Gull Harbor Read Online Free Page B

shoulder.
    ****
    He watched as she paused on the sidewalk to dig through her purse. The sun stretched its morning rays toward her, turning her long hair into a river of dark fire. She was even more stunning than she had been in college. This was bad.
    He’d thought she was beautiful when they’d first met, but he had never considered asking her out. They were clearly from two different worlds. She was there because her father could afford the prestigious university; he was there because he’d worked like a demon to earn a scholarship.
    “Did Claire leave?” Dan asked, pulling him out of his ruminations.
    “What? Oh, yeah—she said she’d see you tomorrow.”
    A crease formed between Dan’s light brown eyes. “Maybe I’ll go check on her later. I worry about her.”
    “Why?” he asked, reaching for his fresh mug of coffee.
    “I’m sure you’ve heard the talk. She’s in that house all alone, and strange stuff is happening.”
    “Claire knows how to handle—”
    Max cut himself off as Dan looked at him quizzically. Images of Claire were still invading his thoughts, and he forced himself back to the present.
    “I mean, I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. That’s why she was hired.”
    “I don’t know,” said Dan, shaking his head. “From what she’s told me, this case is very different from anything she’s dealt with before.” His eyes flicked toward a group of people seating themselves at a table. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
    Max dragged a hand through his hair. Worry gnawed at him, despite his confidence in her abilities. Had Claire gotten herself in over her head? He pushed himself away from the counter and stalked toward the door.
    “I remembered something I have to do,” he said to Dan as he yanked the door open with more force than necessary. He fought with himself for a moment before he added, “Let me know how Claire is doing after you check on her.”
    Beads of perspiration collected on his forehead as he strode up and down Main Street. Eventually he stopped in front of his tavern and let himself in. He needed to do his pacing out of the public eye or people would start questioning his sanity.
    They would be right to question his sanity. The thought of Claire in danger was driving him crazy. He crossed through the restaurant to his office as conflicting emotions raged inside him.
    How could he protect her against some paranormal force? He wanted her to leave town, but he knew she wouldn’t. And part of him wanted her to stay, so he could get her into his bed. God, he still desired her, even after what she had done.
    Claire didn’t know he’d seen her in the arms of his best friend. Yes, Max had left her with no explanation, but he’d had no choice. When it was safe, he had come back to find her. He had sat in his car outside her dorm, waiting for her to return from class. But she hadn’t been alone; she’d strolled up the path with Keith, their hands linked. They’d paused for a kiss before entering the dorm together, and Max had driven away.
    Slamming the door to his office, he dropped into his desk chair with a frustrated sigh. His guitar sat in the corner, and he pulled it onto his knee. He shouldn’t have played those old songs the other night, he thought as he mindlessly plucked at the strings. But seeing her sitting there in the audience had brought back the memory of the first time she’d watched him sing.
    She had found the flyer in a stack of his study materials and pointed to the line that read Entertainment by Max Baron . “You’re playing at the Half Penny? Do you mind if I come see you?” she said, her green cat’s eyes sparkling with excitement.
    He shrugged. “It’s a bit of a dive. But come if you want.” There was no harm in having a hot girl in the audience. And the more people he brought in, the more likely he was to get booked again. “In fact, if you come, bring a friend or two. I may be able to get another gig if I show them I can draw in