Page 270 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Gracie feigned surprise. “Oh, dear. I’m sorry. Hate is such a strong word.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Brooke’s eyes cut into hers. “I loathed her. She had this fake British accent that grated on my nerves.” A snaky smile slithered over her lips. “Although I wonder what Little Miss England would say, if she knew I was going out with the guy she was crushing on.” Her voice grew conspiratorial as she leaned in. “Talk about a tiger!” She trilled her tongue. “He’s really something.”

The temperature in the room seemed to heat up at warp speed as Gracie went hot all over. Oh, how she wanted to punch Brooke into next week! She couldn’t tell how sure Brooke was that she was indeed the woman from the inn. But she was baiting her nonetheless, probably hoping to get Gracie so angry that she would react and blow her cover. Mentally, she counted to ten in an effort to calm herself down. How was she supposed to help this wench when what she really wanted to do was wring her skinny neck? She flashed an innocent smile. “I know we’ve only just met, but you seem so charming and sweet. I can’t imagine anyone being spiteful and mean to you.” The words flowed out like honey over buttered toast.

The surprised look that flickered over Brooke’s face was immensely satisfying. No doubt, it was one of the rare times anyone had ever called her charming and sweet. At a loss for words, Brooke began blinking rapidly.

Before she could open her treacherous mouth to speak another word, Gracie opened the door. “Stewart, your lovely daughter is here to see you, and I’ve had the distinct pleasure of getting to know her.” She turned to Brooke. “May I get you something to drink? Water? Soda?”

“Nothing for me,” Brooke snapped.

Stewart raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay, sweet pea? You sound upset.”

“I’m fine,” Brooke said, not taking her eyes off Gracie.

As Gracie left the room, she heard Brooke ask, “Daddy, how well do you know your new secretary?”

Half an hour later, Gracie looked up from her desk to see Brooke looming over her. “I know it’s you,” she sneered, leaning into Gracie’s personal space. “Why are you here?”

She slipped on her professional mask. “Well, this is my field of expertise. I needed a job, and SM Creative Agency came highly recommended.”

Fury simmered in Brooke’s eyes. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m going to expose you for the fraud you are.”

Gracie forced a laugh. “I’m not sure how we managed to get off on the wrong foot, but I’m not the enemy here.”

Brooke looked thoughtful. “It’s Sheldon, isn’t it? He dumped you, so you followed him here.”

“Who’s Sheldon?” Gracie asked, as she pasted on a confused look.

“Your innocent act doesn’t fool me one bit.” She gave Gracie a triumphant smile. “Sheldon obviously prefers me.” She pursed her lips. “So give it up and go back to Utah where you belong. Otherwise, I’ll tell my daddy who you really are.”

“Careful,” Gracie warned, meeting her glare, “It’s not smart to bite the hand that feeds you.”

“What?” Her nostrils flared, reminding Gracie of a bull about to charge. “That doesn’t even make sense. Exactly what are you trying to say?”

How easy it would’ve been to dig into Brooke and put her in her place, but it wasn’t wise … or productive. “Look, it’s obvious that you have me confused with someone else,” she said as kindly as she could manage. “I’m your dad’s personal assistant. No more. No less. And as much as I would love to continue our little chat, I have work to do.” Her eyes seared into Brooke’s, and she hoped her challenging expression would convey all that her tongue was not allowed to say.

Brooke’s face went a shade darker, and her eye rolled back in her head as she clenched her fists. For a split second, Gracie feared she might be having a seizure, but then she let out a guttural growl and stomped her foot. Gracie tried to remain expressionless, but she couldn’t hide the trace of amusement in her eyes.

“Oh, you think it’s funny? I’m watching you,” she snarled.

Gracie only smiled. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Brooke,” she said cheerfully, turning her attention back to the computer screen.

Brooke stood there for another minute, glaring, until she finally skulked away.

Chapter 5

Brooke held up the red dress and looked in the mirror.Too ostentatious.She reached for the black one and held it up.Too boring. She sighed heavily and reached for the blue.Too typical. She threw the dress down on the heap of other dresses piled atop her bed. She strode to her bedroom door and threw open the door. “Louisa!” she called. “I need you!”

No answer.

She cursed under her breath. Was the silly girl hard of hearing? “Louisa!” she screeched. “I need you NOW!”

Finally, after the fifth time of yelling her name, Louisa scurried into the room. “You called me, ma’am?” she said timidly, not daring to look Brooke in the eye.

“It’s about time!” Brooke grumbled, giving her a scathing look. “I’ve been calling and calling! Where were you? Are you deaf?”

“Sorry,” she said breathlessly, “I was cleaning the kitchen downstairs and didn’t hear you. I ran up here as fast as I could.”

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