Read Hide in Plain Sight for Free Online

few hearty blows with the hammer before Andrea appeared at the top of the stairs, looking annoyed. She marched down to him.
    “What are you doing?” She’d exchanged the pants and jacket she’d been wearing this morning for a pair of dark jeans and a green top that matched her eyes. “I’m trying to do some work upstairs.”
    “Sorry. You brought work with you?”
    “Of course. I couldn’t just walk out in the middle of the week.”
    Even when rushing to her sister’s side, she hadn’t left the job that seemed so important to her. She reminded him of himself, the way he used to be. That probably went a long way toward explaining why she annoyed him so much. He wasn’t too fond of that guy.
    He rested his elbow on the banister. “Wouldn’t your boss give you a break under the circumstances?”
    For a moment she hesitated, and he could almost read her thoughts. She had the kind of superior who wouldn’t, as a matter of fact, and she didn’t want to admit it.
    “I didn’t ask,” she said finally. “I have responsibilities, and I meet them.” She frowned. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
    “Katherine asked me to take care of this loose place in the banister.” He wiggled the carved wood gently, mindful of its delicate reeding. “I had time to get to it this afternoon.”
    “I didn’t realize you work for my grandmother.”
    “I don’t. I’m just being neighborly.” He still hadn’t figured out the best approach. “Look, I know this is none of my business—”
    “But it’s not going to stop you,” she finished for him. “All right. You won’t be content until you have your say, so get it over with.” She planted one hand on the railing, standing up a step so that their faces were level.
    “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
    “I try not to.” A slight frown appeared between her brows. “Does that bother you?”
    “On the contrary, it makes it easier.” If she wanted it straight from the hip, she’d get it. “Your grandmother and sister have been running themselves ragged, trying to get the inn ready. They needed help even before Rachel was hurt, but now it’s worse. With Rachel in the hospital, your grandmother shouldn’t be in the house alone. Did she tell you she’s spotted a prowler out in the grounds recently?”
    She sent him a startled glance, hand tightening on the railing. “No. Did she call the police?”
    “By the time they got here, the person was long gone.” He shrugged. “They didn’t take it too seriously, figuring it was just someone curious about the inn. Still,there have been some minor incidents of vandalism in the area lately and a few break-ins. I’ve been trying to keep an eye on things. But she shouldn’t be staying here at night by herself.”
    “You’re right about that.” She sounded faintly bewildered that she was agreeing with him. “As for the rest, I’m not sure how best to help her.”
    He was surprised that she was taking it so well, but perhaps she’d been giving some thought to the problem. She just hadn’t come to the right conclusion yet.
    “Move in, take over for Rachel, get the inn up and running,” he said promptly. “Your grandmother can’t do it by herself.”
    “My job—”
    “—can get along without you for a while.”
    “You don’t know that.” If her glare had been a blow, it would have knocked him over. “I’d be risking a lot to stay here now.”
    “I get it. I had bosses like that once.” He had a feeling he’d been that kind of a boss.
    “Then you should understand. Maybe I can hire someone to help out.”
    He shook his head. “I’m not saying more workers wouldn’t make things go faster, but what’s needed is someone to oversee the whole project. Your grandmother isn’t up to that anymore.”
    “You think I don’t know that?” She fired up instantly. “She shouldn’t be attempting something so ambitious at her age. She ought to just relax and enjoy life.”
    “How is she