Barefoot Bay: The Billionaire's Convenient Secret (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free Page A

guys she’d seen in ages was shooting calf eyes at her, and here she was dredging up the past. Not that it should come as any surprise. Her mama had always said she was far too serious for her own good. For once, Charlie had to agree.
    Why not have a drink with a smokin’ specimen of a man and see where it led? She could use a few laughs. A little flirtation. Maybe a kiss or two. Nothing more. Going out with someone who’d settled for life behind a cash register would never lead to a lifetime commitment or anything even remotely close.
    Her gaze bounced upward. Below his forehead’s smooth plane, a pair of intelligent-looking eyes stared out at her from beneath dark, questioning brows. Business before pleasure, she reminded herself. “When do you expect Ms. Grambling to return?”
    “She didn’t say, exactly.” Josh’s expressive eyebrows knit. “You’re sure she was supposed to meet with you today?”
    Taking charge of the situation, she held up one finger. “Give me a sec,” she said, setting her briefcase on the floor. A touch to her phone brought up her calendar and confirmed what she already knew. She was exactly where she was supposed to be, precisely when she was supposed to be there. She flashed Josh a practiced smile that radiated confidence. “Ms. Grambling and I set up this appointment several weeks ago. I hope it didn’t slip her mind. Do you expect her back soon?”
    Josh shook his head. “I’m sorry. Sounds as if you’ve wasted a trip. She’s out of town and won’t be back to work till Monday.”
    Charity’s a no-show?
    She drew in a sharp breath. The one contract she needed to land before the week was out—the only contract, in fact, that she was supposed to work this weekend—and the owner had pulled a disappearing act? That was totally unacceptable. She swallowed past a lump in her throat and tried again. “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding. Let me get her on the phone, and we’ll straighten this out.” She punched numbers, her heart sinking lower as the call went straight to voice mail.
    “Charity, Ms. Grambling. This is Charlie Oak. I’m here in Mimosa Key for our appointment. But the very helpful man behind the counter”—she flashed Josh a high-wattage smile—“says you’re out of town. If you could call me back as soon as you get this message, I’d like to meet as soon as possible. I look forward to completing our business.”
    When she looked up again, Josh had leaned against the wall behind the register and was eyeing her suspiciously. “I told you. She’s on one of those eight-day cruises to the Caribbean. All the girls in the family went. Their ship won’t dock in Port Canaveral till Sunday morning.”
    Despite her best efforts to keep it closed, Charlie’s jaw dropped open. She tsked and clamped her lips shut with a firm reminder that this was not her first rodeo. No matter what Josh thought, skipping their meeting was probably just part of Charity’s negotiations, a ploy to drive the price of her business slightly higher. It was either that, or Charity Grambling was certifiable because no one in their right mind turned down an offer like Favor’s. Nothing in their talks over the past months had even hinted that the woman was a nut case.
    Across the counter, Josh shot a crumpled paper towel into a waste can. “Are you all right?” he asked. “’Cause you’re looking a little pale. Can I get you a soda or something?”
    She gave him a studied glance. She didn’t believe for one minute that Charity was bobbing around on the ocean. The owner of the Super Min had to be close by. Could she convince Josh to tell her where his boss actually was?
    “Thanks. Something cold and caffeinated would be wonderful, if you don’t mind.”
    At the beverage dispenser, ice thundered into a paper cup, followed by a rush of liquid.
    “What’s so all-fired important about seeing Charity anyway?” Josh asked, handing her the cup.
    “Can you keep a secret?” She