blue eyes, feeling what she’d felt, and wanting what she’d wanted, she’d been reminded that she was a fraud. She wasn’t Nellie Cooper. She was Niki Gerard, daughter of Gabriella Gerard, the most notorious woman in the nation’s capital.
That she shared a father with Caleb and Reed was nothing but a genetic coincidence. Her real life and her real world were far removed from their lives out here.
She hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but now she knew she’d been wrong to bring her problems to their doorstep. She wished she didn’t like them so much, or that Mandy and Katrina hadn’t been so kind.
If she’d found her mother’s diary, she might never have come here. If she had the diary, if she could read the entries, she’d know who to fear and how to fight back. But she’d searched every square inch of the penthouse, tracked down every safe-deposit box, checked every nook, cranny and corner. She’d even had a professional search through Gabriella’s computer and email accounts, thinking the diary might have been electronic. But, no luck.
“Nice view,” came a deep voice that sent an instant quiver up her spine. His footsteps sounded on the little bridge.
It took Niki a moment to find her own voice and respond. “It’s beautiful,” she agreed, praying Sawyer would keep right on walking.
But he didn’t. He came to a halt and copied her stance, bracing his own hands on the painted white rail, gazing out at the lake.
“You’re not hungry?” he asked pleasantly.
The aroma of grilling burgers was beginning to fill the air. Niki’s empty stomach reacted to the enticing scent. She’d learned there was nothing like fresh air and physical work to heighten an appetite.
“Getting there,” she admitted.
He was silent for a minute. “So, this is going to be Reed’s house?”
Niki nodded, her attention going back to the two-story building.
“It’s a big house for two people,” Sawyer observed.
“Reed wants four children.”
“Four?” Sawyer sounded surprised.
“I think he’d go for more if Katrina would agree.” Niki had been present for some of their good-natured arguments. She couldn’t help thinking about the way Reed looked at Katrina. He was head over heels in love, and Niki was sure he’d agree to anything she asked.
“What about you?” Sawyer asked.
The odd question surprised her. “I’m a long way from thinking about children.”
Even if it did become safe for her to go back to her real life, she didn’t think she was motherhood material. She certainly hadn’t had any kind of a role model in her own mother. Gabriella was only eighteen when she’d given birth to Niki. They’d been more like friends than mother and daughter. And while Niki’s childhood and teenage years had held more than their share of excitement, they’d also been chaotic and confusing.
“I was wondering if you might live here when the house is finished,” Sawyer clarified. “You seem to be working hard on it.”
Niki reframed her thoughts, coming back to the present, shaking her head. “That’s not in the plan.”
“You’ll stay in the main house, then?”
Niki turned slightly to take in his expression, unsure of his point. Then again, maybe she was simply paranoid and uncomfortable thinking about her future.
Why on earth did Sawyer have to show up today? She’d been perfectly happy living in this cocoon. It might not have been ideal, but at least it was safe.
“Nellie?” he prompted.
She struggled to remember the original question. But then she met his eyes, and her mind went completely blank. Another shot of desire raced through her system. He was a fantasy man come to life, all strength and purpose, silhouetted by the mountains and the smooth blue sky. She suddenly wished with all her heart that the life she had here was real.
Two
The ingenuous, puzzled expression on Niki’s face told Sawyer two things. One, she hadn’t the first clue who he was. And two, there was a reason his Uncle Charles had risked everything for an affair with Gabriella.
Niki’s eyes were large, dark fringed, beautiful, clear green beneath perfectly arched brows. Her cheeks were pink, her face heart-shaped, and her mouth was a lush bow of red that telegraphed a lethal combination of eroticism and innocence. If Gabriella had even a fraction of Niki’s enticing sensuality, Charles could be forgiven absolutely.
“Reed said you all grew up on the ranch.” Sawyer changed the topic, intent on learning as much as he could about her cover story.
“Reed and Caleb grew up here,” Niki responded, her attention going back to the view. “I’m their half sister.”
“You grew up somewhere else?”
“Boston.”
Boston, not D.C. It was only a slight alteration, and the tactic earned his respect. Deception 101—keep your story as close to the truth as possible.
While they conversed, random shouts and the squeals of children crossed from the crowd of people around the house.
“A remarriage?” Sawyer pressed.
Niki shook her head. “Just me and my mom.”
Another true statement. “Did you visit here in summers?”
“I never knew my father.”
“Interesting story?”
“Not really,” she said. “My mother passed away a few months ago. That’s when it came to light.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” On a human level, Sawyer couldn’t help but be sorry that she’d lost her mother. His own mother had died when he was in his early twenties. Though the Laytons were never the most loving or attentive of parents, he still missed her.
“Thank you,” said Niki.
They both fell silent.
“Do you wonder why she kept it secret?” he asked.
She shot him a curious look, and he realized it was time to back off.
“You must be hungry,” he said, nodding toward the barbecue.
But instead of picking up on the topic change, her voice took on a faraway tone. “I came as quite a shock to them.”
“Reed and Caleb?”
“Yes.”
Sawyer quickly readjusted. “It must happen a lot these days. Strangers showing up, claiming to be relatives. You know, what with all the new social media and technology.”
“And
