Read Project: Runaway Bride for Free Online

slightly as she reached the top of the hill and the end of the path that led into the clearing surrounding the cabin. It was brighter here, and warmer with the sun shining down on the house through the break in the trees.
    Shading her eyes, she followed one long side of the wraparound porch railing to the front door...and came to a screeching halt at the sight of a hunter-green Range Rover parked right behind her silver-blue BMW.
    Her heart lurched. Who did it belong to? Had someone followed her, or was it a complete stranger? And if it was a stranger, had he simply happened by—hard to do when the cabin was nearly impossible to find without directions—or was he, or she, up to no good?
    A dozen home invasion/hostage movie-of-the-week scenarios played through her head and she swallowed nervously, wondering if she should move forward to investigate or race back the way she’d come to hide in the woods or hike into town for help.
    Before she could make a decision, she heard a creak and heavy footsteps clipped across the porch floor. Her head swiveled and she found herself staring up into the dark, dangerous eyes of Reid McCormack.
    One corner of his mouth lifted in a humorless, almost feral grin. “Hey there, runaway bride.”

Four
    R eid knew he shouldn’t, but he was enjoying the look of shocked dismay on Juliet’s face.
    He hadn’t wanted to come here. Hadn’t wanted to see her again knowing she’d been ready to walk down the aisle and marry another man. Even after calling things off once. Even after all they’d shared. And on top of it all, she’d been ready to marry a man who hadn’t treated her right—at least not since Reid had met her.
    But he’d promised her sisters. And yes, there was a part of him that needed to know she was okay.
    Clearly, she was, so he could head back to New York now. Leave her to her own mysterious devices. Let her explain to her family why she’d run off in the first place. He’d said he’d find her, not that he’d provide an essay on the reasons behind her sudden disappearance.
    Still, he didn’t move from where he stood on the porch of her family’s lake house, hands gripping the railing.
    She licked her lips, the tendons of her throat flexing as she swallowed. “What are you doing here?”
    “Funny thing about your family,” he replied sardonically. “No matter how hard I try, I can’t get rid of them. You Zaccaro girls seem to think I’m your personal problem solver.”
    “My sisters called you?” she asked in little more than a whisper.
    “No. They showed up at my office on a Saturday, less than an hour after you ran off from your own wedding. Care to explain that one?”
    She threw her shoulders back, lifted her chin. “It’s none of your business what I do.”
    True. She’d made that clear even while they were seeing each other, sneaking around and burning up the sheets behind everyone else’s backs because she hadn’t wanted anyone to know about their involvement. Too bad he was part rat terrier; nothing made him dig in his heels more than being told to get lost. It was what made him such an exceptional investigator.
    Pushing away from the porch railing, he straightened. “Right. But since I’m here...”
    He trailed off, letting her head fill with question marks over what he’d been about to say and what his intentions were. Turning on his heel, he crossed the porch and went inside, leaving her to follow.
    Or not. But if she ran, on foot or by car, he would chase her down. And he’d catch her. Again.
    * * *
    Who did he think he was?
    Juliet stood frozen in place, scared spitless and furious beyond belief both at the same time. If that was even possible.
    She couldn’t believe he’d found her so quickly. Although maybe she shouldn’t have been surprised, given his skill set and how good she knew him to be at his job.
    But even if her sisters had gone to him for help, she didn’t know why he’d agreed to look for her. She’d been pretty sure he