Read Love Song for Free Online

dropped it on the bed, humming a happy little tune. She picked up the teddy bear from beside her and set him on her stomach, leaning him back against her bent legs. “Well, Sweet Thing, looks like I was right to name you after that handsome cowboy.”
    She rested a while, ate a quick lunch, then primped a bit. She changed into a short sleeved, blue print cotton dress made in a basic a-line style that was loose and comfortable. She slipped on a pair of canvas flats before doing her makeup—a touch of mascara, blush, and lipstick. While brushing her hair, she heard the rumble of a car with a loud muffler coming down the street. When it stopped in front of the house, she hurried to the living room window. Wade was climbing out of a pristine, bright red roadster. She couldn’t tell a Ford from a Chevy, but it was obvious that the old car had been lovingly restored.
    Grabbing her purse and a light sweater, she raced out the door, barely remembering to close it. “Wade, it’s beautiful! Is it yours?” His twinkling eyes and smug smile gave her his answer before he nodded. Andi walked around the car, admiring the spotless paint, sparkling chrome, and big round headlights perched atop the sweeping front fenders. Inside, the wooden steering wheel and dash were smooth and shiny; the red leather upholstery, soft and inviting. “What kind is it?”
    “A ’33 Chevy Coupe.”
    “Did you restore it yourself?”
    “Yep. Spent about a zillion hours on it.”
    “And a ton of money.”
    He laughed. “Nearly. Haven’t you heard? Men don’t grow up; they just get bigger toys.” He opened the passenger door and bowed slightly as she sat down. “It’s not stock. I changed a few things, like adding a bigger engine and some other stuff to make it run better. And of course, I had to have a stereo, air conditioner, and seat belts.”
    After he closed the door, she watched him walk around the front of the car and admired the way he looked in his buckskin colored Western shirt and jeans. Like most cowboys, he had a long, easy stride, with a hint of a swagger. The boots contributed to that walk, but they couldn’t account for all of it. He was a man comfortable with himself; one who knew who he was and accepted it.
    He met her gaze as he sat down. “What?” he asked softly.
    “I was thinking how much you’ve changed since high school,” she said, buckling her seat belt as he fastened his.
    “I was pretty miserable back then. It took several years for Uncle Ray and Aunt Della to love away the hurt.” He pulled onto the street and headed out of town. “Even then, they didn’t do it alone. Finding Jesus was a big part of it, and finally sitting down and talking to my dad, man to man, helped, too.” As soon as they were on the open road, he stomped on the gas pedal. With a roar of the engine and a surge of power, they reached the speed limit in seconds.
    Andi laughed in delight. “How fast will it go?”
    “As fast as a modern Chevy. I haven’t tested it out. I have too much time and money invested in this little beauty to risk crashing her.” He smiled mischievously. “Besides, I’m a wimp when it comes to pain, and Aunt Della doesn’t put up with much moanin’ and groanin’. I found that out when I was bull-riding.”
    “Sounds to me like you had a death wish.” She meant to tease him but instantly regretted her words when his expression darkened.
    “I did,” he said quietly.
    She laid her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I was only kidding, but I shouldn’t have said that.”
    Wade felt her tender touch all the way to his toes. “It’s all right. You didn’t know. It was the summer after we graduated. I was so bitter and angry with my parents that it seemed like a good way to work some of the venom out of my system. And, to be honest, I didn’t care if I got killed in the process. It didn’t seem like I had much to live for.” You were gone .
    “What happened?”
    “I made it through several rodeos