An Unlikely Match Read Online Free Page B

at the Monroe house abounded, and Ellie Monroe had apparently done everything in her power to make certain that they remained that way. According to the adjuster, Ellie’s cell phone number was the only contact information that the company now had, and she’d come up with every excuse imaginable to prevent the adjuster from speaking with her grandfather. Most troubling of all, the Monroes had recently increased their coverage and moved their most precious belongings into storage. The adjuster had even hinted at a financial incentive. Something smelled, and it wasn’t smoke.
    Asher was making notes on his computer when his secretary buzzed him. Without taking his eyes off the screen, he hit the intercom button.
    “You heading home, Barb?” A fifty-something grandmother raising a grandson, Barbara was adamant about leaving the office by five.
    “In a minute. There’s an Ellen Monroe here. She says it’s important that she see you but promises she’ll only take a few minutes of your time.”
    Asher sat back in his chair. Well, well. Ventured right into the lion’s den, had she? Reaching forward, he shut down the computer and monitor.
    “Send her in. Then get out of here and have a good evening.”
    “Will do. See you tomorrow.”
    He tightened the knot in his gold-striped tie, spun his tan leather chair to face the door and waited, hands folded. As the sound of footsteps on the polished oak floor in the hallway grew louder, Asher’s heartbeat sped up. He told himself that it was his normal reaction, the old fire-in-the-belly response to a challenge. The instant Ellie appeared in the doorway, however, he knew that he was kidding himself.
    Wearing a dark purple pantsuit over a rose-pink blouse, she looked absolutely lovely. She also looked distinctly uncomfortable. Intending to use that discomfort to his advantage, he found a smile and rose.
    “Just who I wanted to see.”
    “Oh?” she said in surprise, her face lighting.
    Nodding, he waved her over then watched as she folded down neatly into one of the chairs before his desk. She tucked a small handbag into the space beside her.
    “Why did you want to see me?” she asked.
    Sitting, he regarded her steadily. “Tell me why you’re here fir—”
    “You should know that we can’t pay you,” she blurted, suddenly looking hopeful and somber at the same time.
    Asher paused, concerned. He didn’t like to think it, but this information could support the idea that the Monroes had a financial motive for setting fire to their house.
    She sighed, gulped and sucked in a deep breath, all telltale signs of a less-than-truthful client. Which, he reminded himself, she technically was not; rather, her grandfather was his client.
    “Even with the insurance money,” she said, “I can’t imagine how we’ll pay for the repairs to the house.Granddad had already sunk every penny of his savings into the renovations before the fire. I don’t know what we’ll do now.” She went on to list numerous expenses that must evidently come before his fee.
    It might be true that the Monroes were strapped for cash, but he knew a convenient dodge when he saw one, and his curiosity was now piqued. Ellie Monroe was actively attempting to derail the insurance settlement, and he meant to find out why.
    “My aunts have essentially asked this of me,” he told her mildly, “and when I work for family I never take—”
    “But we’re not family,” Ellie protested, “and you can’t go around working for nothing! It wouldn’t be fair. You have your own bills to pay, after all. I understand that.” She bowed her head, the very picture of stoic acceptance. He didn’t buy it for an instant.
    Frowning, Asher leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the edge of his desk. “There’s no need for you to worry about my bills, Ellie.”
    “So you’re going to do this pro bono?” she demanded, sounding miffed. “Isn’t that for charities and such?”
    “Not necessarily.”
    While she