Savannah's Secrets. Reese Ryan

silence to settle over them, which was a device he often employed. Give a candidate just enough rope to hog-tie themselves, and see what they’d do with it.

      “That’s only part of the reason I want to work for King’s Finest. I like that you’re family-owned. And I was drawn to the story of how your grandfather converted your great-grandfather’s moonshine operation into a legitimate business to create a legacy for his family.”

      She wasn’t the first job candidate to gush about the company history in an attempt to ingratiate herself with him. But something in her eyes indicated deep admiration. Perhaps even reverence.

      “You’ve done your homework, and you know our history.” Blake sat back in his leather chair. “But my primary concern is what’s on the horizon. How will you impact the future of King’s Finest?”

      “Excellent question.” Savannah produced a leather portfolio from her large tote. “One I’m prepared to answer. Let’s talk about the upcoming jubilee celebration. It’s the perfect convergence of the company’s past and present.”

      “The event is a few months away. Most of the plans are set. We don’t expect anyone to come in, at this late hour, and pull off a miracle. We just want the event to be special for our employees and the folks of Magnolia Lake. Something that’ll make them proud of their role in our history. Get them excited about the future.”

      A wide grin spanned her lovely face. “Give me two months and I’ll turn the jubilee into a marketing bonanza that’ll get distributors and consumers excited about your brand.”

      An ambitious claim, but an intriguing one.

      King’s Finest award-winning bourbon sold well in the States and was making inroads overseas. However, they faced increased competition from small batch distilleries popping up across the country in recent years.

      “You have my attention, Savannah Carlisle.” Blake crossed one ankle over his knee. “Wow me.”

      Savannah laid out a compelling plan to revamp their jubilee celebration into an event that was as reflective of the company’s simple roots as it was elegant and forward thinking.

      “I love your plan, but do you honestly think you can pull this off in two months?”

      “I can, and I will.” She closed the portfolio and returned it to her bag. “If given the chance.”

      Blake studied the beautiful woman sitting before him. No wonder their HR manager had recommended the woman so highly. Impressed with her after a joint telephone interview, Max and their mother had authorized him to make her an offer if she was as impressive in person.

      Savannah Carlisle was clever and resourceful, everything they needed for their newly minted event manager position. There was only one problem with hiring the woman.

      He was attracted to her. More than he’d been to any woman in the two years since his last relationship imploded.

      Blake was genuinely excited by the possibility of seeing Savannah every day. Of knowing she occupied an office down the hall from his. But there was the little matter of their family’s unwritten rule.

      No dating employees.

      Problematic, since he’d spent the past half hour preoccupied with the desire to touch her skin again. But he had something far less innocent than a handshake in mind.

      Blake wouldn’t hire her simply because she was attractive. And it wouldn’t be right not to hire her because of her beauty, either.

      His feelings were his problem, and he’d deal with them.

      “All right, Savannah Carlisle. Let’s see what you can do.”

      They negotiated her salary, and then Blake sent her off to complete the requisite paperwork. His gaze followed her curvy bottom and long legs as she sashayed out of the office.

      Blake shook his head and groaned. This time, he may have gotten himself in over his head.

       Two

      Savannah had never relied on sex appeal for a single, solitary thing in her life.

      But today was different.

      If her plan succeeded, it would correct the course of her family’s lives. Money wouldn’t be an issue. Not now, nor for generations to come.

      Her grandfather would get justice and the recognition he deserved. Her sister wouldn’t have to struggle under the crushing weight of student loans.

      So failure wasn’t an option. Even if it meant playing to the caveman instincts of a cretin like Blake Abbott.

      He hadn’t been obvious about it. She’d give him credit for that. But the smoldering intensity of his gaze and the sexy growl of his voice had made the interview feel a lot like a blind date.

      His warm brown gaze penetrated her skin. Made her feel something she hadn’t expected. Something she couldn’t explain. Because despite the charm of the man she’d just met, she knew the truth about Blake Abbott and his family.

      They were thieves, plain and simple.

      The kind of folks who would cheat a man out of what was rightfully owed to him. Who didn’t have the decency or compassion to feel an ounce of regret for leaving such a man and his family twisting in the wind, floundering in poverty.

      So despite Blake’s warm smile and surprisingly pleasing demeanor, she wouldn’t forget the truth. The Abbotts were heartless and cruel.

      She would expose them for the snakes they were and reclaim her grandfather’s rightful share of the company.

      Once she’d exited the parking lot in her crappy little car, she dialed her sister, Delaney, back in West Virginia.

      “I’m in,” Savannah blurted as soon as her sister answered the phone. “I got the job.”

      Laney hesitated before offering a one-word response. “Wow.”

      “I know you don’t agree with what I’m doing, Laney, but I’m doing this for all of us. You and Harper especially.”

      “Vanna come home!” her two-year-old niece said in the background.

      “Listen to your niece. If you’re doing it for us, pack up and come home now. Because this isn’t what we want.”

      “It’s what Granddad deserves. What we all deserve.” Savannah turned onto the road that led back to town. “This will alter our family’s future. Make things better for you and Harper.”

      “This isn’t about Harper or my student loans. You’re playing to Grandpa’s pride and yours.”

      Savannah silently counted to ten. Blowing up at Laney wouldn’t get her sister on board. And deep down she wanted Laney’s reassurance she was doing the right thing.

      Their grandfather—Martin McDowell—had raised them after the deaths of their parents. He’d made sacrifices for them their entire lives. And now he was gravely ill, his kidneys failing.

      “Grandpa’s nearly ninety. Thanks to the Abbotts, his pride is all he has, besides us. So I say it’s worth fighting for.”

      Laney didn’t answer. Not surprising.

      When they were kids, Savannah was mesmerized by her grandfather’s stories about his days running moonshine in the Tennessee hills as a young man. But even as a child, Laney took a just-the-facts-please approach to life. She’d viewed their grandfather’s stories as tall tales.

      Their positions hadn’t changed as adults. But Laney would come around when Savannah proved the truth.

      Joseph Abbott, founder of the King’s Finest Distillery, claimed to use recipes from his father’s illegal moonshine business. But, in reality, he’d stolen their grandfather’s hooch recipe and used