Read Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart for Free Online Page B

her safe, her life,
private.
    Everyday Kit took out her laptop and tried
to write, but nothing came. Setting up in the parlor on the first
floor didn’t work either. Long walks, chatting with Sarah by phone
and email, rocking on the porch with Grace didn’t bring new book
ideas..
    Zoe refused to see her, blaming her mother
for the divorce. Kit stayed away. The pain of knowing her daughter
lived so close but was out of reach seared her heart. She had
always made time for Zoe, thought they were close. The divorce
created a wedge between them, a gulf Zoe refused to cross.
    While strolling through the small town, Kit
came to know the stores and restaurants. She stopped in at Harry’s
Deli for a sandwich at lunchtime, sometimes, Mary’s Café for tea in
the late afternoon, then skipped dinner. Kit joined Grace for
breakfast at eight every morning.
    Willow Falls Seconds, a second-hand shop,
intrigued her. Thumbing through the used books at Bella’s
Bookstore, looking for a book to distract her, helped pass an hour
or two. When she found a good book, she’d curl up on the wicker
sofa or sit in a rocker on Grace’s porch, facing Bon Appetit, and
read the day away.
    * * * *
     
    Tunney wandered into Bon Appetit in need of
an excellent meal and good company. He wouldn’t admit to himself he
hoped to see Kit Alexander again. He held his breath as he opened
the door. His gaze went right to the bar. A big grin washed over
his face. There she was, sitting in the same seat with a Cosmo on
the bar in front of her. He stopped for a moment to look at the
back of her sundress, a print in two shades of blue on a white
background. He loved blue. As he let go of the door, his mind
fantasized about the construction of the front of her dress and
what it covered, causing his grin to widen. He placed his hand on
the back of the seat next to her, leaned over and spoke softly into
her ear with his deep, warm voice.
    “Your first tonight?”
    When she turned around he was rewarded with
a nice view of her fine breasts. He was unable to pull his gaze
away until her tinkling laugh grabbed his attention, and made him
meet her eyes.
    “Well, hello again.” Kit raised her drink to
her lips, his eyes followed it.
    “Is this seat taken?”
    “Not yet”
    “My lucky night,” he murmured, sliding into
the seat next to her.
    “I promise not to overindulge tonight.” She
tried to form a frown but her lips kept turning up into a
smile.
    “Too bad. I enjoyed walking you home.” He
glanced briefly at the neckline of her sundress again, then at the
curve of her leg.
    “You can still walk me home…across the
street.”
    “You’re staying at Grace’s place?” He raised
his hand to signal Don.
    “Nicer, cheaper than the motel.”
    “How long are you planning to stay in Willow
Falls?” Don placed a beer in a frosted glass in front of
Tunney.
    “I’m not sure.” He watched her gaze move
down to his shoulders then stop.
    “If you’re looking to rent something, I’m
looking for a tenant for my mother’s house.”
    “Really? I’m interested.”
    “The house is furnished. I plan to renovate
it then sell it.” He took a long draught of his beer.
    “How long a lease?” She toyed with the damp
cocktail napkin under her drink.
    “How long would you want to stay?”
    “Maybe six months, maybe a year?” she said,
brushing a lock of hair from her face.
    That’s when he noticed it, the wedding ring.
He frowned, convinced this beautiful lady hadn’t worn one when he
first met her.. He would’ve noticed because he had wedding ring
radar, never missed one on an attractive woman. But there he saw
the ring now, plain as day. What the hell am I doing? Married…even if I wished she wasn’t. But he did need a
tenant.
    “I could agree to…a six month renewable
lease, in case you want to move or I get a buyer.”
    “Six months…I should know by then if I want
to stay.”
    “When would you like to see the house?” His
gaze hovered on her