Love's Stormy Gale (Heartsong Presents)

Read Love's Stormy Gale (Heartsong Presents) for Free Online

Book: Read Love's Stormy Gale (Heartsong Presents) for Free Online
Authors: Lynette Sowell
drying off.
    A puff of smoke greeted them as Todd lifted the cover from the grill. “If you want any meat, come and get it now. After this, fend for yourself.”
    “And we’re first in line.” Jonathan held out his plate. “Just don’t mess with Liv’s potato salad here. I’ve got first dibs on that.” Todd heaped several sauce-covered ribs onto Jonathan’s plate.
    “Why, thank you.” Olivia grinned, eyes sparkling. “I’ve never had anyone defend my potato salad before.” And then she gave a soft chuckle. Her honey-brown hair drifted around her shoulders.
    Jonathan felt a stirring within him when she looked into his eyes. He wanted to protect her, shelter her even though he’d been joking. The glimmer in her eye hadn’t been there since she’d given such a look to another man, namely Robby. Jonathan shifted his focus to his plate.
    Olivia made room for the ribs. “I suppose we could find somewhere to sit?”
    “Of course.” Jonathan led her to a bench at the edge of the patio. He could see the water from where they sat. A wayward gull flew in their direction, probably hoping for a tidbit of food.
    They ate in companionable silence.
    “I’m glad you came.” Olivia’s voice broke the quiet. “I didn’t realize until now how I’d lost touch with people here. I’ve missed out on a lot. Maggie’s going to have a baby, Kristi’s engaged.”
    Jonathan swallowed the last bite of barbecued ribs. “Believe it or not, we missed you. I know I did.”
    Olivia turned to him, her liquid eyes inscrutable in the July sunshine. She laid a hand on his arm, and paused as if she were about to speak.
    Maggie stood at the edge of the patio and bellowed, “Okay, everyone! It’s time for the scavenger hunt!”
    Great. Just when he was ready to kick back. He’d overstuffed himself and wanted to relax a little. Maybe Maggie wouldn’t harass them to participate.
    But instead Olivia turned to him. “I’m game if you are.”
    If she’d suggested they try to swim across Massachusetts Bay all the way to Cape Cod, he probably would have taken her up on it. Jonathan found himself tossing his dirty plate in the trash can and looking at a list, while Olivia stood next to him. A tiny crease appeared between her eyes and then disappeared as she smiled at him.
    Okay. He’d forgo zoning out for the afternoon. The Red Sox weren’t playing this weekend anyway.

Chapter 4
    “S he wants us to find what? ” Olivia tried to eye the note in Jonathan’s hand and still keep watch on the road that led to town.
    “Two tomatoes. We have to go to Market Basket and buy two tomatoes, and we’ll get our next instructions.” Jonathan tossed the paper between them and cracked his knuckles.
    She couldn’t believe she’d dragged him along on the indignity of one of Maggie’s scavenger hunts. On the other hand, looking for assorted oddities throughout Fairport gave them something to talk about besides the past. Their growing collection from the scavenger hunt included a red-and-white fishing lure, a red T-shirt they’d found at a thrift store, plus a spool of red thread.
    “I’m sorry I got you into this.”
    “Don’t apologize.” His tentative grin made her focus her attention firmly on the road. She braked behind a carload of teens probably heading to Good Harbor Beach. “I’m in this to win. How about you?”
    “Yes, me, too. And I’m having fun getting more involved in the old church group.”
    Jonathan cleared his throat. “It’s changed some. Some have gotten engaged, moved away, dropped out. There’s a few of us still hanging around, too old for the college crowd.”
    “But when the Young Marrieds group gets together, we don’t fit with them either.”
    “No, not exactly.” Jonathan’s tone made her glance his way. Olivia glimpsed regret in his eyes.
    “What is it? Was there someone?” Instead of thinking, she’d spoken aloud. As if she had any right to ask. A warm flush washed through her and she sucked in a

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