Read Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense) for Free Online

for a man in that way. How could she be thinking about this right now?
    “Come on, Amelia, get a grip.” Grabbing her bag, she got out of the truck and smoothed her hands down her pants.
    The host stopped her at the door. “Can I help you?”
    “I’m meeting someone here. Nick Miller.”
    “Yes ma’am, he is out on the patio.”
    Oh good, he was already there. It was ten ‘til noon. Another good sign. The host led her out to the back where a man sat a table alone. She thanked the server and forced herself to approach him. The first sight of him caught her off guard. His dark hair was thick and smooth, but spiked out on the edges from the breeze. His tan complexion was beautiful, and not to mention those eyes. They were so green and bright as he looked right at her. She had seen many handsome men, her ex husband included, but no one had ever taken the breath from her like he had at that moment.
    He stood up and pulled a chair out for her. “Hello, ma’am,” he said, his drawl revealing that he was from the area. She sat down and took a second to try and control herself. It didn’t help that he was so attractive to add onto her nerves. Sitting down across from her, he extended his hand for her to shake. “I’m Nick Miller.”
    Returning the favor, she felt his callused palm against hers and was impressed by his firm grip. “Amelia Tucker.”
    “Nice to meet you,” he replied.
    “Same to you. It’s always nice to put a face with a name.” And damn it, his face was amazing. So rugged, so…” Stop! If she could, she’d slap herself. This was a job interview! She was not here to check him out. Oh, those broad shoulders. And was that a necklace peaking out from beneath his collar? The silver chain stuck out against his brown skin. Such a simple thing that was so sexy.
    She reached for the glass of ice water in front of her and drank it down, hoping it would extinguish the attraction she was feeling. “So, how long have you been in Austin?” she asked, attempting to break the ice. Had he noticed how flustered she was?
    “A few days. I came back after being gone for several years.”
    “Oh? Where were you before?” She felt nosey, but she needed to know these things, as it was part of the interview.
    Nick hesitated. Crap, was he in jail? “I was in the army. Got honorably discharged against my will. Here I am.”
    The waitress came by but they both declined any food. “Against your will? You didn’t want to get out?”
    He shook his head. “No. I wanted to retire with the military. The budget cuts hit my brigade hard and I was one of the men they cut loose.”
    Amelia wasn’t sure if he wanted to say more, but she could tell it was a sore spot with him. She didn’t want to press the matter, but asked, “How many years were you in?”
    He sipped on his own water. “About fifteen years. Made it up to Sergeant.”
    “That’s very respectable, Mr. Miller.”
    He held his hand up and shook his head. “Call me Nick, Ms. Tucker.”
    “And you can call me Amelia, Nick.” She was pulled in by the mystery of the man. Maybe that wasn’t good. She needed him to be an open book if she was going to have him living on her ranch and being around her son, but there was also something about him that made her comfortable, even if she had only known him for about five minutes. She’d have liked to think she was a good judge of character, but then again, her ex husband turned out to be a strike against her.
    “So, you own the ranch where you’re needing a hand?” His thick eyebrows danced as he spoke. They were so animated.
    Oh right, back to business. He needed more information. “Yes. It’s been our family for along time. My dad’s not really up to working it all like he used to, so we’re needing to reach out.”
    Nick nodded. “Any other ranch hands?”
    “No, it’ll just be you. I have a son who sort of helps, but he is too young to do the big stuff. And I do some things too. But it’s just getting