
    In her search to find food downstairs, the sound of the doorbell sidetracked her and she wondered who it could be. No one knew she was here except her family, a couple of friends, and Aaron. She hoped it wasn’t him; he was a complication she didn’t need while she tried to sort through everything. She opened the door to see a smiling, pretty, middle-aged woman with blue eyes and chestnut brown hair holding a casserole dish on her front step.
    “Hello, I’m Susan. I was your mother’s next door neighbor and one of her dear friends.”
    “Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Eva,” she said before she shook her hand.
    Aaron had her nose, remembering that he said his parents lived next door. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but are you Aaron’s mom?
    “Yes…” she shook her head in disbelief “…that bonehead son is mine. He told me what he said to you yesterday, and the only thing I can say is he’s a man and we both know they just don’t think sometimes.”
    Eva laughed, feeling better despite the day, and knew she would like Susan instantly. She was so open and friendly, unlike the initial impression Eva had of her son. “Well, he apologized today when I came to his office, so all is forgiven. Would you like to come in?” She stepped back, opening the door wider.
    “I would love to. I hope you don’t mind, but I made you a casserole. My husband says it’s because I can’t stop feeding people. Leftover from having five children I guess.” She continued as they walked toward the kitchen. “I haven’t been in here since your mother died. It has just been too hard.” Tears gathered in her eyes as she thought of her dear friend.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” Eva glanced down uncomfortably, wondering if it was a bit weird to feel very little