Copper Beach

with over the years, the least you can do is give me a few minutes of your precious time.”

    Abby sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have come here tonight.”

29

    BRANDON SWITCHED OFF THE ENGAGING SMILE AND SLIPPED into concerned-father mode with effortless ease. The serious expression was just right, Sam thought. It consisted of a slightly furrowed brow, faintly narrowed eyes and a dash of paternal concern.
    “My daughter tells me that you’re one of her clients,” Brandon said.

    “Our relationship is complicated,” Sam said.

    One of Brandon’s brows edged upward. “Aren’t they all?”

    “Good point.”

    Sam watched Abby and Diana disappear into a hallway. From where he stood, he could see that the corridor was lined with twin rows of offices. One of the doors was ajar. Abby and Diana went into the room. The lights came on. The door closed. Not good, Sam thought. But Abby had been dealing with her stepmother for a long time now. She could handle whatever was going down inside the office.

    “How did the two of you meet?” Brandon asked.

    “Through one of Abby’s business connections,” Sam said.

    “She is in a rather unusual line of work.”

    “Antiquarian books that are associated with the paranormal. Yes, I know.”

    Brandon cleared his throat. “You collect those kinds of books?”

    “I’ve got a few.”

    “I see. Has she told you that she doesn’t just deal in books about magic, she actually believes in the occult?”

    Annoyed, Sam jerked his gaze away from the closed office door. “Abby doesn’t believe in the occult. Where the hell did you get that idea?”

    “I don’t know what my daughter has told you, but you need to know that she holds some weird theories.”

    “She believes in the existence of paranormal energy, not the occult.”

    “There’s a difference?” Brandon asked drily.

    “The occult is all about witchcraft, demons and magic,” Sam said, impatient now. “Paranormal energy, on the other hand, is just that, energy. There’s no magic, black or white, involved. Although there are a lot of fake psychics, mediums and dream analysts out there making a good living off the gullible.”

    Brandon’s frown turned into a scowl. “Don’t tell me you’re into this paranormal crap, too?”

    “I’m surprised to hear you say that, Dr. Radwell. You’re in the psychobabble business. Surely you are aware that shared interests form the best basis for an enduring relationship.”

    Brandon’s expression sharpened. “You read my book on marriage?”

    “No. Just took a flying leap in the dark.”

    “Stop with the bullshit, Coppersmith. We both know why you’re dating my daughter.”

    “We do?”

    “You found out she’s connected to the Strickland family, didn’t you? You’re not the first man to try to marry her for her inheritance. But there isn’t one. The old bitch, better known as Orinda Strickland, controls the family money. Take it from me, she has gone to great legal lengths to make sure that Abby won’t receive a dime. It all goes to my wife, and Dawson and the twins.”

    “I heard she cut you out, too.”

    Brandon snorted in disgust. “Prenup. And I was dumb enough to sign the papers. Thought that after the old bitch died, Diana would change her mind and tear up the agreement.”

    “But?”

    “But at the rate she’s going, Orinda may outlive me, and I’ve had it with the waiting game. Time to move on.” Brandon glanced across the room. “Lucy is signaling. Got to go sign some books. Just remember what I told you. Abby has no blood connection to the old bitch. In fact, Orinda is downright embarrassed that Abby is considered a member of the family. That translates into no inheritance.”

    “You think I’m after the Strickland money?”

    “That sure as hell was the agenda of that bastard Kane Thurston.”

    “Who is Kane Thurston?”

    “The last man Abby dated seriously,” Brandon said.

    “I’ll be damned. You’re a complete con and a hypocrite, Radwell, not to mention a lousy father, but in your own stumbling, fumbling way, you’re trying to protect Abby from me, aren’t you? Guess I’ve got to give you some credit for paternal instincts.”

    Brandon’s jaw sagged. Shock blanked his eyes for a few seconds, but he managed to pull himself together.

    “Abby is an adult,” he said, between gritted teeth. “I can’t tell her what to do, but I’m going to warn her about you. Don’t think I won’t.”

    He