WindSwept Narrows: #6 Eve Hastings Read online

  Eve Hastings

  WindSwept Narrows

  Book Six

  Karen A. Nichols

  Copyright 2011 by Karen A. Nichols

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Karen Nichols. Copyright, Karen Nichols. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

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  Chapter One

  Evelyn Hastings opened the stationary that was becoming very familiar. The letter was another of the same previous three she had on her desk. She ran one hand over her head, smiling at the still unfamiliar feel of the short pixie cut she received from the Locks of Love promo for the resort.

  She stood up from her desk, bare feet carrying her to stare out the large double paned window into the storm whipping up around the south end of Puget Sound. A vague image of herself peered back at her through the glass but she rarely noticed her appearance. She’d spent too many hours pondering this decision.

  She had him and his company thoroughly investigated after the first letter arrived. She knew he had never been married and she had a photo of him. She knew he inherited the majority of the funds he was sinking into the project and had another small fortune in reserve that he’d made on his own. She knew he was in the military for six years and that people her representatives had discreetly spoken with all thought very highly of him.

  He was a hands on kind of developer, involved in the design and the day to day creation. He wasn’t just the sort to throw money at a project. Considering this was a seriously long term project and not an instant money maker, she liked the premise. Even as he was working on acquiring the final large piece of property, he and several teams were conducting on-site cleaning and removing everything that had previously been built there. It was destined to change the downtown area.

  Eve slid her palms into the back pockets of her jeans and stood staring for a long time into the maelstrom stirring up the back yard, leaves forming into tiny swirling tornadoes and spilling off into the air. There were white caps on the Sound, a few brave or really insane sailors fighting the winds and waves.

  She locked up the house and prepared for bed.

  He’d find her. She didn’t doubt that. It was just a matter of time.

  ****

  Zachary Covington threw the note from his admin to his desk, pacing the office and glaring out into the storm. Why the hell didn’t the woman answer his letters? He’d been at it for over a month now, sending her one every ten days.

  He tightened his tie, straightened his vest and patted down pockets before heading to the car. He ignored the wind whipping his hair around, the car door slammed and belt buckled before he started the engine.

  He knew where she would be today and he had no intentions of being put off another day.

  Sophie looked up from the mail she was opening, dark eyes taking in the tall man approaching her desk. No, she thought. He was storming the area. It showed in the knit brows and pursed lips. Clear cut determination, she thought and wondered who he was after.

  “Can I help you?” She asked at the same time Cade opened his office door.

  “He’s here for me, Sophie…come on inside, Zach,” Cade closed the door and went to the small kitchen area. “Coffee?”

  “Hot and straight, thanks,” Zach shoved his jacket back, hands in the pockets of his slacks.

  “You seem a little more anxiety ridden than usual, Zach,” Cade handed him the cup of steaming brown liquid. “How’s the project going?”

  “Clean up is in progress…shit load of rusted metal and god knows what being hauled off to the dumps and recycling stations,” Zach sipped slowly. “Nice view…”

  “Logan’s in the office next door…” Cade mentioned. “He positioned us to have happy views to counter the general mayhem of the work, I think.”

  “He thought I was crazy when I offered the proposal,” Zach said with a chuckle.

  “It was something we tossed around,” Cade admitted slowly, striding to lean against his desk, watching his friend. “But we weren’t ready for that amount of funding just yet…until you happened along.”

  “You’re pulling in more and more of our friends with the premise,” Zach said with quiet approval. “Combine the minds he’s pulled together with the cash, and this is going to become the most successful reclamation in the country.”

  “Thanks for the compliment, but I know you pretty well. You don’t just drop in for social visits, Zach.”

  “One damn piece of property,” he growled in frustration. “A large damn piece…and my information says she’s here today. She’s ignored my letters. Let’s see if she can ignore me up close and personal.”

  “Here? As a guest?” Cade moved to his chair, fingers tapping over the keyboard. “What’s the name?”

  “Evelyn Hastings.”

  “Evelyn Hastings,” Cade repeated the name slowly, his hands falling to the arms of his chair. He stared at Zach for a long minute before reaching out and pressing a preset number on his phone, the speaker on. “Abby…”

  “Yes, sir?” Abby smiled at the phone.

  Cade stared with a slight frown. “Sir? Did I tap in the wrong number?”

  “Hmm…trying to be professional here…since you have me on speaker, I’m guessing this is business, not personal,” Abby told him, her smile in her words.

  “You’re good, Miss Murray.”

  “So I’ve been told, Mr. Rollins, what can I help you with this morning?”

  “Evelyn Hastings…I have a vague memory…”

  “The Play Care Center,” She answered instantly. “She’s a friend of Sam’s…and now, mine and Cassidy’s.”

