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never wanting it to end.
Always.
Forever.
It had scared the hell out of him.
For most of the year, he d been craving the ideal of being master of his domain, without a care except
his work the thing he had absolute control over. Never again would he have to worry about former friends
or colleagues rejecting him. Never again would he have to experience the particularly hurtful betrayal of a
woman one he d loved.
With all the money he d made by selling off much of Sharpe Industries and the significant amount he
made and would continue to make as a real estate investor and financial planner, he could attain his goal of
perfect peace and security, surrounded by nature and beauty, without a concern in the world. He could fly
to Portland headquarters once per month, just to make sure his company was implementing his wishes, but
the bulk of his workload could be handled electronically.
Maybe money couldn t buy happiness, but it sure as hell could buy off problems and uncertainty. He
could build a magnificent mansion near that slender ribbon of river he could see just off the balcony and
wire the whole house for optimum connectivity and security. He d do some of the construction labor
himself, of course. He found it soothing, on occasion, to apply his knowledge of housing structure in the
most fundamental fashion. Building a house. And on that lake he saw down there, he d have a fishing boat.
He probably wouldn t build that one. He didn t know boats inside and out the way he knew houses. There
would be nothing but open sky and trees and wild animals to bother him.
No neighbors within sight or sound. No children. Nobody.
Harry wondered how the repairs on Ginnie s rental house were coming along. He d kissed her good-
bye in the morning as she d slept. She d murmured a little and turned onto her back, right in the middle of
the bed. He d been tempted to crawl back under the covers and move her back to her own side, in his own
special way.
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Hands On
No! he told himself firmly. Look at the slope of the hill to the southeast, see how it settles into a
verdant meadow? That would be the perfect place for a stable, and a garage for a small plane and a
helicopter, and a snowmobile for the wintertime.
No neighbors even within driving distance.
If he ever did crave companionship, people were only as far away as a short helicopter ride.
Ginnie thought he was beginning a relationship with her, but he wasn t. He wouldn t. Loving her
would be as bad a risk as a high-growth stock in a bear market. He wasn t about to chance another
manipulative woman fighting dirty to gain control over him the moment things weren t going her way. He
couldn t go through that again.
Take us down in Juneau, he commanded abruptly. He d put his money on the island before he could
change his mind. It would be suitable for him, perfect for the recluse he intended to remain.
Harry gazed down at his remote future home until it receded into Southeast Alaska s mists.
If only Ginnie would fade as easily from his mind.
That s so& naughty. Lara covered her eyes, leaving plenty of gap between her fingers. Ginnie
watched her as Lara continued to peek at the worker.
Is it safe to look yet? Ginnie asked after a few moments.
Not yet. Lara grinned, then, surprisingly, raised her hand above her head. She waved.
You didn t just wave to him. Tell me you didn t just wave to him.
Lara laughed, unrepentant. I just waved to him. Wow, you can see his hunka-hunka all the way from
here.
Still?
I m pretty sure he s giving me a show, at this point. Either that or he really had to go badly.
Some show! He s peeing on my daffodils!
At least they re yellow. Lara cocked her head. The repaired automated sprinkler system will rinse
em off.
Ginnie felt suddenly proud of her new friend. You remembered I have an auto sprinkler system.
You re fixing everything back to better than it was before. You re not even the property manager.
I am now. Lara grinned. They promoted me. And, unlike Darlene, I did my homework and I know
my stuff. And I have a conscience. You need friends in a situation like this. Lara gave Ginnie a frank
stare. You could use the allies, being in a new state by yourself and all. Especially now.
The surge of gratitude shook Ginnie. Her emotions were on one monster of a roller coaster ride,
between the wrecked house, Rick and, of course, Harry. Lara s kind words were more of a comfort than she
knew. Thank you.
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Christina Crooks
Least I can do. Besides, where else am I going to find such a fine concentration of man-candy
construction workers?
Ginnie muttered a comment about toilet training.
Lara emitted an unladylike bark of laughter. They re wild, they re really hot, there s a couple dozen
of them and they re probably a lot of fun. Construction workers usually are.
Slut! But Ginnie grinned.
Mr. Golden Showers over there isn t in construction, Lara continued, ignoring her. He s part of the
landscaping crew. Clearly he missed his calling. He should have been a plumber.
Both women cracked up.
Ginnie never saw the men approach, though she thought Lara had. It was in her mischievous smile
and the glint in her eyes.
Hi, ladies.
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