LEAD ME ON by Julie Ortolon (find a book to read TXT) 📕

guests don’t wonder who the crazy guy is sitting in the parlor staring at the phone.”

Understanding softened her face. “I promise to get you the moment your sister or Chloe calls.”

“Thanks.” He cupped her cheek, wanting to kiss her so badly, he could almost taste her mouth. He pressed his lips to her forehead instead.

Lack of sleep pulled at Alli throughout the morning, making her mind and body sluggish. By noon, she was stifling yawns as she waited on guests in the gift shop. From outside came the sound of car doors slamming. She glanced out the window to find a young woman with shoulder-length dark hair standing beside a taxi. The smashing red pantsuit showed off a figure that would make men drool and women green with envy. Big sunglasses hid the upper part of the face while bright red lipstick accentuated the pouty lips. The woman studied the house while the driver unloaded a full set of Gucci luggage.

Alli frowned in confusion as the woman headed toward the veranda wobbling slightly as she navigated the oyster-shell path in high-heeled red leather sandals. The only guests they were expecting were a couple from Iowa who had said they’d be in late, so who could this be?

“Will you excuse me for a moment?” she said to the guests in the gift shop and stepped into the hall just as the woman entered. “Welcome to Pearl Island. May I help you?”

“Oh, hello.” The woman pushed the sunglasses to the top of her head, revealing large brown eyes and a heavy application of makeup. In contrast to the rest of her appearance, the nails were ragged and free of polish. “I’m looking for Scott Lawrence. Is he in?”

“Yes, he is.” Alli’s frown vanished as she wondered if this was his sister with news about Chloe. But why would she come in person rather than call? “May I tell him who’s here?”

“Please do.” The woman turned to the driver as he lumbered in with his heavy burden of luggage. She waved a hand. “Right there will be fine.”

The man stacked the suitcases as the woman opened her tiny purse, carefully counting out the enormous fare the driver named.

Alli watched the exchange with growing impatience, a thousand questions flying through her head. Finally the driver left and the woman turned back. Before she could speak, though, the sound of someone running down the stairs made them both turn.

Scott stopped on the bottom step, staring in disbelief. “Chloe?”

Chloe? Alli turned back in time to see the woman raise a hand and wiggle her fingers.

“Hey, Uncle Scott. Surprise.”

“Oh, thank God!” He rushed forward, past Alli, to sweep his niece into his arms. His embrace lifted her off the floor as he buried his face in her hair.

“Not so tight!” the woman/girl squeaked. “I can’t breathe.”

He released her abruptly and held her at arm’s length. “What the hell do you think you’re doing!” he bellowed. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?”

“So you knew I was coming, huh?” The cultured voice had vanished.

“Your mother is hysterical—”

“Gimme a break. Mom’s always hysterical—”

“We’ve called the police. And—” He looked down at her clothes. “What are you wearing?”

“I borrowed some of Mom’s clothes. Do you know how hard it would have been to buy a plane ticket if they’d known I was a kid?”

“You flew here?”

“What’d‘ ya think, I’d take a bus? Pu-leez.” The girl rolled her eyes. “I borrowed Mom’s driver’s license and a few credit cards, and booked a flight to Houston.”

“Why didn’t you call when you got there so I could come get you?”

“It was the middle of the night and I didn’t want to wake you. So I got a hotel, grabbed some sleep, then called a cab.”

“You think I actually slept last night!” he demanded, then recovered enough to remember where he was. A quick glance confirmed they had an audience; not just Allison, but two guests stood in the doorway to the gift shop watching with wide eyes. “Come on.” He grabbed Chloe by the wrist and headed for the stairs, his heart pounding with every step.

“Uncle Scott, slow down. I’m gonna break both my ankles in these stupid shoes.”

“Good! Then you’ll have a matched set, your ankles and your neck since that’s the first thing I’m going to break. Right after I spank you.”

“What?” She stumbled up the stairs, losing a shoe on the landing.

When he reached his room, he dragged her inside and slammed the door with enough force to shake the walls.

“Uncle Scott, I—”

“Shut up!” He held up a hand, struggling to rein in his temper. “Don’t say one word.”

Her face blanched beneath, the heavy layer of makeup, but she closed her mouth.

Stalking to the bathroom, he wet a washcloth, then returned and tossed it at her. “Wash that gunk off your face. You look like a prostitute.”

She lifted her chin. “I’m not wearing any more makeup than Mom wears.”

“Is that what you want? To be like your mom?”

“Of course not.”

“Then stop acting like her.”

“I’m not!” Chloe’s eyes filled with hurt. “I only dressed this way so I could travel without people knowing I was a kid.”

“I’m not just talking about the clothes.” He ran his hands through his hair and realized they were trembling. “I’m talking about this stunt you pulled. Running away, leaving a note specifically worded to hurt Diane, not calling me even though Hugh gave you the number, then showing up here looking all proud of yourself like I should be happy to see you. Right down the line, everything you’ve done is exactly like one of the dramatic things your mother does to make herself the center of attention. Well, Chloe, you got my attention, because I have never been angrier or more disappointed in you in my life!”

“I’m sorry.” She blinked as tears welled along her lashes. “It’s just that everything’s been so awful lately. I’m tired of being in the way, of knowing Mom doesn’t want me around. That she