  “Do you know if she’s in today?”

  “Eve doesn’t miss days,” Abby said simply. “The kids would riot…”

  “She’s not a normal employee…”

  “She’s the director,” Abby filled in for him. “She has a degree in child development and recreational activities. Did you stay awake for any of the senior management hiring reviews?”

  “Thank you for your time, Miss Murray,” Cade listened to her laughter and ended the call.

  “She works for you,” Zach said carefully.

  “No one works for me, except the hotel people,” Cade corrected. “They work under Logan. Although, I think he’s considering a manager for that position so he can concentrate on the casino more. She’s the property owner you’re looking for? Let’s go…I’ll take you over there…then snag my wench for lunch.”

  “The woman on the call?”

  “Abigal Murray….human resources director,” Cade confirmed, nodding at Sophie on the way out and moving the little magnet to lunch on the board she had set up for them. “A lot of changes in our friends circle
,” Cade remarked, guiding them along the corridor and into the main lobby. He took them down a long corridor that ran along side the kitchen.

  “So I’ve heard. Franklin’s running a lodge up north,” Zach commented as they walked. “Gabe, Gideon and Damian all settled…those were shockers.”

  “You’ll get hit one day, my friend,” Cade told him with a nod. “Once you’ve entered the realm of the kind of women we’re involved with, you don’t stand a chance. You’ll fall hard and fast and almost not know what hit you.”

  They approached a large collection of thick paneled glass, small openings allowing noise to come through the main entrance, carefully controlled with a locking gate and cameras. Loud, bubbling giggles met them as they turned the corner.

  Six little children were crawling around the large open space with an adult. She wore the blue short sleeved WindSwept Narrows T-shirt, a pair of hip hugging jeans and no shoes.

  “I’ve only been through here on inspection before we opened,” Cade commented, recognizing Scarlet and waving when she looked up at them.

  “It just…we spent so much time advancing and to get people and communities back on track, we find ourselves reverting to the old style of running businesses,” Zach shook his head, looking around the large area at the various open doors, all of which had low gates on them. A wide, sparkling kitchen was straight back and an office and reception area coming up on their right.

  “The most difficult part is taking greed and excess out of the equation,” Cade remarked, casually watching his friend. “I believe that…is Evelyn Hastings.”

  “The director crawls around on the floor with little kids?” Zach looked from him back to the long body of the slender woman laughing and positioning the kids until all of them fell in a giggling heap in the middle of the floor. He had expected to find a spinster in a suit wearing thick glasses and flat shoes.

  “I’m off to lunch with my girl,” Cade told him with a chuckle, clapping his palm on Zach’s shoulder. “Anything I can help with, shoot me a message.”

  “Thanks, Cade,” Zach stood there for several seconds before striding to the main entrance, absently glancing over the young woman behind the desk.

  “Hello…are you here to pick up someone?” She asked brightly, her list in front of her. “I’ll need to see your identification, please.”

  “I’m not here for anyone. I’d like to speak to Evelyn Hastings,” Zach looked toward the gated area, the woman now sitting crossed legged surrounded by the kids and reading softly, all silent and attentive. She threw herself into the story, making facial expressions and movements that had the little kids looking both shocked and giggling.

  “Dr. Hastings?” The young girl nodded and went to the gate. “Dr. Hastings? There’s a man here who would like to speak with you.”

  “Does he have a name, Angela?” Eve called back, finishing the short story book and closing it with a flourish.

  “Zachary Covington,” he answered loudly, watching the woman on the floor turn her head slowly in his direction. She knew who he was, he thought with a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

  Eve rose from the floor slowly, bending over and calling the children close. She spoke to them quietly, watching each one nod.

  “Angela, find Myra for me,” Eve called out, leading the six children to a low table and helping them into their seats. She looked up to see the newest member of her team come from one of the smaller classrooms. “Tina can handle her group for lunch. I need you to get these guys set up until I’m finished with my meeting, please.”

  “Will do…hey, guys, you hungry?” She whispered with a laugh, noting the names and checking for special diets.

  Eve walked through the entry gate, her palm up quietly. “Mr. Covington.”

  “Miss Hastings,” Zach accepted her palm, a warm set of very slender fingers that were firm. “Or should I use the ‘doctor’ label?”

  “I prefer Eve or Evelyn, honestly. Evie on occasion,” she said with a slight smile. “My office?” She stepped forward and led him to the large office behind the reception desk. He was tall, she thought. And looked very much like the photo from the newspaper that her agent had sent her. Clean shaven but a hint of a dark shadow that would show up soon and match the dark brown neatly trimmed hair. His scowl was tense, dark eyes watching her every move.

