Love Under Two Honchos Read Online Free Page A

writing some training programs, which is really all I can say about that, too.”
    “Mom’s glad because he’ll be closer to home,” Adam said. He came and stood just behind Grandma Kate’s chair. “He’ll be stationed at Goodfellow AFB over in San Angelo,” Adam said.
    Alex noticed that Adam stood so that he had his back to the wall and could see the entire restaurant. His own father did that sometimes.
    He guessed once a lawman, always a lawman. Though Alex couldn’t understand why his cousin would need to feel so vigilant in his sister-in-law’s restaurant in their own hometown. Alex’s gaze strayed back to Penelope.
    The woman moved with a fluid grace. He wondered how far down her back that gorgeous hair would fall if he snuck up to her and pulled the pins out. Would she taste sweet, like honey, or sharp and tangy, like his favorite hot salsa?
    “Alexander.”
    Alex blinked. “Grandmother.” He guessed his grandma had called his name a couple of times. He could feel his cheeks heating and wished for one moment the floor would open up and swallow him. I wonder why, when we’re embarrassed, we always wish for something that has never actually happened to anyone, and that, if it did happen, would likely hurt like hell?

    Love Under Two Honchos
    17
    Alex blinked again and gave his grandmother his best smile.
    “I’m going to rely on you and Joshua to give every bit of hospitality, assistance, and cooperation to Penelope that you can.
    Since the two of you are the honchos of our oil company, now, it’s your duty to see to her. This project is very important to me.”
    Alex’s radar quivered. He looked over at his brother. Josh returned his look, one eyebrow raised. That look told him he and his brother were on the same page.
    Rather than wonder about it, he said, “Why is it so important to you, Grandma?”
    “This last cruise I was just on, there was a young man on board who had a lot to say about big oil companies and what they’ve done to the planet. I wanted to boast about our ecological record, only I couldn’t, not with any real authority. Made me feel uncomfortable.
    And it made me think that maybe we haven’t been as good at global stewardship as we could have been. I do not like to feel uncomfortable, and I don’t like to feel guilty.” Then she lowered her gaze so that she looked at him over the top of her glasses. “And then there’re those letters. They seem like threats to me, and no one threatens my grandchildren and gets away with it.”
    Of course, her answer made perfect sense. “Don’t worry, Grandma. We’ll both do everything we can to see that Penelope has everything she needs.”
    “Good. Susan and her men are heading out in a few minutes, on their way to pick up the boys’ adopted father and bring him here. He’s going to be staying with your folks. Did you know that your father Caleb knows Mike Murphy? Anyway, she offered Penelope her place for the night. The poor girl’s been traveling since dawn. There’s lots of room in that ranch house for the three of you. Tomorrow, y’all can head on out to Houston. You’ll see she gets settled, both tonight and tomorrow?”
    Alex looked at Josh. Neither one of them could deny their grandmother anything, even though, in this case, Alex wondered how 18
    Cara Covington
    he was going to possibly resist temptation. Spending the night in the same isolated ranch house as the beautiful Ms. Primrose? God help them all.
    Since the lady in question had barely looked their way since they’d all come over to the restaurant, maybe it wouldn’t be as difficult as he thought. Alex nodded. “Of course, Grandma. Josh and I will take very good care of Ms. Primrose.”

    * * * *
    Penelope wasn’t certain how it had happened, but after dinner, she found herself waving good-bye as Grandma Kate was driven off, while standing on the sidewalk as her luggage was being loaded into a Hummer.
    A Hummer that belonged to Josh and Alex Benedict.
    She’d