No Strings Attached

Clara froze mid-step as she caught sight of the man's striking features. "Mr. Brodie? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

Why did Brodie's profile remind her so much of lan's? Not only that, their builds and movements were uncannily similar. She'd mistaken two completely unrelated men for one another. If lan found out, he'd surely be as sour as an overturned jar of pickles.

Brodie offered a gentle curve of his lips. "I've acquired that land. I'm planning to build an eco-friendly farmstead and thought I'd scout the place out."

Clara followed the direction of Brodie's gesture and saw a verdant lake stretching before them.

Nodding in approval, she said, "The lake is surrounded by hills. The environment is really serene, and the water is pristine. You could develop some water attractions. I bet it would be a hit."

Brodie chuckled. "You seem to know quite a bit about development."

"I worked on an eco-estate project with lan once. It's similar to what you have here."

crossed Brodie's eyes, and his voice

her ring. "He proposed to me. We were going to get our marriage certificate the day before yesterday, but Grandpa Reed took a nasty spill, and we couldn't make it." Brodie saw the twinkle in her eyes, like when she was a child and had spotted something she adored. A touch of bitterness flickered across his face, but he managed a small smile. "Clara, if lan's mother had hurt someone you love, would you still stay

faltered. "Does my father's kidnapping have something to

gaze filled with a pained empathy. "It might be connected, but we don't

eyes shimmered with restrained emotion. "It's related, but thankfully, my father's unharmed. I won't hold it against lan. He's his own man. His mother is a different story." The look in Brodie's eyes intensified further. He wanted to ask her if she would still feel indifferent, knowing it was her mother who was harmed. But seeing Clara's unwavering

out from behind them, lunging at Clara. With quick reflexes, Brodie yanked Clara out of harm's way and landed a kick in the belly

and defended them both, keeping Clara safely behind him.

tears and shaking,

were younger. "Don't be scared. I've got you," he would have said. But his

sighed, his eyes closing for a moment. Things between him and his little girl could never return to how they once were. He forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just

breathed a sigh of relief. "Reed's home is just up ahead. Let me take you

dinner yet. You just saved