  “Do you always climb around on the floor, Dr. Hastings?” Zach entered the large office, his gaze sweeping the room casually after he closed the door for privacy. A few photos and a lot of books. A stack of papers on her desk with a computer set up and some pens. Zach watched her stride ahead of him. She pulled a sweater off her chair, long slender arms slid into the thickly knit gold.

  “I do whatever I need to or want to, Mr. Covington,” she returned, casually matching his tone. “I’m sure you proceed as a developer along those same lines.”

  “You were aware of who I was the instant you heard my name,” Zach accused flatly.

  Chapter Two

  “Are you looking for me to come up with some flattering statement about watching your progress on the apartment project?” Eve stared curiously, her head tipped to the side slightly.

  “I’m looking for the piece of property I want to complete the landscape,” he shot back curtly.

  “Ahh…right to business,” Eve perched on the edge of her desk. “I received your letters, yes, so your name was very familiar.”

  “And you were too busy to respond? You couldn’t pick up the phone and discuss the proposition?” Zach demanded hotly.

  “I don’t do business with anonymous people through the mail, Mr. Covington, or over the phone. Do you?” Eve frowned, watching him pace her office like a caged, very angry tiger. “Would you like to sit down?”

  “You’ve held up my project…” Zach said tersely, reminding himself he needed to remain semi polite until he had the deed to that property. He needed to charm her and he was seething with fire and brimstone.

  “You know that isn’t true,” Eve said calmly, her voice low and soft.

  Dark eyes turned and faced her, a pair of wide soft violet eyes following him. His investigation of her had been a surface look only. Just enough to find her and get his hands on the property. Her hair was a deep chocolate and cut in the pixie style that showed the double pierced ears, long, slender neck and strong, oval face. She was slender and curved and he would have guessed her in her mid twenties until he looked into her eyes.

  “You’re aware of the progress?” He asked in surprise, studying the woman seated on the desk more closely.

  “I’m aware of a lot of things, Mr. Covington. I’m sure you’ve researched me as readily as I have, you. I’ve watched the project and actually take a drive past the property now and again. I know you’re proceeding with the massive cleanup involved, including all the old utilities and toxic waste left behind,” Eve saw the surprise on his face, one dark eyebrow arched. “I don’t envy you that. Businesses that fail tend to not care what they leave for the next generation to repair. A part of the project that, in itself, will take a good solid two months. So my portion is not stopping your progress at this point.”

  “My only interest was in locating the owner of the property, Dr. Hastings. Why don’t you simply tell me your price and we can start from there,” Zach didn’t like staring at her. He didn’t like that she was sympathetic and intelligent. He didn’t like that she seemed more in control than he was feeling at the moment. “I apologize for coming off as…brusque. But this project is very important to me and I need that property.”

  “The property isn’t for sale, Mr. Covington,” she pulled the full lips into a taut bow, his dark eyes narrowed considerably.

  “Excuse me?” He stared in disbelief. “Why? I’m prepared to pay top dollar…” his voice had risen considerably.

  “The property isn’t for sale,” she repeated quietly.

  “It’s nothing to you! Why the hell…” There was a loud angry edge to his tone. He took several sharp steps forwa
rd and leaned over her desk, his palms spread out flat on the surface. “Why?”

  “But if you agree to my terms, I’ll give you the property,” Eve interrupted gently, moving to sit behind the desk. Wariness entered his eyes as she reached into the top drawer and pulled a sheet of paper from the inside.

  “You’ll give me the property,” Zach repeated slowly, his jacket shoved back and hands pushed into his pockets. “Give me the property,” he repeated suspiciously. “Free and clear?”

  “Free and clear, Mr. Covington. To do with as you please.”

  “You don’t want the property. How long have you owned it?”

  “It used to have a business on it that was in my family,” she answered honestly. “I don’t know much of anything about it, though. It’s simply sat there until you began the renovation. I’m sure city records could tell you more about it, if you’re interested in its past.”

  “And you knew I would come to you. You waited for that,” he said in amazement. “So this is essentially a trap for me,” he gaped at her in disbelief.

  “I waited, yes. But something tells me you don’t allow yourself to walk into a trap, Mr. Covington. You’re always free to walk away,” Eve told him, slender shoulders up and down.

  “The hell I am,” he ground out flatly. “You know I need that to complete the complex.”

  “As I said…I will give you the property.”

  “Why won’t you sell it to me?” Zach heard the voice in the back of his head shouting that he was not going to like the strings attached.

  “That should be obvious by what I said, Mr. Covington. There is something I want in return for the use and ownership of the property,” she knew her hands were shaking even as they rested atop the sheet of paper she had prepared.

  “You were prepared for me to come to you,” he noted tonelessly, aware of the white sheet of paper with several visible lines on it in neatly handwritten text. “You were waiting for me to find you,” he declared again, anger in the soft steel of his voice.