GINA WILKINS - The Right Twin

“You didn’t mention what your job is,” he reminded her.

“I keep the books. I’m a CPA.”

That surprised him. “You look too young to have earned a CPA.”

“I’m almost twenty-six. We were all expected to attend college,” she explained. “Most of us majored in business courses, though Lori keeps changing her major. I think she’s had three so far. None of which would be particularly useful for working in the family business. Which, I suppose, is her point.”

Aaron thought it possible he shared a bit in common with Lori, though he chose to keep that observation to himself. “Will Lori work for the resort when she graduates?”

“I don’t know. She won’t commit yet, though she’s always willing to fill in during holidays and summer breaks. She’s running the office while Maggie’s away for a few weeks. Steven—” Shelby gave a little sigh. “I think Steven might have liked to try something else, had he not felt so much pressure to help out around here. Just about the time he earned his business degree, the local economy took a hit and it became even more important for us to keep a tight rein on the resort expenses, salaries, benefits, that sort of thing. That was why it hit us so hard that the evil ex was willing to clean us out if he could’ve gotten away with it.”

Even more reason for the family’s gratitude toward Andrew, Aaron mused. “So, did you ever think about leaving the family business yourself?” he asked casually.

She adjusted a lamp into a more secure position on a rustic end table. “Not really. I’ve always known this is where I belong. My family’s a little different, but then so I am. We’re close and we get along very well, for the most part. I like my work, and the people we meet here in the resort. Well, most of the people,” she added darkly, glancing toward the tiny round kitchen window, through which Cabin Seven was just visible.

Following her gaze, he asked, “Is that where the ‘hinky’ guy is staying?”

“Yes. Which makes it all the more convenient that you’re in this one.”

He wasn’t sure convenient was the word he’d have used. He didn’t relish the image of himself sneaking peeks at his neighbor during his impulsive vacation. He moved to look out the window, just to ascertain how much he could see from here. Shelby followed him, standing shoulder to shoulder with him as they gazed out at the slightly larger cabin next door. The blinds were all closed, so they were unable to see in, though he wasn’t sure how much he could have made out, anyway, through the lightly tinted glass. He spotted movement from the corner of his eye and automatically turned his head to look that direction.

A tall, thin man with buzz-cut hair, a square jaw and a stern expression half hidden by oversized mirrored aviator glasses stood at the back of Cabin Seven, as if he’d just walked up from the lakeshore. Obviously he’d noticed them looking at his cabin, because he’d stopped to glare at them. Aaron gave him a friendly nod, then drew Shelby away from the window.

“You haven’t actually expressed your concerns to Landon, have you?” he asked her, thinking of the other man’s suspicious scowl.

“No, of course not! Though, maybe …”

He raised his eyebrows. “Maybe …?” he prodded.

Looking a bit sheepish, she scuffed the toe of one flip-flop against the floor. “Well, maybe he’s noticed me looking at him a few times. I mean, I think I’ve been discreet about it.”

Aaron had a strong suspicion that discreet and Shelby were two words rarely used in the same sentence. He shook his head. “I’ll unpack, then head over to the grill for something to eat before they close. If I happen to notice anything nefarious going on in the cabin next door, I’ll be sure and let you know.”

She gave him a quick frown, as if trying to determine if she was being mocked, but then she laughed. “Okay, you do that,” she said good-naturedly. “Maybe we should have a secret code word.”

“Nebraska,” he suggested, because for some reason that was the first word that popped into his mind.

Giggling, she nodded and moved toward the door. “Right. If I hear you say Nebraska , I’ll know you found signs of nefariousness. Um, nefariousness is a word, right?”

He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

“And we need another code word for danger,” she suggested, carrying the teasing a bit further. “Since we’re naming states, how about Minnesota?”

“ Minnesota sounds very ominous,” he agreed, tongue-in-cheek. “If I ever feel in danger, I’ll say Minnesota .”

“And I’ll rush to your rescue.” She paused with a hand on the doorknob, looking over her shoulder at him with a bright smile. “So, I’ll see you later?”

“You will most definitely see me later,” he assured her.

He was gratified by the slight wave of pink in her cheeks when she slipped out the door. Maybe there had been no sparks between Shelby and Andrew—but he didn’t think he was imagining the sizzle between her and himself. And while it was unlikely that the attraction would lead to anything, considering that they were surrounded by her entire family, he certainly wouldn’t mind flirting with her while he was here, however long that might be.

He drew his phone out of his pocket. He needed to let the family know he was out of town for a few days. And he had a few questions for his twin.

“Where the hell are you?” Andrew demanded in lieu of a greeting when he answered his phone.

“I’m fine, bro, thanks for asking.”

Andrew didn’t bother to respond to Aaron’s sarcastic comment. “Everyone was expecting you at the graduation party for Miles last night. Mom said you called her and told her you were headed out of town for a few days, but she thought you’d wait until after the party to leave. Dad’s ticked at you for just taking off without telling anyone where you were going.”

“I told them I wasn’t in the mood for a party. I specifically said I wouldn’t be there.”

“They thought you’d change your mind. Mom seemed really surprised when you didn’t show up.”

“I’m sure there were plenty of people there to celebrate the occasion,” Aaron muttered, pushing down a ripple of defensive guilt. “I sent Miles a graduation gift.”

There was always some sort of family gathering in the extended Walker clan. A birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, a housewarming, a birth. He and Andrew had thirteen first cousins just on their dad’s side, and another generation was well underway. The family had gathered last night at their cousin Brynn Walker D’Alessandro’s house to commemorate the high school graduation of Brynn and Joe’s son, Miles. So not only would many of the Walkers have been in attendance, but a good number of D’Alessandros had also been invited.

Even knowing he risked general disapproval with his absence, Aaron just couldn’t make himself attend. It had been about the time he should have been leaving for the party when he’d impulsively decided to escape to the lake for a few days. Someplace where no one would know him or any other member of his illustrious family. He guessed the joke was on him.

“So, Andrew. Tell me about the Bell family.”

A rather lengthy silence followed before Andrew cleared his throat and asked, “The Bell family?”

“Bell Resort and Marina? I’d think you’d remember, since you are apparently the Bell family hero.”

“Tell me you aren’t at the resort.”

“I could tell you that, but it would be a lie. I needed a place to get away for a few days. I’m sure you can figure out why. I didn’t expect to be greeted with genuflects when the folks here mistook me for you.”