Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (ebook audio reader TXT) 📕

"Well, we still have all the upstairs to go through, yet." Maddy interjected, trying to smooth the situation over.

"I agree. But this happens when houses sit empty. If they don't show up we better start an investigation. I'll check a few places tomorrow." Alec said.

"I'm sure they'll show up, I'll ask Leland about it too."

"I know what he'll say. 'My secretary looks after that.'" Aunt Polly mimicked and stopped rocking. "I'm sorry, but I just don't trust that man. He wanted me to turn over everything I own for him to manage not long ago, I told him I been handling my affairs all my life and can handle them now. He left mad. I don't think Madeline would have let him either if he hadn't got a hold of her when she was so sick. Right after he started taking care of her he bought that big old car he drives. Might be a coincidence, might not be."

"Oh, Aunt Polly, he has to be honest in his business or no one would go to him. We have to give him the benefit of the doubt." Maddy shook her head.

"What about the break-in?" Alec said suddenly, snapping his fingers.

"Someone had been inside, but nothing was disturbed so we blamed kids just playing a prank. I remember because I was out chasing rustlers at the Thedford farm. Whoever broke in might have taken the jewelry."

"Rustlers?" Maddy interrupted disbelief on her face.

Alec nodded. "No jokes please, we have high-tech rustlers now, complete with computers and 18-wheel rigs for the getaway."

"I always pictured them as bad guys in black hats riding horses and swooping down on the cattle herds. Trucks and computers are not very romantic."

"Cattle rustling is big business, it's hardly romantic. They've even taken a couple shots at me." Alec replied dryly.

Maddy's shocked look made him laugh.

"Don't worry, they missed. But, getting back to the break in, I don't know if it's such a good idea for you to stay here alone, Maddy. Honestly, you don't even have a cell phone yet. Maybe someone knew about the missing bonds and came across the jewelry. They may decide to come back for more." He shook his head and looked at her seriously, no good-natured teasing in his eyes.

Maddy shook her head immediately. "I am not going to let someone chase me out of my home. Plus, we don't even know if that's what happened. You said yourself you thought it was just kids. No, absolutely not. I made a promise to myself that I was going to run my own life from now on. I intend to."

Maddy refused to listen. "No, it's settled. I'll take every precaution but I am not leaving my home. I can go get a new phone and I'll lock my doors. I don't want to take a chance on Aunt Polly getting drug into this."

Alec looked from one to the other, "Then let me stay here with you." At her dubious laugh, he waved his hands and nodded. "Okay, okay, I know how that sounds, and the last time I made the offer I was kidding, sort of. But, I'll sleep on the couch and be gone before you get up."

Aunt Polly chuckled, "I don't even buy that one, but it was a good try, Alec."

"Aunt Polly, please, I'm trying to be serious here. Neither of you seem to realize that these thieves could be dangerous. I just don't want you to be alone."

"Are you both through?" Maddy said with hands on hips, "You are blowing this all out of proportion. We'll go on like we planned, finish cleaning things out. You'll check some things out you said, Alec. Then and only then will I make any big decisions. If I'm going to run the minute there might be trouble here in Nielsen, I should have just stayed in Chicago. I know there's trouble there."

"Man, you are a stubborn woman." Alec growled, his eyes dark and disapproving.

"Sorry, but I'm not leaving." She folded her arms, ending the discussion.

"Well, would you consider leaving the house for the evening?" He said with just a tinge of sarcasm before he smiled at her.

"I don't know, what do you mean by that?" She asked suspiciously. "I said I'm not leaving, Alec and I meant it so don't try and trick me."

"I'm not going to trick you. I came over here to begin with to see if you're up to dinner tonight? I can dig out my old yearbook later, maybe a little reminiscing?"

"Oh, I don't know. I'm a mess. We've been working all afternoon." Maddy's first impulse was to pass, but something made her consider going. If she wasn't going to run scared from burglars, she sure wasn't going to be intimidated by Alec McKay. She just had to prove she could take care of her house and her heart. Maddy watched Alec's expressive eyes as he anticipated a refusal.

"Come on. We'll take Aunt Polly for a chaperone. I'm beginning to think you just don't want to go out with me.”

“You've been out with Leland. You can go out with me. Come on, you're going to give me a complex."Alex pouted.

Maddy was beginning to think something was wrong with her. A great looking guy asks her out and she won't go? It was more than that. It was year's worth of uncertainty and betrayal from guys that always hurt her. Was it just too soon, or was she so scared she would take that chance?

Maddy considered it, running her finger along the edge of the lounger. "Okay, but this better not be some kind of trick to keep me from coming back here."

Leaning over her still-stretched out form, he took in every inch of the long, slim legs in short cut-off jeans.

His closeness was overpowering and Maddy swallowed hard. He'd surely move back so she could get up. But he didn't. Their eyes locked, their faces so close she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"If you want