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  “But—”

  “You will go,” Ruth said with a glare. Harper gave her a dry don’t even think you can push me around look. Ruth seemed to realize her harshness and laughed. “Jesus, how to explain to a peasant that you don’t turn down an invitation from the king?” Harper opened her mouth to defend herself. “Oh, calm down,” Ruth said, cutting her off with a wave of her hand and the air of someone who had more important things to consider than soothing a frayed ego. She took Harper by the arm and urged her toward her office. “I’m not being difficult, Harper. Honestly. It’s just you don’t get Tahoe Shores yet. Sure, we’re a little Podunk town, but at the same time, we host some of the biggest movers and shakers in the world on that lakeshore. The Silicon Valley elite flock to the Nevada Tahoe shores for the tax breaks and the incredible views, and Jacob Latimer is one of the biggest of them all.” Ruth stepped back in front of Harper’s desk, letting go of her arm. “Now. Are you a newswoman, or not?”

  Harper stilled at the challenge, eyes narrowing. “Of course.”

  “Then you’re going to that damn party because this is the best bit of news this pitiful newspaper has had in ages. Who knows, maybe you’ll get some dirt on Latimer in that close of proximity.”

  “I’m an editor now, not a reporter. Let alone an undercover one.”

  “I don’t care if you’re Ben freaking Bradlee, you’re going.” Ruth pointed at Harper’s chair. “Now sit down, and I’ll try to prepare you for what you’re about to get into. As best I can, anyway, since I only have my imagination to go on as far as what happens behind those gates.”

  Harper gave a bark of disbelieving laughter, but started around her desk, nevertheless. Some people might have been offended by Ruth’s manner, but plainspoken bossiness was familiar to her. Ruth was the closest thing to a savvy newspaperwoman Harper had run into at the Gazette. The truth was, she wouldn’t let Ruth boss her around if she wasn’t curious herself about the invitation.

  “You make a cocktail party sound like it’s life altering,” Harper said, plopping into her chair.

  “You never know,” Ruth replied drolly. “We’re talking Jacob Latimer here. He’s made it a business to alter lives. Maybe his own, most of all. He made a giant of himself out of nothing but shadows and whispers, after all. That’s the potential story, if you ask me.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Beth Kery is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including Glow, Glimmer, The Affair, Since I Saw You, Because We Belong and When I’m With You. She lives in Chicago with her family. Visit her online at bethkery.com.

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