Yesterday's Scandal (The Wild McBrides 3)

bably be gone by the middle of next week.”

Sharon looked to be in shock. “You’re leaving?” she repeated, staring at him.

He nodded. “I’ll pick a foreman to be in charge of the project. I thought I’d ask Trent if he’s interested in the job. Then I’ll check in with him every day or two for reports, and make a personal visit every few weeks. Any decorating problems you encounter or questions that come up, you’d talk to him, and he’ll relay them to me. The same with the other subcontractors.”

“But, Mac, why? Why do you have to leave?”

“Because of the nature of this town,” he answered bluntly. “If I stay here, renovating my grandparents’ house, working side by side with my cousins or siblings or whatever the hell they are to me, something’s liable to get out. You figured out why I came here, there’s a chance others might do the same. Maybe I wanted to hurt someone when I came here, but that doesn’t matter now. There are too many innocents in the line of fire. Too little to be gained by continuing. You win. The McBrides win. It’s time for me to retreat.”

Looking distressed, she reached out to him, laying a hand on his arm, her fingers curling into the thin fabric of his shirt. “I can’t agree with you,” she said. “There’s no reason anyone should ever find out the truth, unless you want them to. All you have to do is put away your notes and be discreet. You have so much invested in this project. You know you want to see it through.”

He looked at her hand on his arm, thinking how easy it would be to pull her against him and crush her mouth beneath his. His voice was just a bit hoarse when he said, “I’m not leaving entirely because of the McBrides. It’s also because of you.”

Her fingers clenched spasmodically. “Why because of me?” she whispered.

“I’ve caused you enough trouble. I don’t want to make you feel awkward around your friends. Or around me.”

Her eyes suddenly swam beneath a sheen of moisture. His heart twisted as she leaned toward him, her lips slightly parted, her gaze beseeching. “Mac, I—”

From the front of the house came a sudden heavy pounding on the door. Drawn so abruptly out of their tense exchange, both of them jumped and turned instinctively in that direction.

“That’s probably Trent,” Mac said, raising a hand to the back of his neck, which had tightened almost painfully. “He said he might stop by.”

Her head down, Sharon took a step back from him. “I guess I’d better go. I just…I just wanted to thank you.”

“It wasn’t necessary. But it’s good to see you,” he added, thinking again how pretty she looked. She brightened the dark, gloomy room just by standing in it in her pale yellow dress. The only drawback was knowing she would soon be gone again.

Without speaking, she walked with him to the front door. Mac couldn’t think of anything to say. He assumed the same was true for Sharon.

They were both struck truly speechless when he opened the door to find Caleb McBride standing on the other side.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SHARON FELT her heart stop when she recognized the man on Mac’s doorstep. What was Caleb doing here? Had he somehow found out why Mac was in Honoria?

“Sharon,” he said, spotting her with a bright smile. “This is a nice surprise.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Caleb,” she said, presenting her cheek for his kiss of greeting. “How was your vacation?”

“Bobbie enjoyed it,” he said, his expression wry. “I found it very pleasant, but I was ready to come home about a week ago.”

“I’m sure you couldn’t wait to get back to work,” Sharon teased lightly, though from the corner of her eye she watched Mac watching them.

Mac had to be asking himself the same question that kept repeating in her mind. Why was Caleb here? She had no doubt that Mac recognized the older man; he’d done his homework quite thoroughly. How did it feel, she couldn’t help wondering, for Mac to meet his uncle for the first time this way?

Caleb turned to Mac and extended his hand. “I’m sorry. I was distracted by your lovely guest. I’m Caleb McBride.”

Sharon thought Mac hesitated for a fraction of a moment before taking Caleb’s hand. “Mac Cordero,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“I hope you’ll forgive the surprise visit. My curiosity made me impatient. My mother grew up in this house, which is why I was very intrigued when I heard you planned to restore it. And especially since my son is a member of your renovation team.”

“A valued member,” Mac said graciously. “Your son does beautiful woodwork. It’s hard to find anyone these days who puts so much time and effort into his work.”

“Yes, he’s very talented. We’re quite proud of him.”

Standing to one side of them, Sharon thought Caleb appeared to be watching Mac very closely, studying his face as if something there intrigued him. Or was she letting her imagination run away with her?

“Is your contracting business based here in Georgia, Mac?” Caleb asked.