Read Her Charming Heartbreaker for Free Online Page B

again.”
    “What?”
    “Not blinking. Did you
just tune out? My brothers do that and, you might as well know, I
hate it.”
    “I heard every word you
said.”
    “Prove it.”
    “Where’s the
trust?”
    “I have three brothers.
They beat it out of me.” She shrugged. “Not literally, but even to
this day they have this uncanny ability to pull the wool over my
eyes.”
    “Coffee?”
    “Yes. And for the
record, they also use diversionary tactics to get me to drop
whatever bone of contention... Oh, never mind.”
     
    * * *
     
    “A good looking guy
asks you out for coffee and you waste your time calling me?”
    “This is a courtesy
heads up, get ready for a close up look at Theo Kendrick call.”
Otherwise known as a panic attack with a bit of feet dragging
thrown in because she hadn’t stopped thinking about Sophie’s
suggestion she have a fling. “He wants to try your coffee.”
    Joyce laughed. “I’ll
bet anything you’ve checked your hair and tried on two different
outfits.”
    “Wrong. I’m still
wearing my work jeans.”
    “Would it kill you to
wear one of the two dresses you own?”
    “It would be too
obvious. Besides, I need to get back out there again. I’ve already
taken too long. I told him I needed to powder my nose.”
    “And that’s not
obvious? Add everything you’ve just told me together and I’d bet
anything you’ve got a case of tingles.”
    “What are you talking
about?”
    “That flapping of
butterfly wings in the stomach sensation you feel when your body
reacts to the presence of someone you’re attracted to. How far do
the tingles go? Is your thinking slowing down? Are you taking
longer to process information?”
    Eddie frowned. “Is that
what attraction does to you?”
    “I can’t remember. It’s
been so long. Okay, I’m going to grind some fresh coffee beans.
I’ll see you soon.”
     
    * * *
     
    “This is not what I
expected.” Theo stood in the middle of Joyce’s Café, his eyes
skating from one end to the other. “It’s like an indoor garden.”
With wrought iron furniture, dainty antique tea sets and paintings
of landscapes, gardens, and flowers hanging on every available wall
space not taken up by bookshelves. “Joyce obviously caters to a
more gentile clientele.”
    Eddie snorted. “As
opposed to the roughnecks who frequent The Gloriana?”
    “You have a boar’s head
hanging over the fireplace.”
    “A well-earned trophy.
It took me three hours of stalking before I could get a decent shot
at it.” She laughed. “You better sit down before you fall
down.”
    They settled at a table
by the window, all eyes following their progress. “Is that the only
one you’re responsible for?”
    “I didn’t shoot Bambi’s
dad, if that’s what you’re asking. That came to us courtesy of
Charles Granger. He owns Willoughby Park, a deer farm not far from
town. He’s the local venison supplier.” She frowned. “Your mouth is
gaping open. What’s wrong?”
    Theo shook his head.
“I’m still trying to picture you hunting a wild boar.”
    “I didn’t do it for
fun. It tore apart Grandma Wilson’s vegetable garden. There was a
lot of brouhaha over who was going to hunt it down, when and how.
You know, typical male strategic game planning—” She looked up and
smiled. “Here’s Joyce.”
    The café owner
approached them with a ready megawatt smile. She wore a red and
white polka dot dress and a red bandana around her pitch-black
cutie pie bob, clearly favoring some sort of fifties revival
style.
    While Eddie did all the
talking, Theo noticed Joyce’s eyes narrowing.
    “Theo will have what
will no doubt become his usual. A double shot espresso, and I’ll
have some tea. I’ll let you chose the blend.”
    Joyce tapped her pen
against her chin. “I don’t mean to stare, but there’s something
familiar about you. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
    Eddie gave him a lifted
eyebrow look. “Your secret is about to be uncovered. Care to