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tribes often sat across the fence from the government.
She tilted her head. Every time she thought she had a handle on Jake Lodge, he
surprised her again. His analytical mind complemented his sexy grin in a way that would
intrigue any woman. She had to fight her attraction in order to save her uncle s company.
Come on, we can load these, and then I ll take you to the memorial site. Jake stood
and tossed his trash into the can before grabbing both foam boards with the golf course
designs and holding out a hand.
She relaxed as he turned off that direct stare and placed her hand in Jake s much larger
one. Warmth shot heat to her lower stomach. Warmth she didn t want to feel.
Because he was right; she was a city girl.
Wasn t she?
Chapter Eight
Sophie sketched a quick design for a garden, including natural stone paths, a koi pond,
and picnic areas. The site had been perfect for the memorial, and she d enjoyed tromping
through the brush with Jake after he d thrown on cowboy boots. Even in a suit, the man
looked natural surrounded by wild nature. He hadn t tried to kiss her again, and she told
herself she was glad. There was no future for them.
Although that hadn t stopped her from agreeing to dinner with his family. She glanced
at the clock. He d return for her in less than an hour.
The cell phone jarred her out of her musings.
Hi, Sophia. Preston s voice came smooth and sure over the line. Miss me?
Not so much, actually. Interesting. I ve been working. How s the Seattle job going?
Don t ask. We ve run into some interesting competition. How s it going with the tribe?
Her shoulders hunched. I m not sure. They all like the design but don t want it on the
Charleton Group s land.
Still? He rustled papers over the line.
We may not have tribal support when we face the county commissioners next week.
Dread chilled her gut.
The Group s lawyers are pretty good. You ll just describe your design and they ll do the
proposal for the permit.
Thank goodness she had backup at the hearing.
But I ve done a bit of research. You haven t run across Jake Lodge, have you?
The air caught in her lungs. She took several deep breaths. I ve met Lodge. He s the
tribe s lawyer. And the man who had kissed her into oblivion. Why?
He s good. Really good. Took on the state twice, won both times in the U.S. Supreme
Court. Tell me he s not involved in opposing the project.
Sophie coughed. I d say he is involved. Very. Though he hasn t seemed too fired up
about opposing us.
Probably the calm before he strikes. I ve heard he s the shark of all sharks. Plus, there
are rumors that the tribe wants to build its own golf course over by the casino and are out
to prevent any competition.
No, you ve got it wrong. Jake s not like that.
Quiet slid across the line. Just how well do you know him?
I ve met with him regarding the proposal.
Preston cleared his throat. Of course. Well, I guess I d just tell you to watch your
back.
She needed to get off the phone. Now. No problem.
So have you given any thought to taking the cruise with me?
No. Not at all. She d been too busy mooning over a dangerous, country badass of a
lawyer who might just torpedo her proposal. The cruise? I, ah, don t know. I should
probably concentrate on work right now. We need to save Uncle Nathan s company. She
didn t want to hurt Preston s feelings. He was a good man. On paper, they so worked. In
reality? Maybe not.
I m not taking no for an answer. Keep thinking about it. Bye. He clicked off.
Sophie shut the phone and stared sightlessly at the drawings before her. Just a week
ago she would ve jumped at the chance for a cruise with Preston. Now she balked. Why?
She reached for her sketchbook and flipped it open to the second page. The answer
stared back at her with Jake s eyes.
What was she thinking, agreeing to a dinner at the Lodge house? Jake stirred feelings
in her that all but guaranteed a broken heart when she left when she returned home.
Why did home seem so far away?
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