Hidden Summit (Virgin River #17)(38)

“Yeah. That friend of yours, Conner. And Paul’s old/new secretary, Leslie.”

Brie sputtered and choked. She tried to recover, but she coughed until her eyes watered; the cola went down the wrong pipe. It took her a couple of seconds, and then in a weak voice she said, “Really?”

“You all right?” Jack asked.

“Swallowed funny. Tell me about the new romance. You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. They were in here for lunch today with Leslie’s parents. Her folks drove down from Grants Pass for a quick visit and, I assume, to meet Conner. And it was a pretty cozy lunch. Conner had his arm around Leslie the whole time and the four of them seemed to hit it off. Another one bites the dust.” And then he laughed.

Brie cleared her throat and tried to appear nonchalant. “You said it made perfect sense. Why is that?”

“Oh, they seem right, but that’s just me talking. But here’s the gist—he’s here alone for work and she’s here alone to put some distance between her and her ex-husband. I assume they met at work and boom—hormones. Those really fun hormones—remember those? And there was the definite scent of satisfaction in the air. Those two are getting it on.”

“And that’s it? You saw them together and you assume…?”

“No, Leslie stopped by for takeout for two a couple of times and so did Conner, so I knew they were seeing some action with someone. I just didn’t realize it was each other. Seeing them together? It looks just right. I’ve always had a good eye for that sort of thing.”

Brie was stunned silent for a moment. Then she recovered and said, “Oh, gee, look at the time. I better get going.”

“You haven’t been here ten minutes! What’s the rush?” Jack asked.

“If I get home before Ness wakes up from her nap, I might get a couple of things done without the constant interference. Thanks, Jack. You’re a dream brother.”

“Oh, yeah? You could stay ten whole minutes if I’m such a dream.”

“I know you want to get back to your spring cleaning…”

“Oh, yeah, I was dying to do some more clean—”

But Brie wasn’t listening, she was on the move. She barely knew Leslie; she’d run into her a couple of times at the bar, but on neither occasion had Conner been with her.

She wasn’t quite sure where to go. To Leslie’s? She didn’t know where Leslie lived. She headed for the Riordan cabins, though she knew on a Saturday Conner might be spending his day off with his new girlfriend!

She was going to kill him!

When she pulled into the Riordan compound, it was just after four, and she saw him fishing in the river with Art. She pulled in, parked and plastered a cheerful expression on her face as she approached the two men.

“Hey,” she called. “Hi, Art. Hi, Conner.”

“Hey, Brie,” Art said. “You wanna fish?”

“Gee, thanks, Art, but I’m gonna pass. I wanted to talk to Conner for a second.”

“You sure?” Art asked. “I have another rod....”

She smiled at him. “You’re so generous, thank you. Not today.”

“I never seen you fish, Brie,” Art pointed out to her.

“But you’ve fished with Mike many times.”

“Uh-huh,” he said. “He’s good, too.”

“Conner,” Brie asked. “A minute?”

“Sure.” He reeled in his line and turned to exit the river. “Save my place, Art.”

He stood on the riverbank looking at Brie.

“Your cabin, please? It won’t take long,” she said, smiling the whole time. And then she turned to walk slowly back toward the cabins.

He caught up with her, his waders making a scrunching, squeaking sound with each step. “Everything okay?” he asked.

“Sure,” she said. “Which one is yours?”

“Number four,” he said. When they got there, he leaned the rod against the outside wall and took off the waders. He opened the unlocked door and held it for her.

When they were both inside and the door closed, her expression went south in a hurry, and she punched him in the shoulder. It was not the force of the blow but her angry expression and surprise that caused him to take a backward step. “Hey!”

“Have you lost your mind?” she snapped. “You have a thing going with Leslie? Didn’t we talk about this?”

“Not exactly,” he said. “If you’re referring to telling me this wouldn’t be an ideal time to hook up with someone, I heard that. I couldn’t agree more. In fact, when you get down to it, it’s not an ideal time for anything!”

Brie got right in his face. “What are you thinking? You’re supposed to be flying under the radar as much as possible!”

“Yeah? Then you brought me to the wrong place! I’ve been helping erect the school, finish a friend’s house, hang out at the bar with your brother and work overtime for your friend Paul. I’ve been fishing with Art every week. Art depends on me fishing with him. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. This isn’t the kind of place where you stay a stranger for long.”

“But a girlfriend?” she said, an accusing tone to her voice.

“I didn’t plan that,” he said.