“Fire Marshal Stone,” he corrected. He may not be able to get her to answer him just because he was Reggie’s brother, but with his job title and power, he could sometimes get what he wanted.
She tilted her head and ran her eyes over him. He wished he’d chosen to wear his uniform that day. Instead, he had on his plain clothes.
“Need to see my badge?” he asked, a little clipped.
“No, I’m sure you make a wonderful fire marshal.” She sighed and moved to lean on the edge of the desk. “As I just informed my uncle, I intend to take over every aspect of the running of the resort. Today is my first official day back home, and I have a lot of work ahead of me, assessing what needs to be done around here to bring it… up to code.” She glanced towards the desk filled with stacks of paperwork. “I’d suggest we set a time to meet next week to go over any issues you may have found at the resort.” She ran her eyes over him again. “If you have any issues with the resort, we can discuss them then. But let me be clear. Personally”—she stood straight again and looked down into his eyes— “I owe you nothing.”
He stood suddenly and noticed that she didn’t move back. Normally, he towered over women, but Raven was tall enough that they were almost eye to eye.
He couldn’t deny the instant pull of attraction that he’d felt the moment he’d laid eyes on her and felt disgusted at himself for the moment of weakness. Even now, he felt it and tried to focus on the challenge she’d just issued him.
“That is left to be seen,” he said finally. “I’ll have my office call and schedule a full inspection. I take it you’re planning on making some changes around here?” he asked, knowing that he could wait a little longer and maybe approach her differently to get the answers he needed.
“Yes.” She relaxed slightly. “From the looks of it, there’s a lot that needs changing.” She took a step back.
“I take it your aunt and uncle aren’t happy with the changes?”
She tilted her head slightly. “You could say that.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Are we going to have a problem?” she asked suddenly.
He thought about it. About what, legally, he could and couldn’t do. He knew that the resort had just scraped by at the last inspection almost six months ago. He expected that their business licenses were up to speed but planned on making a stop off at the city building after he left here, just to confirm it himself.
As far as his personal feelings for the woman, he knew that the entire town held Raven Brooks responsible for the fire, even though the fire marshal from back then had deemed the fire an accident.
Since taking over the job, he’d scoured over every word in the file from that fateful day and had an extensive list of questions that Jon Jacob, the fire marshal Cade had taken over for, hadn’t asked back then.
“That depends,” he answered finally.
She exhaled and then shrugged. “If you’re done trying to intimidate me”—she turned and moved to sit behind the desk again— “I have a business to run and save.” She glanced towards the door. “I think you know your way out.” She turned to the paperwork on the desk and dismissed him.
Whatever he’d believed he’d find in her, she had completely defied his expectations. The last time he’d seen her, she was an insecure teenager with extremely long thin legs and out-of-control-bright red hair. The woman who’d just dismissed him was a far cry from that girl.
There was no way her uncle was going to survive an attack and takeover from the strong-willed, powerfully intelligent woman he’d just left. He didn’t know where Raven Brooks had spent the last ten years of her life, but he was determined to find out everything he could about the beauty. And he knew just the place to start.
Chapter Three
Every revolution begins with a spark
Raven relaxed back in the chair and allowed herself to finally breath. What the hell was that? Why the hell had her heart pounded out of her chest the moment Cade Stone had stepped foot in the office?
Of course, she remembered Reggie’s older brother. What young girl growing up in Cannon Falls ten years ago wouldn’t? If she’d believed Reggie to be the boy of her dreams, then Cade, his older brother had always been the man of them.
Even back when she’d been nothing but a pre-teen watching him play sports, she’d dreamed of him. Oh sure, as far as looks went, Reggie and Cade had been comparable. They both had thick dark hair, a strong firm jawline, and were well over six foot tall. That counted for a lot in Raven’s book since she was taller than most girls and towered over many men at five foot nine inches. But where they really differed was their eyes. Cade had those smoldering eyes that hinted at what lay beneath—pure, unadulterated sex appeal.
There was no woman alive that could fight against it. Even someone who had sworn off the possibility years ago.
Shaking off the sudden urge to rip the man’s clothes off and see what was underneath, she went back to work.
Her uncle had been less than enthusiastic about giving her access to the accounts. Even now, she had to hunt through his desk to find the business card for the accountant that ran the resort’s books, Joseph Ramsey. She vaguely remembered the man being always around when her father ran the resort.
When he answered the phone, she quickly jumped in.
“Mr. Ramsey, this is Raven Brooks.” She waited a beat.
“Raven?” The man sounded excited. “My little bird?”
She smiled at the man’s nickname for her. “Yes.”
“Well, how have you been? What are you up to?” he asked quickly.
“I’m back at the resort and hoping you can shed some light on where things stand.”
He was silent for a beat. “I’d love to help you out, little bird, but I haven’t looked at those books since your father passed.”
“You haven’t?” She sat forward and frowned down at his business card in her hand.
“Not since your uncle took over and hired the new company to oversee everything.”
“Do you happen to know what company that is?” she asked.
“Sure do.” His voice changed slightly as if he had a secret. “Um, it’s Roche Accounting Firm.”
She frowned. “I haven’t heard of it.”
“It was fairly new when they took over the books. Um, I can get you their number.” She waited and wrote the name and number he supplied her on the back of his business card.
“So, you’re back? Is it for good?” Joseph asked.
“Yes, I’ve taken over from my uncle.”
“You have?” He sounded surprised. “How’s Colin taking the news?”
“As you’d expect,” she said with a sigh. “Listen, Joe, I don’t know what my uncle’s agreement with the new firm is, but I’d sure like someone I trust, someone my father trusted, to take a look at the numbers. Think you can spare some time?”
“Sure thing, anything for my little bird. Besides, I owe your dad. He’s the only reason I was able to survive all those years and start my own business. He and I were best friends back in the day.”